Unchanged Samurai In Another World

Episode 23: The Samurai Attends the Newcomer Training

“I have something I’d like to discuss.”

Just before bedtime, Kurosu seized the moment when everyone was lazily lounging on the sofas to bring up a topic.

“What’s up? You suddenly became formal.”

“Though I have been enjoying my time as an adventurer and lost track of this, I’m actually on a warrior’s pilgrimage. I wish to test myself against the strong warriors of this land. Is there any good way to do so?”

Since arriving in this country, he had been fighting monsters, convenient foes, but they were, after all, mere beasts. They didn’t offer any real challenge in a serious fight.

“You’re not talking about monsters, are you?”

“Exactly. I’d prefer someone skilled in the martial arts. Ideally, I’d like to fight a dexterous beastman like Yana… Is there no place like a sword arts dojo around here?”

During his travels, he had often participated in dojo-breaking. Most dojos would dismiss him outright without an introduction letter, but if he managed to defeat one of their disciples right there and then, they would often oblige him with a match.

It was effectively a universally accepted letter of introduction everywhere. Kurosu believed that, as long as he could find a dojo in this country, the rest would follow.

“A dojo? Isn’t that like a training ground? Hmm… I don’t think outsiders can enter the royal knights’ school.”

“What is this ‘knights’ school’?”

“Haven’t I mentioned it before? Sometimes commoners who achieve great feats can be granted a title by the king. Once knighted, they receive a hefty pension each year, which is why many people here wish to join the royal army. There are exceptions like the Guild Master who went from adventurer to knight, but generally, it’s easier to gain the king’s attention through military service.”

“But of course, if they accepted just anyone, the army would weaken. The knight school is a royal institution that screens applicants to train the elite. Allegedly, it accepts individuals without regard to status or race, but the entry and graduation standards are extremely high. It’s the first place that comes to mind when talking about the strong in this country.”

He understood this “pension” to refer to stipends. He recalled a hero from a semi-agrarian samurai family who conquered eighteen castles in ten days and rose to become a renowned leader. The dream of achieving glory through battle and rising in society was common in Japan as well.

Still, he was impressed. Even Hermann was a “knight.” From what he understood, a knight was someone who served their lord and wielded a sword. There were indeed similarities with the samurai. Someday, he’d like to assess them properly.

“But still, the capital is too far, isn’t it? Even if you just ask for a duel, you’d likely be thrown out”.

“Then wouldn’t the Guild’s training facility work? We all trained there at the beginning”.

“That’s a training place for newbies, isn’t it? If you want to square off decently against someone like Cross, you’d need to be at least a Class B adventurer”.

“Hey, don’t you forget Barth. Even that guy’s a solid F-rank newbie. Also, now that you mention it, the newcomers’ training is often conducted by high-ranked adventurers. It might not be such a bad option”.

“It depends on the content of the training, but wasn’t there a mock battle with the instructor before? I remember getting thrashed back then… You won’t know who the instructor is until you join, but it might be worth applying. We have a day off tomorrow anyway”.

“To fight against high-ranked adventurers… That sounds good. I’ll apply first thing tomorrow”.

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“I’m sorry, but Cross’s participation is not allowed”.

The next day, Kurosu visited the Guild enthusiastically to sign up for the training, only to be immediately rejected by Diana.

“…Why not? I’m a newcomer too; I should have the right to participate”.

“Are you serious? This is combat training! It doesn’t seem necessary for someone who can subdue giants and crush mercenary groups!”

Diana said this and turned away. Apparently, she had heard about the conflict with the mercenaries and was wary of him.

“That’s incorrect. Training is necessary to prepare for even stronger foes”.

“This is newcomers’ training! We don’t teach methods for battling monsters stronger than giants! Moreover, the practical training includes mock battles between participants. If there’s too much disparity in strength, it’ll disrupt the course”.

“…Would you allow participation if I held back?”

“Why do you insist on joining so much!? …If that’s the case, there’s a lecture on monsters and plants scheduled for the evening. If you’re new to this country, learning such knowledge is important”.

A samurai’s philosophy emphasizes action over knowledge…

“No, but…”

“What’s all the fuss about?”

When Kurosu persisted in arguing, Hermann, coincidentally descending the stairs, approached after hearing the commotion.

“Guild Master! It’s about Cross wanting to participate in the newcomers’ training ……”

“Cross wants to what?… So what’s your game here?”

Hermann looked at him with a penetrating gaze.

“I am not playing any games. I merely wish to receive instruction from high-ranked adventurers”.

“…I see, that’s what you’re aiming for. Diana, who’s the instructor for this session?”

“The morning combat training will be handled by Brandon, and the afternoon mock battles by Class B Nenet”.

“Ah, Nenet renowned for her ‘godspeed’… Very well, let Cross participate”.

“I’m grateful, Lord Hermann”.

The other day, he thought Hermann was an insolent and reckless man, but it seemed he understood things quite well. His opinion of the man would need to change.

“Guild Master, are you sure about this?”

“Brandon is one of the most reliable men I trust the most. He won’t push the participants too far. Nenet, while somewhat rash, is undoubtedly skilled. Besides, I myself want to see his abilities with my own eyes. Diana, please inform me when the afternoon lecture begins”.

“Understood……”.

Diana reluctantly responded and led Kurosu to a large building at the back of the Guild. Unlike the other beautiful structures on the main street, it was a plain, square building with little aesthetic value.

“In that case, please wait inside until the instructor arrives”.

With that, Diana left.

Inside the building was just as vast as its exterior suggested. There were several humanoid dummies presumably used for training, and countless weapons adorned the walls. The floor was all dirt, and the mixture of blood and sweat in the earth evoked memories of battles.

“Looks like they’ve finally arrived”.

“What took them so long? We’re busy here, you know”.

“Do you guys handle the instruction?”

Just as Kurosu was reminiscing, a voice pulled him back to reality.

The speakers were a group of three young-looking individuals, not exactly adults but not children either. Their tone was casual but held a certain maturity.

“Uh? No, I’m here to participate in training”.

“Huh!? Then where’s the instructor?”

“Don’t ask me”.

The impudence of the youths didn’t ruffle his feathers, but judging by his growing irritation, they had clearly been waiting for a considerable amount of time.

“Tch! Hey, you over there! Go check at the front desk!”

“Wh-what?”

Only now, upon hearing the voice, did he notice the existence of another person in the corner. It was a rather timid young beastman with long ears like a rabbit and large, round, nervous eyes.

The fact that he hadn’t sensed this person’s presence despite the proximity was commendable—truly impressive stealth skills.

“Hey, didn’t you hear!? With ears that big, you should’ve heard me ––”

“Yo! Sorry for the wait!”

The teenager’s shout was interrupted by the door opening, and a man entered.

“Former A-rank adventurer Brandon. Guess we’ve got a small group this time”.

The man speaking while scratching his cheek was the mandarin orange-haired man from the counter.

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