CHAPTER 15 – DETAILS OF THE SAMURAI’S TEST

After the penetration take a look at was over, Nagahide let his disciples observe on their very own as he was having a chat with Lily in the primary corridor. This place was the place the samurais of Matsuda clan obtain their visitors.

Lily was sitting in seiza on the dark-brown ground of the primary corridor.1 She appeared sleek, but possessed the calm aura of a martial artist.2

And Nagahide was sitting on the seat of the household head.

Nagahide was a really old style samurai, it was fairly inappropriate for a person and girl to spend time alone, a lot much less a wonderful woman that may stimulate one’s need. As such, he selected the primary corridor that immediately confronted the yard. There have been a number of brats making noise and coaching on the exterior, so it was naturally not an issue.

“Miss Kagami, I’ve a query. Could I?” Nagahide requested critically.

“Elder, please go forward.”

“For a younger girl of an prosperous household such as you, why should you be taught fencing?”

“As I advised the elder earlier than, I’ve my very own motive, a motive why I’ve no alternative however to be taught fencing.” Lily’s tone carried a manly decision.

“Oh… if Miss Kagami is just not keen to say it, I gained’t pursue additional than this. I can see your willpower out of your sword intent. Since I’ve already promised to show you, I’ll naturally attempt my hardest. It’s simply that… what are your plans after studying tips on how to fence?”

“Elder, I need to take part within the samurai’s qualification take a look at.” Lily bowed flippantly. Although her light voice was comfortable, she was not fazed in any respect.

“Samurai’s qualification take a look at?!” Nagahide was astounded, “You need to take part within the samurai’s qualification take a look at? Why would you, a pampered younger girl from the Kansai area, need to develop into a samurai?”

“Elder, that is for a similar motive why I need to be taught the kenjutsu.”3

“Oh…” Nagahide checked out Lily’s watery eyes that appeared to hold a touch of grief and willpower. Simply what had this girl went via, it was in all probability one thing even somebody as skilled as him couldn’t think about.

Nagahide determined to cease asking about Lily’s previous, so he stated, “Since that’s the case, I’ll cease hiding it from you. Your sword moved me. It’s the one motive I’m keen to show you with none restrictions, comparable to making you serve the Matsuda Clan or calling me “Grasp”. I’ve been an teacher for the Hojo clan for a few years, however I’ve by no means come throughout an individual with such a sword intent. Furthermore, from a lady no much less. If I don’t educate you, that might be such a waste of pure expertise. In case you are a person, you would possibly even develop into a well-known samurai in Kamakura Metropolis sooner or later.”

“Elder, you as soon as stated there’s solely assault and defend in kenjutsu, what does being a person and girl matter? I additionally don’t have any intention to develop into well-known.” Lily calmly stated.

Nagahide nodded in silence, “Hehe, if you put it that manner, it looks as if my manner of the sword has been considerably tainted by worldly wishes.”

“By no means, Lily sincerely obtain the elder’s educating.” Lily bowed yet one more time.

“Since that’s the case, then I’ll let you know concerning the course of the samurai’s qualification take a look at first. It’s so as to mentally put together your self,” stated Nagahide.

“This samurai qualification take a look at is split into the sensible examination and fight examination. This sensible examination is about by the Heian Dynasty. Those that have the {qualifications} of a samurai might be examined their penetration power, using ability, and archery within the dojo. If these three meet the usual required, they are going to be a samurai-in-training. After that, in line with the requirement of the dojo, they are going to be despatched to kill a monster. In the event that they managed to deliver the monster corpse again to the dojo, they are going to be issued a certificates. Solely then will they develop into an actual samurai.”

“Penetration power, using ability, and archery…” Lily was overwhelmed. She was fully clueless when it got here to using and archery.

“That’s proper! Fencing, using, and archery, these three are the particular expertise each actual samurai is required to own!” Nagahide continued, “This samurai qualification take a look at will be stated to be the toughest trial for all who observe martial arts in Kamakura Metropolis. It’s doable that not even one amongst a whole bunch of martial artists is ready to cross this trial!”

“Changing into a samurai is as arduous appropriately, nevertheless it comes with many advantages. You may make a substantial sum of cash by being recruited by a distinguished clan or a dojo. You can too select to wander around the globe and depend on monster suppression to earn a reward! And in case you have a legitimate motive, you possibly can kill an individual with out being investigated. For instance, if a thug purposely humiliates a samurai, then that samurai can kill him with out feeling responsible.”

Legally killing an individual? Lily was startled, she naturally wasn’t keen on randomly killing the harmless, however along with her circumstances, she was afraid that it could be unavoidable to run into some hoodlum throughout her journey. Hmph, if anybody dares to assault me as soon as I develop into a samurai, I’ll lower them down!

Seeing that Lily was crammed with expectations, Nagahide additionally felt complacent as he continued, “It is best to know that our Kanagawa prefecture is the middle of actions for samurais of your complete Kanto area! And on the coronary heart of all of it, is of course the Kamakura Metropolis. Nonetheless, the frequent samurai qualification take a look at doesn’t have a spot in Kamakura Metropolis. There are two dojos eighty miles away from the town, the take a look at might be going down there. These two dojos are referred to as Genji Dojo and Taira Dojo respectively. No matter which, they’re the 2 dojos with rights to carry a take a look at and subject samurai certificates.”

When Nagahide talked about Genji and Taira Dojo, his strict face confirmed reverence and adoration. From his clearly glittering eyes, Lily may inform how a lot this middle-aged samurai revered and yearned for the 2 dojos.

“Genjo Dojo and Taira Dojo huh…” Even a fencing teacher of the Hojo clan like Nagahide was so respectful when talking of those two dojos. It appeared like they possessed nice energy on this Heian Empire!

“That’s proper, since Miss Kagami come from a rich household, I believe you might be already accustomed to the Genji and Taira. They’re the 2 largest energy within the Heian Dynasty. It’s not an exaggeration to say that Genji and Taira stand on the high of each samurai! They’re the leaders of all samurais on the earth! Their dojos will be discovered virtually in every single place. You could find traces of these two dojos all the best way from the northernmost Hokkaido to the southernmost Kyushu!”

Genji and Taira, their dojos may very well be discovered in every single place?

Lily was additionally slightly excited after listening to these, however she nonetheless maintained her calmness and solely dedicated this info to her reminiscence.

After listening to all the things Nagahide needed to say, Lily returned to her home on the yard to take a shower. Then she leaned on the sliding door that was painted blue by the moonlight.

She acquired an excessive amount of info in the present day and eventually had an preliminary understanding of this world.

From tomorrow onwards, she would instantly start fencing coaching beneath the tutelage of Matsuda Nagahide.

She naturally needed to be taught horsemanship and bow method as nicely. Oh, and there’s additionally the cultural historical past. In line with Nagahide, although samurai was not a high-ranking officer, their id was nonetheless far better than poor folks so it was essential to have some academic coaching.

There have been nonetheless so many issues she wanted to be taught! Since she got here from a contemporary metropolis, she needed to begin from zero with reference to horse using and archery. In addition to, even her solely saving grace —the penetration power— was nonetheless missing 8 kwan. It was certainly not that straightforward to develop into a samurai.

Concerning her sudden efficiency on the take a look at for penetration power in the present day, Lily was additionally very puzzled. She shouldn’t have that a lot energy, and Lily had not realized fencing when she was a boy. Nonetheless, senior sister beforehand participated in all types of sport, together with kendo. Lily even went to steal a look, her normal was apparently not unhealthy!

Perhaps it was attributable to this physique’s bodily recollections that allowed her to so simply swing a sword.

However in line with Lily’s estimation, even when senior sister’s physique was athletic and had realized aggressive kendo with a shinai4 within the fashionable world, it was nonetheless unattainable for her penetration power to surpass 20 kwan. She was a lady in any case!

And but her power was measured at 72 kwan. Furthermore, it was the penetration power for precise fight, not one which was swung blindly for the sake of grading. Lily guessed she may surpass 80 kwan if she actually swung with out caring about something!

It felt like ever since her soul entered the mirror’s area, her physique’s primary qualities had improved suddenly in a single night time.

Lily turned her physique to let the moonlight cross via the paper sliding door and shone on her again, then she took out the mirror to look over in full particulars.

“This mirror would possibly actually be an unimaginable treasure! It is extremely doable that my sudden improve in power has one thing to do with this mirror. It’s simply that… I nonetheless don’t know tips on how to ship my consciousness into the mirror’s area. Who is aware of, there is perhaps an opportunity that my power will improve once more!”

The mirror progressively turned clearer and she or he may see her charming reflection emerge on its floor.

Lily couldn’t maintain herself again from kissing the pink lips mirrored within the mirror.

“My god! Simply what am I doing? Am I a narcissist?”

“No… that’s not it…” Lily instantly turned depressed, “It’s solely as a result of that is the face of my old flame. That’s why I couldn’t restrain myself… isn’t that proper, senior sister?”

“Senior sister, your Lily goes to work arduous to develop into a samurai. Senior sister, are you chilly contained in the world of this mirror? Simply watch for me, senior sister…”

Lily continued to talk foolishly like that to the mirror…

Simply right now, a lightweight supply may instantly be seen from the skin and granny Ayashi was kneeling in entrance of the door, “Miss Kagami, are you asleep? The madam is right here.”

“The madam?!” Proper now, Lily was solely sporting a yukata with nothing inside. She unexpectedly put the mirror into her garments and sit upright.

“That’s proper! Granny Ayashi did inform me there’s a madam on this home. I used to be engrossed in fencing the entire day and didn’t pay this madam a go to, that was missing manners of me!”

Simply when Lily considered that, the door already slid open.