Chapter 60: Be My Master
Facing Seiko's sudden request, Natsuya didn't agree immediately.
He set down his chopsticks and looked intently at the nervous girl before him. The mixture of shyness, anxiety, and unshakable determination in her eyes made it clear that this wasn't just a whim.
"Why do you want me to guide your training?" he asked seriously. "I mean, sure, I'm a once-in-a-generation prodigy with infinite potential... but compared to a specialized Cultivator, I'm not exactly a professional teacher."
"I might not actually make you stronger. I might just lead you down a weird path."
"Because Natsuya-kun is strong!"
Seiko shook her head, cutting him off. Her voice was firm. "I've felt it since the Final Selection!"
"Whether it was the way you cut down those demons with total ease..."
"Or later, when you faced a Blood Demon Art that left everyone else helpless."
Her voice rose slightly, and a tiny spark of fire ignited in her eyes.
"Your strength is undeniable. Your swordsmanship, your capacity, and that relentless will to grow stronger... it's all on another level!"
"Back then, I could still see your back. I thought to myself: 'Wow, that person is incredible. I have to work hard to keep up. I want to be an elite swordsman like him.' But now..."
Natsuya blinked.
He suddenly felt like the BBQ in his bowl wasn't as tasty. Wait, did I grind my Faction Reputation too high? Why does everyone have such an inflated opinion of me? Do I really have 'Endgame Boss' energy already?
Seiko paused, her tone tinged with a hint of bitterness and self-deprecation.
"But now, I can barely even see your silhouette anymore."
"I follow the methods the Cultivators taught me. I train until I collapse. I've steeled myself for death..."
"But I can't do it."
"I just can't do it. No matter how hard I exercise or how much effort I put in, I can only watch Natsuya-kun get further and further ahead."
The air in the booth grew quiet. Aside from the girl's emotional outpouring, the only sound was the sizzling of meat on the charcoal.
"Senior, your progress is too fast. You're flying."
"I... I don't want to be left behind. I don't want to be a weakling who has to rely on others every time a demon appears."
The standard training provided by the Cultivators was enough to turn a regular person into a "qualified" Slayer. But it wasn't enough to make someone an elite—someone who could win, grow, and keep winning.
In Seiko's heart, the need to avoid being a burden, the desire for personal revenge, and the simple wish to keep up with Natsuya were all conflicting with her current weakness.
Seeing Natsuya again had made that gap painfully obvious. She even had a gut feeling that Natsuya was already stronger than the Master who had trained her.
While Natsuya was considering the request, a new prompt popped up in his HUD.
[Side Quest: Path of Mentorship!]
Summary: Through teaching and guidance, raise Yukibashiri Seiko's Power Level to 80 or above.
Reward: 800 Breathing Style XP (Adaptive Proficiency).
So, I've triggered a 'Master-Disciple' event, Natsuya thought. Perfect. I can use this to grind my [Medicine] and [Mentorship] Life Skills.
Actually, if 'any means necessary' counts, could I turn her into a Space Marine or a Cyborg to hit that Level 80 requirement?
While Natsuya was entertaining weird build ideas, Seiko mistook his silence for hesitation. She added frantically:
"And... my recent missions... I feel like they're getting harder."
"I was lucky this time because I ran into you."
"But if I meet another demon like that on my own, I'm afraid... I'm afraid I'll be powerless again."
She didn't finish the sentence, but her white-knuckled grip on her knees said it all. She wasn't afraid of dying; she'd accepted that the day she joined. She was afraid of dying uselessly before the demons were gone. She was afraid of watching someone she wanted to protect die in front of her again.
Natsuya sensed her resolve. But there was one thing Seiko didn't say out loud: She just wanted an excuse to stay by his side.
Natsuya nodded, his face returning to its usual stoic expression.
"Alright. Deal."
"Really?!" Seiko's eyes lit up instantly.
"I'll be in Yokohama for a while, studying under my Senior. During that time, when you aren't on a mission, you can come find me."
"However..."
Natsuya recalled his experience "training" Giyu and Sabito at Mt. Sagiri. A blueprint for a hellish training regimen began to form in his mind.
"My methods are a bit... direct."
Mainly because I have a dozen Life Skills that need proficiency points.
"I'm not afraid!" Seiko held her head high. "Please, lash me as much as you need to, Natsuya-kun!"
Natsuya: "...Maybe don't phrase it like that."
"Anyway, as long as you're prepared." Natsuya picked up a piece of pork rib he didn't particularly like and dropped it into Seiko's bowl.
The casual, subconscious gesture made the girl's face heat up. "Natsuya-kun..."
"Also," Natsuya added, "if you're going to be training here long-term, you'll need a place to stay."
"A... a place to stay?"
Seiko froze. Her face turned a shade of red that shouldn't be humanly possible. Her brain flashed through every romance novel and Western opera plot she'd ever heard.
Is... is he asking me to move in?! To his Senior Brother's house?! Is this the 'Meet the Family' phase?! I'm not ready! But if Natsuya-kun insists... I guess I have no choice...
Looking at her exploding blush and panicked eyes, Natsuya tilted his head.
"I mean, if you're training here, you need a base of operations. You can't just keep bothering the Wisteria House people forever."
"I can ask the Kakushi or a local broker in Yokohama to find a suitable apartment for rent nearby."
Seiko: (////▽////)
"Oh... Oh! I see! That's... that's what you meant!"
She buried her face in her bowl and started eating at double-speed.
Shame! Absolute shame! What was I just thinking?!
She accidentally bit her tongue and let out a small yelp. Looking at Natsuya, she stammered, "I—I'll find a place myself! No need to trouble you, Natsuya-kun!"
Natsuya watched her with confusion. I feel like Seiko just had a very intense internal monologue that I wasn't invited to.
He popped a piece of beef into his mouth.
Huh. I was talking too much. The meat's charred.
Soon, Seiko settled into a small but tidy house in Yokohama.
The next morning, she woke up early, adjusted her Nichirin Sword, and headed to the Storm Hashira's estate.
The building was a beautiful Western-style mansion of red brick and white stone, with stained-glass windows that caught the morning light. It was an aesthetically pleasing sight.
"As expected of the Arashibashira's estate. It's so grand," she whispered to herself.
She checked her wrist, sniffing it. No weird smells. Good. She had taken an extra-long bath that morning.
After a polite knock, a well-dressed servant led her through the corridors toward the training grounds—a large, open garden. The garden was meticulously maintained, featuring cherry trees and pines surrounding a koi pond with several expensive stone lanterns.
And there, she saw some familiar faces.
Natsuya raised a hand. "Oi. You're early, Seiko."
But what shocked the girl wasn't Natsuya's greeting. It was the other two people in the yard.
"WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING HERE?!"
Kojiro and Dojima, who were currently swinging wooden swords, paused simultaneously.
Kojiro, the Kanoe-rank Slayer, scratched his head awkwardly. Dojima, the Hinoto-rank, hesitated for a second before pretending he hadn't heard her and resumed his drills with a stiff expression.
DAMN IT! Seiko screamed internally.
My 1-on-1 time with Natsuya-kun! Give it back! You third-wheelers!
Seiko felt her fists clench. Hard.