Elder POV “So, what does everyone think of the baby dragon that showed up today?” Ma Kensei addressed the room with great dignity, ignoring the blood pouring from his head.
These fools were always messing around.
I supposed it was better than how they had been before.
“Is it possible the supernatural side wants to get involved?” Shio Sakaki grunted as he drank more sake.
He looked drunk, but I knew he wasn’t.
The supernatural side of our world irritated him.
Not that I could blame him.
It had been peaceful lately, especially since Heaven and Hell were negotiating some sort of peace treaty.
But there had been things appearing here and there that concerned me.
Not to mention the strange movements of Yomi.
“I don’t think so,” I said clearly.
The young dragon was clearly lost and alone.
Completely untrained and unaware of the presence he gave off.
Honestly, it was a miracle he was still alive.
His saving grace was his crude mana circulation method.
It was impressive, honestly.
It was clearly of his own design, and he kept it circulating evenly throughout our entire meeting.
“Chū-Chū likes him,” Shigure said flatly.
Well.
If the mouse liked him, that should be fine, right?
“He is conflicted with himself and his identity,” Akisame stated.
“The appreciation he showed toward the statue suggested he sensed something off about it, but he couldn’t identify what it was.” Ah.
So he was also sensitive to Dao intent.
Interesting.
“Miu seemed to like him,” Kensei said with a suggestive eyebrow wiggle.
I glanced at Shigure briefly.
She nodded.
Good.
Punish the idiot for me later.
“She needs to learn about the other side of the world now,” I said.
“The New Waves are beginning to wash upon the shore.” The room quieted.
Then, one by one, everyone agreed.
We would test the boy.
We would train him if he proved worthy.
And Miu would learn what she needed to learn.
The world was surely going to be lively for a while.
I wondered if I would get to stretch these old bones.
— Raoul POV I felt a chill run up my spine.
It was like something important had just been decided.
Strangely, it didn’t bother me.
I even kind of felt like it was something I had caused.
Like my choice to go to Ryozanpaku had weight.
[Your existence has stabilized further.] [Faction Link Established: Ryozanpaku Dojo] Status: Provisional Disciple.
Current Reputation: 1.
[Bond Established: Miu Fūrinji] Status: Minor Bond Stabilized.
[Bond Established: Hayato Fūrinji] Status: Minor Bond Stabilized.
Warning: Major Bond forming.
Stabilizing…
[Your Narrative Weight has increased.] [Current Narrative Weight: Noticeable] As if I wasn’t before.
But a major bond with the Elder, huh?
I did like the guy.
He was calming to be around.
Like nothing could bother him.
I guess I had given him a good impression as well?
Miu was around my age.
He might have been reacting to seeing similarities.
She never did introduce any parents.
Well.
Training started tomorrow after school.
Let’s get some rest.
Status.
— [Status] Name: Raoul Kurokaze Race: Physical Human — Draconic Soul-Integrated Classification: Stabilizing Fictional Existence Existence Density: 0.05% Soul Integrity: 7.60% Narrative Weight: Noticeable Notable Links: Koneko Toujou — Minor Bond Ryozanpaku Dojo — Provisional Disciple Miu Fūrinji — Minor Bond Hayato Fūrinji — Major Bond Forming Ddraig Y Goch — Favorable Recognition Nascent Dragon Soul — Life-Bonded Partner — The first training session was about to begin.
I knew I wouldn’t learn anything crazy right off the bat.
I was way too underdeveloped, both muscularly and flexibility-wise, to succeed with anything advanced yet.
But with the knowledge of martial arts provided to me by the System, I had this!
It was like reading an instruction manual.
— “You know, I had the best impression of you,” I couldn’t help but say as I stood in a horse stance, holding two heavy gourds of water upright with my arms extended.
It would not have been so bad if that bastard hadn’t put knife-lined bands around my calves and biceps.
If I moved, I got stabbed.
Well.
More like poked.
But it was the principle of the matter!
“You have talent, but your foundation is abysmal,” Akisame said calmly.
“I don’t even know how you moved the way you did when you tried to run away earlier with your current body.” Don’t look down on NPCs, you shitty supporting character!
I did not say that.
Because he was right.
I had been proud of dodging a lunge from Miu, but apparently, she had been tripped by Shigure’s pet mouse.
Which was also some kind of magical beast or something.
It was pretty much talking to Shigure.
It even gave me a thumbs-up as I ran off.
The mouse.
Anyway, I was quickly caught and tied up by Akisame.
Jujitsu was crazy.
And now we were here.
“Only twenty more minutes, Raoul,” Akisame said without looking up from his book.
I’ll keep going and show this prick!
— I should not have done that.
Because now I had to spar Miu.
I had never fought before.
But I could sense her aura.
Magical energy?
Qi?
Something.
It was like life force.
And hers was bright, steady, and terrifyingly controlled.
She was strong.
[Warning: Opponent exceeds Host in all relevant physical categories.] Wow.
All relevant categories?
[Yes.] I blinked and turned to the Elder, who was watching nearby with a smile.
“Is this a thing where you’re testing if I can sense my opponent’s strength?” I asked hesitantly.
Then I pointed at Miu.
“Because she is going to kick my ass.” Sakaki started cracking up.
Miu looked embarrassed.
Akisame gave an eerie smile.
“The spar can begin.” Oh.
I was going to die.