Just the epilogue and we’ll be done with volume 1!
Don’t really have much to say this time since the last release was just a couple days ago.
Anyway, enjoy. Sorry if there’s any typos in it.
Alfaleia’s Academy, early afternoon, the children were full of energy during lunch time.
Due to the recent changes in my living environment, I was feeling sleepy even though it was still noon. While cutting the fish with a knife, I was constantly opening and shutting my eyes.
It’s been three days since my fierce fight with Douglas. Celia and Sid couldn’t hide their shock in the beginning, but since all of us were able to safely return, now their smiles had returned.
In my case, because I had overdone it…I had ran out of magic power, and every bit I recovered, I used to cast healing magic on my body. Because I repeated this process over and over, I was always tired.
As a result, I was able to exercise now, but I couldn’t do anything about my sleepiness.
Sid and Celia who were sitting next to me, were teasing me because of my unusual state and laughing.
It’s not like I really minded, though it was kind of pathetic. If it was the old me, I probably wouldn’t have ended this way. A child’s body is hopelessly weak against drowsiness. No matter what I say, I’m currently in a child’s body. If I overdo it, it’ll take a toll on my body faster.
While enjoying my idle talk with Celia and Sid, I lamented the fact that I still hadn’t grown used to my body.
That being said, it’s true that I’ve only been able to become their friend because of said body. While feeling sleepy, I smiled at Celia and Sid who were having a conversation.
One day, I’d like Sheryl to join us like this. Wait a moment, is it just my imagination, or did the distance between Sheryl and Celia shorten since that day? While I was thinking that…I was suddenly asked a question by Celia and I stopped moving.
［Hey, Slavkun, Sid-kun, do you have any future dreams?」
「…Future dreams?」
「Yup. Like…something you want to become, or…something you want to do. You see, I want to become an actress. Performing in a multitude of fun plays and bringing lots of smiles to everyone!」
Towards me who had repeated her words because of her vague question, Celia said that with a big smile on her face.
Future dreams, huh. It seems like, even though she’s only twelve, Celia had a dream to become an actress.
There’s not much of a difference between elves and humans around the age of twelve. Having a dream, was a splendid thing.
「It has to be adventurer for me! Seeing places that no one has ever gone to, I’ll become an amazing adventurer!」
Sid had already said it before, it seems like he wants to become an adventurer.
It was extremely childish…yet still a splendid dream. He continues to put effort into it.
What would my dream be? Now that I had been asked like this, I was hesitating on how to reply.
「Slavkun, what’s your dream? As I thought, something like becoming a martial artist?」
「Hmm, let’s see…it’s true that if you were to ask what path I’d like to take, as expected, I’d like it to be involved with martial arts」
After all, I’m not an educated person. Something that would require using my brain, would probably not suit me.
However, if I were to say that I’m aiming to become a martial artist, I feel like that would be wrong.
If you have the determination, anyone that polishes their fists are martial artists from that day. Being strong or not is secondary. The strong will to become stronger is the most important thing for a martial artist. That’s what my master said.
Going by that, I could say that I already was a martial artist. At least, compared to the martial artists that I knew in my previous life, I feel that aiming to become a martial artist these days is somewhat different.
Now that I was thinking about my future for the first time, I found it hard to answer such a question.
I have heard something quite deep. What kind of dreams do I even have?
I had never thought of becoming an actor or an adventurer. I had never thought about earning a lot of money, nor leaving a mark in history.
…However, I had become a martial artist. Why was that?
「I want to…become the strongest」
That was something that I already knew. I wanted to become the strongest. I wanted to become the strongest man in the world.
With just a few words, I expressed my inner thoughts.
There was no deep meaning behind it. It was a dream I had as a child and I was still in the middle of it.
「That’s quite the odd answer coming from you. I never thought you’d have any interest in being the best」
The one who laughed while being surprised was Sid. Now that I think about it, they might have been unusual words coming from me.
「However, haven’t you also dreamt of it? It doesn’t matter in what field, to become the best…haven’t you dreamt of being at the top?」
「Of course I have. Even now, I’m thinking of becoming the best adventurer!」
…That’s right. If you were a man, anyone would had dreamt of something like this.
It was just that, I was unable to throw away this worthless dream. As if…I was just a baby. I still hadn’t let go of that dream I grasped during my childhood, it was quite awkward.
「It’s something like that. I’m the same, I’m still looking at that dream I saw back in the day. Kuku, now that I think about it, it was so simple」
Why was I aiming to become the strongest? It’s not like I’ve never thought about it.
However, it’s like this. It’s not like I want to become the strongest to do something, it’s because I want to become the strongest, that I’m doing something. My contradictory behaviour might be laughable, but it’s good enough for me.
「Hmm…I don’t really get it…」
Watching both of us smile, Celia tilted her head.
This was something like a special privilege for men, it was fine for her to not understand.
I heard that sometimes females have this kind of dreams…I’d like to meet them and talk to them. Feeling somewhat happy, I felt that the food I carried to my mouth was really tasty.
While engaging in a heated talk about our dreams, we finished our meal.
「Phew, It was so tasty!」
Said Sid, while rubbing his stomach. I calmly collected my tableware and after collecting theirs, I piled them up together.
「It’s been bothering me, why do you want to be the best?」
While I was doing it, Celia’s voice got mixed with the sound of the tableware.
「…Hmm？」
「You said that you wanted to become the strongest a while ago, right? Sid said he wanted to be the best adventurer. I was thinking about why you wanted to become the strongest」
「Oh…you meant that」
Now that I think about, I only mentioned wanting to become the strongest.
How should I answer? I felt somewhat embarrased, for a moment, my eyes went in circles. Well, there was no reason to hide it.
「Let’s see…I know it sounds a little vague, but as I thought, it’s because I have taken the path of martial arts. Haven’t you thought about it too, Sid? Becoming the strongest person in the world」
「Eh? Me? Of course I have. If you are a man, you’d have at least thought about it once, right?」
While Sid showed his agreement, I clutched my fist.
「There might be differences among men, but be it humans, beastmen, elves, and even djinns…they will have their fist like this. They would picture wanting to become the strongest as them being cool. However…they might find another path, open their fist, and take hold of something new. Nevertheless, those who are called martial artist, can’t open this fist. No matter what, even if they win, lose, or get injured. That’s why they might not have anything other than this. Well…to sum it up, they are children. They can’t throw their first dream away, they hate to lose…that’s why they find it fun」
I slowly opened my clutched fist. If giving up on being the strongest was as easy as doing this, I might be walking another path in this life.
Still, thanks to that, I have been able to grasp many things with this closed fist of mine.
Like Alma and Chester…and lately there’s Sheryl, and these friends of mine.
I forgot to tell them, but there was another thing. Not being able to let go until you are on the vergue of death is also something they find hard to deal with, that’s also a trait of martial artists.
「…I can’t really understand it but…what you are saying is kind of deep?」
It looks like he wasn’t able to understand everything I’d said, but Sid looked deeply moved.
While young, he’s still a man. It might be impossible to understand everything, but it’s not like he can’t make sense of it.
Like that, I started to smile.
The fun times, quickly went by. The clock’s hands, would soon inform us that lunch time was over.
「With lunch time ending, our break time will also end and then it’s lessons, huh….magic lessons are such a pain」
「Magic is necessary for adventurers,right? If you don’t study it, you might come to regret it later」
「I know that already.That’s why I’m doing my best even though it’s such a pain」
It was true that Sid was working hard. It wasn’t just a compliment, even though he wasn’t that smart, it was impressive how hard he worked to reach his objective.
「Sid-kun is working hard after all. Is there something you want to work hard on, Slavkun? You want to become the strongest martial artist, right?」
After cheerfuly smiling at Sid who was hanging his head, Celia proceeded to fix her gaze on me.
…Speaking honestly, the times I have been able to work hard have decreased lately.
「Due to certain circumstances I’m staying indoors for now. However…my feelings of wanting to become stronger, won’t lose to anyone. I plan to struggle until I can grasp that dream with my own hands」
She meant no ill will, but the words she said with a smile hurt, and I clutched my fist.
I clutched them so hard to the point it started cracking. That’s right, my feelings of wanting to become stronger won’t lose to anyone.
Now that 30 years had passed since I died, just how much has the world of martial arts changed?
The world is vast. There’s sure to be idiots like Chester our there. I can’t help but look forward to it just from thinking about it.
「Ahaha, I see…yup. Sorry, Slavkun」
Contrary to her smile, I was making a face like that of someone that had taken a punishment.
…It happened at that moment.
「I heard what you just said, Slava!」
The sun was setting, and the double door of the classroom was vigorously opened.
The one who pushed the door open with both hands, was a female elf with long azure hair…Alma.
「Your teacher is so happy, Slava. I didn’t know you had such strong feelings toward wanting to become stronger」
With a smile that covered her whole face, Alma started approaching us.
…What’s going on? Seeing how happy she was for some unknown reason, I unconsciously frowned.
「The feelings you have toward martial arts are splendid! However, Slava, if you want to become stronger, it’s essential for you to study the Shijima style! How about using this break time to take the first step toward that path?」
It seems like she has come to invite me to become her disciple as always…but the timing was too good, I unintentionally looked at Celia.
With both of her hands clasped together, Celia winked apologetically.
It was as if she was trying to say sorry with her eyes. I started to understand the situation.
…I see she might really be able to become an actress like this. Looking at this situation, I’ve been had. Making me make that pledge, was to seal my path of retreat.
Well, I’ve been had. Rather that joining the Shijima style, I was once an instructor for it.
Becoming the disciple of my own disciple was like some sort of joke.
Becoming the disciple of Alma, who I directly taught, as one would expect, there’s nothing I can learn from her.
…However, look at how happy my daughter was. She looked as if she had finally caught her prey. I was hiding my identity for my own convenience, I couldn’t just flatly refuse here.
Besides, refusing after having had this conversation would feel unnatural. Refusing an invitation from Alma, who is known for being the strongest in the eyes of the elves. It wouldn’t be rare to face heavy criticism from elven martial artists if I did.
「hah…I understand. I appreciate the invitation」
「R-really!? I’m so happy, Slava! With that being decided, there’s no time to waste! Let’s go right now!」
Good grief, making such a delighted face. If there was a tail attached to her, it would be going wild, while I was thinking that, She took me by the hand and started walking.
It seems like it’s going to be troublesome for the time being, but…oh well.
Now that I think about it, it’s been a while since I lasted talked to my daughter alone. While exhaling from my nose, I gave up and smiled.
「Fufufu, at last, we have the chance to talk just the two of us, Slava」
While being pulled by Alma, we arrived at the auditorium where the martial arts lessons were performed.
With a smile full of satisfaction, Alma was clearly in a good mood.
…Well, if I managed to catch a good disciple, I would also be in a good mood…
「Aren’t you being a bit pushy?」
That’s right, she was being too forceful. It’s not like I personally mind, but I hope she doesn’t do the same thing to everyone else. Having to reproach my own daughter’s behaviour, felt like being stabbed by a nail…
Of course, I do understand her feelings, I won’t press too hard. When I found out about her talent, I was extremely happy at the fact that I could leave the Shijima techniques to her.
However, if the person itself doesn’t have the will, they won’t last long no matter how much talent they have. Give them time to think, if they refuse a second time, give up on teaching them the techniques, that’s what I thought in the old days.
As a result, Alma succeeded the Shijima techniques. However, if Alma didn’t do it out of her own will, she might not have left her name in history.
In this path that might not give you anything even if you become strong, the most important thing is your own willingness. I believe that taking a disciple should be done once they are ready.
「It’s true that I might have been a little pushy, but treat it as me thinking your talent holds that much value. That being said, I know it’s a bit late to say this, but I apologize for being this forceful. My master would probably be mad at me for this…I might have been in too much of a hurry」
She probably wouldn’t believe that her master is right in front of her eyes. Though…that master of hers, is thinking that it’s fine after thinking about it again. She is reflecting on it after all.
However…when given the chance to think about it, in my previous life, I really only taught about martial arts. Thinking about it, maybe I should have taught her other things. For some reason…I’m the one being taught now though.
「…There’s no need to be in such a hurry, right? It might have been the case if we were humans, having been born as elves, we still have a lot of time」
It was somewhat clumsy, but I want to convey to the flustered Alma, that she still had time.
That’s right, Alma was an elf. She might have lived a bit over a hundred years…but she was still a young elf.
If she was a human, she’d at an age where she would be nearly inside a coffin, but a hundred years for an elf, is like ten human years. There’s no need to panic.
「Haha, you are right. To be encouraged like this, I’m still green. …I’ll be more careful next time. But it’s fine just this time, I wanted you to experience the Shijima techniques. I won’t pressure you like this the next time. I promise」
Her eyes were somewhat moist, Alma smiled at me.
…I might have given this child, a burden too big for her to bear.
Elves are fundamentally carefree for the most part. However, unlike the elves who took their time with things, Alma was in a hurry.
Wasn’t the entire reason for it, the words I left her?
…Yes, the truth might be that. To protect the will of her master and father, she desperately hurried up. In that case, wasn’t it a binding I spell I had cast on her?
…If that was the case, I believe I had done something awful.
「Well then, how about we move our bodies a bit? I might have said this already, but I’ll stop persistenly inviting you. So please, won’t you give me another chance?」
Towards that imploring gaze, I calmly nodded.
It seems like the things I have to think about have increased.
Can Alma properly carry the weight of my burden?
For her, it was the weight of the words from her only parent, I couldn’t even imagine what it was like.
Even though I was increasing the bonds I had in my current life, I was still hiding my identity from Alma…
…It might be something I’ll talk in the future, but I’ll definitely reveal my true identity, that’s what I think.
「First off, won’t you show me your 「Shadow leaf」 once more? It’s fine if it’s just the form. It’s been bothering me since the first time I saw it」
「Understood」
I took a deep breath, and closed my eyes.
Putting the fundamentals to practical use. A technique that used all of the fundamentals of the Shijima style.
Pulling, making their balance crumble, and then throwing. If you didn’t know this technique, you wouldn’t be able to perform the others.
While concentrating I took the 「Flowing stream」 stance, thinking about it, just how many times had I repeated this technique?
In my every day training, there was not a day I didn’t perform this technique.
…It was like a road without an end. Wasn’t it like it symbolized the path of martial arts?
I projected an imaginary enemy in the room, and imagined the punch he throwed.
As if to accompany the straightforward punch, my hand moved, changing the direction of my imaginary opponent’s force, his center of gravity scattered.
Due to the instability of his centre of gravity, the balance he had from being rotted to the ground was gone, and his connection to the ground became unstable.
He was in a posture where both feet couldn’t hold tightly onto the ground, like a ship that didn’t have its anchor down.
If I swept at his feet, without the need of much strength, my opponent would easily dance in the air.
Losing all support, my imaginary enemy danced in the air.
While it was spinning in the air, I caught his head and…smashed it against the ground.
…With this, 「Shadow leaf」 is finished. I had used everything I had, the best performance the current me can do. This was something I had to do as a father, and you could say it was proof of my sincerity.
…If she notices with this, so be it.
I still had no intention of revealing my identity, even then, if Alma notices what’s hidden inside this young body…
My daughter’s feelings are clear to me. However, to me, strength is everything.
That’s what I was supposed to think, but maybe I had grown old, the weight on the scales had reached balance before I knew it.
To the point I don’t mind if she notices.
「（Well then, how will she react?）」
After finishing the technique, I released my stance and took a deep breath.
Without saying anything, I stared at Alma, who had frozen in place.
「How was it, teacher?」
As if she was a sculpture frozen in time, her slender limbs started to tremble.
「…No way, don’t tell me…」
Her expression, was dyed in astonishment.
My technique still couldn’t be called complete, even then, there shouldn’t have been anyone else who had reached this level, apart from my master, Iwao Shijima.
In that case, Alma should have remembered something.
The auditorium was silent. In deep silence, there was no sound other than that of our small breaths.
Eventually, instead of talking, Alma started to walk towards me.
She rested her elegant and slender fingers on my shoulder and applied a bit of strength.
「…Master? Are you…my master?」
Just how many feelings were poured into those words?…Even someone like me could feel it.
I considered if I should put my hand on top of my daughter’s hand, who had crumbled down while clinging onto me.
The present day’s goddess was powerlessly trembling. That girl’s small shoulder.
…My aimless hand finally moved. Her small shoulder trembled, Alma grasped my clothes tightly.
She didn’t apply much strength…Alma, who had been holding onto me, finally realized what she had done.
「…Sorry, what am I even saying? W-why am I crying…」
Realizing that her cheeks were moist with tears, she grew flustered.
The memories of seeing this technique in the past, and her memories of my past self, she was probably trying to deny both of them.
Each time the tears overflowed, Alma wiped them. However, the tears didn’t stop.
Her pure glass-like back, seemed to be going to break at any moment. I wanted to reveal my identity right away…but there were still things I had to do.
「Teacher」
「W-what?」
While holding her shoulders, I looked at the sky.
「Give me some time. Once I graduate from this school, I plan to go see the world. With the goal of being the strongest, I want to see all kind of martial arts with my own eyes.」
Alma didn’t reply. She probably considered that there was more to it and urged me to continue.
What I wanted to talk about…was the dream of a young boy, my own dream. Travel around the world. Meet strong martial artists, and exchange blows with them.
If I had to put it into words, it was quite the childish dream for someone over a hundred years old.
However, I want to make it come true. This dream of mine.
「However, I’ll definitely return to the elven country. I’ll give you my reply at that time. What do you think?」
Alma raised her face, and I declared so with a serious expression.
While being filled with tears, Alma opened her mouth.
It might be long for a human, but it’ll be short for an elf. In that case, wether it’s short or long for me…what would it be like for Alma?
Having been separated from my daughter for thirty years, making her wait longer without giving her an answer, pained me greatly, but I still wanted to see the world in front of me with my own eyes.
Therefore, I’ll definitely give her an answer. Even if it’s something that will happen in the future.
Our eyes meet without separating for a moment. Without words, I conveyed that I was telling the truth.
「Slava…I see, thanks」
Then, Alma smiled. The tears she was wiping, had already stopped.
「In that case…I’ll wait with anticipation to the day you return」
Alma tried her best to show a smile, as if I was being pulled away by something, I separated from her.
Not giving her a specific time, was too half-hearted from my side. …For the time being, allow this old man some time.
「Alright, so that you still would want to knock on the Shijima’s door later on, I’ll have to stay diligent! The fact that I just cried, you have to keep it a secret, alright?」
「Of course, it’ll stay hidden in the depths of my heart」
I unintentionally let out a small laugh. Since she was small, this child always tried to hide her own weakness.
Now that I think about it, when was the last time I was able to speak with this child at ease?
Even though I can see her face everyday, it feels really nostalgic for some reason.
「Sorry for taking your time, Slava. Lunch break is going to end soon. Shall we return to the classroom?」
「You are right. Let’s end it here」
「Yup…well then, until next time」
I started walking after turning around. That’s right, I can’t stop now.
Stopping to rest, can be left for later.
…Like this, even with Alma’s invitation, I decided to still hide it.
Even my unusually long enrollment in the school felt short when I trained and fought against Chester. I actually felt like I was an elf.
And then…
「Today, all of you will graduate from this Milafia’s National Academy, Alfaleia. From now on, you will start to walk on your own paths. I want all of you to tread in that road with self-confidence and vigor, one step at a time」
The time came, the children that still looked young, started to walk their own paths.
I also started to walk the path I believed in.
…I have dedicated over a hundred years to martial arts.
After acquiring the life on an elf, I’m going to do my journey again.
This was the first step in my path.