Time flew by, and it was already the day after.
----After school - Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School, First Gymnasium----
"Hello everyone! I'm Fujimaki from Class 3-A. Today's the day for club recruitment, so feel free to sign up for whatever catches your eye!"
The moment Ryosuke stepped into the gym, he was greeted by a lively, bustling atmosphere. On stage, a tall and muscular third-year senior was enthusiastically promoting his club.
"It's really crowded today. Do you have any clubs in mind, Saionji?"
Katsuragi Kouhei noticed Ryosuke walking toward him.
"Hmm, I was thinking of checking out the Kendo Club."
"Figures. You've practiced kendo before, haven't you?"
"What about you, Katsuragi?"
"I'm planning to join the Student Council. So I'm not really considering clubs. The president already explained the process yesterday."
"I see. You definitely seem like the Student Council type."
Ryosuke offered a polite smile.
"I hope they'll take me. Anyway, I won't keep you. I still have a few documents to prepare."
"Alright, see you later."
After parting with Katsuragi, Ryosuke found the Kendo Club's booth.
"Hey, first-year! Interested in kendo? Everyone here's pretty skilled, and our captain, Matsui-senpai, is a certified third-dan master!"
"Third-dan, huh?"
The Saionji family's kendo was different from the kind seen in tournaments — theirs was real, lethal swordsmanship meant for combat.
(Author's note: The fighting style draws inspiration from Trails lore — the protagonist's manner and presence could be imagined similar to Van Arkride from Trails through Daybreak.)
It was called the Hachiyō Ittō-ryū, founded by Yun Kafai. The style used the tachi as its weapon, with seven distinct forms:
First Form: Spiral
Second Form: Gale
Third Form: Infernal Strike
Fourth Form: Industrial Cut
Fifth Form: Waning Moon
Sixth Form: Crimson Sky Slash
Seventh Form: Void
There was also a secret "Empty-Hand Form," used when a sword wasn't available.
To master all seven forms meant reaching the First Transmission. To understand one's personal "ideal form" marked the Middle Transmission, and to discover the hidden essence of one form was the Final Transmission — the level of a Sword Saint.
(Author's note: This is a simplified explanation of the protagonist's combat foundation, modified from the game setting.)
Hearing the senior's introduction, Ryosuke's interest grew stronger.
"That sounds amazing. Could I take a look at the dojo, senpai?"
"Sure, I'd love to show you, but I'm still recruiting here. Could you go with Fujihara-senpai instead?"
The boy standing next to her wasn't particularly tall, but there was a quiet confidence in his expression that made him seem reliable.
"Of course. I'll be in your care, senpai."
"Haha, come on then!" Fujihara said with a grin — having a new first-year interested in the club genuinely made him happy. After all, the Kendo Club didn't have many members.
They arrived at a dojo connected to the gym.
"Here we are. This is where our club practices."
Inside, two students were sparring.
"Matsui-senpai, I'm going in!" cried a petite girl as she raised her shinai and charged.
"Come at me," Matsui replied, effortlessly deflecting every strike.
'That must be Matsui, the captain,' Ryosuke thought, watching closely.
Though it looked like a match, it was really just a one-sided lesson.
With a sharp clang, the girl's shinai flew from her hands — match over.
"I lost again… there's no way I can beat a third-dan like you, Matsui-senpai."
"You've improved. If you keep training every day, surpassing me is only a matter of time."
"Y-yes!"
Encouraged by Matsui's words, the girl smiled again. Then the group noticed Ryosuke standing by the entrance.
"Hello, I'm Matsui Tsuguto from Class 3-B. You're here to join the club, right?"
"Ah, not exactly. I'm here to challenge you."
The moment those words left Ryosuke's mouth, every club member froze.
Realizing this first-year had come to pick a fight, their faces darkened. Even Fujihara looked alarmed.
"Hey, what are you saying?!" he hissed, turning to Matsui. "He's the one I brought from the recruitment area!"
"It's fine." Matsui raised a hand, calming everyone down. His eyes, however, sharpened.
"A challenge, huh? Which class are you from?"
"First-year Class A. Saionji Ryosuke."
The bold answer made the entire room buzz.
"So what if you're from Class A? You think you can just waltz in and challenge us? What an arrogant brat."
"Wearing a mask, too — trying to look cool while talking big."
Hearing their comments, Ryosuke smirked. Good. They've taken the bait.
"How about we make it interesting then? Five thousand private points per person."
"So it is about points."
"He's already figured out how important points are after just two days of school?"
"Or maybe he's just a cocky kid trying to make pocket money. Still, five thousand points — bold."
Ryosuke listened to the chatter, then added fuel to the fire.
"If that's too much for you, we can lower it. I'd hate to see you seniors living off the cafeteria's cheapest veggie meals every day."
"You—!"
Before things could escalate, Matsui clapped his hands sharply.
"You're quite arrogant. Maybe you've learned a bit of swordsmanship before, but so have we. Fine, we'll accept your challenge. Five thousand points per member—except me."
He paused, his tone turning serious.
"But if you lose, you'll apologize to every member here."
Ryosuke could sense Matsui's genuine passion — this was a leader who truly cared about his club.
But he still had a role to play.
"Sure. But let's not leave you out. If you lose, what then?"
"You're too full of yourself!"
"What school of kendo are you from? What rank?" Fujihara asked.
"Hachiyō Ittō-ryū. No rank." Ryosuke's calm voice filled the dojo.
"Hachiyō Ittō-ryū? Never heard of it. And no rank? You're insane."
Matsui didn't mock him, though.
"If you can beat me, I'll pay you five thousand points every month — and the position of club captain will be yours."
"Oh? You said it yourself." Ryosuke glanced around, letting a faintly mocking smile spread.
"If he beats Matsui-senpai, we'll pay him. But if he loses, he'd better not run off!"
"Yeah! Show him what real kendo looks like!"
One after another, the members spoke up — not out of anger now, but to protect their club's pride.
"I just hope you don't back out when you lose," Ryosuke said coldly.
"Then allow me to serve as the witness for this wager."