In the past few days, Shangguan Wen’s performance at the new student entrance ceremony had silenced many dissenting voices. However, those who stood out were destined to become the center of attention, especially one who wielded powerful vibration magic.
As expected, someone couldn’t resist testing the waters.
“Um, Shangguan, would you be interested in joining the Kendo Club?”
After a class, Mibu Sayaka from 2E (Second Course) approached him with an invitation.
Shangguan Wen’s classmates buzzed around him.
“Mibu Sayaka, also known as the Kendo Beauty, I didn’t expect a senior to be recruiting.”
Shangguan Wen sized her up. The girl seemed lost, clearly a puppet pushed forward by others.
“Kendo, huh? Miss, I don’t sense any love for the sword in you, only confusion, like a puppet being manipulated.”
Mibu Sayaka’s face changed slightly at Shangguan Wen’s words. She clearly didn’t expect this freshman to be so direct and perceptive, seeing through her inner hesitation. The surrounding chatter ceased instantly, and all eyes were on them, creating a tense atmosphere.
Mibu Sayaka took a deep breath, trying to make her expression more determined:
“Shangguan, you’re right. I am somewhat hesitant about the Kendo Club’s invitation. But it’s not because I lack passion, but because I’m searching for a direction that can ignite my heart. I heard about your extraordinary strength at the entrance ceremony. Perhaps your joining could bring new vitality to our Kendo Club and help me find my true passion.”
Shangguan Wen smiled faintly at her words, appreciating the girl’s honesty and courage, even if it seemed tinged with uncertainty.
“Mibu, your honesty interests me. I’m also familiar with kendo, but…”
“But what?”
“But Japanese-style swords, called ‘dao’ on the mainland, are different from the sword I know. The basics of drawing, carrying, lifting, guarding, striking, thrusting, pointing, collapsing, stirring, pressing, chopping, intercepting, washing, clouding, hanging, sweeping, slashing, picking, wiping, shaving, stabbing, circling, and more – are you proficient in them?”
Mibu Sayaka was dumbfounded by Shangguan Wen’s question. This was different from the kendo she knew and learned, especially now, in an era where magic was prevalent, and traditional kendo was seen as an outdated product.
“Sigh, lead the way to the Kendo Club. I’ll show you that the sword I know and the sword you know are on completely different levels.”
“O-okay.”
Mibu Sayaka quickly led Shangguan Wen to the Kendo Club, where there were only a few stragglers and a notice of potential disbandment, citing the existence of a powerful Swordsmanship Club as a reason to eliminate the lagging Kendo Club.
Entering the dilapidated clubroom, Mibu Sayaka smiled awkwardly.
“Shangguan, I apologize. The Kendo Club is in this state…”
“I understand. Resource allocation makes this normal. Then watch closely, the difference between my sword and yours.”
At that moment, everyone closely watching Shangguan Wen began to act, observing with their eyes, recording with their phones, and deploying spy equipment, focusing all their attention on him.
Shangguan Wen walked slowly towards the sword rack, gently touching the wooden swords that seemed ordinary but held historical weight.
He was surprised to find such things in this world.
His eyes gleamed with an unusual light, as if engaging in a silent conversation with these silent weapons. Mibu Sayaka stood aside, feeling both apprehensive and expectant. She wondered what kind of superior swordsmanship Shangguan Wen, from another world, possessed that gave him such confidence.
Shangguan Wen picked up what appeared to be the most ordinary wooden sword, turned to face Mibu Sayaka, and smiled slightly:
“Kendo is not about the material of the sword, but about the heart of the wielder. Today, I will show you what true sword intent is.”
As his words fell, the air in the entire Kendo Club seemed to freeze.
Shangguan Wen slowly raised the wooden sword and began to demonstrate the basic sword techniques he had mentioned earlier, but each movement contained incredible power and beauty. Drawing the sword was like a dragon emerging from the sea, carrying the sword like a wind sweeping away clouds, lifting the sword as steady as a mountain. Between the guards, there were faint sounds of metal clashing. Striking, thrusting, pointing, collapsing… each move was precise and accurate, yet it did not lose its smoothness and agility.
Most shockingly, when Shangguan Wen demonstrated the “cloud,” “hanging,” and “sweeping” moves, the wooden sword seemed to turn into a real sword, and where the tip of the sword passed, the air seemed to be cut open, leaving traces that were almost impossible to capture with the naked eye.
Mibu Sayaka watched in stunned silence. She had never seen such exquisite swordsmanship, even among the legendary great swordsmen. “This… this is…”
Mibu Sayaka murmured to herself, unable to express the shock in her heart.
Shangguan Wen stood with his sword sheathed, calm and relaxed, as if everything just now was just a casual daily practice.
“Kendo is not just an accumulation of techniques, but also a union of mind and sword. In this era of rampant magic, kendo may be considered outdated, but the true intent of the sword can transcend time and space and resonate with any power.”
He looked at Mibu Sayaka, his eyes full of encouragement: “The sword should not be forgotten. It carries a spirit, a spirit of indomitable will and the pursuit of the ultimate. You need to persevere, not give up halfway.”
Mibu Sayaka was deeply moved by Shangguan Wen’s words, and her eyes flickered with unprecedented light. She realized that perhaps persisting was the right thing to do, instead of giving up halfway because of magic.
Among the students watching from behind, Yakumo Kokonoe, the teacher brought by Shiba Tatsuya, witnessed Shangguan Wen’s sword dance, his hands and feet cold, his eyes trembling.
“Kokonoe-sensei, Kokonoe-sensei.”
“Tatsuya, come with me.”
Yakumo Kokonoe left with his disciple, who glanced back at Shangguan Wen before leaving.
After getting away from the Kendo Club, Yakumo Kokonoe placed his hands on Shiba Tatsuya’s shoulders, looking directly at him and said:
“Tatsuya, that guy is strong, so strong that I’m in despair. Your teacher is no match for him, not even with you, Shingen, and Haruka together.”
Yakumo Kokonoe’s words carried an unprecedented solemnity, and a trace of surprise flashed in Shiba Tatsuya’s eyes. He had never seen his teacher so distraught. The sunlight shone through the sparse clouds, dappling them, but seemed unable to dispel the heavy atmosphere.
“Sensei, are you saying… Shangguan Wen he…” Tatsuya’s voice trembled slightly, unable to believe what he was hearing. In his understanding, Yakumo Kokonoe was not only his mentor but also a legendary figure in the Japanese martial arts world, almost undefeated, and now he was expressing such deep fear towards someone younger than him.
“That’s right, Tatsuya. His sword dance has reached a transcendent realm, with each move containing unspeakable power and artistic conception. It’s not just a display of skills, but a perfect fusion of mind and sword. I saw the ultimate in kendo in him.”
Yakumo Kokonoe’s words carried a hint of bitterness, as if he regretted not being able to reach such a height himself.
Shiba Tatsuya was silent. He knew that his teacher’s evaluation was never given lightly, and once it was given, it was extremely objective and accurate. This meant that Shangguan Wen was indeed an insurmountable mountain for them, but a burning desire for the challenge ignited in Shiba Tatsuya’s heart.
