Chapter 79 - Touring The Village and Cram Schooling

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The first two weeks in Togakushi Village were a blend of exploration and adaptation for me and my family.

The village, with its rich cultural heritage and tranquil environment, offered a serene backdrop as we settled into our new lives.

Each day brought a new adventure as we ventured to various famous spots in the village, immersing ourselves in the local legends and history.

One of our visits was to the Togakushi Shrines, a series of shrines spread across the Togakushi Mountain.

The hike up along the sacred paths, lined with towering cedar trees, was both a spiritual and physical journey. The ancient trees whispered secrets of the past, and the shrines themselves exuded a sense of timeless reverence.

"These places is perfect for they who wants to relieve themselves from stress."

Sakuya-san remarked as we walks along the sides of the Kagami-ike Pond, after we finished visiting the Shrines.

I nodded, feeling the weight of history around them.

"Yes. It's quite peaceful here. Added with the legends, the myths... it's like the village is alive with stories."

We also visited the Togakushi Ninja Museum, where we learned about the history and techniques of the Togakure-ryu ninjutsu.

The museum's exhibits showcased the tools and methods of the ninjas who once roamed these lands, blending seamlessly into the natural environment.

"These ninjas were quite interesting. They used various kinds of tools and weapons.... it's remarkable."

Kulshedra-san, ever curious, was particularly fascinated by the museum's displays.

".... Nn. Adaptation and stealth are powerful tools in any combat."

Scathach-sama agreed, her warrior spirit resonating with the tales of the ninjas.

After our explorations, we usually spent the evenings relaxing at our mansion.

I also felt a growing connection to the village and its history, a sense that we were part of it.

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As the days gone by, I know that I needed to start to think about my intention of studying in school to adapt to live in society with its various social interactions.

With less than a year before I entered middle school, I planned to sought a cram school that could provide private lessons to ensure that I was well-prepared.

After searching for cram school in Nagano using the internet, I found one that seemed promising. The school can arrange for a private tutor to come to our house for lessons.

After that, Sakuya-san and I rode the SUV we bought when we shop for the furnitures for our new house, came directly to the cram school to talk about the deal and arrangements for my lessons including the payment, the lesson schedule, etc.

And on Wednesday evening, the first day of three times a week for my lessons, the doorbell of the house rang.

My family and I gathered in the living room, curious about the tutor.

The door opened by Sakuya-san and revealed a young woman in her twenties with long, braided-ponytail black hair. She had quite a calm demeanor.

"Good evening. May I know if here is the house of Mr. Rofocale?"

She asked in English to Sakuya-san who opened the door for her.

"Yes. Please come in."

Sakuya-san allowed her in and then she lead her to the the living room where I and the two others are.

I immediately sensed something different about her. Her presence was unassuming, but there was an underlying strength and discipline in her movements. Sakuya-san as the first who saw her, also Scathach-sama, with their keen fighter instincts, exchanged a glance, silently acknowledging the same observation. Kulshedra-san also surely felt something about her because she looked at her with an interested tiny smirk.

I stood up and then stretch my hand to her.

"Welcome.... Nice to meet you. I am Rey Rofocale."

I said with a friendly smile to her. But inwardly, I keep cautious.

She shakes my hand any nodded slightly.

"Nice to meet you too. My name is Nishina Shigure. The tutor assigned for your lessons."

She said and then our introduction finished just like that.

"Please sit."

I let her sit on the sofa across me.

As she settled into the living room, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her than met the eye.

But, she truly didn't give any peculiar reaction at all to us.

Maybe it's because when I shook hands with her, I faintly felt the she's just at the level of Lower or Middle-class at best in power. So she couldn't feel anything from us who's at Ultimate-class or even more. Especially with us also restraint our auras too most of the time. So in the end we all just keep silent about her peculiarity and act like nothing happened.

After that, Kulshedra-san and Scathach-sama stood up.

"Then, we'll leave you two alone here."

Kulshedra-san said and then she left the room along with Scathach-sama.

Sakuya-san also left but she goes to the kitchen. Surely to prepare drink and maybe snack for our guest.

I'm sure they thought that I'll be okay and could handle it myself even though something unexpected happens.

And after a brief introduction of the three women where I only said to her that they're my older sisters and my maid, she got straight to business, outlining the curriculum and her teaching methods. Her approach was strict and methodical, demanding focus and discipline.

She decided that for each day of our two hours lesson will cover just one study. With Mathematics on Wednesday, Natural Science on Thursday, and Social Studies for Friday. I decided to not partake in Language Studies like Japanese and English because I already learned about it.

"I expect nothing less than your best effort. We have much to cover, and I intend to ensure you are fully prepared for your entrance exams next year."

She stated firmly.

I nodded, appreciating her straightforwardness.

"I understand. I'll try my best to follow, Sensei."

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From that day forward, our lessons took deeper. Nishina-sensei's strictness was balanced by her understanding of the unique pressures I faced to catch up with my years of paused studies.

She pushed me to excel, but also offered insights from her own experiences as a teacher and former student too.

There was an unspoken respect between us, a recognition of each other's academic abilities.

Sakuya-san, Kulshedra-san, and Scathach-sama sometimes joined the study sessions. But not to study too and surely no to interfere either. They sometimes there just to show and offer their own support by silently watching and accompanying me. They recognized the value in Nishina-sensei's teachings and saw the benefits it brought to my overall growth.

One evening, after a particularly tiring session on mathematics, Nishina-sensei's lingered behind as I packed up my books after our session today is done.

"Rofocale-kun, I've noticed that you have a natural talent for understanding complex concepts. It's rare to see such potential in someone so young."

She stated with her tone soft, calm, but strict as usual.

I looked up, meeting her gaze.

"Thank you, Nishina-sensei. I already used to learn complex things."

I said as we stood up.

"Hm? Is that so? Then I'm glad to hear that.... Remember, education isn't just about memorizing facts. It's about understanding how to apply knowledge in various aspects of life."

She said while we walked to the door with Sakuya-san following behind us.

"I know."

I absorbed her words, feeling a deeper appreciation for my tutor.

There was more to her than her calm, strict exterior, and I began to understand the depth of her wisdom even though she's still quite young.

"Then, see you tomorrow."

Nishina-sensei said with a slight smile as we exit the door.

"Yes, thank you for today, Sensei."

I said my thanks and bowed slightly to her.

After that, I asked Sakuya-san to send her home riding our SUV as usual because after our first day of our lesson, I heard from her that where she lives was in fact quite far from our house and there's no public transportation around here at night so usually she goes here by taxi.

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