Chapter 40: Vacation With Muto Nene

After completing the mission that was sent out by Haru and Yui, everyone was given a month's vacation. Tahara was in a queue as he was going to meet his long-time friend Muto Nene. The bus driver collected Tahara's ticket and he sat in the bus backseat. Tahara pulled out his phone and connected it with his AirPods as the driver started the engine. Tahara began to watch some videos on swords play as he watched a Rank C swordsman and a Rank B swordsman fighting. Tahara noticed several things that he saw in the video as the Rank B swordsman was armor and a Rank C swordsman with no armor. Tahara looked at their swords and he noticed that the swords could refuse their will as the Rank B swordsman wanted to strike the Rank C swordsman but his sword refused to strike the blow. Moreover, the man in the video stated that lower Rank swordsmen could participate in the event but then they'll die since no Lower Rank has ever passed the semifinals in their era.

Tahara tried to deduce whatever the commentator was saying that even an F-Rank like him could participate but then he would lose.

Tahara decided to watch some more videos but the bus driver announced that he had reached the last stop. Tahara got down from the bus and made his way through the train station.

Tahara looked at the hospital he was at when he retrieved the relic. Tahara entered the hospital and saw all the nurses who were there back then, especially the nurse who treated him. Tahara went ahead to greet them and they were all surprised to see Tahara once again.

Tahara sat down and talked to them for some time and then told them about his journey but didn't let them know that he had encountered beasts and other stuff.

Soon, it was time for Tahara to leave as he waved at them goodbye. Tahara continued walking and then finally arrived at the house.

He knocked on the door and Muto opened the door for him.

Hey!

Muto then cried as she hugged Tahara so tight that he couldn't even breathe. Muto asked Tahara where he had been since it's been over 2 to 3 months since she last saw him.

"Also, you've looked manly," she said as she stared at Tahara.

Tahara told Muto to calm down Tahara went inside and sat on the couch.

Tahara began to explain everything that happened after he left the city but didn't tell her about the relic and his system. Tahara then asked Muto for her rank and she told Tahara that she had moved from Rank C to Rank B.

Tahara got glad as he applauded Muto. Tahara then informed Muto to come to the swordsmen's village and that there were lots of teachers and students.

"I wish I could, but I can't," Muto let out as she bowed her head.

Tahara asked Muto why she won't come as Muto Muto explained to Tahara that she is retiring as a magic user.

"You what!" Tahara said as his mind exploded.

"Why the hell are you retiring?" Tahara asked.

Muto explained to Tahara after what happened at the temple 2-3 months ago, I don't want that to happen and see people die, just like Akihiro.

Tahara understood what she meant as she told her that she could become a teacher over there to teach students like me and others magic.

Muto tried to convince Tahara not to leave the city she was born in but Tahara still wanted Muto to join the swordsman village.

Tahara knew that Muto would still not join him in the swordsman village so then he stopped asking Muto.

Tahara rose from his feet as he told Muto that he was going back to the swordsman's village. Muto thought that Tahara was coming to stay here in the meantime but Tahara told her that he has friends who attend the school and they were all learning magic so he needs to go.

When Muto held Tahara's hand, she then noticed that 4 of Tahara's fingers had been cut off from his hand. Muto asked Tahara what happened but Tahara didn't want to tell.

Muto began to pressure Tahara to at least tell her what happened.

Tahara sighed as explained to Muto that he had a fight with a C-Rank spear user and this was the result.

Muto felt sad for Tahara as she held his palm and chanted some spells. All of a sudden, Tahara's fingers appeared on his hand and they went back to normal.

Muto told Tahara that she would come to the swordsman village with Tahara but will not be a student but a teacher.

Tahara smiled and thanked Muto for accepting his request. After thanking her, Tahara told Muto that he was coming to stay there for a month.

Muto then realized that Tahara had set her up to join the swordsman village.

"I hate you," she said as she hit Tahara with a pillow.

Muto asked Tahara about his swordsmanship and whether he has improved on it or not.

Tahara decided to show Muto one of his skills he asked Muto to try hitting him with her magic.

At first, Muto disagreed but then Tahara begged her to do it and she agreed. Muto then pointed her finger at Tahara telling him that she was about to shoot.

When Muto fired the shot using her magic, she noticed that Tahara wasn't in front of her but rather behind her.

[Swiftness has been used]

"How did you..." Muto asked.

Tahara explained to Muto that this was one of the skills he learned when he was at the village.

Muto now realized that Tahara has improved from before and saw that Tahara could be way more powerful than her.

After all of this, Muto decided to treat Tahara to some special kind of dish since it has been a while since she went to the kitchen.

"Akihiro, I'm back home," Tahara said.

To be continued...