Volume 1, Chapter 15 – Details of the Samurai’s Test

Volume 1, Chapter 15 - Details of the Samurai’s Test

Translator: Silva

After the penetration test was over, Nagahide let his disciples practice on their own as he was having a talk with Lily in the main hall. This place was where the samurais of Matsuda clan receive their guests.

Lily was sitting in seiza on the dark-brown floor of the main hall. She appeared graceful, yet possessed the calm aura of a martial artist.

And Nagahide was sitting on the seat of the family head.

Nagahide was a very old-fashioned samurai, it was quite inappropriate for a man and woman to spend time alone, much less a beautiful girl that would stimulate one’s desire. As such, he chose the main hall that directly faced the yard. There were a lot of brats making noise and training at the outside, so it was naturally not a problem.

“Miss Kagami, I have a question. May I?” Nagahide asked seriously.

“Elder, please go ahead.”

“For a young lady of an affluent family like you, why must you learn fencing?”

“As I told the elder before, I have my own reason, a reason why I have no choice but to learn fencing.” Lily’s tone carried a manly resolution.

“Oh... if Miss Kagami is not willing to say it, I won’t pursue further than this. I can see your determination from your sword intent. Since I have already promised to teach you, I will naturally strive my hardest. It’s just that... what are your plans after learning how to fence?”

“Elder, I want to participate in the samurai’s qualification test.” Lily bowed lightly. Though her gentle voice was soft, she was not fazed at all.

“Samurai’s qualification test?!” Nagahide was astounded, “You want to participate in the samurai’s qualification test? Why would you, a pampered young lady from the Kansai region, want to become a samurai?”

“Elder, this is for the same reason why I want to learn the kenjutsu.”

“Oh...” Nagahide looked at Lily’s watery eyes that seemed to carry a hint of grief and determination. Just what had this woman went through, it was probably something even someone as experienced as him couldn’t imagine.

Nagahide decided to stop asking about Lily’s past, so he said, “Since that’s the case, I will stop hiding it from you. Your sword moved me. It’s the only reason I’m willing to teach you without any restrictions, such as making you serve the Matsuda Clan or calling me “Master”. I have been an instructor for the Hojo clan for many years, but I have never come across a person with such a sword intent. Moreover, from a girl no less. If I don’t teach you, that will be such a waste of natural talent. If you are a man, you might even become a famous samurai in Kamakura City in the future.”

“Elder, you once said there’s only attack and defend in kenjutsu, what does being a man and woman matter? I also have no intention to become famous.” Lily calmly said.

Nagahide nodded in silence, “Hehe, when you put it that way, it seems like my way of the sword has been somewhat tainted by worldly desires.”

Regarding her unexpected performance at the test for penetration force today, Lily was also very puzzled. She shouldn’t have that much power, and Lily had not learned fencing when she was a boy. However, senior sister previously participated in all kinds of sport, including kendo. Lily even went to steal a glance, her standard was apparently not bad!

Maybe it was due to this body’s physical memories that allowed her to so easily swing a sword.

But according to Lily’s estimation, even if senior sister’s body was athletic and had learned competitive kendo with a shinai in the modern world, it was still impossible for her penetration force to surpass 20 kan. She was a girl after all!

And yet her strength was measured at 72 kan. Moreover, it was the penetration force for actual combat, not one that was swung blindly for the sake of grading. Lily guessed she could surpass 80 kan if she really swung without caring about anything!

It felt like ever since her soul entered the mirror’s domain, her body’s basic qualities had improved all at once in a single night.

Lily turned her body to let the moonlight pass through the paper sliding door and shone on her back, then she took out the mirror to look over in full details.

“This mirror might really be an unimaginable treasure! It is very possible that my sudden increase in strength has something to do with this mirror. It’s just that... I still have no idea how to send my consciousness into the mirror’s domain. Who knows, there might be a chance that my strength will increase again!”

The mirror gradually became clearer and she could see her charming reflection emerge on its surface.

Lily couldn’t hold herself back from kissing the red lips reflected in the mirror.

“My god! Just what am I doing? Am I a narcissist?”

“No... that’s not it...” Lily suddenly became depressed, “It’s only because this is the face of my first love. That’s why I couldn’t restrain myself... isn’t that right, senior sister?”

“Senior sister, your Lily is going to work hard to become a samurai. Senior sister, are you cold inside the world of this mirror? Just wait for me, senior sister...”

Lily continued to speak foolishly like that to the mirror...

Just at this time, a light source could suddenly be seen from the outside and granny Ayashi was kneeling in front of the door, “Miss Kagami, are you asleep? The madam is here.”

“The madam?!” Right now, Lily was only wearing a yukata with nothing inside. She hastily put the mirror into her clothes and sit upright.

“That’s right! Granny Ayashi did tell me there is a madam in this house. I was engrossed in fencing the whole day and didn’t pay this madam a visit, that was lacking manners of me!”

Just when Lily thought of that, the door already slid open.CHeCk for new stories on no/v/el/bin(.)c0m