Chapter 9: The Kendo Club's Second Seat
Raiden Mei sheathed her wooden sword and offered a slight, formal bow.
Rovel mirrored the gesture, returning the bow with practiced ease.
"Just as I thought. You've never formally studied kendo, have you, Rovel?" Raiden Mei's eyes held a flicker of genuine surprise as she studied him. "And yet... your combat instincts are truly praiseworthy. To have analyzed and countered my 'Whirlwind Blade' in such a short amount of time is impressive."
The Whirlwind Blade was the technique she had just used—a powerful strike that used the momentum of a full-body spin to amplify the force of the cut.
"You flatter me, President. I didn't even last a minute," Rovel replied, scratching his head with a self-deprecating smile, not letting her praise go to his head.
"Heh," Raiden Mei let out a soft chuckle, a spark of pride glinting in the depths of her violet eyes. "There isn't a single person in this entire Kendo Club who would dare claim they could withstand even one of my strikes."
Her gaze swept across the assembled club members below. The moment her eyes met theirs, they all instinctively lowered their heads, none daring to hold her stare.
"In any case," she continued, her attention returning to Rovel, "your performance was more than adequate. Therefore, I am appointing you as the second seat of the Kendo Club, effective immediately."
[Advanced Mission: Kendo Test - Advanced, Completed!]
[Mission Reward: Kendo Club Second Seat.]
[Hidden Mission Reward: Raiden Mei's Trust +10%]
[Title Gained: Chiba Academy Kendo Club Second Seat]
[Effect: Within the Chiba Academy Kendo Club, Kendo skill training speed +50%.]
'Trust again?'Rovel's mind raced as he processed the notifications.'Does this mean that once her trust reaches 99%, just like with Mobius, I'll unlock another unique title?'He focused on the hidden reward. But if it was a hidden reward, why was it being displayed so openly? Or perhaps... this was a unique feature of completing an'Advanced' tier mission?
Rovel blinked. He was still getting the hang of this game's complex systems and wasn't sure if this was a normal occurrence.
'There's just one thing...'he mused.'How am I supposed to check someone's trust level? It has to be a hidden attribute, right?'
As the thought crossed his mind, he looked toward Raiden Mei, and a small, translucent panel materialized above her head.
[Raiden Mei, Chiba Academy Kendo Club President, Level 31, Trust: 30%]
'Huh?'A mental question mark popped into Rovel's head.'When did that get there?'
He glanced over at the other Kendo Club members. Similar panels floated above their heads, but their trust levels were all displayed in a dull gray, hovering between 0% and 15%. Raiden Mei's, however, was a vibrant, healthy green.
Rovel focused on the display, an idea forming. He thought, 'Turn off trust display.'Instantly, the panels vanished.'So it's a controllable toggle. Interesting.'
"President, is this... really okay?" a voice from the crowd suddenly piped up, laced with doubt.
For Rovel to join the club and immediately be crowned the second seat—wasn't that incredibly unfair to the members who had been training here for months, even years?
"Oh? You have an objection?" Raiden Mei's gaze, sharp and cold, fell upon the dissenter.
An invisible pressure descended upon the dojo. The air grew heavy, charged with an unspoken authority that seemed to crackle around her. The sheer force of the Thunder Queen's intimidation instantly crushed the student's bravado, and he fell as silent as a cicada in the dead of winter.
"No... No!" the boy stammered, hurriedly bowing his head, not daring to utter another word.
"Hmph." Raiden Mei let out a soft snort, but still deigned to offer an explanation. "I have said it many times: this Kendo Club respects strength above all else. The power Rovel just displayed is more than enough to qualify him for the second seat. If you doubt his strength, you are free to challenge him directly."
Her voice dropped, taking on a dangerous edge. "Or perhaps... you are doubting me?"
Her final words made the atmosphere in the dojo even more oppressive.
Watching her command the room with such absolute authority, Rovel finally understood Aoki Yuki's warning. How many people could possibly stand being around such an arrogant and demanding personality?
And yet, who could have imagined that this high-and-mighty queen would one day become the gentle, sweet, and slightly clumsy master chef he knew from the game's future?
"Classmate Rovel," Raiden Mei said, turning back to him. "Although I have appointed you directly, other students can still challenge your position. Whether you can hold onto it will depend entirely on your own strength." She paused, her expression softening just a fraction. "However, you have a grace period of one week to improve yourself. So... do not disappoint me."
Her words were meant as reassurance, but beneath them lay an unmistakable tone of command. It was as if she were silently adding, 'You'd better not make me lose face, or you're dead.''She really is a handful...' Rovel sighed internally.
"Understood," he replied, indicating he had no objections. With his current attributes, failing to hold his own in a dojo where the average level was in the single digits would be a complete joke.
Hearing his confident response, Raiden Mei's expression relaxed noticeably.
"I will teach you some basic swordsmanship today," she offered, taking the initiative.
"Then I'm in your care, President," Rovel said with a nod.
Without another word, Raiden Mei picked up a tachi and began to instruct him on the fundamentals. About ten minutes into the lesson, a series of system notifications chimed in his mind.
[Skill Learned: Basic Kendo (White) (Novice: 0/100)]
[Basic Kendo (White): The most fundamental of all kendo techniques. Though it is a basic skill, it is the foundation from which all other sword arts must be built.]
[Raiden Mei is teaching you Basic Kendo (White). Skill Proficiency +11. As Kendo Club Second Seat, you gain an additional +5 Skill Proficiency.]
[Raiden Mei is teaching you Basic Kendo (White). Skill Proficiency +8. As Kendo Club Second Seat, you gain an additional +4 Skill Proficiency.]
[Raiden Mei is teaching you Basic Kendo (White). Skill Proficiency +9. As Kendo Club Second Seat, you gain an additional +4 Skill Proficiency.]
The notifications popped up at a steady rhythm. In what felt like no time at all, Rovel's Basic Kendo skill skyrocketed from (Novice: 0/100) to (Proficient: 11/1000).
With each swing, Rovel could feel a tangible difference. The arc of his blade was cleaner, the distribution of power more efficient. His grip, his stance, his follow-through—it all shifted, aligning into a more perfect form. The angle, power, and accuracy of his strikes had all climbed to a new level.
"Your talent for kendo is quite remarkable, Classmate Rovel," Raiden Mei praised, observing his rapid progress. "An ordinary student might take several days of practice just to grasp the basics. I didn't expect you to swing the blade with such proficiency so quickly."
"It must be because President Raiden is an excellent teacher," Rovel replied smoothly, deflecting some of the credit back to her.
"There's no need for false modesty. Ah... it's about time." Raiden Mei glanced at a clock on the wall. "I need to get to class. Take your time getting accustomed to the school, Classmate Rovel."
With a final nod, she said her goodbyes and swept out of the Kendo Club, leaving an awed silence in her wake.
Rovel, however, simply returned to his practice.
[Practicing Basic Kendo (White). Skill Proficiency +4. As Kendo Club Second Seat, you gain an additional +2 Skill Proficiency.]
[Practicing Basic Kendo (White). Skill Proficiency +3. As Kendo Club Second Seat, you gain an additional +1 Skill Proficiency.]
Without Raiden Mei's direct guidance, the rate of his proficiency gain dropped noticeably.
"Hey, 'second seat'."
A voice dripping with sarcasm cut through his concentration. A rather sturdy-looking Kendo Club member was walking toward him, his tone placing a heavy, mocking emphasis on the title. It was clear he was deeply dissatisfied with the president's decision.
Rovel glanced up, his eyes flicking to the panel above the student's head, and he instantly understood.
[Sugi Mikado, Chiba Academy Kendo Club Third Seat, Level 11, Trust: -30%]
The glaring red of the negative trust value told the whole story. This must have been the club's second seat before he arrived. Having his position usurped by a newcomer... of course he wouldn't be happy.
[Triggered D-Rank Mission: Defend the Seat]
[Mission Objective: Someone seems dissatisfied with your sudden promotion. Use your strength to prove you aren't just a pretty face living off a woman's favor!]
[Mission Options: Accept Mission / Decline Mission]
[Hint: You are currently under Raiden Mei's seven-day protection period. You may choose not to accept the challenge.]
[Accept Mission: Victory increases Prestige within Chiba Academy by 100. Failure results in losing the Kendo Club Second Seat position.]
[Decline Mission: The mission will refresh in seven days. No Prestige reward.]
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