One day, a few days had passed since I heard about the recommended admission.

　Since the school is closed today and tomorrow, I decided to go to visit my mother in Gosa village.

　I had already prepared and had breakfast.
　All that was left to do was to grab my luggage and go.

"Okay, I'm off then.

　As I said this at the entrance of the dormitory, Ms. Paula turned her head toward me from the dining room.

Did you forget anything?　Are you sure you have all the souvenirs you bought?

"Yes, I have everything.

　The rice crackers and okaki that I bought at the stall yesterday are carefully wrapped in the furoshiki that I borrowed from Paula.

Oh, well. Then go carefully!

"Yes!

　I bowed my head and left the dormitory.

　Incidentally, at the entrance of the dormitory, the trophy for winning the Kensho Festival was proudly displayed. ...... I felt a little embarrassed.

　After leaving the dormitory, we walked down the long, long beastly road to the south to the village of Goza.

　After an hour, two hours, three hours of driving, we finally saw the village of Goza in front of us.

　Thatched-roof houses stood one after another at even intervals, surrounded by a vast expanse of grass and fields. It is a very small village with a total population of less than a hundred people.

It's been a long time since I've been back here. ......

　Even if you subtract the billions of years I spent in that other world, it's been three years since I've been back to this village.

　While I was soaking in the nostalgia by myself...

"Hey!　You're Allen, aren't you?

　I heard an old man's voice with a southern accent coming from behind me.

　When I turned around, there was my grandfather, who had played with me on stilts and handmade menko in the past.

"Hey, Takeji!　It's been a long time!

It's been a long time since I've seen you!

　Gosa Village, located in the southern part of the continent, has a strong southern accent.

"Haha, that's because you're growing up.

　Then, as I was chatting with him for a while.

"Odo!　Instead of talking to me, you should go to Mr. Rawdle in the morning!　Since you're not here, you're not doing so well.

"All right. See you later, Takeo.

All right. Come visit me later!

Sure!

　So I left him and walked along the road that smelled like livestock for a while, and finally found my house.

"Wow, ......, it's been a while.

　Nothing had changed since I'd last seen it three years ago. It really was the same as it was then.

　I rattle open the old, unlocked, side door.

Mom, I'm home.

　As I said this in a slightly louder voice, I heard the sound of running from the back of the house.

　And then.

"Oh, it's Allen!

　Mom appeared with a pot lid in her hand and a twinkle in her eye.
　She must have just been preparing the rice.

"Yes, I'm home. Mom.

"Oh, ......, you're so big!

　Then she opened her arms wide and hugged me tightly.

"It's been a long time!　How are you?

How are you? Yeah, I'm doing fine, just like this.

I'm doing great!　Now, I don't want to stand around talking, so let's get out of here.

Yeah.

　Then I sat down in a round chair at the dining table and talked with my mother who was preparing dinner.
　Then, when she put the lid on the pot and had a little free time, I decided to cut to the chase.

"...... Hey, Mom. I've got something important to tell you, if you don't mind.

"What's wrong?　What's up? Why are you so formal all of a sudden?

"Yeah, well...

　Then I talked to my mother about my career choice, which was troubling me the most.

　I'm currently in my third year and I'm worried about my future career.
　There are three options: Holy Knight, Mage, or going to the Thousand Blade Academy.
　The good and bad things about each of these three choices.

　When I finished explaining the current situation to her, she shrugged her shoulders as if she was out of sorts.

What's that?" ....... I'm not sure if this is a big deal or not, but I'm sure it's a big deal. ....... You're not confused about something as simple as that. ......

No, no, ...... this is not such a simple matter.

You want to go to Senbei Academy, don't you?

What, so you figured out ......?

　It's not that simple, but it's not that simple.

You can't be too hard on your parents, you know. Allen has always loved to wield a sword since he was a little boy like this. He knows exactly where you want to go.



　When I was quiet, she said gently, "Don't worry about me.

"Don't worry about me or anything. You live your life, Allen. I'll be rooting for you every step of the way. But... you have to die even one second after me.　That's the most filial thing you can do for your parents, right?

"...... Okay. Thanks, Mom.

　When I thanked her, she smiled at me.

All right, now that we're done talking, let's have dinner!　I made a lot of your favorite stew today!

　I made a lot of your favorite stew today!" Then she poured the stew into a wooden plate.

　A stew with big potatoes.

　It's usually only served on my birthday, our special menu.

It's delicious. ...... It's delicious. ......

　My mother's stew, which I hadn't eaten in a billion years, was unspeakably delicious.

"Well, well!　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that there's more to come.

　After enjoying my mother's special stew, I took a bath in the old-fashioned kettle.

　But still, .......

"Mom, ...... you're getting old. ......

　I hadn't seen my mother in a long time, but she looked much older.

(Maybe it's just normal aging, considering she's going to be fifty this year. ......)

　The wrinkles and gray hairs on her face have increased significantly, and she seems to have shrunk a bit.

...... I'll have to train hard at the Thousand Blade Academy and become a great swordsman soon.

　It's a great way to earn a lot of money and give your mother a comfortable life.

　With this resolve renewed, I went to the bathroom to wash away my fatigue.

.

　Immediately after Allen went to the bathroom, an old man's voice rang out at the dining table where only his mother, Daria Rhoddle, was supposed to be.

"Ho-ho-ho!　This stew is quite delicious!

　There was an old man with a bent back, the Immortal of Time.

　I don't know how long he's been serving it, but he's got a plate of stew in his hand and a spoon.

I wondered if it was because the ...... seal had been loosened, but I knew it was your work. ...... The Immortal of Time.

　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one. I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear that.

Yeah. Well, why don't you break another one?

　In an instant, Dahlia took the Hermit of Time's back and swung her fist down over his head.

　However, the Immortal of Time evaded the blow without difficulty by making himself invisible.

　Dahlia's fist vainly cut through the air and simply smashed the wooden chair to pieces.

"Whoa!　Ooh, scary scary!

　The smug hermit took a large potato and popped it into his mouth.

"Ho, ho, ho!　That was the best meal I've had in a long time. I'll see you around.

　And with that, he suddenly disappeared like a mist.

...... d*mn, he got away, didn't he?

　I'm not sure what to make of that.

I'm not sure if that was a sign or not.

　The front door of the Roddles' house opened, revealing Old Man Takehito.

　He too was speaking fluent Mandarin.

You're late. You're too late. The Hermit of Time would have fled long ago.

"Gosh, ...... means ......?

Yeah, ........ Looks like the 100-million-year button's been used. ......

"Oh, shit. ...... Oh, shit. ......

　The air between them was somber.

"Hey, Dahlia. ....... How did the Time Immortal manage to capture Allen?　The seal should have been perfect, right?

"...... Perhaps there was something in Allen's life that strongly affected him. I was relieved to hear in his letter that he was enjoying himself at the academy. ......

　Allen has never once confided in Daria that he is being bullied at the academy. It's not that he doesn't trust his mother, it's just that he doesn't want to worry her.

Anyway, it seems that the Immortal of Time will do whatever it takes to get in our (・・・・・) way. ......

　Daria clenched her fists tightly and gritted her teeth.

But this time, I won't let you have your way. ......

　After that, Takehito quickly returned to his house, while Dahlia took the broken chair to the dump outside.

.

　After returning to my home village of Gosa and discussing it with my mother, I decided to take the recommendation from Senbi Academy.

　However, there was one thing I didn't expect.

　I thought that I would be automatically accepted when I accepted the recommendation, but it seems that this is not the case.

　It seems that you are exempted from the written and practical examinations at the time of admission, but you must take an interview as a qualification test.

　For a moment I felt quite uneasy, but I was reassured when the principal and vice principal said in unison, "We have never heard of anyone being rejected for an interview.

　And today was the day of the interview at Senbi Academy.

　There was no clothing requirement, so I decided to wear the uniform of the Grand Academy of Swordsmanship.

This is a great way to make sure you are getting the most out of your time with your family and friends.



　Today, for the first time in my life, I stepped on the ground of Orestes, the capital of this country.

　Although I was confused by the surprisingly active traffic and advanced buildings, I managed to reach the main gate of the Thousand Blade Academy.

Woohoo ......, I'm finally here.

　Fifteen minutes before the interview was scheduled to start. Just in time.

　I showed the person guarding the main gate my examination voucher and was allowed to enter the school.

　The interview was held on the third floor of the third school building, in the reception room at the far end.

(The third school building is ......, which is this building.)

　The moment I entered the building and climbed the stairs to the third floor, I had to take a step back.

(Seriously? ......)

　There were a lot of students taking the entrance exam there.

　They were probably not the recommended applicants, but the general applicants.

　I was a little surprised, because I didn't think that they were taking the exam on the same day.

　After that, I waited in a daze until my name was called.

"Exam number 1723, Allen-Roddle, please enter the room immediately. I repeat. Exam number 1723, Allen-Rhoddle--

　I heard a broadcast.

　I quickly stood up, walked to the reception room at the end of the hallway, knocked, and opened the door.

Excuse me.

　There were three interviewers sitting in the room, and a round chair was placed in front of them.
　As soon as I sat down, the interview began.

We will now begin the interview. Please give us your name and test number.

"Test number 1723, Allen-Rhoddle.

　As soon as I answered that, another interviewer started asking questions.

What are your strengths?

"My strength is ...... my patience.

　This was the first thing that came to mind as my strong point.

"Patience. What level is that?

Well, ...... it's the level of being able to keep swinging a sword for billions of years.

"Billions of years, ......?　That's ...... tremendous. ......

Yes. It really was a tremendous experience.

　That was a tremendous experience. Would I do it again? If you ask me, "Would I do it again?", I'm torn.

What are your weaknesses?

"Disadvantages? My weakness is that I am ...... reckless. If only I had acted a little more calmly at the time (・・・・), I could have ...... Well, that's just a myth. And I don't regret what I did at that time.

　Yes, I pushed the 100 million year button without thinking about it, and because I did, I'm here today. I guess this is both a strength and a weakness.

"Ha, ha, ...... that time?

Yes.

......

"......

　The interviewer fell silent for a few moments, as if he was thinking of his next question.

The interviewer paused for a moment, as if thinking of the next question. "Well, let's see, ......, then, what school do you belong to? And if you can, please demonstrate one of your signature moves to the scarecrow behind you.

I am ashamed to say that my school is self-disciplined. But there are a number of techniques, and I'd like to demonstrate one of them.

　I stand up and draw my sword.

　And then.

"Eight swords--Yatagarasu!

　I succeeded in splitting the scarecrow into eight equal parts.

　It's not a technique I'm particularly good at, but I chose it simply because it looks good.

"What?

The slash was split into eight ......?

And ...... what a brilliant way to cut ......!

　The examiners reacted in three different ways.
　The examiners had a mixed reaction.

It was a good decision to choose the Yatagarasu.　

　So I sheathed my sword and sat back down in my chair.

Thank you very much. This concludes the interview. You will receive an envelope with the results in a few days. Have a safe trip home.

　The interview ended without incident.

"Excuse me.

　After bowing one last time, I left the reception room and left Senbi Academy.

I was a little nervous.

　I was a little nervous, as expected.

　But I was able to give a safe answer throughout.

　I didn't make any major mistakes.

　And the demonstration at the end was quite good.

I'm sure I'll pass.

　With a solid feeling, I returned home to the dormitory where Paula was waiting for me.

I went home to Paula's dormitory.



　In the interview room, after Allen left the room, there was an indescribably delicate atmosphere.

...... was a strange student, by the way. I had no idea what he was talking about. Even though it was a recommendation, ...... are you sure you want to let him in?

It's true that I had no idea what he was talking about. ....... However, he is a student that the chancellor personally requested to be recommended for admission. ....... It's not like we can just drop him at our own discretion. ......

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one. I'm sure she'll turn into one if she gets a decent teacher. ...... To be honest, I had no idea what he was talking about.

　The interviewer's opinion was in perfect agreement that Allen had no idea what he was talking about.

A few days after the interview

　A few days after the interview, an envelope arrived from Senbi Academy.

　Since it arrived at this time, it was probably, no doubt, a notification of acceptance or rejection.

　I'm not going to lie, my heart is pounding so hard it feels like it's going to burst.

"Phew. ......

　After taking several deep breaths, I slowly opened the package to make sure I didn't tear the contents.
　Inside was a large sheet of paper with two large words (...) written on it.

"...... passed.

　Yes, I passed.

"Yes!

　I had been recommended for admission, so it was only natural that I was accepted, but I was still happy.

(I really didn't think I'd be able to attend the prestigious Senbi Academy. ...... It was like a dream come true!

　(I never thought I'd be able to attend the prestigious Senba Academy.


　A few days later, the time to say goodbye finally arrived.


　I packed up all my belongings and bowed deeply to Paula, who came to see me off at the door.

Paula-san. Thank you for all your help for the past three years.

　Yes.
　Today is the day I will say goodbye to Ms. Paula and this dormitory where I have lived for the past three years.

　Going back and forth from this dormitory to Senbi Academy every day is indeed a painful task.

　I'm not sure what to make of this.

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that. It's not like this is the last time you're going to say goodbye to someone.

　That's what Ms. Paula said, but I wanted to express my gratitude to her.

I really can't thank you enough, Paula. Thank you for letting me stay here when I was almost penniless, for waking me up every morning, for cooking me delicious meals, for consulting me when I needed help, for telling me so many fun stories. Thank you so much for all the fun times you gave me ......!

　Then a thin drop appeared around her eyes.

I'm not sure what to say.　My tear glands are getting looser because of my age. ......!

　Then Paula rubbed her eyes with both hands vigorously.

I'll be back. If you're hungry, come by anytime!　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

"Yes!　I'll definitely come back for more!

　Her food is excellent.
　I'll never forget that exciting and exhilarating meal.

I'll be going soon.

"I don't know if it's the Thousand Blade Academy or the Many Blade Academy, but if you're going there, you've got to get to the top!

Yes!

　In the event you're not sure what you're looking for, there are a few things you can do.