Training Sanctum
The Training Sanctum, said to be located on the third basement floor of the Alsard Church. The inside is very spacious. Perhaps it is about 300 meters from end to end? It has a circular structure with a radius of approximately 150 meters. The inner walls are made of blocks that are blue with a faint mixture of green. The distance to the ceiling seems to be over 30 meters. A pattern resembling a magic circle is drawn grandly on the ceiling.
”This is the church’s Training Sanctum. Though this place is almost exclusively for the AMGE.”
Asagiri-san is smiling brightly.
”I’m not good at meetings. The air always feels so tense… Since you came all the way here, Himemiya-san, I wanted to talk more comfortably.”
During the meeting, Asagiri-san had a very serious expression. Being in the position of Holy Priestess probably requires such an expression. Right now, her expression seems more relaxed than before. She has a gentle and calm aura, much like when she is serving customers at Princess Maker.
”Well then, regarding spiritual combat training, let me first explain the fundamental part: Spiritual Power. Please have a seat here first.”
There are chairs and a small table in the corner of the Training Sanctum. We were guided there. As we sat in the chairs, Asagiri-san began her explanation.
”Spiritual Power is the spiritual energy within oneself, but have you all ever felt the source of the various powers that exist in this natural world?”
The source of power…?
”The earth is overflowing with this source of power. Each one is very small, and it is probably something that cannot normally be perceived. Seven kinds of tiny lights. They become particles and drift in this air.”
The Chief is listening with great interest. Naturally, so am I, and Kamikura as well.
”Those particles, we call them Mana. And by absorbing Mana into the body and multiplying it with one’s own Spiritual Power, it is possible to manifest supernatural phenomena. Spiritual Power is an innate talent, and individual differences are drastic. As my aunt mentioned earlier, there are times when someone thought to have no talent suddenly has their talent bloom one day. Though I suppose some kind of trigger is necessary.”
”Does that mean there is a sufficient possibility that the talent will bloom even in me――?”
The Chief asked.
”Yes. It is also said that the power to perceive Mana requires a heart that loves bountiful nature. Of course, faith in the Goddess of Light and the Four Gods serving her is also necessary. Loving nature and feeling deep gratitude for all things. If you are conscious of that on a daily basis, Hardy-san, you might become able to perceive Mana as well.”
I asked a question.
”Perceiving Mana and absorbing it into the body. What kind of method is that?”
”Well then――shall I demonstrate?”
After quietly saying so, Asagiri-san closed her eyes. She held her right hand out in front of her, opening her palm upwards.
”To perceive Mana, you must deeply calm your mind and look around as if surveying your surroundings with your mind’s eye. Then, you can perceive the existence of particles shining in seven colors. You focus on absorbing them. That image is important.”
Asagiri-san’s right hand began to emit a pale blue light, and in the blink of an eye, a pale blue sphere was formed, floating above her palm.
”Ooh…”
The Chief stared at the sight intently.
”This is what is called White Magic in sorcery. It is just a ball of light that illuminates the surroundings. Even if one’s mental power is weak, there is almost no consumption of Spiritual Power regarding the generation of a single one.”
”Even if one’s mental power is weak…?”
Similar words were piling up. I’m a bit confused.
”Absorbing Mana from the surroundings and multiplying it with one’s own Spiritual Power to create various phenomena is as I explained earlier. And, every time you do that, it consumes Spiritual Power. You can think of mental power as something that mitigates the consumption of Spiritual Power. For example, generating one of these balls of light is easy. However, generating 100, or 1,000 of them would place a massive burden on the mind and body. A person with weak mental power would probably use up all their Spiritual Power after generating 100, but a person with strong mental power could generate 1,000――it’s something like that.”
”I see…”
”To explain in detail, there is the Spiritual Capacity Limit, which is the amount of Spiritual Power that can be retained within the body, and the Mana Absorption Rate per Second, which is the value of Mana that can be absorbed in one second. These numbers vary from person to person. Those with exceptional talent generally have high numbers in these areas. Even among the AMGE, Hojo-san’s Spiritual Capacity Limit and Mana Absorption Rate per Second are outstanding.”
”Can those numbers be measured?”
I asked Asagiri-san a further question.
”Yes. Shall we have Kirimine-san explain that part? I don’t know how much I am allowed to disclose.”
Yuika Kirimine. She is wearing vestments, but the trimming on the hem and sleeves was different from the AMGE members like Hojo-san. The trimming on the AMGE vestments is purple. The embroidery was also luxurious, but the vestments Kirimine was wearing had blue trimming. The embroidery is also somewhat simpler.
”At Kirimine Heavy Industries, which my father manages, we are researching spiritual abilities in cooperation with the Alsard Church. It is top-secret outside the company, so we ask everyone at the UCIA to never speak a word of it, but through recent research results, we have succeeded in developing a device capable of measuring an individual’s Spiritual Capacity Limit and Mana Absorption Rate per Second. Granted, there is plenty of room for improvement in areas such as accuracy. However, in the sense of providing a single metric, we consider it to be at a level sufficient for practical use.”
Kirimine-san answers with a bright smile. It was the first time I heard her speak; as expected of a young lady, she speaks in a polite tone with a beautiful, clear voice that is slightly low-pitched.
Following that, Asagiri-san opened her mouth.
”Speaking in terms of numbers, the average Spiritual Capacity Limit of the AMGE is 8700 SP. The average Mana Absorption Rate per Second is around 4500 MPS. Hojo-san greatly surpasses that; her Spiritual Capacity Limit is 14700 SP. Her Mana Absorption Rate per Second is about 9200 MPS. In terms of spiritual ability numbers alone, she possesses more than double the power.”
Asagiri-san said so, directing a smile at Hojo-san.
If phenomena are generated by multiplying Spiritual Power and Mana, the higher those numbers are, the more the efficacy increases. Under a simple multiplicative concept, Hojo-san’s spiritual power is outstanding even among the AMGE. Furthermore, Hojo-san is the youngest in the AMGE. When ”Judgement” said she had ”room to grow,” she was probably referring to this.
”Those numbers――could we have them measured as well?”
Kamikura asked.
”Yes. We plan to measure them in the treatment room after this training is over. Let’s leave the explanation at this and start the training soon. Himemiya-san and Kamikura-san, please stand in the center of the sanctum, close your eyes, and try to feel the flow of Mana. Hardy-san, you are welcome to join us if you’d like.”
We stood up from our chairs and stood in the center of the sanctum as guided.
The magic circle-like pattern drawn on the ceiling. I close my eyes and try to feel the flow of that Mana.
…………
I can’t see anything because my eyes are closed, but… I try to sharpen my five senses.
As if seeing with my mind’s eye. As if surveying my surroundings from above.
…………
After a while, I feel like something is drifting around me… Is this Mana?
However, they all feel like they are the same color… Is this gray?
”――Himemiya-san. How is it? Were you able to perceive the existence of Mana?”
When I opened my eyes, Asagiri-san was standing right in front of me. Since when did she get this close? I was a little startled.
”Judging from your surprise, you were deeply concentrated.”
Asagiri-san elegantly laughs, placing a hand over her mouth.
”Umm, I somehow understood that something like particles was drifting around. It’s just that they all felt like they were the same color…”
”What color did they feel like?”
”Umm, like a gray close to white, it’s hard to describe…”
Asagiri-san shows a sign of thinking for a moment.
”――Gray. That probably means you haven’t clearly seen the existence of Mana yet. Everyone goes through this stage at first. By accumulating training, you will eventually become able to see the colors. If you were able to feel their existence from the very beginning, that is sufficient as an aptitude.”
Eventually, Kamikura opened his eyes.
”I feel like I managed to grasp the colors somehow, but the image of absorbing them is difficult…”
Asagiri-san is slightly surprised.
”As expected, or rather, given that you can use your own unique Psychokinesis, Kamikura-san, you might have more talent in this area than others. The image of absorbing Mana is like focusing your consciousness on the part you want to absorb it into, like breathing. If you can absorb Mana, some kind of change will occur in that part. Feeling warm, or feeling cold, that varies from person to person.”
The Chief still had her eyes closed, but gradually opened them.
”…No good. Even if I concentrate, I can’t feel anything.”
The Chief, looking slightly downcast.
”That is normal. How do you usually relax, Hardy-san? Do you have any hobbies?”
Asagiri-san asked the Chief.
”Let’s see. If we’re talking about relaxing, I suppose it would be alcohol. My hobby is muscle training. It’s a bit embarrassing, though.”
”I see. I hear that you have a difficult managerial position as the Chief, Hardy-san. To perceive the flow of Mana, a pure and clear heart is necessary. It might be a good idea to take this opportunity to start nature sightseeing or hobbies that enrich your heart. I’m not saying that muscle training doesn’t enrich the heart, but…”
At those words, Kirimine-san burst out laughing. Hojo-san laughed along with her. And so did I.
”You girls are cruel. Muscle training is wonderful too.”
The Chief smiled wryly.
”By the way, the combination of Spiritual Power and Mana can be applied to all sorts of things. It varies from healing wounds to improving physical abilities. Kamikura-san, you are a man and I believe you are quite strong. Please try having a mock battle with Kirimine-san.”
When Asagiri-san said so, Kirimine-san brought what appeared to be a wooden longsword.
”It is a longsword made of white oak for church swordsmanship training. The rules are almost the same as Kendo. Attacks to the head and thrusts are prohibited. The forearm and the torso. A clean hit to either one counts as one point.”
”Understood. I accept your challenge.”
Kamikura took the longsword from Kirimine.
”If it were a contest of pure physical ability, Kamikura-san, being a man and a soldier, would overwhelm her. Therefore, I will give Kirimine-san spiritual divine protection from Hojo-san. It depends on the caster’s ability as well, but the greater the aptitude for spiritual abilities and the more faith one has, the greater the divine protection they receive. Kamikura-san――please challenge her with all your might.”
”That――sounds interesting.”
Kamikura replied to Asagiri-san’s words and readied the longsword with both hands. His eyes were completely serious.
”I am not in the AMGE, but in terms of swordsmanship alone, I am not inferior to the AMGE 2nd Rank, Aoi-san. I look forward to our match!”
Holding her sword up to Kamikura, Kirimine-san declared powerfully. Perhaps because of her daily training and her somewhat tall stature, her stance looked incredibly sharp. Her fighting spirit was not losing to Kamikura in the slightest.
”Then Hojo-san, if you please.”
With Asagiri-san’s words, Hojo-san began to chant.
”Goddess of Light, Alsard. Bestow your divine protection upon us. Light of heaven and fire of affection, let the voice of prayer resound!”
Then, as Hojo-san thrust her arm out toward Kirimine-san, her body was enveloped in a dazzling pale blue light.
”Then we will begin on my signal. The match will be won by whoever takes three points first. Are you ready?”
At Asagiri-san’s words, Kamikura and Kirimine-san nodded quietly.
”Then, let the mock battle begin. Ready――begin!”
It was that moment. Closing the distance in an instant with tremendous speed, Kirimine-san swung horizontally aiming for Kamikura’s torso. Kamikura guarded it instantly, but perhaps the force was beyond his imagination; he couldn’t transition into a counterattack from there.
”To block my first strike with your bare body! You’re quite something!”
Wielding his sword freely with both hands, Kamikura was entirely on the defensive against her excessively fast sword strikes. However, perhaps he grasped her attack pattern; in a split-second opening, Kamikura swung his sword straight down in a counterattack.
!?
”――What!?”
The one who unintentionally raised her voice was the Chief.
Perhaps having predicted Kamikura’s counterattack, she gracefully somersaulted on the spot, kicked Kamikura’s descending blade, and splendidly sent his sword flying.
Then, the longsword she swung horizontally upon landing struck Kamikura right in the torso.
”Kamikura!”
I unintentionally screamed out. A powerful blow slammed into Kamikura, who was completely defenseless after his sword was sent flying. Kamikura pressed his side and fell to one knee on the ground.
”That’s one point to start. Is what I’d like to say, but Kamikura-san――are you okay?”
Asagiri-san looked at Kamikura with concern.
”I’m sorry. I didn’t think my first strike would be guarded. I accidentally used my full strength. Are you hurt?”
She walked up to Kamikura and offered him her hand.
”A splendid sword strike. I never thought my sword would be sent flying with a somersault kick… Alsard Church swordsmanship, you’ve shown me something good.”
Looking frustrated, Kamikura still took Kirimine’s hand.
”――How pathetic, Kamikura! And you call yourself a Special Agent of our UCIA!?”
The one who raised her voice was the Chief. Her face felt as if it was burning with fighting spirit.
”Kirimine Yuika-san. Would you care to have a match with me?”
The Chief threw the white jacket she was wearing onto the floor. This is… the Chief is quite excited. Her eyes were shining like she had found lively prey.
”Yes. I don’t mind, but… Mayu-sama, is it alright?”
”Let’s see. Above all, Hardy-san looks like she is enjoying herself very much, so I permit it. Hojo-san, another longsword――”
At that moment, the Chief interrupted.
”Asagiri-sama, I hear that church swordsmanship also includes short sword techniques. If you have any, could you lend me two short swords?”
”――Understood.”
Hojo-san handed the Chief two short swords that seemed to be made of white oak.
”Then the rules are the same as before. I feel that you are at quite a disadvantage with short swords, are you sure?”
”I am most accustomed to using weapons with short blades. If I have two, there’s no problem.”
The Chief held the two short swords in a reverse grip. Her expression was smiling like a ferocious carnivore before its prey. And Kirimine-san also readied her longsword.
”Then, ready――begin!”
With Asagiri-san’s signal, the one who moved first was the Chief. She was as fast as Kirimine-san’s first strike shown earlier. Rushing forward with a low posture, she slashed alternately with the short swords held in her left and right hands. Kirimine-san parried the Chief’s attacks while skillfully manipulating her longsword.
”Excellent! It’s been a while since my blood boiled like this!”
The Chief shouted, and her fierce attack continued. Her reach was short, but her sheer volume of attacks was overwhelming. Kirimine-san wanted to swing her longsword horizontally to create distance before the Chief could enter a dangerous range. However, the Chief evaded with a hair’s breadth backstep. She immediately closed in again and repeated her attacks with the dual short swords. She was slowly but surely cornering her.
”To think you are this strong with just your bare body!”
The Chief seemed to have completely grasped her patterns. Having seemingly comprehended the trajectory of her sword strikes, her switching between attack and defense, and her timing in an instant, the Chief displayed a surging assault.
Then, just as the Chief spun vigorously and swung her short swords, the white oak longsword Kirimine held was smashed to pieces with a dry sound. Taking that opportunity, the Chief swiftly slipped behind her and pressed a short sword against her neck.
…………
Having her sword smashed and a short sword pressed against her neck from behind, Kirimine-san had a dumbfounded expression… I, Kamikura, and even Asagiri-san were at a loss for words at that sight.
”――That’s the match. I enjoyed myself for the first time in a while. You have my thanks.”
The Chief lowered her short sword, stood in front of Kirimine-san, and offered her right hand. However, perhaps having received quite a shock, she stood there in a daze.
”Kirimine Yuika-san… your sword handling was certainly splendid. Your speed was also fast. However, the variations in your attack and defense patterns are still shallow. If you are that fast and can skillfully handle a longsword, you should be able to move even more flexibly. I look forward to our next match.”
Perhaps having finally come back to her senses at the Chief’s words, she bowed her head.
”…Thank you very much. It is my complete defeat.”
Then Kirimine-san walked up to the Chief and forcefully grasped the Chief’s hand with both of hers.
”――Hardy-san! Please teach me how to fight from scratch! I don’t have Spiritual Power like everyone else or Ayuka-chan! That’s why I want to master swordsmanship even more!”
At her sudden words, everyone was surprised.
”Yuika-chan…”
Hojo-san looked at her with concern.
”Kirimine-san. Hardy-san is the Chief of the UCIA. She is a busy person, so as expected, that is…”
Asagiri-san said so, but…
”Kirimine Yuika. I really like those guts of yours. My training is harsh, but do you have the resolve to endure it?”
The Chief showed a faint smile.
”Yes! I am in your care!”
Kirimine-san said so in a loud voice.
”――And that’s how it is. Asagiri-sama, is that alright? Of course, I am a busy person too. Training in swordsmanship won’t be a problem if it’s at the UCIA base. I can do it here when I can make the time, though.”
”However――is it really okay?”
”We are also requesting spiritual ability training for our two unreliable investigators. I also wish to awaken my spiritual abilities. When it comes to combat training, we are professionals. We don’t mind looking after another person.”
The Chief glanced sideways at us with a smile. I feel sorry for being unreliable.
Kirimine-san exchanged handshakes with us as well. She seems like a very straightforward and honest girl.
She has no Spiritual Power… she said so. Perhaps that is the reason she wasn’t selected for the AMGE. Even though she is serving as Hojo-san’s assistant, she might be feeling very frustrated, and somewhat lonely somewhere in her heart.
That is exactly why she seemed to be purely pursuing the mastery of her own swordsmanship.
”Then, let’s end today’s training here. We will set up an opportunity to discuss the training programs for both sides later. We look forward to working with you from now on. Hardy-san.”
”I will be waiting. Asagiri-sama.”
And so, after taking care of various matters, we left the church…