Chereads / My isekai journey / Chapter 8 - Chapter 8: "Settling In and New Beginnings"

Chapter 8 - Chapter 8: "Settling In and New Beginnings"

The first rays of the morning sun pierced through the windows of the academy dorms, casting long shadows across the wooden floors. Leo stirred awake, his body still adjusting to the rhythm of his new life in this world. He rubbed his eyes and glanced around the room, taking in the familiar layout he'd seen countless times in the anime. His bed, a standard single with plain white sheets, stood opposite Nomura's, who was still snoring lightly.

Their room was a typical dormitory style—two beds, two study desks lined against the walls, and a small common area in the middle. A few personal touches had been added: some posters of martial arts techniques on the walls, a small potted plant on Leo's desk, and a portable gaming console lying haphazardly on Nomura's chair.

Leo quietly got out of bed, careful not to wake Nomura, and stretched his limbs. His mind was still buzzing from yesterday's events—his arrival, his unexpected duel with Rin, and his interaction with some of the school's notable figures. A part of him was excited about today, not just for the classes but also for understanding this new world better.

As he dressed, he glanced at the small digital clock on his desk. It was still early, but he decided to head out and explore a bit more. Nomura and Masuko were deep sleepers, and he figured he could have some time to himself.

Leo quietly left the dorm and walked out onto the academy grounds. The campus was still mostly empty, save for a few early risers who were jogging or practicing katas in the courtyard. The cool morning air felt refreshing against his skin, and he took a moment to breathe deeply, taking in the serene environment.

As he wandered, Leo found himself near the training grounds, a large open area filled with students practicing various forms of martial arts. Some were paired off in sparring sessions, while others were performing solo routines. He watched them for a few moments, noting the seriousness in their expressions and the precision of their movements.

"Impressive, isn't it?" a calm voice came from behind. Leo turned to see Mary Kikakujou, another of the Five Supreme Swords, standing there with a neutral expression. She had her long blonde hair tied back, and her icy blue eyes seemed to pierce right through him.

"Yeah, it is," Leo replied, offering a polite smile. "You don't see this kind of dedication every day."

Mary nodded, her gaze shifting back to the students. "This academy is built on the principle of strength and discipline. Those who lack either are quickly left behind."

Leo nodded, understanding the weight of her words. "I've noticed. But sometimes strength isn't just about power; it's about adaptability."

Mary seemed to study him for a moment before responding, her eyes narrowing slightly as if trying to gauge his sincerity. "We'll see if you can back up those words, Leo."

She turned to leave, but not before giving him one last scrutinizing look. As she walked away, Leo could feel the challenge hanging in the air. He knew he'd have to be careful—earning the respect of the Five Supreme Swords wouldn't be easy, but it was something he planned to do.

After his brief exploration, Leo decided to head back to the dorm. As he approached the door, he could hear muffled voices coming from inside. It seemed Nomura and Masuko were finally awake.

"—I'm telling you, she looked like she was ready to tear my head off!" Nomura's voice came through the door.

Masuko laughed, his deep voice booming. "Well, what did you expect? You challenged one of the Five Supreme Swords and lived to tell the tale. That's bound to put you on their radar."

Leo chuckled to himself as he entered. "Good morning, guys."

"Leo!" Nomura greeted with a grin. "You missed all the fun talk. We were just discussing what happens when you cross paths with the Five Supreme Swords."

"Oh, I've had my share of run-ins already," Leo replied with a smirk. "Seems like I've got a target on my back."

Masuko grinned. "Well, you better get used to it. The girls here are no joke. Especially Rin and Mary."

Nomura nodded in agreement. "You got that right. They're not just strong—they're smart, and they've got a reputation to uphold."

They continued chatting for a while, exchanging stories and tips about navigating life at the academy. Leo found himself enjoying the company. Despite the tough exterior of the school, there was a sense of camaraderie forming between him, Nomura, and Masuko.

The trio made their way to the first class of the day: Martial Arts History. The classroom was large, with rows of desks neatly arranged facing a blackboard. As they entered, Leo noticed that the room was already half-filled with students, some chatting among themselves while others were reviewing notes.

The teacher, a middle-aged woman with glasses and a no-nonsense demeanor, entered the room. She introduced herself as Professor Ayaka and immediately began her lecture on the history of martial arts and its evolution.

Leo listened intently, taking notes. While he had a fair understanding of martial arts from his past experiences, the intricacies of this world's martial heritage were fascinating. The lecture was engaging, detailing the origins of various styles and the philosophies behind them.

As the class progressed, Leo noticed Rin sitting a few rows ahead, her attention fully on the lecture. Her presence was hard to ignore—she exuded a strong aura of determination and focus. Occasionally, she would glance back, and their eyes would meet briefly before she turned away.

Nomura, sitting next to Leo, leaned over and whispered, "Rin's probably still thinking about yesterday. You made quite an impression on her."

Leo smirked. "I'm sure she's not the only one."

The class ended, and as students began to file out, Leo noticed a commotion near the door. Chōka U. Baragasaki stood there, her arms crossed and her stern gaze sweeping over the students. She seemed to be looking for someone.

When her eyes landed on Leo, she walked straight over. "Leo," she called out, her voice firm.

"Yes?" Leo responded, meeting her gaze.

"I saw you at the training grounds this morning," she said. "You've got some guts to be roaming around like that. But I want to see if you've got more than just guts. Meet me at the training hall after classes. I want to see what you're made of."

Nomura and Masuko exchanged worried glances, but Leo simply nodded. "Alright, Chōka. I'll be there."

Chōka nodded back, a slight smirk forming on her lips. "Good. Don't disappoint me."

As she walked away, Nomura let out a sigh. "You really like living on the edge, don't you?"

Leo chuckled. "What can I say? I'm here for the full experience."

The rest of the morning went by quickly, with more classes focused on theory and techniques. Leo found them all intriguing, especially considering the unique fusion of modern and traditional combat philosophies that the academy upheld.

During lunch, the trio found themselves on the rooftop, enjoying the view of the academy grounds. The sun was high, casting warm rays over the sprawling campus below. The topic of conversation naturally drifted back to Leo's impending match with Chōka.

Masuko leaned against the railing. "You sure you're ready for this, Leo? Chōka's no joke. She's as tough as they come."

Leo took a bite of his sandwich, unfazed. "I've faced worse. Besides, this is a good opportunity to learn more about them."

Nomura nodded thoughtfully. "Just remember, they don't give out respect easily here. You'll have to earn it."

Leo smiled, his eyes reflecting both determination and excitement. "That's exactly what I intend to do."

Note;-

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