Upon hearing Mikumo's words, a wave of inner happiness washed over Isamu, and he smiled softly to himself. "Phew! I barely got through that challenge. I almost lost control in front of that little girl, but I caught myself just in time. Luckily, I managed to regain my balance before losing and stayed on even footing with her."
Mikumo took a step forward, her eyes carefully observing both Isamu and Chikage.
She then continued speaking in a serious but calm tone: "With the next phase of your training, your schedule will be adjusted to match your progress. During the day, you will spend your time in three distinct training sessions."
Hearing the first part of the new training plan made the otaku in Isamu cringe as he thought to himself: "Sensei, just send me to dig mines and end this story!"
Raising two fingers, Mikumo continued without paying attention to the bitter expression on Isamu's face: "After that, I will begin teaching you advanced jujutsu techniques. Additionally, you will not only learn how to evade attacks but how to turn every move and moment to your advantage. This training will require you to think quickly and react instantly. You will gain the ability to control your opponent with precision and intelligence."
She then raised her third finger: "And finally, there will be a daily sparring match between you and Chikage at the end of each day. This match isn't just a test of strength; it's a test of your ability to apply everything you've learned in real-life situations. Remember, in these matches, do not underestimate your opponent. Victory depends not only on physical strength but also on your ability to adapt to changing circumstances."
Mikumo glanced at Chikage, who was standing calmly beside her, before saying in a calm but encouraging tone: "Chikage may seem young, but she is a prodigy in martial arts. The sparring sessions with her will be a significant challenge, and perhaps the best way for both of you to develop and learn."
Then, with a deep look, she added: "As for the evening, the schedule remains the same. You will continue with theory lessons and start meditation and breathing exercises, which will teach you how to control the flow of energy within your body."
Isamu felt somewhat exhausted just hearing this plan, as if he were back in the days of final exams in high school.
He thought to himself: "Morning, afternoon, and evening… that's more than 12 hours of training, not counting time for eating and sleeping. Intensive training sessions, daily sparring with Chikage, advanced techniques…"
He felt a bit of pity for himself and thought, "Why don't I have a system that allows me to add points like the heroes in those novels? In just a few days, with a few simple clicks, I'd be able to shatter mountains and continents with a single punch!"
Though the idea was tempting, he felt that the path he was on now was the right one. Gaining immense power instantly, without the gradual growth of mental and intellectual maturity, could lead to disastrous consequences.
Isamu reflected deeply, recalling situations from his past life. "It's just like in the previous life… many people who became wealthy overnight had their behavior completely change. Those who used to speak of principles and values abandoned them easily when they found themselves drowning in riches. On the other hand, I saw people who suddenly lost everything, and with it, their sanity and mental stability. Some went mad, while others couldn't handle the rapid collapse and took their own lives."
His thoughts grew deeper: "The problem lies in how quickly one's abilities or circumstances change. The human psyche needs time to process and adapt to changes, whether positive or negative. When things happen too fast, a person's character struggles to keep up, leading to catastrophic results."
Then he added, gathering himself: "Yes, I'm right. This isn't just an excuse or justification for jealousy or envy toward those who gained power quickly. Even if I had a system that allowed me to add points like in those hero novels, I wouldn't use it. I'll grow stronger the right way, through hard work and continuous learning."
Despite his deep thoughts, Isamu couldn't help but smile wryly as he concluded in his mind: "But... ha, who knows?! You won't know the real result until you try it yourself. Human nature is weak in the face of temptation, and I'm no exception!"
Mikumo glanced at her student, who seemed lost in thought after she finished speaking. She had noticed before that he sometimes struggled with focus. But she didn't take it too seriously. After all, he was still a young boy in a new world.
Despite appearing more mature than his age, and more aware compared to the childish Chikage, Mikumo understood that maturity and childhood are not a choice but are also tied to the physical and psychological stages a person goes through.
Thus, Mikumo didn't dwell much on this aspect, confident that the progress in his jujutsu training under her supervision would naturally help resolve this issue.
Suddenly, her eyes narrowed slightly, and she remarked, "You may both return to your assigned training. As for the evening session, you're allowed a break today."
Isamu was surprised by Mikumo's words, as she canceled the sparring session and, more importantly, gave them a break from the evening lessons.
Since starting his training under her guidance, Mikumo had never offered him a rest period before. He glanced at Chikage, who also had a look of surprise on her small face, indicating she was just as astonished as he was.
"Understood, sensei!" the two children answered in unison, obedient to their teacher's orders.
Mikumo paid no attention to the surprised looks on her students' faces as she turned and swiftly left the training grounds.
....
Moments later, in a large room inside the dojo where Isamu had never entered before, Mikumo stood silently, gazing out the window.
Soft light filtered through, casting gentle shadows on the polished floor. The atmosphere was calm, but behind that tranquility, there was something unsettled in her eyes.
She spoke quietly, as if addressing an invisible figure: "Is there a reason for your visit?"
Suddenly, a mysterious figure leaped gracefully onto a nearby balcony. The man wore a loose brown robe that matched his light and swift movements.
He stood on the balcony opposite the garden, while Mikumo's gaze remained fixed on him, never wavering for a moment. His face was hidden behind a demonic mask that obscured his features entirely, except for a mocking smile on his lips.
"I knew my attempt to hide wouldn't work on you. Still, it was a bit fun to try anyway," he said in a calm and smooth voice.
Mikumo responded in a cold tone, revealing her impatience: "Cut the nonsense. Why are you here?"
The man sighed as he sat on the edge of the balcony and then slowly pulled out a red apple from his robe. He took a bite, as if savoring the tension of the moment. "It's nothing personal, just business. Maybe you should learn to relax more, especially at your age."
Her eyes narrowed at his words, for while she was an expert in jujutsu and at the peak of martial arts, she remained a woman who didn't like her age being mentioned.
Her patience was running thin, and her voice grew sharper: "I don't care about that. What matters to me is why you're here. Can you be honest?"
The mysterious man smirked, hinting that seriousness was not his goal. "Don't worry, I'm not here to cause trouble. But you missed the scheduled meeting last month, so I decided to come see what's keeping you busy. Consider it a friendly visit... between old friends."