"Asuna… actually lost?"
Kocho Kanae and Kocho Shinobu were both stunned.
Yuuki Asuna's current strength was nearly on par with Shinobu's.
Within the Demon Slayer Corps, she was already at the level of a quasi-Pillar—possibly even a full-fledged one.
In this tournament, they had expected the other participants might trouble her slightly, but had no doubt that she would take the championship.
They never imagined she would lose in the semifinals to someone she had lost to years ago.
"That Busujima Saeko… it's not just her swordsmanship. Asuna's Flower Breathing didn't work on her at all…"
Kanae frowned slightly.
She had a strange feeling that Busujima Saeko was very familiar with Flower Breathing.
Every time Asuna attempted a technique, Saeko would instantly identify the flaw and counter it.
"And what's her relationship with Kuzeha?"
Kanae glanced at the boy beside her, the air of mystery around him only growing thicker.
After the second semifinal match ended, the morning matches were over.
The finals were scheduled for the afternoon.
And now, it was time for the tournament's special rule: The top four could challenge the judges.
If a contestant earned the judges' recognition, they would receive a generous prize.
This chance to challenge authority was something the crowd loved.
Even rain and Shido, who had been about to leave, paused in curiosity—not for the fun, but to gauge the strength of the judges brought by the Yukinoshita and Yuuki families.
"Madam, your daughter lost to Busujima Saeko."
"I see."
Yuuki Kyouko's eyes flashed with disappointment upon hearing her secretary's report.
She had only one daughter and had poured everything into her upbringing.
Asuna had always lived up to expectations—except in kendo.
Years later, she had lost again to the same person.
Kyouko could accept defeat—but not repeated defeat to the same opponent.
"Asuna… maybe she's just not suited for kendo?"
She muttered softly.
Then the secretary spoke again.
"Madam, she's challenged the Yukinoshita family's judge."
Kyouko abruptly stood, brows furrowed.
"She's the Yuuki family's eldest daughter—she represents us! Why is she acting so recklessly?"
Asuna had just lost to Saeko. If she also lost to Kuzeha, wouldn't that publicly confirm that the Yuuki family was inferior to the Yukinoshitas?
"Can it still be canceled?"
She rushed to the second-floor viewing platform—only to see Asuna and Kuzeha already standing on the stage.
Glancing sideways, she noticed Madam Yukinoshita and Haruno watching calmly from the adjacent VIP box.
On the stage, Asuna faced Kuzeha.
Tall and handsome, with short black hair and a composed air, he could easily pass for the most popular boy at any school.
But this youth commanded the deference of the formidable Madam Yukinoshita and was acknowledged by Busujima Saeko—a sword master—as her mentor.
Asuna's eyes shimmered with complex emotions.
She knew her actions would disappoint her mother even more.
But Saeko's words had left a deep impression.
She wanted to experience it herself.
To feel firsthand the blade of someone considered the pinnacle of swordsmanship.
"Mr. Kuzeha, please guide me."
Asuna took a deep breath, focused her mind, and rushed forward with full force—
Flower Breathing, Fifth Form: Peony of Inescapable Fate!
The same move.
But after her duel with Saeko, she had made adjustments based on Saeko's counters.
If Kuzeha was Saeko's teacher, then his responses should be similar… or so she thought.
In the next instant, Kuzeha casually tapped her sword with his own.
A numb shock traveled from the blade to her grip, and her precise thrust lost its power.
"You're fast, but your intent is too obvious. You need to add feints to mask it..."
His calm, magnetic voice flowed into her ears.
Asuna suddenly realized—her sword was following his lead.
Her movements were being guided.
And it felt strangely familiar.
"This is… Flower Breathing?"
"No, it's… a refined version!"
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
In mere seconds of combat, he had not only recreated her techniques—but improved them.
His mastery matched Saeko's praise: the pinnacle of swordsmanship.
Kanae and Shinobu watched from the stands, shocked and confused.
Asuna's current skill level placed her among the best in the Demon Slayer Corps—there was no one left to teach her.
Progress now depended solely on her own talent and understanding.
But now, Kuzeha was using his sword to guide her in battle—refining her technique mid-fight.
It was something only a vastly superior master could do for a beginner.
Which meant… Asuna, in Kuzeha's eyes, was merely a beginner.
"Who… is this Kuzeha?"
Shinobu whispered in disbelief, her strength comparable to Asuna's.
rain and Shido, hidden among the audience, were equally astonished.
"I can't read this guy's level at all…"
Shido frowned.
It wasn't just that Kuzeha could guide someone like Asuna—he was doing it instinctively, in the middle of combat.
His understanding of swordsmanship had reached terrifying heights.
"Interesting,"
rain whispered, her eyes fixed on Kuzeha.
She lightly brushed the hilts of her dual swords, visibly eager to fight.
Even if most people couldn't tell he was improving Asuna's technique, they could see he was feeding her moves.
They had just watched Asuna's intense match with Saeko.
Even in defeat, Asuna's skill was impressive.
Yet this youth, clearly the same age, was acting as her teacher.
"Amazing. No wonder he's sitting in for Awashima Seri on the judge panel."
"Did you see how clean his feeds are? That's on par with a master."
"Is the Yuuki family the only one recruiting sword talent? What about Yukinoshita? Can we get Kuzeha's guidance if we join them?"
The voices of the other contestants drifted up to Kyouko's ears.
Her face darkened with frost.
This was the last thing she wanted.
Kuzeha's abilities far exceeded her expectations—and now her foolish daughter had given him a platform to shine.
If the Yukinoshita group posted even a single recruitment flyer, many would flock to them for a chance to learn from Kuzeha.
Everything the Yuuki family had built would become their stepping stone.
Asuna's duel with Kuzeha ended in a daze.
As their swords separated, she felt an odd reluctance.
Though only minutes long, Kuzeha had guided her through a deconstruction of her entire sword style.
She had reevaluated and reassembled her understanding of swordsmanship.
Her mastery of Flower Breathing had significantly improved.
"Miss Yuuki, with your talent, limiting yourself to the Demon Slayer Corps is a waste."
His calm remark stirred waves within her heart.
She wanted more—more guidance from him.
But bound by status, she didn't know how to ask.
She opened her mouth, hesitated… then bowed deeply.
"Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Kuzeha."
Just as Kuzeha turned to leave—
A clear, lively voice rang out from the crowd.
"Teaching swordsmanship is boring! Hey, you! Can I challenge you instead?"
All heads turned.
A silver-haired, dark-skinned girl jumped lightly into the arena.
Her light-gray eyes were sparkling as she stared at Kuzeha and bowed excitedly.
"I'm Yuta from the Council of Swordmasters. May I spar with you?"
The crowd froze—then erupted.
"Council of Swordmasters?!"
"You mean the Council of Swordmasters, where S-rank hero Atomic Samurai trains?"
"No one would dare fake that…"
"I know her! She's Amahare's daughter!"
The venue buzzed with excitement.
The Council of Swordmasters was a well-known group in the sword world.
Not motivated by power or money, it was simply a gathering of elite swordsmen.
Though small, every member was among the top swordsmen alive.
Even the famous S-rank hero Atomic Samurai was part of it.
To sword practitioners, the Council of Swordmasters represented the pinnacle.
Yuta's sudden entrance sent their emotions soaring.
Shido, meanwhile, held his forehead in frustration.
He should've known—rain would never visit a place like this quietly.
Now that she had invoked the Sword Saint name, he couldn't even pull her out.
"Did you register?"
Kuzeha's voice reached Yuta.
She raised an eyebrow.
"You need to register to challenge someone?"
"Of course," he replied firmly.
"No registration, no free rides—even with a fancy name."
rain frowned, but then her eyes lit up.
"You're a judge for the Yukinoshita group, right?"
"Yes."
"Let's make a deal. If you win, I'll work for you or your group for the next three years. If I win, just give me the challenger prize."
Kuzeha's gaze brightened.
He looked rain up and down—free labor falling into his lap? Who'd say no to that?
"You sure?"
rain confidently patted her chest.
"I never go back on my word!"
"Then I accept."
The crowd exploded once again.
"The Council of Swordmasters vs the judge?! This is insane!"
"Place your bets! Who's gonna win?"
"All in on Council of Swordmasters, obviously!"
Outside the venue,
Iaian, Okamaitachi, and Bushidrill looked up at the massive building.
After comparing it to the photo Shido sent, they nodded.
"This is the place!"
Bushidrill was surprised by how grand the venue was.
"When did rain get rich enough to train in a place like this?"
Okamaitachi scoffed, pointing at a tournament poster.
"She's not spending money—she's here to make it."
They leaned in to read the poster.
The high prize pool stunned them.
"It's co-hosted by two conglomerates?"
"Enough talk—let's go in and drag them out!"
Bushidrill was in a hurry.
Ever since the House of Evolution incident, their sword paths had been shaken.
Especially Drill—Kuzeha's Deep Slash had cast a shadow over his entire worldview.
Today, he planned to beat up rain and Shido to rebuild his confidence.
At his urging, the trio entered the venue.
Read advance chapters on: patre on.com/Bored_Mortal