Isekai Teacher

Drinks are going down smooth tonight.

Drinking while gazing at the moon's reflection on the lake... really hits different.

Want to... have a drink with me too?

Hehe. Guess I've been spotted.

You never planned to hide in the first place, did you?

If you wanted a surprise attack... at least try to hide your presence.

I don't do something that cowardly!

I always want a fair and square duel!

Nice to meet you!

My name is Palamedes. A martial artist of the proud White Tiger Clan!

The White Tiger Clan, huh...

That's an unexpected guest.

I don't recall earning your clan's grudge.

That's right!

Hm...?

Pardon?

Weren't you here to see me?

That's right!

I came to take you, once the strongest swordswoman of the Eastern Empire, as my master!

...

It's a little embarrassing to say this...

Do you know what they called me in the Eastern Empire?

Of course. The Witch of the Eastern Empire... and the Oni Queen!

It's been many years, but in the East there's no one who doesn't know your name.

Then why would someone who knows that...

To get stronger, of course!

Strong warriors are forged through harsh trials and adversity!

No master is more fitting than you, Ran!

...

(Hmm... this is troublesome.)

(She's clearly an exceptional fighter at a glance...)

(But I want to enjoy some peace right now...)

(Heh. Right... if it's that man...)

Palamedes, you want someone suuuuper strong, right?

Then there's someone more fitting than me.

Huh? There's no way someone like that...

The man who beat me in the Colosseum of Cameliard.

...!!!

It was a brutal fight.

I ended up conceding.

...gulp.

Well? Curious?

Hey, you freeloader!

What is it? Screaming like a slaughtered pig first thing in the morning.

Be calm and enjoy your steak like this Fairy Queen.

How can I be calm right now?!

What on earth did you make while we were on break!

Hyaa?! P-Princess..! I don't wanna die..!

S-Sorry, Bedi... I can't do anything right now.

This slime... the more I cut, the more it multiplies.

Bedivere said she wanted to conquer her slime phobia.

I merely obliged.

That doesn't mean you make some horrifying hybrid!

How are you going to clean it up!

It's a spell I can undo easily, so no need to worry.

As long as that slime doesn't slip out into the village...

E-Ethan...!!!

Hm? Don't tell me...

The window... is open.

...

...

...

......grrrowl.

Morganaaaa!!!!

Oww!!!

Once I get out of this forest... it's the town of Aldbourne.

Hehe. The Swordbringer... sounds exciting.

Just like Ran said, I hope he's strong!

Hm? That's... a King Slime?

Hehe! Perfect timing! I needed a warm-up.

Brace yourself! No matter the opponent, I always go all out!

Haaat!

Huh?

Uh-oh...

Eeeh?!

Wh-Why do they keep multiplying?!

...

The world... is truly unpredictable after all.

Heh... hehehehe!

Leaving for training was the right call!

...I think that's all of them.

Good work, Elizabeth. Ugh... first time back at the inn in ages and we get this mess...

Shall we head back?

I'll search a bit more.

If that slime sneaked into the forest... something irreversible could happen.

...! You're right... then I'll go with you.

It's fine. I'm still protected by dispel magic, so I can manage alone.

Elizabeth. Go comfort Bedivere...

If you two end up quarreling again like last time, we're in trouble.

...

Know yourself and your enemy, and you'll never lose...

What... am I missing?

If it isn't a lack of power... there must be a hidden weak point...

Kyaah?!

Ghh...!

I can't... fall in a place like this...!

Huh...?

All those slimes, in one strike...

You alright?

Knew it... good thing I came to check.

...!!!

This forest is, thanks to Mor... no, thanks to a certain idiot wizard, very dangerous right now.

Judging by your outfit...

Ahem... you seem like a traveler. Leave this to me and head back.

...

Hello?

Ah, yes! I'm fine! I have great stamina!

Hm...? Well, good thing you're not hurt.

Then I'll be...

J-Just a moment!

Hm? What is it?

(That swordsmanship just now... wasn't ordinary.)

(My gut says this person...)

(Is someone I must not let slip away!)

You saved my life, so... I-I want to repay you!

It's fine. It was nothing.

(And since this happened because of Morgana... my conscience does twinge a bit.)

I'm something of a slime expert, so...

Th-Then... at least tell me your name!

You're the swordsman who saved my life!

(Hmm... a name should be fine.)

Ethan. Unusual name, right?

...! Ethan... don't tell me...!

Probably the first time you've heard it in your life...

Uwaagh?!

I finally found you!

Itsuki. You have no need of a master.

In the Empire, there is no one who can oppose us.

A master...

has no meaning unless it's someone you couldn't defeat even at the cost of your life.

So for now, focus on your training.

The path guided by our ancestors' wisdom is your master in all but name.

So... since there's no one left to fight in the Eastern Empire...

you came all the way here seeking the strong?

That's right! First I went to Ran, once the East's strongest swordswoman...

and she introduced me to you, Master!

(I won't forget this...)

Just as Ran said, I was right to seek you out, Master!

Those slimes even the White Tiger Clan's secret techniques couldn't fell... you subjugated them in a single exchange!

I want to become your disciple and reach a higher realm!

You're mistaken... actually those slimes...

(Relations between the East and the Alliance... could sour.)

Master?

Ah, the... slime... no! I mean... I'm a swordsman, right?

I don't think I have much to teach a martial artist like you.

So you should find another master...

That's not true!

What I want is the indomitable spirit that blooms under harsh trials!

And real combat experience!

Just sparring with you, the strongest swordsman, will make me stronger!

Please, Master!

I truly love the White Tiger Clan, but...

within that peaceful fence... I can't become a true warrior.

I'll follow any teaching you give!

So please... take me as your disciple!

Ngh...!

...Fine. I'll take you as my disciple.

Really?! Waaah! Please take care of me, Master!

But there's a condition.

A condition?

I can't just take anyone as a disciple, right?

If you pass all the trials I prepared, I'll appoint you as an official disciple.

Once you're official, I'll spar as much as you want.

Understood! You want to test my skills, right?

Great! Whatever the trial, I'll bring the result you want!

Good. Then the first trial...

is to fetch water from Isiel's Waterfall!

Isiel's Waterfall...

If you chose it for a trial... it must be a really important place!

Of course! Super important!

Got it! I'll be right back!

Sure. Take your time!

I'm back!

Wha?!

It hasn't even been half a day... and you're already back?

I've got stamina! And look!

And um... I realized why you gave me this trial!

Hm...?

I've trained under waterfalls plenty...

but never in Isiel's brutal cold!

Training while skirting the line of death like that...

sparked a new technique!

Oh... did it...? Good for you...

I was moved!

Even before I'm an official disciple... such great instruction!

Master, what's the next trial?

...

Master! What's the next trial?

...

Master?

The trials... are over now.

...! Then...!

Yeah. You'd better brace yourself.

I'll face you, just as you wanted, with everything I've got!

Kyaa!

As expected... you're amazing, Master.

I thought I found an opening... but you countered instantly!

(Eva...!!!)

(Sorry... my hand moved on instinct...)

Everything Ran said... was true!

I already can't wait for our next duel!

...

Haa... I'm beat.

Too much happened today...

I'll sleep hard today and worry about the rest later...

Kyaaang!

Hm...?

I feel like I just touched something...

Master... you're bolder than I thought...

Th-That voice...!

Palamedes...! Why are you here!

Because I'm your disciple!

Master and disciple should always be together, right?

What kind of old-fashioned... gah?!

But Master... your face has been weird for a while?

You've slowed down too... are you nervous, by any chance?

M-Misunderstanding! It's just the heat...

They say know yourself and your enemy... and you'll never lose.

Hehe. I think I've found your weakness.

Ngh...!

Master! hurry and counterattack!

If you keep lying there... I might beat you, you know?

So, will you surrender?

If you give up now... I-I'll even... over here...

Mmph! Mmmph?!

It's useless to struggle. You won't be able to use your powers for a while.

Our apologies. Our young lady seems to have caused you trouble.

And you are...?

We are retainers of the White Tiger Clan.

We heard our runaway lady met the Swordbringer and came at once.

We sincerely apologize for the discourtesy at this late hour.

Runaway? She told me it was training...

That is what she said, but...

the Clan Chief, of course, did not permit it.

Anyway... good thing you found her.

Thanks to you, Swordbringer. We'll be sure to report your protection to the Clan Chief.

No... I didn't exactly protec...

Everyone withdraw. We return before dawn.

Yes!

Mmph! Mmm mmm! Mmm mmm!