"Your Majesty Nero, isn't this too difficult for them?" Hathaway asked, somewhat puzzled by Nero's actions.
Nero wasn't the type to play such jokes or bully children.
Genzo had already gone to the dojo to instruct other students. Inside the room, Nero sat lazily on the tatami, watching the two outside swinging their swords.
"Mmm, Hathaway, think carefully about that number."
"Oh, I still remember that number. When Your Majesty Nero was that age, wasn't her training volume about the same?"
Hathaway wasn't surprised. The moment Nero mentioned three hundred thousand, she immediately thought of Nero's training in her youth.
However, looking at the two kids outside, she didn't believe they could do it too.
"A person's will and perseverance, these things are very difficult to see clearly."
Nero's words were also lazy: "Mmm, children's drive and recklessness also hide these precious qualities. Genius or mediocrity? It's too early to say now."
"A swordsman's true talent always lies in their heart."
"Heart, huh..." Hathaway watched the two small figures outside desperately swinging their swords. In their pursuit of speed, their swordplay had become disorganized.
Kuina was a little better, barely maintaining a posture, but Zoro, with every swing, landed his blade in a different spot.
At this rate, they would surely fail and waste His Majesty Nero's time... Hmm... For a distraction, it might not be considered a waste.
Hathaway lowered her gaze, putting it down to Nero's whim.
"Mmm, tired? Want to rest a bit? I have iced barley tea here!"
Seeing that the two's speed was tending to slow down, Nero immediately spoke up to interfere.
"No need!" x2
"Is that so? Take it easy. Anyway, this was destined to fail from the start. Genzo is also a good master."
Nero continued to sow discord. Perhaps it was too obvious; the two stopped responding and swung their swords even faster in silence.
Hathaway frowned, seeing the faint smile on Nero's lips, and ultimately said nothing... The chirping of birds in the early morning. Nero opened her eyes, still sleepy, and was once again at the familiar dining table.
"Chew... chew... Mmm, I'm a bit craving Daifuku... Hathaway... can you prepare some?"
"The ingredients are quite sufficient. Strawberry, chocolate, and red bean, these three kinds, are they alright?"
Hathaway's hands didn't stop, dipping a peeled crab leg in sauce and bringing it to Nero's mouth.
"Mmm... chew chew... Three kinds are enough. When I'm out and about, I won't be so picky!"
The crab leg was springy and delicious. Nero narrowed her eyes, her cheeks puffing out.
Swallowing the food in her mouth, Nero asked again, "Why is it so noisy outside?"
"It's Kuina and Zoro's classmates. They heard about their trial and are outside cheering them on," Hathaway replied, casually picking up a napkin to wipe a grain of rice from Nero's lip.
"Did they not rest last night?"
"No, they've been persistent!"
"Is that so?"
What Nero saw upon opening the door were the two small figures surrounded, with others nearby holding two baby bottles, feeding them mashed liquid food.
"One hundred eleven thousand seven hundred sixty-two..."
"One hundred eleven thousand seven hundred sixty-three..."
Nero nodded. They were indeed counting properly. To have persevered this far, it seems the foundation Genzo laid for them was quite solid!
However, this speed was still a bit slow, and at this rate, they would reach their limit on the third day.
They wouldn't be able to complete the task with willpower alone. Next, Nero needed to observe their potential in swordsmanship.
If they continued to wield their swords like wooden sticks, then three hundred thousand would be an insurmountable chasm for them.
Meanwhile, Kuina and Zoro on the field had long lost all sensation in their arms, mechanically repeating the swinging motion.
Their forearms were particularly affected, from initial soreness to current numbness. It seemed only the bones of their upper arms were driving their forearms to exert force.
By now, they would occasionally lose focus, forgetting to count several times. Fortunately, others were helping them, otherwise, they would have long forgotten how many swings they had actually made.
The limit was closer than imagined. Their brains no longer supported idle thoughts. External sounds gradually faded, and all that reached their eardrums were the cries of their own bodies.
Heavy, hoarse breathing, a heart beating like a drum, and the flow of blood was vaguely perceived for the first time.
The body's limit was right before their eyes; they could already see that boundary... Yet, the sword in their hands seemed to have become lighter. The sensation of the blade cutting through the air transmitted to their fingertips. At first, they thought it was an illusion brought on by fatigue.
But this feeling became clearer and clearer. From the lifeless piece of iron, a sensation like an extension of their limbs was transmitted.
Even though their bodies were on the verge of giving up, the sword in their hands seemed to be cheering. Their movements were constantly being corrected by the sword, subtly and precisely adjusted bit by bit.
Compared to their initial swings, their current movements were increasingly perfect. The two, who were utterly exhausted, strangely felt a sense of ease in their hearts.
'At this rate, we can do it!' x2
Nero and Genzo almost simultaneously noticed the changes in the two.
"It has begun!"
Nero picked up a chocolate Daifuku, a smile appearing in her eyes.
"Ah, only by understanding the difference between a sword and a piece of iron can one call themselves a swordsman."
Genzo also sat there comfortably, holding a cup of green tea.
"When the sword in your hand becomes a part of your body, it is no longer a burden. This is also the entry point to'skill'."
"However, Your Majesty Nero, this will also place a huge burden on their underdeveloped bodies, and their lifespan as swordsmen..."
Genzo put down his teacup, looking at the two with some worry. If it ended here, the two would still have gained a lot.
They were indeed children with aptitude, but this was also the moment their will emerged, their most resolute. Ordinary means would make it difficult for them to give up.
Moreover, Genzo was unsure if Nero had a way to resolve these after-effects.
"Mmm, in swordsmanship, one is always afraid of being a step too slow. No one thinks they are moving too fast."
After eating all the chocolate chips off the surface of a Daifuku, Nero shoved the remaining plain white Daifuku into her mouth.
"If they have already made up their minds, then your worries or other well-intentioned thoughts will only be stumbling blocks for them."
Genzo's eyes widened instantly. The aura unique to a Great Swordsman flowed uncontrollably outwards, but Nero suppressed it in an instant.
"I... I apologize! How rude of me!" Genzo fumbled, a wry smile on his lips: "I just didn't expect even I..."
"Mmm, the trial has just begun. Let's observe quietly for now. They still have a long way to go!"
Nero chuckled, waving her hand dismissively, her gaze still fixed on the two swinging their swords.
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