The number of magical threads you can produce with ‘Shijutsu’ directly correlates to the number of spells you can cast at once.

Renji taught me that on the day I first managed to create a thread. In other words, someone who can only produce one ‘Silveit’ can only use one spell, while those who can produce multiple threads can use several spells simultaneously.

Given that, it’s obvious that an exorcist who can produce two threads is stronger than one who can only produce one, and one who can produce three threads is stronger still.

Ever since learning this, I’ve been pushing the limits of my ‘Shijutsu.’

Initially, I could only produce one thread from each hand, making a total of two. But within a month, I doubled that to four, and with further practice, I increased it to eight. I eventually managed to produce 24 threads, one from each finger.

I asked my father what the benchmark for a proficient exorcist was, and he told me that adult exorcists typically produce three to four ‘Silveits.’

The fact that I surpassed this average within two months earned me immense praise from my father.

It’s always nice to be praised, no matter your age. As an adult, it’s rare to be praised for anything.

I continued my training diligently for two years in preparation for my future life as an exorcist.

By the time I turned five, I was ready for more advanced training.

“Itsuki. Starting today, you will train in both physical and sword techniques.”

“Physical techniques? Like gymnastics?”

Facing me in the garden was my father. The bright blue sky made me squint.

He was still the formidable figure I remembered, with a few more scars on his face from his work as an exorcist. Initially, he took frequent breaks to guard me, but as it became clear I wasn’t in immediate danger, he gradually returned to his duties.

The scars on his face were from those times.

“No, physical techniques are the skills used in combat with ‘demons.’ Though usually, we exorcists don’t fight them barehanded. We use swords.”

“Swords?”

The same swords I knew from manga and movies? What about Japan’s strict gun and sword laws?

“Yes. Have you seen one before?”

“Yes.”

I nodded. Well, I had seen them in manga and movies.

My father, seeing my reaction, took a long object wrapped in cloth from beside him and removed the cover. Inside was a black-lacquered sheath. Even I, who had only seen swords in manga, could tell this was a genuine Japanese sword.

“This is a sword.”

“…Wow, it’s long.”

“You’re still small, Itsuki. It seems long to you.”

Holding the real sword, my father laughed.

“We exorcists use magic and swords to exorcise ‘demons.’ So, you need to know how to use a sword.”

“Dad, I have a question.”

“Ask anything.”

“Can’t I just practice magic?”

My question came from a genuine concern. In my previous life, I was terrible at sports.

I was a born indoor kid, you could say. I only joined the computer club and went straight home after school. I was hopeless at anything physical.

Knowing my poor athletic abilities, I doubted I could master swordsmanship. It seemed more efficient to focus solely on magic.

“That’s not possible, Itsuki.”

“Why?”

“There are very fast ‘demons.’ If one of those creatures gets within your range and you can’t use a sword…what would you do?”

“I’d create a wall with magic.”

“No, you’d be killed before you could make a wall. Many of my comrades who didn’t train in swordsmanship died that way.”

“…Oh.”

Hearing that from a seasoned exorcist like my father left me with no argument.

Reluctantly, I picked up the Japanese sword before me. But at five years old, it was so heavy I could barely lift it.

There was no way I could swing this around.

“It’s heavy, Dad.”

“Indeed. Real swords are heavy. That’s why you’ll start with a wooden sword. I’ve prepared one for you.”

“Really?”

Unlike magic, I wasn’t enthusiastic about swordsmanship. But knowing that neglecting it could lead to death, I had no choice but to try.

I didn’t want to die.

Receiving the child-sized wooden sword from my father, I stood before him as he positioned himself behind me.

“Have you been taught how to hold it?”

“No. No one has taught me.”

“I see. You had the correct grip, so I wondered.”

Oh, right. I had a few kendo lessons in my previous life.

“Alright, let’s start with a basic form.”

“Yes.”

“There are various types of sword techniques, but I will teach you ‘Yato-ryu.'”

Yato? What characters are used to write it?

I tilted my head at the unfamiliar term, but my father continued without noticing.

“Yato-ryu is an aggressive sword technique that overwhelms the opponent with numerous strikes. Today, I will teach you the basic footwork.”

Taking a stance with the wooden sword, my father moved his right foot. Wrapped around his leg was a ‘Silveit.’

In the next moment, he stepped forward and swung the sword.

There was a loud crack as the air burst apart. The empty space seemed to explode, sending a shockwave that made my cheeks tingle.

On the ground where my father had swung, a straight cut appeared without the sword even touching it, about five centimeters deep.

…What just happened!?

Stunned by the unfamiliar sword technique, I watched as my father calmly turned to me.

“This is the stepping technique.”

…No way.

Seeing such a technique that was unlike anything in my previous life, I couldn’t help but think, “This isn’t swordsmanship; it’s almost magic!”

Indeed, if this level of skill was necessary to defeat monsters, it made sense that those who slacked off in training would die.

“Itsuki, give it a try. The key is to wrap ‘Silveit’ around your legs and enhance them.”

“Dad, I have a question.”

“Ask anything.”

“Isn’t this just magic?”

When he stepped forward, his body was definitely enhanced with magic. This wasn’t just swordsmanship; it was magic-based swordsmanship.

I asked, but my father looked at me as if I had said something absurd.

“If you’re swinging a sword, it’s swordsmanship.”

“…Hmm.”

I see. That’s the logic here.

Or is it really?

“Itsuki, most exorcists either focus on swordsmanship or solely on magic. They typically work in pairs, with one person in the front and one in the back.”

“Oh…”

So if I were the one in the back, I could just focus on magic, right? I thought, but my father continued.

“But many died because their partner was killed, leaving them defenseless. So, I will teach you both swordsmanship and magic to ensure you don’t die!”

“Okay! I won’t die, Dad!”

I couldn’t slack off on swordsmanship…

“Good answer. With this, you’ll be ready for the next ‘Shichi-Go-San.'”

“Shichi-Go-San? We’re doing it again?”

“Of course. You’re five now, after all.”

I see. That’s why it’s called ‘Shichi-Go-San.’

“Yes, and the timing coincides with the upcoming general meeting.”

“General meeting?”

“It’s a meeting of the ten prominent exorcist families. It will be your first introduction to the other heads. They’ll be amazed when they see you, Itsuki!”

I felt a bit embarrassed by my father’s enthusiasm, so I decided to focus on swinging my sword.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep