Because Ryuto begged for mercy in time, he was finally spared from death. However, as a price, Ryuto had to let Asuka use his left arm as a pillow for the night.

After agreeing to the condition, Asuka finally woke up. So Ryuto had no choice but to be a pillow for her for the night.

FUCK, as a result, his arm was in excruciating pain when he woke up in the morning. It was almost useless. And Asuka, who had grown so big, still loved to act spoiled at times. This was a problem. She relied on him too much. As an older brother, Ryuto couldn't help but worry about her future.

Lately, Asuka had been coming home late because of her duties in the student council. This put a lot of pressure on Ryuto, who was usually just a bystander.

Of course, Hiyori had already woken up early. She was probably doing her usual morning training in the courtyard. So after Ryuto got up, he went straight to the courtyard and saw Hiyori releasing something. No, maybe she was delivering a message to someone at home. But her movements were so strange that if Ryuto hadn't seen it before, he would have thought she was releasing something.

"Are you delivering a message home?" Ryuto asked.

Hiyori turned around upon hearing his question.

"Yes, Lord Ryuto. It's for my sister," she replied.

"Is that so?" Ryuto felt that Hiyori's relationship with his sister had improved a bit. That should be a good thing.

"Thinking back, I feel that I should face my sister with a completely new attitude, just like Lord Ryuto," Hiyori said.

"..."

Why did she have to bring me into this? It's putting a lot of pressure on me. And my situation shouldn't be used as a standard.

So Ryuto decided to change the topic.

"By the way, Hiyori, since you're a sword user, can I ask you a question?"

"What is it?"

"I often see in manga that swordsmen can cut through steel, but swords themselves are made of steel. So how can steel cut through steel?"

"Lord Ryuto, that is indeed possible. My father can do it, and he can even do it without a sword."

"FUCK, that's so unscientific." Ryuto couldn't help but exclaim at the existence of such monsters in reality.

"But... I haven't reached that stage yet," Hiyori said, her eyes dimming.

"Although I can cut through rocks now, I can't cut through steel. My father said that this is something that cannot be directly taught, but can only be understood through one's own comprehension."

Damn, the atmosphere feels weirder and weirder. I originally wanted to change the mood, but it seems to be getting worse.

"But... I remember there are some clues about cutting through steel in manga," Hiyori said, looking somewhat happy.

No, this is not good. I just wanted to comfort her, but it seems like she has too high expectations now. Besides, can we really take things from manga seriously? Although Ryuto himself didn't believe it much, it seemed necessary to say something now, otherwise the disappointment would be even greater.

"Let me think..." Ryuto pondered.

"I remember it has something to do with one's state of mind."

"State of mind..."

"Yeah, it doesn't have much to do with the weapon itself. So maybe your father can cut through steel even without a sword because of this principle."

"I see. And then?"

Hiyori nodded in agreement.

"And then? Well... if you have the mindset to cut off everything, then the sword will become sharp. Yes, the key is to have the mindset to cut off everything..."

"Cut off everything..." Hiyori murmured, not fully understanding.

That's probably it. Why do I feel such a strong sense of deception? After all, I only have a vague understanding of this myself and don't really believe in it. Besides, it's already a very vague concept.

"Alright, Lord Ryuto, I will strive towards that direction," Hiyori said.

No, this child actually believes it. She is too pure. Why do I suddenly feel such a strong sense of guilt? Could it be that I have truly committed grave sins?

"It's getting late, we should leave quickly, or we'll be late," Ryuto said.

After saying that, Ryuto quickly fled the scene as if running away.