129: Chapter 129: Student Profession Breakthrough

Since it was Friday, Fujino, after splashing some water on his face at home, skipped sleep entirely and headed straight to school.

The monthly exams were over, and Teitan High School returned to its regular academic routine.

Despite his exhaustion, Fujino pushed through the entire day of classes.

After the lessons concluded, he also went to the Konoha ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Budokan for some training.

Konoha Budokan.

Inside the dojo's usual training hall.

"Fujino, your progress is remarkable. I suspect it won't be long before you surpass me."

Suwa Yuji, holding his wooden sword, examined the numerous marks left from their sparring session on the blade, sighing with admiration towards Fujino standing opposite him.

"Reaching your level, Master Suwa... I still have a long way to go."

Fujino took a deep breath, resting the tip of his own bokken on the floor.

He was telling the truth.

An 8th Dan in Kendo was the current pinnacle of achievable ranks.

The 9th and 10th Dans above it were only awarded posthumously.

Similar to how Japanese police officers were automatically promoted two ranks upon dying in the line of duty.

Only an 8th Dan master who had made exceptional contributions to the field of Kendo could be posthumously awarded the 9th or 10th Dan.

In other words, Suwa Yuji currently stood among the elite at the apex of Japanese Kendo.

"You're too modest."

Suwa Yuji chuckled dryly.

"From our exchange just now, although you still seem to be holding back somewhat, your swordsmanship is genuinely approaching my level."

Fujino nodded upon hearing this, saying nothing more.

Formal sparring indeed felt somewhat restrictive for him.

His swordsmanship, since he began training, was primarily honed through practical application – ambushes, grabbing his bokken, and aiming for the opponent's nape, seeking a swift resolution with his underhanded 'Old Six' style¹.

This kind of opportunistic swordplay was indeed difficult to employ in formal sparring.

Hence the feeling of holding back.

If Fujino were wearing the Assassin's Robes and aiming for Suwa Yuji's nape... it would likely flow much more naturally.

"By the way, when are you planning to take the Kendo ranking test?"

Just then, Suwa Yuji, remembering something, asked Fujino.

"Kendo ranking test?"

Fujino, who was about to head to the dojo's changing room to freshen up, turned his head, looking somewhat surprised.

"If I recall correctly, you should be eighteen years old,"

Suwa Yuji mused, then continued, "You're considered a student of our Konoha Budokan now. If you want to take the ranking test, I can help recommend you to the Kendo Association."

"Isn't that inappropriate? I'm not even 1st Kyu yet,"

Fujino chuckled lightly.

Japanese Kendo had ten Kyu grades and eight Dan grades. Before attempting Dan ranks, one needed to achieve ranks within a dojo.

Only after reaching 1st Kyu within a dojo could one apply to the Kendo Association for the Shodan (1st Dan) examination.

"Your current skill level far exceeds 1st Kyu... it even surpasses 7th Dan. So, ranking you as 1st Kyu isn't inappropriate at all."

Suwa Yuji looked quite serious.

Although Fujino hadn't been at the Konoha Budokan for very long, promoting him directly to 1st Kyu might seem unconventional.

But he believed it was simply paving the way for a Kendo prodigy.

It was ridiculous! This kid could hold his own against him, an 8th Dan master, yet they were still fussing over 1st or 2nd Kyu like children.

"In that case, I'll trouble Master Suwa to help me register for the Kendo ranking test."

Fujino thought for a moment. Operating on the principle that ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠having another certification couldn't hurt, he agreed.

"Good! I remember there's a Kendo ranking examination on the fifteenth of next month. I'll notify you then!"

"Understood!"

Having agreed to the Kendo promotion exam, Fujino headed towards the dojo's changing room.

His reason for agreeing was partly for the sake of having some form of official recognition.

After all, in this Japanese society, lacking certification was problematic.

You say you're ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠skilled with a sword?

People won't believe you.

But if you whip out a certificate proving you're skilled with a sword, even if you're a weakling who can barely lift one, people will believe you.

Time approached sunset.

Since Suwa Yuji achieved his 8th Dan, the number of students at Konoha Budokan had gradually increased.

However, being a weekday, and a school day at that,

there weren't many people left in the Konoha Budokan now.

Thus, Fujino had the changing room's shower area all to himself.

Under the spray of the shower, Fujino opened his system interface:

[Student: Top-Tier; Breakthrough requires 3,000,000 Yen]

[Professional Swordsman: Top-Tier; Breakthrough requires 3,000,000 Yen]

"Finally got these two professions to Top-Tier?"

Fujino looked at the dual Top-Tier statuses on the system interface, a satisfied smile appearing.

Maxing out the Student profession meant he could break through the limit and continue farming the system's wool.

Collecting his thoughts, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠he opened the system's balance interface:

[Current Balance: 4,960,000 Yen]

"Four million nine hundred sixty thousand?"

Fujino murmured, looking at the balance. "Looks like there isn't enough money to upgrade both skills... Have to upgrade just one first?"

Pondering, Fujino chose to upgrade the Student profession.

[Student Profession Breakthrough Successful]

[Student Profession has been upgraded to University Student]

[Congratulations Host for acquiring new profession skill: University Student Trait]

"Bomb Expert breaks through to Bomb Master, so Student breaks through to University Student, huh... Fair enough, actually."

Fujino grumbled wryly. "But what the heck is this University Student Trait?"

After complaining internally, Fujino opened the system interface again to check the upgraded skills:

[University Student: Level 1 (0/500; 1,000,000 Yen)]

Student Discount: Level 3 (10% discount within system, 10% discount in reality)

The Times Are Calling: Level 3 (Enhances Host's learning ability by 200%, enhances Host's memory ability by 100%)

University Student Trait: Level 1 (Host's recovery effect during sleep increased by 50%. All stats increased by 50% from 9 PM to 4 AM the next day. Host's food intake capacity during nighttime increased by 50%.)

[Currently Allocatable Profession Points: 2]

[All-Profession Allocatable Points: 1]

Not only a 50% boost to all stats during nighttime actions, but also a 50% increase in food intake, and a 50% boost to recovery effects during sleep.

"'The Times Are Calling,' 'University Student Trait'?"

Fujino looked at the trait skill, his lip twitching fiercely.

However, he was quite satisfied with these two upgraded professions.

The Times Are Calling seemed to be an enhanced version of Natural Scholar.

Besides increased learning ability, it also added memory enhancement.

Though the 'memory ability' part was rather vague; it was unclear whether it enhanced recall or the ability to memorize new things.

As for the University Student Trait, the description offered some clues.

If sleep recovery increased by 50%, it likely referred to both physical and mental recovery.

All in all, pretty good...

1. Note: "Old Six" / Lao Liu is slang for sneaky/underhanded tactics.