I Reincarnated as a Shinai

Their carriage entered the Neon Village and saw that the place is quite lively. 

There seems to be a festival happening at the Village Square. 

Anyway, they quickly found an inn to leave their things and horses to be taken care of. 

"I'll be staying in our room… I'll just wait for you guys. I'm not good with crowded places." Lyrei said as she decided to let the three explore the village. 

They still have plenty of supplies with them so they don't need to buy a lot of food or water anyway.

"Alright… We'll just bring you the village's delicacy… I heard that there's a lot of Rainbow Pheasant around here." Aria said as she followed Yasmin who had already gone outside the inn. 

As Aria came out, she also met Stella who had gone over to the stable to make sure that the horses will be taken care of properly. 

They decided to explore the village separately since the place doesn't seem to be dangerous, unlike the big cities. There, you could encounter arrogant or lecherous nobles including guards who normally abuse their authorities. 

Stella decided to walk on the outskirts of the village. She doesn't dislike crowded places but she felt that the scenery here felt relaxing… 

There are only normal beasts lurking in the forest and the calming sound of the river rejuvenates her. 

'Hmm?'

Stella saw the young man who had previously washed his bruises from the river. It seems that he had just finished cleaning himself. 

Then, she noticed that the man is actually carrying a wooden sword on his waist. She didn't notice this a while ago.

They passed each other as the young man headed to the other side of the village. 

Stella pondered for a moment before deciding to follow him. She thought that the man was perhaps training in that place. She didn't think too much of it and just followed him out of curiosity.

She removed her presence by using Untraceable, an Arcane Magic imbued into one of her Magic Items.

After all, it would be difficult to explain if she was asked why she was following him. He might misunderstand her intention.

Soon, she saw a clearing at the side of the village and surprisingly, there were about 10 more children practicing with wooden swords!

'Wait… This is…'

Stella was visibly surprised not because of their number but because of the sword technique that they are practicing and the three sets of hanging woods she can see from afar. 

This is definitely similar to when her master was still training her! She can't make a mistake on this!

"Those are Ashisabaki… Impressive!"

Stella muttered seeing the familiar Ayumi-Ashi, Tsugi-Ashi, Hiraki-Ashi, and other foot techniques being trained by both girls and boys at the age of 10 to 15 if she's not mistaken…

She can also see on the other part of the empty ground that Nusumi-Ashi or Stealth Footwork is being trained because of the footprints left behind. 

Then, she saw the bruised young man stepping on that ground as he followed the footprints to practice Nusumi-Ashi.

Pah! Pah!  Pah!

She then saw one of the boys training in the Hanging Woods as he did his best to avoid and parry the tied pieces of wood.

Apparently, one of the oldest among their group is the one hitting the pieces of wood in a rhythmic pattern.

It seems that he has already mastered the Hanging Woods training.

Ha! Ha! Ha!

Stella then saw at the center of the training grounds is a circular mark where two children are currently dueling.

This is definitely Kendo! There was no longer any doubt about it.

Hanging Woods Training and Foot Technique can have similarities with other martial arts but the Shizentai and various Stances of Kendo is definitely something unique to this martial art.

Now, Stella is pondering who on earth made a small school here?!

'Is it master? No, so many years had passed, there's no way that he would stay here for this long.  Did he teach someone in this village as well?... Then I must look for him.'

Stella immediately decided on what to do.

'Perhaps I would no longer need to find Diether and find clues here about Master's whereabouts.'

After thinking this, she then decided to reveal herself and approach these children.

One of them who was training his Water Stance noticed Stella's arrival.

"Someone's sister is here."

"Eh? Is that your sister, Kian?"

"No… I think she looks like the Apothecarist Janna. She might be her little sister."

"What? Aunt Janna doesn't have a sister."

"Then, who's sister is she?"

Stella heard the children talk about her and couldn't help but smile at them. Currently, she's not wearing her battle uniform but wearing a simple blue dress like she's going for a picnic. 

The only difference is that she's carrying a short sword on her waist for protection. This isn't something uncommon in the village considering that the village is not that far from the mountain range. 

In short, Evil Beasts and other Wild Beasts might roam around here unknowingly. After all, the False Ivies around the village can only stop the low-level beasts.

"Sister… Are you looking for someone?"

One of the girls approached Stella innocently. She has tied her hair into a bun and her cheerful face made her really cute in Stella's eye. She's also sweating from her practice so Stella quickly handed her a clean handkerchief. 

"I'm looking for you teacher…" Stella said vaguely with a smile. She didn't know if their teacher is a man or woman or even a Sentient Arcana.

By saying this, it wouldn't look like she's probing them.

The girl accepted the handkerchief and wiped her sweat before answering.

"Ahh… Teacher Diether just left. I heard that he was going to the Fortress near here."

"Hey! Andrea! I think we shouldn't tell her that."

"Right! Our teacher might've borrowed money from her. We shouldn't tell her where he's gone!"

"Eh? But she gave me this cute handkerchief!"

Andrea replied to her friend and Stella didn't know whether to laugh or cry. 

Anyway, she finally found Diether's trace! He even made a small kendo school here in the small village! Impressive!