Mike Stärke is the famed Headmaster, of the famous Tutoria’s Training Dojo, the start of all heroic legend.

As expected, that means many players knew, and come to this place for training, and hopefully get guidance from the Headmaster himself. Especially, it's a tradition that new players would come here, train, complain that it’s way too hard, then get kicked out.

Of course, many new fools always come to try and dispute that, trying to prove themselves as the next legend. Of course, most would fail anyway and join the rest, while constantly saying that at least they try.

This day is no exception.

“OI, KEEP YOUR HAND UP! YOUR STANCE IS GETTING SLOPPY!”

“ARE YOU GETTING TIRED ALREADY? A TRUE HERO NEEDS TO KEEP HIS STRENGTH WITH HIM WHEN HE NEEDED IT THE MOST, SO KEEP TRYING!"

“DARE TO COMPLAIN!? 2 MORE HOURS OF SWORD PRACTICE FOR YOU! WE JUST DO THIS FOR ONLY 3 HOURS, AND YOU DARE TO CRY UNCLES!"

("Fuckkkkk, 3 hours!? We have been doing this for 3 hours already!?")

All the newbie players cry out loud within their hearts, as they're forced to swing the sword up and down until their arm is sore. They can’t feel anything in their hand anymore, and yet they’re forced to keep swinging.

Enduring the constant barrage of yelling from the Headmaster, their heart feel aggrieved, as they swore all sorts of profanity

"(Fucking bullshit! If you can swing a sword repeatedly for 3 hours, then I like to see you try!)"

“(Shit!...I’m so tired, but I am too afraid to stop…)”

“(Goddamn it, does doing these kinds of shit supposed to make me stronger as promised!? All I feel is my arm popping out of my socket like LEGO…)"

“It should be, if you keep trying.”

“Wah!”

Suddenly, a soft clear feminine voice rang near their ears, almost making their weary hearts jump out of their chest. They immediately snap back to swear at the voice, only to see a cute brown-haired beauty with all the right curves, looking at them calmly.

Perhaps because they have spent hours in the sweatshop together, looking at nothing but dude and muscle, just having sight of a lady immediately sprang them back to life, swinging enthusiastically to show off.

“Woa, really? I didn’t know, just casually practicing the blade here (manly face)”

“Exactly. I am keeping it short, but this sort of practice not only builds up your muscle and stamina, but it also trains your will and patience, as well as building up muscle memory, so that you will always be able to swing your sword sharply, no matter the situation. “

“Is that so, beautiful lady-Cough, it’s nothing. So all of it is actually important huh, I didn’t know since I am always sooo strong and musculaaar~”

“It is important. If you keep this up for 12 more hours, you should gain something satisfactory.”

“Something satisfactory, like a date with yo-Huh? 12 hours??”

Leaving behind the dumbfounded idiot, stuck posing needlessly with their sword, Roadside Rose then goes up toward the Headmaster and respectfully bows toward him.

“Respectfully greeting the Headmaster. I am deeply impressed with your Dojo, and as such would like to ask for a corner of your training yard for ourselves.” (Rose)

Seeing that she suddenly goes up to him and talks, the idiots go into a panic.

“(Oh no! You aren’t supposed to talk directly to the headmaster for trivial stuff like that!)”

"(This novice lady is going to get scolded like crazy by this gender-equality bastard!)"

“(I have to stand up for her, and score some brownie point-Hey, get out of the way, dumbass!)”

Looking back at the idiots clamoring at the back, the Headmaster glared over at them for a bit, before calmly talking back at her.

"No need to speak to me like those guys over there, trying to curry my favor. If you want to ask for a spot, just talk to an instructor instead." (Headmaster)

“Ah, is that so? I thought it is common courtesy in a Dojo to talk to the strongest person first for permission, but that isn’t the case huh. I will keep this in mind.” (Rose)

“What do I say about currying my favor-Wait no, you're just genuinely being respectful, goddamn it…" (Headmaster)

Instead of screaming at her like usual, the Headmaster is acting awfully polite, like an annoyed security guard pointing to a tourist where the toilet is. Witnessing such a scene, all of the idiots have their jaws hanging open.

“(N-No way!? She doesn’t blow his fuse!?)”

“(I never seen him acting this polite toward us before, what the hell is the difference between us and her!?)"

“(Could she be some sort of secret lover-Nah, impossible. Must have been an adopted daughter instead…Wait, she is also a player, so it could be a secret admirer...)”

Being mightily annoyed by the idiot chick gossiping to each other, he then glanced back at her, who just finished writing up her note, before putting it back into the inventory.

“As expected of the Dojo that lasts for more than a thousand years, their wisdom precedes me...Now then, I have interrupted your lesson for long enough, so please excuse me..." (Rose)

Bowing down once more, she then politely turn back and walk away toward the front door, under the annoyed eyes of the Headmaster, and the curious gaze of the peanut galleries, looking back and forth.

“...Tsk, what the hell do you even supposed to learn in this place...” (Headmaster)

“Hm? There is plenty to learn, I think. How to properly manage and build a dojo from the ground up is one such valuable wisdom-" (Rose)

“Not. What I. Mean.” (Headmaster(

Catching the Headmaster's muttering under his breath, Rose casually turn back and reply to him properly. Realizing such, he decided to skip the pretense, and just stated his point, almost in anger.

The pressure he emits out, almost scare all the chick in the room to death.

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Yet, against that, Rose is still as calm as ever, patiently waiting for his question.

“Cheh, as expected...you aren’t even reacting to my pressure at all.” (Headmaster)

“? Isn't it common sense to be undisturbed at all times? I just do what I must do." (Rose)

“ ‘Common sense’ to say, no shred of common sense to actually do it as easily as you do. You're just as how I glanced at you before: Incomprehensibly strong.” (Headmaster)

Throwing out his word, the harsh gruff of his tone makes sure that Rose knows of his 'anger'.

“Someone as incomprehensibly strong as you, just show up at my Dojo one day. You just come to the Dojo, like a goddamn wide-eyed tourist visiting a goddamn park.”

“You come, in full expectation of my gaze upon you. Then without care, shatter my perception of the world."

Or perhaps, to let her know about his ‘pride’, after getting offended to be treated so lightly.

“Then, you just come straight into my face and be respectful all of the sudden. To treat me as strong when I should be dust in your eyes.”

“Then, you say you actually learn something in this place, when by all right you could have blown all of this Dojo's dignity to nothing!"

Or perhaps, to let her know of his 'frustration'.

The feeling, of not knowing what to do at all, facing such an incomprehensible mess of a person in front of him. Of squeezing out all of his wit just to be able to talk back.

“Tell me, why is someone as strong, as prepared, and as transcendental as you, bother to come to this place that's essentially a kindergarten.There should be nothing that you can actually learn in here, being so far ahead in the path of strength!”

“Is it to secretly mock us!? Is it to learn of our weaknesses!? Is it to show off!? To show how superior you are!?"

His fed-up scream, carry a hint of desperation and bring confusion to all the newbie player being caught in the middle.

Not knowing what happen between the two of them for the Headmaster to speak out unknown things like a madman toward a lady that's clearly a newbie like them, the newbie can only speculate on the story that only the two know. They then look back at her, wondering if she could explain them, as she put her hand up and think.

“ ‘There is nothing for me to learn’, huh…That’s like saying that a mountain can’t grow from a pebble, and a river can’t fill from a droplet.” (Rose)

Instead, her word only make them even more confused, as they all simultaneously tilted their head. Even the Headmaster doesn't quite get what she says as well.

Sensing that mood, Rose reiterate.

“Ah, that’s probably a bit too esoteric. The wording is slightly wrong as well…To put it straight, in wording that you can understand...For example, do you disparage the one below you, just because you are above?”

“Just as an ant can lift 10 times its body weight, and a cockroach can accelerate 20 times its body length in seconds, and a tardigrade can hibernate for millions of years...acts of strength and incredible achievement can be found everywhere, when you're willing to look."

“Are you going to belittle them, and not recognize their strength, just because they’re smaller and weaker than you? To disrespect their achievement, just because you have done greater?”

“…Though I think I can somewhat get your example, I don't like how all of your examples are insects and micro-animal." Finding himself contemplating, the Headmaster nevertheless still clearly spews out his discontent.

“Ah, my apology. A more relevant example, then...A normal mother can lift a huge boulder, if it's to save their kid trapped underneath. A simple farmer can toil away in the field year after year, just to feed his family every day. A young squire stands up against an army despite his strength, just to protect his home no matter the cost.” (Rose)

“As a Headmaster, in charge of teaching hero righteousness and heroism, would you ignore these acts of bravery, effort, and kindness? Would you, in enamored with your pursuit of strength and glory, forget these simple acts of strength, from the people you should protect? To disrespect the righteous act made by these everyday heroes?"

“Should a mountain disrespect a pebble, when they’re made from pebbles? Should a river forget a droplet, when they’re made from droplets?”

"To disrespect the virtue you should hold just because it comes from someone smaller than you, is the same as disrespecting and belittling your own self. It's to forget yourself, and as such fall into the pitfall of your own making.”

"This is why I always respect any act of strength, no matter big or small. To never forget the stone which paves my path."

A clear eyes, a steady tone, an assured and true conviction.

The way she conducts her simple speech, show the depth of her wisdom and the weight of her strength. For she clearly practice what she speak, the source of her power lay clear, even to the dim eyes of the onlooker.

To see her strength so shamelessly shown to others, as if taunting people if they can do the same, there is no way that he wouldn't bark back.

"...Yeah, of course that I will never forget. I wouldn't be the Headmaster if I ever forgot what I teach." (Headmaster)

“So, do you understand my reasoning now?” (Rose)

“When you’re putting it that blatantly, only a rotten fool would put any sort of pretense otherwise. Still, I don't think you should respect any of these chicks though." (Headmaster)

“? Why not? The drive to mate can be a powerful motivator, as crude as they are. Even I am no exception, as I am working hard for who I love.” (Rose)

“HAHAHA, indeed, in-fucking-deed. You all heard that, you piglet chick?" (Headmaster)

With a hearty laugh, the Headmaster glanced at all the newbie players, all of them redden like a tomato. The keener among them even feels shocked that the flower already has an owner, as they slumped down to the ground.

Ignoring the chirping, Headmaster then stops laughing.

“Still, that’s only the reasoning, not the reason. I asked again, what is the reason you come here? Someone like you seems way more suited to be fighting dragons or clearing hidden dungeons than staying cooped up in this place.” (Headmaster)

“Well, our main reason is to enjoy our vacation. This world, in general, seems like a good place to wind down and have a proper adventure with no strings attached." (Rose)

“So you do treat this place like an amusement park...the gift shop is in the building on the right, by the way, and the profit goes to the capital’s orphanage.” (Headmaster)

“Oh, another way to promote the Dojo. I guess Mother’s idea is full of wisdom, as always.” (Rose)

Jogging down her note again, under the incredulous eyes of the Headmaster, she continued.

“But, partly, and the main reason why we came here, is because we do want to learn what’s the way of strength in this world... When we first come to this world, it's against a world-ending crisis. If left unchecked, the disaster could have ruined the surface, plunging it into an eternal hellscape. By all right, you should be afraid to your knee against your inevitable doom…" (Rose)

“Oi, we aren’t that weak. Of course we will fight back, no matter what.” (Headmaster)

“Exactly. You fight back, even against fate.” (Rose)

Pausing her word, to let it sit right in his heart, she then continued.

“In fact, as if you're fighting against fate before, you all pick yourself up remarkably fast, and immediately ready to fight even hell itself. Moreover, you all contain within yourself boundless optimism and hope, as if you all genuinely believe that you will come out victorious, as you're fighting the good cause." (Rose)

“It's as if the very concept of hope itself has been ingrained into all of you for a thousand years. The very belief that good will always defeat evil is baked into your very life.”

“...Yeah, I guess it does. At least our struggle against the Cycle has some merit." (Headmaster)

Pausing himself to think, the Headmaster comes to an understanding, as if he once again found the answer to a nagging question.

“Even if there isn’t someone that comes out and ends it all too well, I think you all will still prevail, no matter if the next crisis is even more impossible than the next." (Rose)

“That made us wonder, to all where this strength comes from? How does it come to be, how you all harness it, how it beat within your heart…This kind of inner strength is something only a handful of people in my place obtain, yet it seems to fill the very fabric of this world so that everyone can gain strength, no matter how small."

“And well, one thing lead to another, we decided to come to this place, in wonder and curiosity. Well, with how the world treats us so far, there is quite a bit of excitement as we thought, which might interfere with our vacation quite a bit…”

The last sentences, said with a soft and gentle tone, truly don't betray her intention. Even with how subtle she shifted her facial expression, it's somehow clear to see just how she values both herself, and the world.

It also doesn't betray her boundless strength, which lies within her infinitely clear eyes, as it looks deep into the very nature of the world itself. Mysteries that countless mage spend their lifetime trying to solve, just unravel so easily like silk.

Strength, wisdom, and tranquility. All aspects of herself, lay ever so cleanly, clearly, and freely. Yet, it also never come off as weak, or meek, and instead it’s of a person that always found their center.

To achieve this level of unification and balance, one can only be incomparably strong, and incomparably wise.

This person that should have found the secret of the universe again and again, somehow like to eagerly learn more about the small and worldly thing, like to marvel at minute novelty, and like to pay respect to all thing.

A person that sees, and respects the world, from all angles and detail.

“(...As expected, I still can’t see the depth of her strength.)”

Seemingly resigned, the Headmaster close his eyes, and lightly listen to the gossip around him.

"To make the Headmaster sit down and have a casual philosophical chat like this, who is she?"

“Shouldn’t she be a level 1 just like us? Then how come Headmaster can acknowledge her so easily?”

“Could she be an Irregular and such? She doesn’t do anything though, so does the “secret lover” theory won out?”

“She said she has a lover, so would it be on the Headmaster's side instead...”

(Tsk, of course they wouldn’t know…)

Scratching his messy light brown hair, he gets ticked off by the lack of eyes those chicks have (and the nerve to think he has a tragic one-sided love), the Headmaster decided to do something to make all those rumors goes away.

...And also, to truly figure her out.

“Hm...From what I see, you definitely have a unique concept of strength.”

Walking to the back of the dojo, he brought out something, before swiftly throwing it to her hand from far away.

“As such...Want to show it for all of us to see?”

Deftly catching a random old sword in her hand, her clear gentle gaze instantly sharpens itself.