While keeping a wary eye on the surroundings, Yuji asked Genya-san for their results.
"Genya-san. We cleared the conditions, so that counts as a pass, right?"
"Yes. Since you met the requirements, you have passed the training."
" " "We did it!" " "
Hearing those words, our hands flew up in a cheer. We had used a method that felt a bit like a foul, but we had finally cleared the Phase 4 exam. We had retrieved the arrival marker within the time limit and returned without taking a single hit.
Ignoring our celebration, Genya-san glanced at his watch and gave us an exasperated look.
"Still, to think you'd run up and down this mountain in five minutes, even if it is a small one..."
"We’re explorers! We’ve got plenty of confidence in our physical abilities!"
"So you do. That aside... Ririka, are you alright?"
Genya-san let out a sigh at Yuji’s energetic response and turned to Ririka-san. She was crouching on the ground, her face pale, hand clamped over her mouth.
"Yes... somehow."
Ririka-san bravely insisted she was fine, but she looked anything but. Hiiragi-san, who had been celebrating with us a moment ago, sat down beside her and began rubbing her back to help her recover.
"I’m so sorry. If only I could have kept it from shaking so much..."
"No, please don't worry about it. I’m starting to settle down now. It’s not that bad a case of motion sickness."
"Lady Ririka, here is some water. Please, drink."
"Thank you, Muroi-san. I will."
Muroi-san rushed over with a bottle of water, his voice thick with concern.
Seeing the exchange, the joy Yuji and I felt was suddenly dampened. We looked at one another and began a whispered debate over the ethics of our victory.
"...Was that a bad move?"
"No. It’s a fact that there was no other way for us to satisfy the clear conditions at our current level. So the method itself shouldn't be wrong."
"I guess you're right..."
"...Yeah."
Even though we concluded there was no problem, seeing Ririka-san looking miserable while being nursed back to health made a wave of guilt well up inside me. Yuji and I had missed our chance to speak, so we couldn't even bring ourselves to approach. We simply endured the awkward silence while waiting for Ririka-san to recover.
However, that silence didn't last long.
"You guys! What the hell was that?! That’s a total foul!"
Fumiya-san was the first to appear, shouting his protest. He was followed by a dissatisfied-looking Asuka-san and a broadly grinning Kenji-san.
"Carrying the escort target on your back while sprinting up the mountain? That’s ridiculous!"
"Um, well... there weren't any rules explicitly stating that we couldn't carry the escort target, and Genya-san already gave us the pass... so I don't think there's a problem."
"Is that true, Master?!"
"Yes. It was a bit outside my expectations, but they cleared the requirements. There’s no reason not to grant them a pass."
Our method for clearing Phase 4 was simple: Hiiragi-san carried Ririka-san on her back while Yuji and I guarded them, and we simply sprinted up and down the mountain at full speed.
Knowing there was a clear gap in skill and that we would likely lose if we engaged Fumiya-san and the others, we had brainstormed how to clear the objective without a confrontation. When we asked ourselves what we had that the instructors didn't, the answer was the raw physical specs of high-level explorers. Thus, we chose a strategy of pure, unadulterated flight.
The result was a total success. Since there were no traps on the mountain this time, we were able to fully unleash our physical abilities. Fumiya-san and the others couldn't keep up with our pace; they only managed to take a single swing at us as we blew past their hiding spots on the way up and down.
"This curriculum is meant to teach how to escape from a superior opponent. Their actions were not incorrect."
Genya-san calmed the protesting instructors and then turned his attention to us.
"When you encounter a superior opponent with a clear skill gap, there are only two paths: engage to buy time, or turn tail and run."
We nodded as if to confirm his words.
"Engaging to buy time requires the presence of reinforcements. However, in this training, you had no such support. In that context, choosing to fight would have been meaningless—nothing but a foolish mistake."
Exactly. Even without the hope of backup, we shouldn't have chosen to fight opponents we couldn't beat, like the three instructors. And yet, during the first half of the training month, that was exactly what we had done.
We had felt that running away with our tails between our legs just because we couldn't win was somehow... shameful.
"Yes. That’s why we committed entirely to running away this time."
Yuji answered with a refreshed, clear expression.
We had tried to run during previous sessions, but it had been half-hearted. We would climb normally while guarding Ririka-san and only look for an exit once the fight had already started. It was a failure of commitment.
But after failing over and over, we finally cooled our heads and analyzed the situation calmly. As a result...
"As long as we are acting as guards, our absolute priority has to be avoiding engagement with opponents we can't beat. In our previous sessions, we were being stubborn and couldn't commit to that."
"I see. So you’ve realized it, then?"
"Yes."
Genya-san nodded deeply, looking genuinely pleased by Yuji’s answer.
"For young men your age, choosing to run from the start is a difficult thing. Turning tail because you aren't strong enough is a blow to one’s pride. But for a protector, there is nothing more shameful than missing the chance to escape because of that pride and failing to keep the protection target safe."
"Yes."
In this training, Ririka-san was the only one who mattered. As long as she was safe, there was no reason not to run. The only reason we hadn't committed to it sooner was a lingering desire to get a lucky shot in on the three instructors.
We had been confusing the means with the ends.
"But you have learned to properly choose the option to flee when the situation allows for it."
"Yes."
Genya-san’s words struck a chord within us.
Knowing when to fold. It was a common enough phrase, but truly easier said than done. Even if your brain knows that running is the best move, your emotions get in the way. We were only able to commit to it this time because we had felt, through countless failures, that it was impossible for us to win a direct confrontation with the instructors. That realization allowed us to set our emotions aside and choose the path of escape.
After seeing us nod, Genya-san turned toward Ririka-san with a somber expression.
"...Ririka."
"...Yes?"
"If only I had taught you this a little sooner, perhaps that tragedy would never have happened... I am sorry."
Genya-san bowed his head slightly to her.
That tragedy... he was talking about when Ririka-san lost her arm and eye in the dungeon. If they had committed to fleeing the moment they realized they were outnumbered, perhaps things would have been different.
Of course, a group of explorers running away could cause a monster train, leading to secondary casualties among other explorers.
"No. It isn't your fault, Grandfather. What happened then was a result of my own immaturity. You have nothing to regret."
Ririka-san shook her head sadly, insisting that he didn't need to apologize.
"...I see. Then I shall say no more on the matter."
"...Yes."
As their exchange ended, a heavy mood settled over the area.
To break the tension, Genya-san clapped his hands together and raised his voice.
"Well then... with this clear, all the training I intended for you has been completed. Well done."
With a smile, Genya-san declared the end of our curriculum, praising us for our success.
"When Juzo asked me to train you, I thought it would be a massive project taking months. To think you’d finish in less than one... combat experience or not, it is impressive."
"No kidding. If the other disciples of this house tried to clear this, it would take six months to a year, wouldn't it?"
"The senior disciples might manage, but for the others, I’d bet on over a year," Asuka-san added.
"Likely so," Kenji-san agreed.
Following Genya-san’s lead, the instructors chimed in with their thoughts, sounding mostly exasperated.
Then, Genya-san gave a final summary.
"Through this training, you learned how to sense presence in Phase 1, how to avoid traps while remaining alert in Phase 2, and how to respond to chaos in Phase 3. And in Phase 4, you learned how to handle a superior foe and the vital importance of knowing when to run."
"Yes."
Hearing it all listed out like that, I was impressed by how much had been crammed into such a short time. Having a massive pool of stamina was one reason we could train every single day, but if we hadn't been high-level explorers, our bodies would have surely broken down.
"I don't know how you will apply these lessons in the dungeon, but I pray you can continue your lives as explorers safely. If you ever find yourselves in trouble, feel free to visit. I can at least offer advice."
"Yes. Thank you very much."
" "Thank you very much!" "
We bowed deeply to Genya-san.
"Think nothing of it. We are the ones in your debt for Ririka’s medicine. I don't believe this is enough to settle that favor."
Ririka-san and the instructors nodded solemnly in agreement. It seemed they felt far more indebted to us for the high-grade recovery potion than we had realized.
While we were feeling a bit awkward about their reaction, Ririka-san spoke up.
"It’s because of all of you that I’m standing here. If you’re ever in trouble, don’t hesitate to ask, okay?"
"Ah, well... yes."
"Fufu, I’ll be waiting. Oh, that’s right—I forgot to tell you. I’ve decided to return to school starting next week."
"Wait, really? Ah... congratulations?"
"Thank you. It looks like I’ll manage to avoid repeating a year after all."
Ririka-san watched our confusion with an amused look. Give me a break...
Seeing us getting teased, Genya-san finally intervened.
"Ririka, leave them be."
"Yes, Grandfather."
She finally stopped teasing us.
"The sun is starting to set, so let’s call it a day."
"Yes."
At Genya-san’s closing words, we shared a look and then lined up in front of the group.
Yuji spoke for all of us.
"Genya-san, Ririka-san, Fumiya-san, Asuka-san, Kenji-san, Muroi-san, and all the disciples who aren't here—thank you so much for everything. We are truly grateful!"
" "Thank you very much!" "
We shouted our thanks while bowing as deep as we could. We were genuinely grateful for the training and the incredible support they had provided. Even if we had given them a potion, we never expected an entire martial arts house to mobilize for our sake.
"You are very welcome. I am glad we could be of service."
Genya-san spoke for the group with a smile, and we finally looked up, matching his expression.
After saying our final goodbyes, Muroi-san drove us home. As I stepped out of the car, I made sure to thank him one last time for the daily shuttle service.
I watched Muroi-san’s car disappear into the distance, then I reached my arms up in a massive stretch. I let out a long breath, a single word escaping my lips with a sense of total finality.
"It’s over."
That one phrase summed up my entire state of mind.
I slapped my cheeks to wake myself up and pushed open the front door.
"I’m home."
My voice echoed through the entryway. Almost immediately, I heard footsteps from the living room. They were quick, frantic steps.
Just as I was stepping up from the entryway, the door to the living room flew open and Mika appeared. In her right hand, she clutched a single white envelope.
"Welcome back! Hey, hey, look, Onii-chan! Look! My acceptance notification!"