"Well, let's avoid such compliments..." Isshikihua quickly raised her two colder hands, hugged her cheeks that were constantly heating up, and cooled the temperature of her cheeks, "I don't know how to put on makeup, just

I can only paint my lips and draw my eyebrows, and I feel like my current makeup doesn’t look very good..."

"Well... then this means that Miss Isshiki, you are really beautiful." Ogata finally retracted his gaze from the butterfly that had flown away, and smiled and looked at Isshiki, who was still covering his face to cool down, "Even if you are not wearing makeup,

Even with mature makeup, you can still look so beautiful.”

The cheeks that finally cooled down warmed up again.

This high temperature not only "burned" Isekihana's cheeks, but also his ears.

"Thank you..." Isshiki muttered.

While murmuring, a happy smile slowly appeared on Ishiki's face with the slightly upward corners of his mouth.

This is the first smile Isshiki has shown since he left the Isshiki Sword Hall today.

…

…

After chatting briefly with Isshiki, the somewhat reserved atmosphere between the two of them dissipated.

The two chatted in a harmonious atmosphere, and unknowingly, they talked about the origin of this "big trial match".

"The 'Grand Trial Combination' was originally proposed by the previous owner of the All Arms Hall." Isshikika said slowly, "The original intention was to allow each sword hall to communicate and learn from each other better."

"The 'Grand Trial Cooperation' has been held for 10 years."

"Including this year, this is the 10th time that the 'Grand Trial Cooperation' has been held."

“The previous ‘big trial match’ was quite interesting.”

“But the ‘big test match’ in the past two years has become boring.”

"This year's 'big test match' must be very boring."

"Bored? Why?" Ogata asked.

"Because of the previous 'big trials', the competition was quite fierce, and no one knew who would win."

"But since the genius of Kitahara Shigekuni was born in the entire military academy, it has become easy to guess who the final winner of the 'Grand Trial Competition' will be - it will definitely be Kitahara."

"Kitahara is the person who spoke rudely to you at the entrance of the sword hall just now."

Kitahara's face, which although handsome, was hindered by his Tsukiyo hairstyle, came to Ogata's mind.

"Kitahara is a gifted genius. At a young age, he received a certificate from the Katori Shinto-ryu Kazuden."

"A few months ago, he became the general representative of the entire military academy."

"Two years ago, Kitahara participated in the 'Grand Trial Alliance' for the first time, and already won the first place in the 'Grand Trial Alliance' with an almost crushing advantage."

"Then last year, Kitahara participated in the 'Grand Trial Alliance' for the second time, and once again won the first place in the 'Grand Trial Alliance' with a nearly crushing advantage."

"Currently, Kitahara is the first person to win the 'two consecutive victories' since the 'Grand Trial Alliance' was held."

"In this year's 'big trial,' no powerful new characters will appear."

"This year's leader will probably be won by Beiyuan again."

Speaking of this, Isshikihua paused.

Then there was a faint cunning look in his eyes.

"I really hope someone can interrupt Beihara's winning streak..."

"Hmm? Miss Isshiki, don't you like that Kitahara?" Ogata asked.

"Well, I really don't like that Kitahara very much." Isshikika nodded, "But that's not the reason why I want his winning streak to be interrupted. The reason is just because I simply don't like the entire army.

"

"Because the Military Museum has a history that... I don't really appreciate."

"The swordsmanship hall is the oldest swordsmanship hall in Osaka. It was established at the end of the Warring States Period more than 200 years ago."

“When the first owner of the Kensho Hall built this sword hall, it happened to be the moment when Oda Nobunaga died due to a rebellion, and Toyotomi Hideyoshi inherited Oda Nobunaga’s mantle and soared into the sky, launching a war to unify the country.

"

"At that time, the first head of the Military Hall was an overwhelming supporter of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who had no rivals in Japan, and he continued to sing praises to Toyotomi Hideyoshi."

"Because the owner of the Military Hall was a well-known swordsman in Osaka at that time, he was interviewed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in private."

“When he met with Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the first owner of the Military Hall had nothing but good things to say, he patted down all the horses, and even gave Toyotomi Hideyoshi the family sword.”

"Result - After Toyotomi Hideyoshi died, the Toyotomi clan declined, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was originally a subordinate of the Toyotomi clan, rose up and usurped the power of the Toyotomi clan, the first owner of the Military Museum changed his face at an extremely fast speed

, and turned to support Tokugawa Ieyasu one-sidedly."

"It is said that when the Tokugawa clan finally succeeded in defeating the Toyotomi clan in the Osaka Summer Formation, all the military hall owners secretly helped Tokugawa Ieyasu."

"I hate this kind of wallflower who is courting Qin Muchu."

"So I couldn't help but be prejudiced against the entire army."

"But Kitahara's winning streak was ended or something... I can only think about it."

"After another year of training, Beiyuan must have become stronger now."

"Of all the people who participated in the trial this year, no one should be as good as Kitahara."

…

…

Ogata didn't realize it - he was just having an ordinary chat with Isshikika, and he unknowingly attracted a lot of hatred...

"Damn..." Kitahara cursed in a low voice, "How long will that bastard continue to chat with Miss Isshiki..."

Kitahara... no, it should be said that the suitors headed by Kitahara who have not yet come forward to say hello to Isshikika are now scolding Ogata in their hearts.

Ogata had been chatting with Isshikika, so they never found a chance to come up and say hello to Isshikika.

When others are talking to others or doing other things, it is a well-known and extremely rude thing to rush up to say hello to others.

As Isshikika's suitors, Kitahara and the others naturally did not want to do anything rude in front of Isshikika.

So they waited and waited... until now, even though the 'big test match' was about to begin, there was no sign that the conversation between the two was going to stop.

Not being able to find a chance to come up and say hello to Isshiki--this wasn't what annoyed Kitahara the most.

What annoyed Kitahara the most was that Isshikika, who was chatting familiarly with Ogata, had a faint smile on her face...

Having known Isshiki Ka for so long, he himself has almost never seen Isshiki Ka smile at him during their chats...

Who is that bastard wearing a hat?!

Why does Miss Isshiki seem to be very familiar with him?!

What are they talking about? Why does Miss Isshiki look so happy?!

…

If he hadn't been concerned about his own image, Kitahara would have really wanted to rush forward and question Ogata and Isshikika one by one about these questions.

Time passes ruthlessly.

When the time came to five o'clock (8 a.m.), a middle-aged man with half white hair got up on time and walked slowly to the center of the dojo.

"Everyone! Please be quiet!" the middle-aged man shouted loudly.

"This man is Isao Nanjo." Isshikika tilted her head and introduced Ogata, "The current head of the All Military Hall."

After introducing Ogata, Isshikika sat down and stopped talking to Ogata.

The suitors headed by Kitahara finally waited for the time when Isshikika no longer chatted with Ogata - but now the "big test match" has begun...

Now they can only sit in their respective seats angrily and continue to curse Ogata in their hearts...

Nanjo Isao, who suddenly appeared, actually came forward to deliver the opening remarks announcing the official start of the "Grand Trial Alliance".

Throughout the ages, this type of opening has been the most boring.

In order to pass the boring time, Ogata turned his eyes and looked around.

At this time, there were more than 100 people seated on the four sides of this spacious ashram.

Among the four major sword halls, the one with the fewest visitors was the Isshiki Sword Hall, with less than 20 people coming.

Isshikika just briefly introduced to Ogata the seating positions of the members of each sword hall. There were the most people in the military hall, with about 40 people.

The opening remarks delivered by Isao Nanjo were neither short nor long.

After he finally finished his opening remarks and left the center of the dojo, the "Grand Trial" finally officially began.

The contestants for each competition in the "Big Trial" are randomly selected on the spot.

After the contestants for the first competition were announced, there were low exclamations from the audience.

Ogata couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.

According to Isshiki Ka, Kitahara, who is about to let him win three consecutive championships this year, actually wants to appear in the first game.
To be continued...