After teaching Aoto suburi, along with the techniques of iaijutsu and sheathing, Mr. Chokata did not introduce anything new to Aoto today.
As for why, Mr. Chokata had explained to Aoto — in the current stage of building a foundation, learning too many things at once would be counterproductive, the disadvantages far outweighing the benefits. He advised Aoto to focus on practicing suburi and iaijutsu, and sheathing today.
You can't become a giant in one bite — this is something Aoto naturally understands, so he had no complaints about Mr. Chokata's arrangement and dutifully alternated between practicing suburi and iaijutsu, and sheathing.
Back and forth, doing the monotonous, mechanical practice, yet Aoto did not feel bored or impatient.
Rather, it was quite the opposite — the more he practiced, the more intrigued he became.
The reason lies in the enhancement of "Sword Genius," that feeling of rapid progress is truly addictive.
Why were the games in the previous life so addicting? Because the positive feedback from the games was incredibly timely.
Defeat a monster, gain experience points, see your experience bar rise, and after leveling up, use the points gained to enhance oneself.
Such quick and direct positive feedback leaves rote memorization far behind.
You meticulously memorize words, but in the end, you still can't remember them — such lousy feedback, it's a wonder anyone could get addicted.
The strong positive feedback from "Sword Genius" made Aoto obsessively stay in Shiwei Hall, diligently practicing his sword techniques.
Aoto stayed like this in Shiwei Hall from morning... until dusk.
…
…
The setting sun, about to dip below the horizon, cast its dim yellow rays weakly through the windows into the dojo of Shiwei Hall.
Having acted as a coach all day, Mr. Chokata glanced at the sunset outside the window, then clapped his hands forcefully:
"Alright! That's it for today's practice!"
Mr. Chokata's shout prompted everyone inside to put down their bamboo swords, and it also brought Aoto, who was wholeheartedly practicing iaijutsu and sheathing, back to reality.
—— Hmm? Is it this late already?
Aoto looked at the sunset outside the window in surprise.
Because he had been focused on practicing sword techniques, Aoto hadn't noticed how late it was.
Kondo had previously explained to Aoto: This Shiwei Hall opens at 8 AM and closes near 6 PM.
Aoto observed the sky outside — in about half an hour, the sun would completely sink below the horizon.
"That's it for today's practice!" Mr. Chokata put his hands on his hips, "Everyone, tidy up the dojo and head home! The world isn't very peaceful these days, so don't go home too late."
Following Mr. Chokata's words, everyone in the hall responded with a loud "Yes" before putting down their bamboo swords, then picking up cleaning cloths, buckets, and other cleaning tools to start tidying the dojo.
This is one of the rules of the dojo in this era — unless there haven't been many apprentices practicing in the dojo all day, the apprentices still in the dojo at closing have the obligation to stay and clean it up, primarily to wipe down the floors.
Besides Aoto, there were currently nine other apprentices remaining in Shiwei Hall.
Since Aoto was new today, all the apprentices in the entire Shiwei Hall were Aoto's senior brothers.
Aoto followed these senior brothers, picked up a cloth, and knelt on the floor, wiping the floor of the dojo that had been "nourished" by many people's sweat all day.
Mr. Chokata also joined in cleaning the dojo.
Not only did he participate, but he was the fastest, cleaning one-fifth of the dojo floor by himself, and doing it extremely cleanly at that.
After successfully finishing the cleaning, Mr. Chokata stood like a homeroom teacher supervising students leaving school, with hands on hips, at the entrance of Shiwei Hall, seeing off each departing disciple.
"Mr. Chokata, goodbye."
"Mm, goodbye. Remember to practice suburi more often in private; you still need to improve your suburi."
"Mr. Chokata, goodbye. Starting tomorrow I need to return to my hometown, and it will take a few days before I can come back to the Sword Dojo to practice sword techniques."
"Mm, alright. Your suburi also needs improvement, and you should practice suburi more often."
…
Mr. Chokata, by now, had reverted to his usual cheerful self, full of smiles, no longer showing the fierce, grim expression he had when teaching sword techniques.
Aoto was the last one to leave the hall.
"Mr. Tachibana, goodbye." Mr. Chokata smiled, taking the initiative to bid farewell to Aoto, "You must be tired after practicing all day. Remember to rest early when you get home."
"If possible, try to make some time every day to practice suburi."
"Suburi is the foundation of all fundamentals, you must practice it frequently, diligently, and tirelessly."
"Mm." Aoto nodded vigorously, "Mr. Chokata, goodbye. You should also head home early to rest."
"I don't need to go home." Mr. Chokata chuckled, then pointed his right index finger at the ground beneath him, "I live here."
"Mr. Chokata, you actually live in Shiwei Hall?" Aoto was taken aback.
"To be more precise, it's living with Brother Kondo and his family." Mr. Chokata explained, "Our Shiwei Hall is a typical structure where the Hall Master's home and the dojo are integrated."
"Look, that house connected to the dojo is where Brother Kondo and his family usually live."