The one-hour lecture flew by and left me quite exhausted, as I hadn't attended a class in a long time.

"That was a boring lecture, wasn't it?"

"Yeah, it was just basic stuff."

"You two are wrong. It's important information."

The group of three young people – possibly childhood friends – were buzzing with energy as they left the lecture hall. Their lively chatter made me feel a pang of nostalgia for my own bittersweet youth.

Watching their youthful interactions, I approached Instructor Yamada to express my gratitude.

"Thank you for the lecture."

"Whoa!"

I had startled him by speaking so suddenly.

"Um, you're a newcomer, right?"

"Yes, I'm Abe, a new adventurer."

It seems my bald head and age are surprising for many.

"Abe-san, huh... What can I do for you?"

"I'm a Tamer with a slime familiar, and I was wondering how I can become stronger myself."

"A Tamer, huh? That’s quite a specialized job. Unlike warriors or mages who engage in direct combat, Tamers like you should learn self-defense techniques to protect themselves."

The advice of a senior adventurer was invaluable and made me glad I asked.

"How about shield or staff techniques?"

"Shield and staff techniques?"

I was unfamiliar with either. I had always thought of adventurers as swordsmen, spearmen, or mages.

"Yes, a shield would allow you to focus on defense while your familiar attacks. If you’re worried about your familiar’s attack capabilities, learning staff techniques would enable you to engage in combat yourself. While I would recommend a sword for swordsmen and axes or spears for warriors, a staff is versatile for both defense and attack."

I appreciated his thoughtful suggestion.

"Thank you. Are these techniques taught here at the guild?"

"Yes, you can learn both here. Ask at the Information desk for more details."

"Thank you."

After thanking Instructor Yamada, I left the lecture hall.

Following his advice, I first went to observe the shield technique, but quickly realized it was beyond my capabilities. Muscular men were colliding with large shields, reminiscent of a scrum in American football or a sumo practice session. Clearly, shield bearers were meant to protect their companions from charging monsters.

Realizing I wasn’t cut out for that, I decided to learn staff techniques. But when I reached the instructor...

"What did you say?"

An old, hunched man with a bald head and a walking stick was standing in what seemed like a mere corridor, not a dojo or training ground.

"I’ve come to learn staff techniques. Are you Instructor Yanagi?"

I had been directed here by the receptionist, to what was supposedly Yanagi-sensei's staff technique class. Staff techniques, I learned, are a traditional Japanese martial art, and not many instructors teach it.

"Ah, I'm Yanagi."

"I’d like to learn staff techniques."

"Staff techniques? Oh, you mean me?"

"Yes, Instructor Yanagi."

"That's me."

Is this really where I can learn staff techniques? Even conversing is a challenge...

"Ha ha ha, you've got it wrong, lad. I teach cane techniques."

"Cane techniques?"

"Yes. Staff techniques are taught by that muscular instructor over there."

Looking in the direction he pointed, I saw another muscular instructor swinging a long staff. As impressive as it looked, it didn't seem right for me.

"Ahh..."

"Ha ha ha, no one comes to learn cane techniques from me. It doesn’t have the reach or power of other weapons, and it’s not much use against monsters."

I looked at the cane in Yanagi-sensei's hand. It looked like a regular cane used for support, not very long and seemingly lightweight.

"Could you teach me cane techniques?"

"Ha? You're an odd one, aren’t you?"

"I get that a lot."

"Ha ha ha, alright then. I'll give you this old cane of mine."

He handed me a foldable cane from behind his back.

"A folding cane?"

"Cane techniques are best practiced with a cane you carry around daily."

"Ah, okay."

"There are three main techniques to learn."

"Only three?"

"First, let's have a practical demonstration."

Before I knew it, I was sent flying into the air!

"Ouch!"

I landed on my backside, realizing too late that Yanagi-sensei had hooked my ankle with his cane.

"That was harsh!"

"What? You learn best through experience."

"Warn me next time!"

"That would defeat the purpose."

He then pressed his cane against my abdomen.

"Are you going to do something else?"

"Ha ha ha, already doing it."

As he spoke, he thrust the cane forward, and I once again found myself on the ground, my backside taking the brunt of the fall. Today seemed to be a day of misfortune for my posterior.

"A cane isn't as sturdy as other weapons," Yanagi-sensei lectured as I nursed my sore backside. "If you strike normally, it'll break. That's why cunning is important. Hook the leg, push the chest, thrust the cane down."

The final thrust Yanagi-sensei mentioned was demonstrated on my foot, causing me to wince in pain. The top of the foot is incredibly sensitive!

Learning cane techniques under Yanagi-sensei proved to be an unexpectedly painful but valuable experience.