From this particular day as well as the past ones, I am convinced to myself that I may have a damaged my other senses.
Well, since I was tirelessly training everyday with the aid of the long-span of hours that we have spent from our sanitation duties, my senses may have been partially damaged along the process.
The effects of those daunting days have already taken its toll on me and an example of this is the event that is enveloping in front of me right now…
I tried to reconfirm the word that was uttered on my ears while still searching for the sight of the lady that was clad in blue, long dress. However, since she completely disappeared and I heard her apparent voice in the emptiness of the ocean, I tried to repeat it in my head.
I mean, in a dream-like state like this, people tend to hear everything, right?
"Nimue…"
Nimue? What kind of a name is Nimue?
I softly reverberated the words that this ocean gave to me:
"Nimue!"
The moment I said that single and unknown word, my body glowed into a huge volume of azure…
…! Wah!
I hastily opened my eyes.
Then for a blinking second, I saw my whole body wrapped in a glow of the same, blue color.
Ahhh!!! What is happening… oh…
On second thought, there is no sense in being confused into happenings like this at this point of time.
I mean, I already experienced this on countless occasions already, so being shocked about it will be just a waste of my emotions.
I slowly looked at the two of the boys- their faces were terrified on the scenery that enveloped in front of them.
"H-Hey…what happened?"
No response.
"Hoi! You two…stop staring and tell me, did I do it right?"
Still, no response. Not even a little sound coming from their gaping mouths.
After some short, awkward seconds, Roy spoke:
"I…think you did it pretty well, Tori."
What happened while I was in my meditation phase?
The sixth day.
We continued on our session in sweeping the second portion of the residential area in the city.
Well, unlike the recent days from our cleaning duties, this day might have been the most uncomfortable one for me.
I have no problem when it come on the sanitation part, since I already accepted this duty as a punishment and I came to terms with the entirety of it.
No, the thing that bothers me the most are the dagger-like stares that these two boys are giving me.
"Hey, you two. Can you please stop looking at me like that? It is making me worried for my own safety!" I boldly said in front of them while they are sweeping their preferred spots in the area.
The both of them flinched on their backs and while nervously grasping the body of their personal brooms, they just apologized to me.
What exactly happened yesterday?
I want to ask these two idiots so that I can be certain for sure regarding the reason behind their awkward gazes at me, but right now, I do not have time to dawdle in such trivial matters. This can wait later.
Other than the Argus-eyed stares of these two, our cleaning duty for the final portion of the residences went smoothly and without any issues. Sure, it took us some time to finish up and tidy the surroundings down that resulted on our late intake of our lunches, but it was fine nonetheless.
Now, in the village.
Boss faced us with clear excitement in his expression and with that, he expressed our agenda for today:
"Alright. Good job in your successful allocation of your Essences into the core of your respective swords at will! It was a little shame that some of you took a lot of time to properly do it, but a success is a success!"
Hey Boss, please. Do not stare at me like that while you are uttering those words!
"I will ask you to set aside that trick for now because today, we will be going back to the basics of your sword-training! Consider this as a step-up from the very-first session that you have done with me when we started. That is right! Today, we will be refining your combat prowess with an actual combat while using a sword!"
Hmmm…I see.
I do not know your reason for withdrawing your teachings yesterday, but let me see how we fare for this time.
The three of us were intrigued from his unusual announcement for our training for this day so our faces may have reflected it.
When he saw the apparent curiosity from our eyes, the Boss smiled and continued:
"But! Like the usual theme for our training, there will be a twist! You will not use your actual swords, but just a training wooden sword that I have accustomed last night! WAHAHA! I had to hide them from the villagers so I secretly buried them in here!"
A-Are you serious?
"But, Boss! What is the point of this combat training if we will not use our actual swords?!" Malthur protested.
While kneeling down in the ground in order to dig deeper on the training lot, the Boss replied:
"Hey come on. We do not want any casualties for the three of you! Remember, your swords are an actual weapon so if you use them against each other, all of you will be clutched to the pale embrace of Count Death and I do not want that to happen!"
Well…a sound reasoning, I would say.
"…Well additionally, you will be using your sword in the other session trainings so have some patience!" he further added.
Okay then…I will hold on to your words, Boss!
The Boss returned in front of us and while cradling the several items that he retrieved underground alike to a child who managed to find a hidden treasure, he happily said:
"Ehhhh…just save your worries for later! For now, just listen and let us do this right away!"
The three of us looked down on his arms to see what he was cradling…
We saw the images of a three wooden swords and small pouches made from fine cloth with a tiny ribbons entangled to them each.
Hmm…I have a feeling that this training session will be special.
The Boss explained the rules of this training…
Or rather, the game.
It is called "Pouch Clash."
Yeah…it has an actual name.
According to him, it is a game of wits, skill, and swiftness in using a sword. The rules of the game are fairly easy to understand. The players will receive a training sword and for each one of them, they will attach the pouches into any parts of their body as long as it is visible. However, in order to keep the game fair and square, we just decided that all of us will attach the pouches to the uniform parts of our bodies namely: the forehead, the stomach, and the foot.
In a limited time, the players' goal is to destroy all of the pouches in their foes' body. You will win the game by either destroying the pouches in a swift manner, or if you managed to have the highest number of destroyed pouches in your enemies' side after the time was over. Any sword techniques are fair to use in this game but the usage of Essences and Beckoning are not allowed.
Oh… and also-
"I do not know, Boss… is this really necessary?" I said worriedly.
"Whoever wins this training session, will win a mystery reward at the end!" the Boss joyfully said, ignoring my worrisome comment.
"We are on!!!" x2
In the end, these two were easily swayed by the energy of Boss.
Alright…let me have a go with this!
I was actually wondering how will it be like to have a combat against my comrades, but I did not even expect that it will come to me this soon…
The three of us readied ourselves and after spending some time in handling the wooden sword and attaching the small pouches in our bodies, the 'game' started. We faced each other and while waiting for the signal of the Boss to commence the training, I can already see the smug face of Malthur and the confident smile of Roy.
"Okay! Are you all ready?" the Boss roared.
Our faces nodded as a sign of approval for his query and with that, he shouted more:
"START!!!"
Alright! Let the game commence!
I quickly assumed in my fighting position as I placed the body of the sword in my center as a frontal defense against my comrades. I know that I do not have an ample experience into sword fighting and different stances or even formations, but I think I will manage this one.
Like I said, I am not just a regular smith…
Wooden swords, just like these ones that we are using, are definitely used for sword training and mock combat. Judging from their build, feel, and type of wood which is Narra, these particular swords are tough enough to receive any impact on other wood types of swords. Additionally, since the Narra wood is a sturdy and durable substance while being flexible at the same time, training swords that are made out of it will not be just perfect for defensive stances, but for offensive forms as well.
Good sword! I have to say, I am impressed, Boss!
Though, I have to be careful in handling a sword such as this.
I did say that swords that are fashioned from a Narra wood are tough and sturdy, but if the wielder is inexperienced in using it despite of its toughness, it will inevitably break.
…Huh?
I was brought back into the reality outside of my daydream as I abruptly realized that the two boys on my side did not even move a muscle. They just stared at me with an empty expression while still handling their swords casually.
"Hey, the Boss already said 'start'." I lowly said in front of them.
When they heard my words, the both of them just looked at each other while bearing that silly expression on their faces then-
WHOOP!
"Hey! What is the big idea?!"
These two! What suddenly came into them? Are they even thinking straight right now-?
Ah…I see.
So this is the type of game you wanted to play.
Preying the little one first, huh? Very well, I shall face the both of you valiantly.
WHOOP! SHASH!
"WAHHHH!!! LEAVE ME ALONE!"
I ran around the training grounds in order to get some distance away from these two maniacs. I somehow became complacent about this game when I considered within myself that this is just a training session, but for some strange reason, this is a different case for these two!
Is it because of that unknown 'reward' by the Boss? Argh! Make sure that the reward for winning this training will be worth it!!!
When I was already cornered in the sides of the area, Malthur and Roy slowly advanced in my direction with expressions as if to murder me in cold blood.
"Hold still, smitha. This will be over before you can even say 'Sharps'." Malthur said eerily.
Hey, that is my line!
I defended myself by raising my sword in front of them and with the heaviness in my breathing, I tried to push their advancement towards me by slashing my wooden sword around them.
The both of the boys quickly reacted to the situation by raising their guard up, or by dodging the blind slashes I have been raining upon them.
When I had the distance I needed for my quick escape, I nimbly moved my right foot in order to step out in the empty space of the area so that I can flee. The swiftness of the situation was unbelievable. When I have the perfect opportunity, my body will take that chance and appropriately react on it- such this occasion is one of them. With just a short span of a second, I snappily escaped their formation and in reverse, I was the one who cornered the both of them.
Hah! Looks like the predator becomes the prey for this time!
I flailed my wooden sword around while delightfully thinking the incoming reward for me once I triumphantly cleared this combat training. I took my time in advancing towards them and with a face of joy, I contemplated the possibilities…
Hmmm… will it be a cute animal? Or a reserved ore and mineral from their village? Oh-oh! How about a free pass from one of their eateries around here? Hah! I cannot wait-
SPACK!
…Huh?
My daydreaming popped once I heard the tough sound that rang on my sword, as well the other sword that came in contact with mine. Our forceful impact left me dazed for a second and while being shocked from that unexpected scenario, I looked at the owner of the wooden sword who dared to cross swords with me.
It was Roy.
His smile flashed boldly as I saw his fierce posture form in front of me and while we are standing stiffly, waiting for each other to move correspondingly, he spoke with sheer confidence in his words:
"Oh? Is this the first time that I will be combating against you, Tori? My, my… what a rare occasion this is…!"
Argh… I cannot afford to be intimidated to him now!
"I guess that it will be indeed, oh Flemeroy Flinston Arsonstel. Are you prepared to meet your defeat from the hands of a girl?" I taunted him.
His face flinched a bit when I called his 'preferred' calling, then regained his valiant face shortly. He cleared his throat then spoke once again:
"By any means, Tori… come at me!"
So be it!
I took a lot of heavy force in order to restrike the wooden sword of Roy in front of me and due to the sudden impact, it made another sound that can be heard from the area. I used the weight of the sword so that it can compensate my weak arms, leaving Roy being stunned for a short second from that quick strike of mine. When I had the opening, I waved my sword upward to his right in order to register a hit on his forehead but he quickly dodged.
Sharps, he is nimble!
Roy kept avoiding my slashes and proceeded to do that same tactic for a long period.
I admit that if this keeps up, my stamina from trashing my sword around will tire me out eventually and these two will find an opening against me!
Seeing the inevitable doom from my predictable tactics in combat, I stopped in my continuous offense and tried to move away.
I took my distance away from Roy and decided to target this git who, for some reason, is dawdling around while watching us. Is he perhaps hatching a plan against us? An underhanded one?
Malthur saw me coming so he decided to welcome me with his own defensive stance. He placed the whole body of his sword horizontally and while wearing a weird and distressed face, he said:
"Hmph. Come at me, smitha!"
I proceeded to apply a low stroke into his bottom side since his whole sword is covering his middle portion. However, due to his quick reflex form his own movement, he deflected my attack by blocking my sword with his own. My blows came into succession and unlike Roy where I feel danger and intimidation when I attack him, Malthur exudes an aura of paleness and fragility per every blow that I register.
However, it might have been my just imagination since he can block my attacks with efficiency and accuracy…
It is as if, he can uncannily anticipate my incoming attacks like a bone fide soothsayer.
Argh. This is not good! I will not win if I simply perform like this!
Personally, I would prefer to end a combat as soon as possible, so I thought that being on the offensive in a swordfight will always put you in an advantage.
But in this particular combat…I do not think so.
It slowly dawned on me that, against these two, wining against them will be a daunting task.
I admit it. Right now, I am powerless against them.
But will I ungracefully surrender without putting much of a fight?
I do not think so! Swordsmiths do not surrender!!!
I halted my assault to the defensive Malthur and tried to go away on their vicinities. I quickly surveyed around the area in order to find a suitable place for my second plan and…
There! This will be perfect!
"Hoi! Do not chicken-out on me right now!" Malthur angrily shouted in my back.
Hehe…you are gravely mistaken, Malthur!
I stopped on the proper place of the training area, smiled tauntingly while wavering my wooden sword, and said:
"Hey pale boy! Come here! Or are you extremely tired for that short span of time since you are a pale one? Huhuhuhu…"
Hmmm… I should try not to say that phrase to him ever again.
Malthur's face erupted in anger the moment I said those words and furiously pointed his wooden sword at me. He ran in my direction with an enraged expression while shouting wildly:
"YOU DUMB SMITHA! I WILL MAKE YOU PAY FOR SAYING THOSE WORDS!"
As always, he is easy to motivate like this.
The moment he was close to me before swinging his sword…
FWISH!!!
I slashed downward, not to retaliate the incoming attack of Malthur, but to beat the sand-infested ground of the training area.
The small particles of the sand flew around us and reached the available areas for it to land. Due to my consecutive strikes, the sand flew even higher and with the aid of the gentle winds, it created a haze-like appearance in our vicinities.
Malthur paused a bit on his assault against me and when it dawned on him that small portions of dust are now enveloping his head and body, he shouted on top of his lungs:
"WAHHH!!! Dust! Terrifying particles from the ancient ground itself! AHHHHHH!!! You stupid smithaaaaa!!!"
Malthur freaked out in his highest pitch of screaming as he was once again placed in a realm of his fears.
Hmmm…this takes me back. The image of his face back when we were being chased by the Iron Hedgemoles gave me an idea.
It immediately dawned on me that if I cannot fight these two head-on with my own strength, I just have to let their fears fight for me.
Every being possesses their own unwanted and hidden fears. Such is an unwritten postulate of this world.
So right now, even if I might be looking like a mistress of evil by thinking this tactic, I have to win of what I got as a combatant.
I am sorry, Malthur!
Speaking of him, he collapsed helplessly on the training grounds as he squirmed left and right to pound the dust particles in his body. Looking at him like this, it appeared that he just became a little child who wanted an immediate rescue for his parents as he was drowning in a deep lake.
*sigh* Forgive me for doing this…
I readied my position, took aim with my sword, and slowly faced the three moving pouches in his body.
First, I aimed on his forehead.
"Yah!"
Even though he was moving, I successfully made a little slash on his pouch and due to my assault, small beans came out on the hole.
Huh…so they are holding beans this whole time?
Next, I aimed at his belly…
This might be easy if he was paralyzed while he was lying in the ground like that but…
"Ah! Hey!... Malthur! Stop squirming! Hey…!"
Thanks to his agile and relentless squirming, I cannot manage to register a hit on his stomach. It was quite easy to hit the pouch on his forehead but weirdly enough, the pouch on his belly moves wildly when he moves as well.
T-This git!
In order to address this problem, I lowly kneeled in his body, pressed him down with the aid of my left hand, then…
"Yahhh!"
There! I slashed it!
When I managed to smile when I registered another hit…
"WA-WA-WA-WHAT?! What are you doing, smitha?! Get off of me!!! Wah! Help! She is assaulting me!!! Heeelllp!!!"
Malthur's body wriggled even further as sheer panic enveloped his entire body. He tried to push me away but due to his paleness, he can only manage to shake me away, but not that much…
"C-Calm down, hoi! Quit squirming like that!" I angrily said while keeping on top of his body.
We are on an open combat, are we not? You should be prepared in any unexpected situations! Really, you should be more mindful of your surroundings!
"Haaaah! T-This is it! She is going to mo… SHE IS GOING TO MOLEST ME!!!"
M-molest?!
I quickly moved away to the weakened body of Malthur who, for some reason, still have the ample energy to writhe into its own movements. The moment I heard him say that strange word, my head immediately went hot. My senses twitched a bit, all while the dust are still flying around on my sight.
"I-I am not going to m-molest you…okay? What in the name of the forgotten heroes are you even talking about right now, you stupid git?!" I said, stuttering in my words despite trying to be collected at the moment.
Seriously, this git!
Argh! But I do not have time to be distracted on his antics right now…
I have the last pouch on his right leg!
While he was still ridiculously rolling on the training grounds, I slowly aimed on his right leg in order for me to end this embarrassing charade.
I was about to deliver a slash on the moving pouch when someone touched my right arm…
"What in the…"
I reflexively glanced on the person who abruptly touched in my direction when…
"You dropped your guard down, Tori!"
The play-to-play scenes that happened next were so fast, I just cannot believe that they realistically happened.
I turned around to meet that the one who got my attention and it was Roy, smiling triumphantly at me while standing in a unique stance in my front.
Before I can even react, he swiftly moved his wooden sword into three strokes and even without feeling it into any parts of my body��
…beans?
My frontal vision saw a handful of beans falling downward. Then afterwards, before even realizing it for me, I saw that my pouches were slashed…
"WAHHH!!! ROY YOU CHEATER!!!"
All I can do is shout my pure agony and disappointment.
***
"Alright! The game is over! For this match, the winner is obviously the one who managed to destroy the pouches of their opponents' body in the fastest time. The person who did that, was Roy!!!"
Arghhh! This is beyond frustrating! I was actually this close on winning!!!
"Yey!!! I won!"
Roy, brimming with full happiness and joy in his expression, triumphantly raised his wooden sword and moved in an unusual manner while saying those words.
"A-Are you dancing right now?" I asked as I could not believe what is happening in front of me.
He stopped a bit in his movements and looked at me innocently, then replied:
"Eh? Well, yes. Isn't it a custom on the Swordsfolk to dance a specific movement when they won a swordfight, whether it is a serious one or not?"
A-Are you jesting in my face right now?
"Do you not know it? Really, you should be knowing that since you are a Myrmidon! Your folks call it the 'Sahgana dance'."
While collecting the wooden swords and pouches from us, Boss spoke to me in a disappointed tone.
Well, forgive me for not knowing this silly tradition of ours, Boss!
Hmmm… Sahgana, eh?
…wait this term does sound familiar. I may have read that on my favorite cultural book.
But apparently for me, since it is a silly custom for the Swordsfolk, I just chose to not remember it.
I just tried my best to ignore the embarrassing dance of Roy in front of me when Malthur spoke in my side, whispering to himself:
"Huuuu… that was an unpleasant experience in my life. I do not think that I will forget that until I die…!"
He shuddered in his arms while nervously trying to ease himself up from what happened earlier.
"Hoi. Forget about it already! I have no intention of doing any indecent things to your pale body so shush!" I angrily confronted him.
"Yahhh! I get it! I get it, okay? Just…get away from me! Ah! No! Do not touch me with your hands!!!"
When I was about to grab his shoulder to prevent him in panicking even further, Malthur just stepped away and nervously reprimanded me to keep my distance away from him.
Really, what is the matter with this git?
I get it…my actions were out of place, but I did what I can to win, okay?
"Okay…okay. That is enough, you two. Really, you need to get along with each other!" Boss said with a tinge of concern on his face.
Hmm… what you request might take a lots of time, Boss.
"Well, no matter. I am quite sure that the three of you will do just fine for each other on the ample span of your Myrmidon duties. Ahem! Now! The three of you! That training was an obvious test to see your combat tactics at first hand!"
…Our combat tactics? What are you implying, Boss?
The Boss stood straightly at us, then proceeded to discuss his findings in our first combat training.
"Let us start with you, pale kid. Throughout the entirety of the battle, you were silently waiting on the back and tried to avoid much skirmish as possible. It was almost as if, you are waiting to move for an ambush!"
Yeah, you got that right, Boss.
"Now, I am not implying that that kind of tactic is inherently incorrect. I always believe that in a combat, one must always have a strategy or plan first before entering it and speaking from your part, it looked like you totally had one! The only problem is…well, your foes are feisty on their own ways, to say the least…"
Malthur twitched a bit on the assessment of the Boss and kept being mum.
"Regarding your swordsmanship style, I have to say that you have a knack in your defensive stances! Why, when I saw you take those assaults on this blue-haired kid right here, I could not believe my own eyes that even you can defend those countless barrages! Wahahaha!"
Hey! Why are you calling me 'blue-haired' now?!
"Here is an advice, kid. Train your sword not just to receive blows from your enemy, but also to deal an equal damage to them as well! You are handling a sword there, kid. Not a protective equipment like an armor or buckler! Hahaha! Train yourself to do that and you will do on your own! HAHAHA!"
Once he was done on his heart laugh, he turned his face on me next…
"Now, for Gilcram's kid. I have to say, you are an odd one when it comes to combat."
O-Odd one???
"Well, this is just your initial combat training so I am still considering that your styles will change in the future, but I have to say that yours is an interesting one! From what I have observed while watching earlier and based from your facial expressions, you are fully-aware in yourself that you cannot beat your two opponents by blind force. In order to compensate, you did not fully anchor yourself on your unreliable strength and luck, but instead, you made your foes play from your very palm!"
Boss… I am touched.
Malthur clicked his tongue when he heard his failure on my hands and kept looking away in my direction.
"AHAHA-HAHA! My girl, that is what we call resourcefulness and whatever the nature of the combat is, if you possess this kind of attitude, you can turn the tides of a single battle to your favor!"
Aww…stop, Boss.
All I did was to make Malthur scream in terror once again and while it was indeed hilarious and fun to hear his manly scream, that tactic was the only thing that I can grasp in that particular situation in order to win.
"I have to admit, what you possess is indeed an asset for you so that you can grasp your triumph in a combat, but you should not rely to this kind tactic for the majority of your battles. Listen closely, in a battle, the combatants may be the sliest and the most cunning person in a battlefield, but at the end of the day, those who possess great skill in their swords alone shall emerge victorious- that is always the case in a swordfight. So here is an advice: train yourself as well!"
Ah…look at him. He is brimming with wisdom and experience!
Lastly, Boss turned to Roy…
"If there is an only thing that I may comment into your swordsmanship, I will gladly state that it is well-rounded. I can fully conclude from your performance earlier that you are the most experienced one among of your team when it comes to the way of the sword! You are exemplary in your defensive and offensive stances as you took blows from Gilcram's kid and delivered a finishing blow to her as a return. Truly fantastic!"
Well, he is indeed correct. There is not arguing about it.
For some strange reason, whenever I am around Roy, I always forget that he is the son of the Chief, one of the outstanding and the most elite swordsman in the Guild, and the most promising Myrmidon amongst the three of us.
I do not know…perhaps I should treat him better the next time I tease him…
"Everything is truly commendable in your swordsmanship…but, I noticed something while watching you."
As her continued, Boss fell in cheery voice earlier to a dead seriousness half-way through.
When he saw this sudden twist on his words, Roy asked:
"What did you see, Boss?"
The Boss looked at him intently then spoke:
"While there is no denying that your pure and natural prowess in combat obviously shines, I can also see that sheer ambition and drive into your eyes and frankly, it is somehow unbefitting for a person in your age. I am not saying that you should not have any ambitions into your expressions…quite the contrary! But yours is…"
He hesitated a bit and broke the line of connection between their sight in order to grasps for available words to convey…
"Kid…your ambition belongs to someone else. Am I right?"
"…"
I looked at the side of Roy in order to see his reaction and I saw his full silence towards Boss' statement. He just stared at Boss sedately and kept being glued on his position.
"AHEM! Just…let me tell you, kid. Make sure that whatever your ambitions or dreams are, make sure that they are yours and does not belong to someone else!" Boss said nervously.
W-What is with this air of tension so suddenly?
Roy remained his earnest expression when Boss continued:
"Here is my advice: in this world, if you are in the path of growth, there is no such things as absolute! So, even if you are excelling at something, the mark of a true and master swordsman is being able to break on their current stature and push it into the greater heights!"
Wah…look at him. He is really glowing!
Roy stood up and with a smile in his face, he gave a low bow to the Boss.
"Thank you very much, Boss! I will take your advice wholeheartedly!"
Boss stood as well and shouted loudly:
"Alright, you three! Make sure you have a break and afterwards, we will go straight on the second portion of your sword training! This time, you will use your actual swords than the wooden ones!"
Wait…
Already??!
***
What is with the suddenness of the scenarios for this day?
I cannot believe that we are about to train with the use of our actual swords for this training session, considering the fact that Boss pointed out that we 'might' use them someday!
I just cannot believe that that 'someday' is right now! Is he joking on us?!
Well, not that I can complain though…
After beholding the swordsmanship styles of my comrades at firsthand, for some reason, it made me look forward even further regarding what they may show in front of me later.
Boss came back in the training grounds after hiding the combat paraphernalia that we have used earlier. He faced us with sudden seriousness unlike earlier where he was joyful in his expressions when he was watching us.
"Now you three, since this is the last set of hours that we can have before the sunset, we have to make this quick, but also thorough at the same time." he said while crossing his arms intently.
What happened back there where you hid your items that it made you earnest like this, Boss? This is not like you!
He flickered his fingers swiftly and with the sudden crunch of sound from his left hand, he ordered us:
"Now, unleash your swords."
We obediently unsheathed our swords from our scabbards and exhibited it in front of him. Some of the selected rays of the sunlight refracted from our blades and it shimmered faintly in his face. However, even if some of the glaring rays are crawling in his face, he kept his composure and expression.
What a brave and stalwart face!
"Now…for your actual combat raining with your actual swords…"
Really, Boss is being dauntless right now!
"I will be tasking you to kill..."
The unrestrained gasps from our gaping mouths escaped as the words by the Boss had immediately registered from our minds.
A-Are you serious right now, Boss?
Oh sharps! This is the part where the scenarios from now on will get dark and dangerous, huh?
"Kill…these vases that are made out of concrete- that is your task for this last combat session for today!"
Boss said that… his own words from his own mouth.
It took some short time to digest his words and when it immediately translated to something that is disappointing and deceiving for our part, we slowly advanced to the direction of Boss.
"HAHAHAHAHA!!! Look at all of your faces- hey…what is with that sudden change in your expressions? Come on…! Hey! You three? Stop!!! I was just jesting- AHHHHHHHH!"
The three of us clobbered him up with our scabbards.
This time, he called it "Vase Smash".
Hmmm…that name sounds familiar somehow.
Obviously enough, it is just the same combat form earlier but the difference is that, instead of using clothed pouches and wooden swords, we will be using small vases that are made out of fine concrete and our actual swords!
Same ordeal- you have to smash the vases quickly before the timer runs out and you will be proclaimed as the victor, or if you do not want that, make sure that you have shattered enough vases when the game is finished in order to not lose.
Hmmm…it is understandable so far.
The only thing that may separate this game from earlier was…
"Hey Boss…is this even possible? It is hard to move while having these around!" I inquired with a tone of concern.
Attaching these concrete vases from our arms and legs are one thing to consider due to their heaviness, but also, the Boss decided to make us wear protective gauntlets and poleyns that are fashioned from titanium metals!
In other words, just moving a step will be a heavy thing to accomplish.
"My girl, that is part of the training! Conducting your drills with these protective armors will slow your movability… that much I know, but if you train from them daily, you can move freely with swiftness and agility without them!" he said trying to defend his teaching methods on my reasoning.
Oh, is that so, Boss?
Or are you just trying to make us look like a rugged snail while watching us on attempting to brake a vase against each other? Frankly, I just do not know if I can trust you truly with that attitude of yours!
"Trust me, Gilcram's kid. I know that right now, everything will be hectic for you…but if you hold on there and keep this training continuously, you can bet that swinging your sword in front of your foes in the future will be the easiest thing that you will do! Please?" he said helplessly.
Ugh. I hate it when you tap into the emotions in a quick manner, Boss. I just cannot afford to say 'no' to that face!
"Besides…" he continued.
He had an expression that it was as if, for that brief moment, he was longing for something- a pure and obvious feeling of nostalgia.
"…Gilcram and I used to love this training method."
"Really, Boss? Is it true?" I said with brimming curiosity.
Pops? He loved doing…this?
The Boss resolutely nodded with a smile in response to my query and looked intently at me after that.
Did something happen between my Pops and the Boss in the past?
Hmmm…I need to remind myself to ask him about that someday.
But right now, this is not time for that!
We courageously faced each other for the second time to get ready for our second combat session. Right now, I cannot sense a feeling of jesting nor indecency in the aura of these two boys as they are stalwartly handling their own respective swords with pride and manly poise.
Ah, I see. So no more playing around, eh?
So be it! I prefer it that way! I am feeling the tension already! Why, you ask?
Well, the seriousness of these two is one of the reason, and the other one is from the fact that Boss allowed us to use our Essences and Beckoning acts!
We stood valiantly against each other and while waiting for the Boss to announce his signal for our combat to commence, these hanging vases from our arms and legs made me think:
So these vases are made from fine and industrial concrete which, from a long time ago, were replaced by other strong and reliable ground materials for edifice-making and other infrastructures. They have a fine and smooth texture while also being fairly tough once it hardens, but are still fragile when it is exposed into a great amount of force and impact. Since they are tough enough for daily and domestic purposes, they are now just mainly used for craftworks such as vases, lamps, tables, and others… just to name a few. These fine concretes must not be confused with pure and hardened ones which are still relevant up to this day from their durability and resistance to heat and cold.
Considering that these vases are fairly heavy while being worn out at the same time, I am almost positive that they will shatter after taking several slashes from our swords.
Now…in order to plan on how to compensate my mobility-
"START!!!" the boss abruptly shouted.
Boss! Come on!
"I beckon thee: Gugurang! The fang of volcano!!!"
Suddenly, after a second from hearing the voice of the Boss, Roy shouted his own Beckoning from his Flamberge. As an effect, we beheld the familiar blaze of towering crimson flames in our front and with the sound of the crackling fire, it made me realize that indeed, this in not just a game anymore.
Correspondingly, I looked at the face of Roy- now devoid of any merry emotions and in exchange, it is filled with absolute courage and confidence alike to the usual face that he wears when he is locked in an intense battle. Looking at him like this, it seemed that this 'combat training' that we are having is not just a usual session to make ourselves better in the ways of the sword.
On my left, I laid my eyes on the defensive stance of Malthur who concentrates intently on his way of Beckoning.
I-Is he…guarding? In an open combat such as this? Also, what is with that daring stance?
He held his hands up high as he carefully grips the heart of his sword in his left hand, while he supports his pommel with his right hand. His legs are spread in a wide area, making his right foot in front than the left one, ample enough to cover much space on his posture. His sword's tip is horizontally pointed towards us, as his hands are aligned on his odd posture as if to point on our heads…or worse, our throats.
Malthur exudes an odd vibe around him now when he…
"Hey…is he snoozing right now? In a combat like this?!" I asked, taking an offense to his unmindful uptake in the session.
"FOCUS, GILCRAM'S KID!"
Suddenly, the Boss shouted at me…
"R-Right!" I shouted back at him.
Right now, I am fairly sure that what he is showing in front of us is not his usual self, but his personal resolve for this combat training.
When he fully closed his eyes, he sighed heavily and took a lot of breaths while still being glued to that same, odd pose.
I was musing the scenery in front of me when…
CRIIIISHHH!!!
I was taken aback for that brief moment when Roy abruptly attacked Malthur with his Flamberge. The impact of the intensity from the heat against the earthly wood of Malthur's sword created a swift and pulsating waves of force around us that it was so sudden and potent, it made the winds whip our unsuspecting skins.
On no! This is not good! These two are fully-committed to the training!
Fearing for my safety, specifically regarding the welfare of my fragile vases, I stepped away from the confrontation site between these two. The only thing that I can do is let my senses hear and behold the spectacular clash between these two boys that is happening intensely in front of me.
Looking at the two of them right now, I can say that Roy is being in his usual 'offensive-self' on their sudden clash but apparently, upon further observation from the heavy slashes and sudden strokes that were coming from him, something is off…
Like most of the time where he is locked in combat with an opponent, his face wears an expression of pure confidence and pride from his sword alike on that time where he saved me from that weird Razorfang- a usual prideful and valiant expression that he loves to wear in face of adversity. However right now, it seems as though his hunger for combat was suddenly unleashed in front of Malthur and now, he assaults him without a second thought nor restraint.
Frankly, I am quite scared.
On the other side of the siege, I could not quite believe what is happening in front of me…
Malthur cannot just only take the relentless barrage of red flames that are blitzing his wooden sword, he can also effectively tell where and when to block his incoming attacks!
H-Hey…what is with that Malthur just now…?
He is like... a completely different person!
Malthur is completely calm by closing his eyes, mumbling on himself while steadily handling his sword amidst the bashful assaults of Roy's Flamberge. Seeing him perform like this, it burned an image for me of an antithesis to his usual irate and annoyed expression behavior while he is with us in majority of times. Right now, he just became an enlightened monk who can perform unearthly feats in front of his current enemy!
A-Amazing! Truly astonishing!
…
…Well, this is awkward.
I had a lot of time and room for my play-by-play commentary for the clash of these two boys in front of me and upon realizing that I am just idiotically staring at them without moving, as if I am just a normal audience, I grew embarrassed for myself.
Not to mention, I can feel the disappointed stares of Boss from my back.
Okay! Okay! I am on it, Boss! I will make a blistering progress! See? I am moving my feet right now!
I surveyed the situation of their clash in order to smoothly intervene on their exchange and take a chance on their thrilling combat. Look, I am not a fanatic of violence, but given by the intensity of this certain situation, I do not have any choice but to fight as well!
How about on their backs? If I register a blind thrust on their defenseless rear where their vases are usually hidden, I might luckily register a hit!
Err…no. Hitting an enemy in the back is not honorable.
Hmmm…flailing my own sword forward towards their ardent battle in order to gain their attention and work my combat plans once that happens?
Eck. Absolutely not! What will happen if you do manage to get their attention? Do you have a solid plan against their alarming display of prowess once they decided to target you?
Hmmm…this is troubling.
Come on, Astoria! Think!
"AHEM!!!"
Amidst my forceful thought, I heard the voice of Boss from the back. He coughed sarcastically as if to imply something that I should become more serious for this combat.
Grr. That annoyed me a little.
"OKAY! ALRIGHT! I AM COMING!" I shouted back at him.
I charged in front of the clash of these two unmindful boys and when I was nearly close to their proximities, a hand stopped me in my advancement…
Roy kept his unceasing barrage of attacks on Malthur while he also stopped me by blocking my entrance to their clash with his left hand.
"No, Tori. Do not go further. Malthur is mine to defeat. You will get your turn shortly." he said darkly.
"Excuse me? Did you really just say that?!" I said, taking offense to his warning.
He did not answer me in return and due to that, added with the piercing stares of the Boss, I became furious with a start. I took aim on the Flamberge of Roy and shouted wildly:
"Hey! If you are not forgetting, you have a third enemy in this combat training and it is me! How dare you look down on me like that!!!"
"…"
No response. Is he mocking me? The nerve!
Due to my sudden frustration, I let my emotions best me and I felt that my arm picked itself.
"HYAAAAAH!!!"
I sightlessly attempted to slash my sword in front of their clash when-
CLACK!!!
For the second time today, Roy dared to block my fierce assault to them. He, in return, became furious as well, as he stared at me with his crimson eyes- his uncharacteristic rage now aimed at me.
"I told you that you will get your turn later, Tori! ARE YOU NOT LISTENING?!" he shouted at me.
What is with him all of a sudden?
Did he forget that this is just a combat training? - a mock battle among the three of us?
What got him so worked up, I wonder?
Most of the times, if this 'airheaded' friend of mine acts uncharacteristically, I will go out of my way for him in order to make him feel better.
However, this is not one of those times!
"SHUT UP, YOU REDHEAD!" I shouted back at him.
His anger ignited even further when he heard my suggestive insults but-
"Hey! Seriously! Aim your anger towards me! What, are you afraid that much to a girl like me?"
"…"
This Redhead!!!
Oh…no you have done it!
"FLEMEROY!!!"
I tried to register a secondary slash to them when-
"GUGURANG!!!"
Before I even became fully aware of what happened after that, the first thing that I saw when I opened my eyes was my weakened and limping body on the training grounds. .
So did he…
Argh! The nerve of this boorish person!
I slowly stood up, quickly searched for something beneath me, and thought of an idea…
Well, the Boss did not say anything regarding the disallowance of bringing another item besides your sword in order to win, correct?
Then if that is the case, I will not mind if I just…
I gingerly retrieved a small pocket of special powder that I am always bringing with me among of the other things that are securely hidden on my Adventurer's attire. I am not that certain regarding its calling since it is only Pops who knows its actual name, but that does not matter at this moment.
You will pay for the rude treatment that you have shown to me earlier, you Redhead!
I carefully crawled my way back to their vicinities with extreme care and stealthiness so that they cannot detect my presence for the surprising assault that I am about to unleash on the man that angered me.
I got under their line of sight while still handling the brownish-yellow tinged power in my hand and waited for the perfect time for my assault.
!!!
I may have imagined it but…while I was waiting patiently for my strike, Malthur uncannily faced me in my direction while still closing his eyes.
C-Can he still sense me while he is blind and taking his defense against the attacks of Roy?!
This Mal-git became astonishingly scary as well!
…Nope. No! Wait…argh! THERE!
When my senses got the perfect opportunity, my arm majestically moved on its own in order to throw the pouch of this specific powder not in front of the faces of my enemies, but in the raging Flamberge of Roy.
Look…remember that statement I have made earlier regarding honor? That… is not honorable in hitting the back of your foe on a combat?
I would like you to forget that earlier statement of mine. Scratch all of it!
Because right now, it is the hour of my payback!
The pouch exploded due to the raging flames of Roy's sword and due to it, its contents bursted quickly in the mixture of the fire of his Flamberge.
When that happened, for a moment, a shot of pale blue exploded on our sight and it forcefully enveloped the Flamberge of Roy. Some mere moments later, the sword is not rolling into red, crimson flames anymore but light and rich blue!
This peculiar powder is used by a lot of swordsmiths, including us, in order to add a suggestive color for the blade of the swords while we are forging them. Currently, we house a handful of special powders that allocates different color for the blade and what I have just used was one of them.
"Ah…HAA…HA!"
Upon looking at the spectacle of his sword turning into bluish flames, Roy nervously dropped his Flamberge and collapsed his whole body in the training area. He shuddered fearfully and helplessly as his trembling body can be seen on his every attempts to shake away his inevitable fear. He tumbled on the grounds alike to an elder man who managed to terribly slip in his posture when he was about to reach out for his wooden cane.
Like I said earlier, everyone has a fear.
Even my valiant and proud friend has one.
Look, you may comment how underhanded my plan was and you can openly say how evil I am by exposing not only one, but two of my comrades into the realm of their fears…yes, I understand.
But contrary to my initial feelings earlier, I only resorted to this tactic because…quite frankly…
I became scared of Roy from this point of the moment…
I just cannot explain it. From just a span of ten minutes, my gentle, proud, and airheaded friend became someone else… like a completely different person.
Right now, he looked like a viscous animal, not wanting to stop on its relentless attempts to feast on a helpless prey with coldness on its eyes.
I tried to allocate my thoughts into more plausible ways to shake him away from this state, but this is the only reasonable tactic on my smithy sleeves right now.
Sorry, Roy. I will treat you to an eatery later…
When I made sure that he cannot get up anymore, I readied myself in order to register a hit on his four vases in his legs and arms.
Now, to his legs…
I aimed horizontally on his legs in order to commit a single slash on his vases.
"Uuuuuuuuuh" Roy cried as he helplessly watching me defeat him.
Huh, so he is overtaken by fear so much that he cannot move.
Truly, Roy! Forgive me!
"HIYAH!"
I successfully shattered the vases of Roy that were hanging from his legs.
Now, for the arms.
"HIYYYAAAH- Ha?"
I was about to fully commit myself into my secondary slash in order to end this when I felt a hand touching my left arm.
Wait…this feels somehow familiar.
I swiftly raise a guard on my stance when I was about to turn around and meet the owner of the hand.
It was Malthur, his eyes still closed.
What in the…
Due to the sudden shock of him being in my back, I reflexively tried to slash him.
CLACCKKK!!!
The sound of our respective swords in contact vibrated into our hearing and it left me dazed for a moment.
Huh? Something is off… Did I just receive damage?
Oddly enough, my body felt the same way.
In order to confirm my suspicion, I quickly glanced at my vases on my body and upon inspection, indeed…I did take a blow. My left vase from my left arm shattered a bit and the other are gaping lowly, about to burst.
Is this guy serious? Just a brief contact with my sword and instead of dealing damage to him, I will take the said damage instead?! Such unfairness!
There is only one thing that allows him to do this nonsensical ability! That is right! It has to be that Beckoning art that they love to do so much!
Argh. If that is the case, in order to defeat you, I will do that as well!
I stepped away from him a bit, closed my eyes and heaved for air, then committed in a deep thought:
"Who am I going to beckon?"
I mean, Roy calls a name that goes into 'Gugurang' or something…how can I call one on my own?
Argh! This is puzzling!
Suddenly-
"Nimue…"
That is right! That is the name!
I lowly beseeched in my calmness and bellowed:
"I beckon thee, Nimue!"
"…"
"…"
"Did I do it right?"
A volume of ever-familiar azure light enveloped my body completely and the same tinge developed on the entirety of my sword. Upon that event, my body became unnaturally light, it was almost as if, I just woke up in a long-time slumber and I have a lot of energy to spare!
…! Could it be that.
"Astoria…"
I am hearing that serene and calming voice once again.
Suddenly, when I decided to end this intense combat training once and for all, I swiftly moved my sword in front of the close-eyed Malthur and attempted to deliver a blue-tinged assault. However, as I expected even if he looked like he was deeply asleep, he countered my attack with his own sword.
The force of the impact upon the contact of our swords emitted shockwaves and a spectrum of colors, mainly brown and blue. The force sent us aback and it made me faint a bit.
…
…Ugh. Really, Boss! Make sure that the reward for this combat is totally worth it!
When I opened my eyes, I saw the big image of the Boss while tallying the number of shattered vases.
When I was brought back to my senses, I looked at them as well…
"OH, COME ON!!!"
The only I thing that I can do is cry helplessly.