Chapter 28: Training Part 2
The sword looked identical with the rest but she picked it because it was lighter compared to the others. The size was also noticeably smaller the reason why it was light. The metal looks old and used but it can still cut.
"Oh, don't pick that." Larsanel came from behind giggling. She gave Eliana a teasing look covering her mouth from letting out a chuckle.
Eliana's brows knotted. "Why not?" She looked back at the sword in her hands, it was a decent sword in her opinion.
"You don't want to get cut right? This is your first training, we use wooden weapons of course. Besides, I don't think you can swing that around without getting dragged by its weight." She chuckled.
Eliana felt embarrassed, Larsanel was right, what was she thinking using an actual sword without the experience. Surely the practice session she had with Lars before is not counted, how bold of her. To be fair, she had no idea about using a wooden weapon.
"Right, sorry. I wasn't really thinking. Let's use wooden swords then. That will help, thank you." Eliana placed the sword back to its box. She tried to look for the other boxes, but Lars tapped her shoulders.
Larsanel handed her a wooden sword, it looked like it was freshly carved. The wood felt sturdy and slightly heavy. The kind of heavy where you can adjust to in time.
"This is the typical sword we use for first timers. We'll keep changing the wooden sword too, weight will get heavier as we practice more and more. Get use to it by now, soon enough you'll be able to wield a real sword without a problem!" Larsanel clapped her hands to cheer her on.
Eliana shook her head with a smile. "I'll try my best, thank you Lars." She was genuinely thankful for the girl.
"Work hard El, let's go."
Soon after their preparation, they left the cottage with only a wooden sword at hand. The other Six was sitting on a flowery bench at the side of the circle. As both girls approach the others, Eliana can already feel their stares from the distance.
Jettam jogged to meet them smiling widely. "You look great Eliana!"
Eliana couldn't help but smile, Jettam was the pure type of kid. "Thank you Jett." Jett nodded to her with a face of encouragement.
"Interesting, you look strong with a vest without one you're frail." Kylon commented. He raised his hands up when Eliana arched her eyebrows at him. He chuckled softly from her reaction. "I jest, you look really small in that, is what I really want to say." He admitted.
Eliana looked down to her vest. She clutched the hard hem of the armor wiggling it, the motion showed how big the armor was on her. "It is big but I have no choice." She shrugged.
"No need to point out the obvious, I believe you can work on that." He had a thoughtful look in his face as he rubbed his chin with his right hand. "Just make use of what we have." He added. It wasn't rude, in fact he sounded genuinely serious with what he said.
Eliana nodded. "Of course, I wasn't complaining though."
"I'm sure you're thinking about other things in your head, human." Emery spatted out of nowhere. She had a smug look and a sarcastic smile going on. Her hands were crossed as she walked closer to Eliana.
'Her again?'
Emery gave her a full body inspection, her judging eyes landing on Eliana's blue ones. She smiled. "How childish, a wooden sword? You can't even carry a real one? Pathetic."
"What's wrong with that? In case you still don't get it, I didn't grow up training to become a knight like you. You do understand the first level of training is to use a wooden sword, right? Or did you knock your head hard that you forgot and resulted in this horrible attitude called your personality." Eliana watched her expression change into different tones of anger.
The air went quiet for a second. Until the boys started laughing Kylon, Bastion, Jettam bursted out a laugh meanwhile Zathur was smiling and Anzai watched them with a smirk. Larsanel looked worried pacing her attention back and forth from her two friends.
Emery's eyes hinted a glow making Eliana wonder what it was. Emery fought stares with her, her frown going deeper than it already was. Suddenly, a smile drew on her lips.
"Fine then, I want to see what you got. This may be a weak response but that doesn't mean I was defeated by you. I still don't like you." She scoffed, turning her back from Eliana. Her hair flip was too much that it slapped on Eliana's face.
Eliana rubbed the itch from the hair slap, she watched Emery sashaying away towards the bench, as if her comeback was good enough to walk like that.
"Hahahaha! That was really good Eliana! Gods, Emery's ego must've been hurt." Kylon said, wiping a tear from his eyes.
Eliana looked at the others. They gave her a smile. She was actually concerned about talking back to a member but it was clear they didn't mind. The Ethereals already knew how horrible Emery's attitude was, so it wasn't a surprise someone would snap at the girl.
"Interesting, I do hope your replies are as good as your fighting skills." Zathur said he was still smiling, expecting for Eliana's recent impression to continue getting better. Just like what she did to Emery now.
Eliana's mood changed like a light switch. She was suddenly dragged back to the reality that she was here to train, not to bicker with an Ethereal. How ironic.
Larsanel softly tugged her arm. "Let's go, the sooner we start the more you'll learn."
Eliana gulped. "Of course." The nervous look on her face was palpable.
"Good luck!"
"Don't be too rash on her Lars!"
"Be careful you two!"
The others shouted words of encouragement as they went to follow Emery on the benches. Emery was quietly watching. The others talked to her making her scoff in place. Eliana couldn't hear their inaudible conversation because of the distance.
"You ready?"
She snapped her attention away from the others towards Larsanel who was already in a position stance ready to fight her. She was caught off guard for a second before mimicking Larsanel.
"I am." She said with a determined look. She raised her sword near to her right cheek.
Larsanel inspected her. She suddenly relaxed standing normally and chuckled.
"What?" Eliana was dumbstruck. Just when she was actually getting serious. She stupidly watched still in position as Larsanel walked towards her.
"This is incorrect. Don't place your sword parallel to your cheek, you won't be able to swing it back to gain momentum for the attack." Larsanel grabbed her two hands clutching the sword bringing it close to her stomach level. "The sword should be pointing in front, whether it's up or down- middle even, it doesn't really matter as long as it's pointed at the front." She explained.
Eliana nodded. "I see, that's a new knowledge. So like this right?" She positioned the sword following what Larsanel said.
"Yes just like that. Keep at it." Larsanel returned to her place and positioned. "Let's begin."
Eliana blinked and suddenly, Larsanel came forth charging forward.