"Surprisingly though, I thought Nash wouldn't want me to become a slayer. I tried to talk to him about training me first before I enroll but he couldn't because he is busy with a lot of missions lately." Aran started a conversation as they walked away from the farmland.
"Heh, really? I thought he would be the same as my father who needs more push in order for me to get what I want." Lisa chuckled as she replied.
"Well, to be honest, ever since he brought me into this place, he became like my father figure of some sort and I have gotten used to his routines. Well, he is most likely out in the fields and I'm right here dealing with the gardening. And I have finished all of his books. It is really a boring routine if you ask me."
"Haha, you've really changed." Lisa smiled as she remembered how Aran became lonely when the incident happened.
It wasn't a quick change but he somehow managed to get his mindset out of the negative. The fact that he is trying his best to become a Slayer means that he is determined to help the other people and protect them from what he have experienced.
But of course, it is not just the responsibility that he needed to do. He also wanted to know about the true nature of Dhekaids. He also wanted to know if they are something that has the potential to co-exist with the humans just like the story that he has read. Revenge was also part of his goal. The lycanthropes destroyed his home and killed his father. Though at some point, he managed to redeem his old self and forgot about it because he was given a new life along with Nash and Lisa.
He is grateful for what they have done in order to change his view. If it wasn't for them, he could've been living in agony.
"I know what I must do now. I want to find my mother. I don't believe that she is dead, I want to find her, and I will look and explore everywhere if I have to. She is my last hope and I need her to be with me. My father wouldn't let me become an isolated human being so, in order to fulfill his wish, I will do what I can do in order to socialize better and to give me an idea of how things work as a group." Aran reminisced his father's constant will.
Lisa was glad that he didn't become depressed. This is probably because she stayed with him until he was able to stand up again. In a time of isolation, there must be someone who can support you and go to your side all the time in order to keep you from falling apart and descending into the pit of darkness.
If someone is on the verge of falling apart, someone will fix you one by one and you will once again pass the storm and the vast waves that you may encounter as you continue with your journey. Many people decided to live their life with guilt and frustration because there's no one there for them. And it is sad because not everyone has 'someone' to help them. And even if you managed to get yourself to stand up because of your positive thinking, there will come a time wherein you will have to long for support and friendship. It is indeed a tough journey.
Aran and Lisa walked together with their things and weapons. They reached the alleyway full of stores that sell many different kinds of things including fruits and vegetables. Meat is also afforded on the street and the capital has been busier than ever. The marketplace was located at the central park so it is easier for the people to buy what they need. Stalls were also placed near the alleys just by turning into the left side of the street.
For the past five years, they have been improving the hunting capabilities of the capital in order to help the other villages and to trade things with the other province. This system enabled them to share many stocks of goods from bountiful villages in which everyone is in favor. This means that everything is shared among the places and everyone has an equal amount of their necessities to survive.
On top of that, the trading system has greatly improved its path in order for the goods to arrive more early and safely. At this point, they won't need any more guards or additional knights to safeguard the trip for the whole convention, the route that they are taking is surrounded by the villages and it is not placed outside the capital.
The roads were lined up to reach the newly built villages outside the Weshun city and they were planning to build another scaled wall to reach them as well. Though, Stygian Iron is hard to procure so the kingdom needs to extend their expedition throughout the region to search for caves.
As they reached the marketplace, noises from different directions echoed.
"Have you filled up your form yet?" Lisa asked while checking her bag. Aran nodded as he brings it up.
"Yeah, well, I couldn't actually finish the last part in which it is asking 'Are you capable of any fighting techniques?'. It is kinda vague for me because I don't have a particular style that I use for fighting. I don't even know how to fight properly without my dagger."
Every candidate who wants to be part of the Fosier Academy has been given registration forms in which they need to fill up their personal information including their abilities and weapon types. The form will indicate their current status and abilities and it would also declare their ranking based on what they can achieve.
There are also survey questions inside the form that they need to answer in order for the academy to assess them precisely on what kind of a warrior they are willing to become. Just like the question Aran asked. Fighting techniques usually refer to what form or sets of moves under the category of any martial arts you can do. Brute fighting without any considerable technique for both offense and defense would be considered invalid as they are more likely to lose a fight and the academy makes sure that you are skilled enough to be a Slayer.
"Oh for that, you could just put 'Yes, I am adept at any fighting techniques'," Lisa suggested confidently.
"Wait what? Don't be ridiculous. We are not capable of any fighting techniques... Or are you?" Aran stared at her, waiting for an answer.
"Yep! I have been training secretly with my grandpa you know? He taught me a lot of things about combat fighting and he also trained me with our family's Sunflower Sword Techniques. I have answered that in my form since our technique focuses on flexibility, body enhancement, and a combination of both swordsmanship and direct incantation" She answered. Excitement filled her tone as she snuggle closely with Aran.
(Heh, so she has been learning techniques, huh...) Aran looked away with a disappointed face and a slumped shoulder.
"That's really great. I should have known..." He replied in a despondent manner. Lisa chuckled at his response.
"What? Are you disappointed because I'm stronger than you?" Followed by a tease.
"E-Eh? Not really..." He tried to deny it but it was obvious from his expression.
"Didn't Mr. Sterling teach you anything? Surely you must have something related to a fighting technique similar to how a knight engages in combat." Lisa asked.
"Not really. He didn't teach me any martial arts aside from how to use a weapon or how to attack or defend. I think he was saying something about how I should reduce my blindspot or openings." He answered.
For the past five years, Aran trained with Nash Sterling as he asked him shortly after the incident. He started conditioning his body by training every single day and that he needs to increase his stamina and become flexible.
Nash didn't want him to start training without a proper body so he started guiding him first to improve his physique.
After that, Nash taught him how to wield different kinds of weapons starting from sword, spear, bow, daggers, and staffs. But the one weapon that Aran excels in that most utilizes his speed and preciseness was the dagger. He was able to deal with Nash's extreme training using short knives and he ultimately become someone who can fight short-ranged.
He also explained to him that Aran needs to train his ability to sneak and do a surprise attack. The fact that he cannot wield normal-sized weapons meant that he is at a disadvantage if an opponent were to hit him openly. That's why he needs to come up with a way that reduces his openings and he should be able to strike them using speed and stealth.
Beyond that training, there was no indication of him learning fighting techniques or martial arts that will help him in the long run. Aran is not really an efficient fighter as of now as he only knows how to wield his dagger. But if there comes a time where he cannot use that weapon, he would get beaten.
"Oh yeah, aren't you supposed to get a new dagger?" After that, she remembered how Aran said he needs a new dagger for the enrollment.
"Oh, I almost forgot. I don't think we don't have that much time, you should go on ahead and I'll meet you there—"
"I'll go with you!" A sudden reply without any hesitation.
(Yep, as expected.) Aran thought.
The two managed to get into the other side of the central park by taking the route on the right.
Since they are in the market right now, it will be easier to access the workshop by using the shortcuts that Aran has been taking note of.
After bypassing a lot of establishments, they have arrived at one shop with a surprisingly good amount of high-quality weapons. Though most of them are extremely overpriced, it is not a surprise because the quality of the weapon itself and its forging is pretty high.
Aran walked in with Lisa and he closed the door. Inside the workshop, he saw a long-beared big muscular guy wearing circle-shaped glasses trying to hammer down a pre-heated metal. He noticed that the bell made a sound alerting him that a customer walked inside the shop.
He stopped the pounding of the heated metal and he placed down the hammer. It took a few seconds before he can fix the table he is working with.
After that, he stared at the two with a fierce expression as he grunted.
"Mmm... You're quite young. That's surprisingly new." He said while assessing the two.
Aran and Lisa heard him talk. They started approaching the old man while feeling a bit nervous. Lisa ended up taking a look at the different varieties of weapons hanging around the walls. All blades were sharply refined and a glossy shard of reflection can be seen on its edge. Most of them were designed pretty unnatural but there was no doubt that the old man can produce high-quality strong weapons.
"Umm, What was that?" Aran asked.
"Ah nothing, it is just that, it is rare for such a young people like you two to visit a workshop. Are you guys buying a weapon for someone?" The blacksmith asked.
"Ah, well, not particularly. We're here to buy a weapon for our enrollment inside the Fosier Academy. My dagger has been through a lot and I can't even seem to value it anymore. I need a new dagger or a knife that can be used for my new journey inside." Aran explained.
"I see, so you guys are one of the representing slayer candidates eh? That's a good opportunity and I'm honored that you guys picked this workshop for your choice. But why not settle for a sword or a spear? Having to use a knife or a dagger is kinda not my taste in a close combat fight, to be honest with you." The blacksmith was wondering why would someone who wants to be a candidate be settling on using a low-quality weapon.
Normally, a scabbard for holding the dagger is very useful as a secondary weapon in case the warrior lost his primary one. Just like how Nash Sterling uses his silver sword as his main, he also has a short dagger behind him for an emergency.
But using a knife as the main weapon is not something you see commonly. That's why it is most likely that people would be concerned about how you pick your own weapon.
Aran was kinda embarrassed. It is the only weapon that he is good at. He looked away for a few seconds but then he answered.
"I'm not really comfortable with using a long sword or a spear. I've trained myself for five years while using daggers and my instructor told me that it is fine. It is the only weapon that I know how to use properly and I excel on it. I can be flexible and speedy, and I think my abilities are more effective if my weapons are light. I don't know what you guys call that, but I'm confident with my dagger skills." Aran explained with a slight frown. He was not confident with this kind of fighting skills socially but he is somewhat proud that he can use a unique style.
"Mmm, I see. You know young man, that's not actually a problem. Most people forget about anything in this world. But you know, you're the first person I met to have met a certain requirement that is pretty rare for a warrior." The blacksmith said.
"Hmm? What do you mean?" Curious, he looked to the blacksmith with a serious look.
"There was once a warrior who fights with the same weapon that you wanted. He was light, he doesn't have a strong muscular body, and his fighting capabilities are hardly excelling. But he is fast and skilled at handling the daggers. He often kills everything quickly and apart from that, the most important skill that he has is that he disappears right after killing. It is like a shadow who constantly vanishes from the naked eye and that is his strong input." The blacksmith told him.
"So, what do they call him? Is he a Master or someone who is high-ranked?" Aran asked.
"Well, I don't particularly remember nor sure about this but, this mysterious warrior uses misdirections in order to fool people and his enemies into thinking that he vanishes. He was once called the Shadow Master, but in this generation, he is called The Legendary Shadow Bladedancer."
"A Bladedancer, that's new to me. I thought they only have common types of warriors like Swordsman, etc. How can I become like him? Do you know how?" He asked.
"Hold on, even if I told you, I don't think it will be easier to become like that judging from today's generation of fighters. You need to be lithe and agile and you shouldn't have a presence at all times in order to practice your misdirection." The blacksmith stopped him.
Certainly, the legendary Bladedancer in his story was skilled in terms of speed and preciseness. Even if Aran is capable of wielding daggers, he wouldn't be able to master the technique behind those misdirection abilities. He needs a catalyst or some sort of training that would help him erase his presence and enhance his body.
"I know that, but I really want to learn this style. I am not that skilled at every fighting technique but if I can learn how to become a Bladedancer, I would be able to put up a fight. I don't want to be a low-level warrior." Aran insisted.
Lisa heard what they were talking about and she is proud of Aran for being able to determine what he wants to use for the sake of fighting. She placed down the sword she was analyzing and walked back through the counter.
After a few seconds, the old man sighed.
"Alright... The enrollment is today right?" He asked the two.
"Huh? Yeah, I think the enrollment is today." Aran answered.
"Based on what I have heard, after the enrollment, you'll have at least one week of preparation. Well, that depends on whether you pass the entrance exam or not. You guys will have a free time of one week in order to prepare for your things and to get the requirements that you will be needing inside the academy." He explained.
"So?"
"I know someone who might be capable of doing the Shadow Blade Art Technique. I can ask him to train you for a short amount of time. If you can learn at least the basics of this technique, then you would be fine to enter a mode of change. Though one week of training wouldn't be enough to actually master all techniques. I just hope that you can obtain a spiritual form as a catalyst to boost your capabilities." He said.
"Woah!" Aran's breathing intensified as soon as he heard what the plan is.
"I think, even with just a week, you'll be able to understand the basic gist of what that style implies. And before you enter the academy, you'll have something to show. Isn't that great and cool at the same time?"
"It is! You're right." Aran replied with a smirk on his face. The blacksmith shrugged his shoulder.
"Well then, the only hurdle you need to pass now is the entrance exam for that academy. I know that you still haven't had any idea of what to use as a fighting style, but you don't need to show off on your first day." He said.
"Wait? What do you mean by that?" Lisa asked, concerned about the topic.
"Those who show perseverance in everything are more likely to pass. This means that everyone who shows tenacity and determination to fight is highly qualified rather than those who show great skills and strengths but fail to be adept in their environment and are easy to beat." He answered as he folded his arms. Both Aran and Lisa turned their expression into something serious.
"You guys, you don't need to fight with this..." The blacksmith grabbed a sword and he stabbed the table with brute strength. The two followed his sudden movements.
"You need to fight with this..." After stabbing the floor, he raised his right arm and placed his right index finger on his head indicating the brain.
"Even if you get down, just keep on fighting. Fight with your expendable wits and knowledge and survive, not with your brute and insane skills that might cause your death somewhere in the future." He added.
"I see," Lisa and Aran both understood what the blacksmith was implying with his advice.
"Now then, you..." The blacksmith pointed to Aran.
"I'm Aran Crossford." He introduced himself.
"Well then, young Aran. Come back here after you've passed your entrance exam. We will start prepping for your everyday training at my place. And remember, do not give up. I'm sure there will be a way for you to handle yourself this time. Got it?"
"Yes, Sir! Uh..."
"My name is Veldrey Revera. I will serve you guys with the highest quality of weapons!"
"Yes, thank you very much for giving us information and for helping me with my training. I really appreciate it. I will come back here and pay you once I've earned some money!" Aran bowed down. Lisa bowed as well with a smile on her face.
"Yeah! I will be waiting for that, though, it would be nice if you can also bring me some good stones for the forging of new metallic weapons!" He said.