Tars was happy to find out that he didn't have to make up his own tent. As one of the ones who took a shift guarding the caravan, he was expected to have the rest of the day off.
For the Protector, this just meant he could start his training even sooner. He was surprised to see Frint and Doster make their way over to him, along with Feerestia.
Ponter was less of a surprise. He liked to stay near the elf to prevent the rest of the tribe from causing problems. It was getting better, and people being tired from the days travel helped a bit too. Most weren't riding in wagons, after all.
Doster and Frint were going to do some training as well, and Ponter decided to give the Lumberjack some pointers, as he was an axe user as well.
Frint did some archery practice and worked on giving his pets commands. It worked on occasion, but they only understood instinct, making it difficult for the beasts.
Tars stood next to Feerestia as she took her stance, ready to teach him another Sword Art. "This is the most basic sword maneuver there is," Feerestia began.
"I could have taught you this one yesterday, but truthfully, it is almost useless. It is called Power Slice, and all it does is add a little bit of Martial Energy to a normal horizontal slash of the sword."
"I'll show you how it's done," she said and slowly shaped her energy.
Her stance was similar to the one for Lunge, loose and her body facing sideways. The only difference was the sword she was wielding was held so it somewhat was blocking her.
She then twisted her hips, so she was facing forward and swung her sword from her left to right side, turning a potential block into a counterattack.
Tars focused on her movements and only caught a part of the pattern for her Martial Energy, but Feerestia had planned on showing the skill multiple times, anyway.
So it went, with Feerestia taking different angles to show her stance from multiple sides. She performed the Power Slice slowly to show how the pattern looked and when he should begin his actual swinging of the sword.
When it was Tars' turn, he took a similar stance, loose, facing sideways, sword crossed a bit in front of him. Then he began to shape his Martial Energy into the simple pattern he'd been shown. Only to find he'd made a mistake already.
His constant practice with the Wind and Life Elements had gotten him used to working with Mana. Martial Energy was separate, using Stamina as its fuel, instead.
When Tars tried to release the built-up mana without a proper spell it surged a moment before returning to his core. The pain was mild, but it was a reminder to make sure he had an outlet, even during mistakes.
"It seems you've discovered the basis of 'Blade Dancing' already," Feerestia hinted. "It isn't as simple as replacing Martial Energy with Mana, but it is close. I will explain after you finish with 'Power Slice'."
Tars nodded and tried again. This time he used the correct form of energy and shaped the pattern.
On his third attempt Tars had that instinctual feeling of guidance flow through him again.
Tars' lips curled up on one side in a smirk as he knew what was coming. This time, unlike what happened with Radiant Beam, his stance didn't change much. Other than a more sturdy and less 'loose' stance, he did the same actions.
As his instinct guided him, he paid close attention to the pattern that formed. Originally, Tars was content to let his instinct guide him and the system recognize it. Now that he understood the importance of truly learning the spells and arts, Tars was going to try his best to learn them thoroughly.
The differences between Feerestia's pattern and his own were small, but noticeable with a close look. He would have to compare with Feerestia later to see what caused the difference.
Otherwise, the Sword Art worked the exact same. There was an obvious difference in power, but that was expected.
He felt a pulse through his mind and knew it was the skill he'd just performed.
-You have learned a tier 1 skill, 10 exp awarded!-
-Power Slice- a Combat Art for swords, axes, and other sharp weapons. This skill enhances the speed and cutting ability of an attack.
"It's amazing how fast you learn skills, Tars," Feerestia said, her expression hard to read.
"It's not useful, to be sure," Tars agreed, "but it's not that amazing. I'm not learning, just remembering."
"You remember Wind Magic, then?" the Blade Dancer asked.
Tars had no answer to that question. There was no instinct guiding him with that.
"I still need combat training," Tars said after a few seconds of silence.
"Hmm," Feerestia hummed in thought. "Spar with me then. I want you to attack me with normal sword strikes, for now. We'll add your Sword Arts later."
The two then began their spar, Tars being cautious and starting slow.
It turned out to be unnecessary. Blade Dancers might be more offense than defense, but her level of strength from her advanced levels and classes more than made up for that.
After ten minutes Tars was fighting to the best of his ability and Tars began to see the "Dancer" portion of the class. She spun and twirled, leaping and striking quickly, sometimes from angles and positions he couldn't predict.
Her attacks were short, staying out of reach. They were meant to be parried or dodged but not penalized if he failed. No more than his pride, at least, but Tars understood his own weakness. It only made him try harder.
Only a few minutes in, Tars felt his instinct guide him away from an attack that he didn't think he could avoid. With it came another pulsing from his system.
Later, when a buzzing and a chiming bell sound rang in Tars' mind, he collapsed to the floor, panting in exhaustion.
That was when the gem attached to the hilt of Tars' sword began to glow with golden light. Turning his head to the side so he could look at it, he saw the etching in the shape of a pair of merchant's scales balanced on the tip of a sword as the source of the glow.
The clearing lit up the darkness with a light that should have been uncomfortable to look at. Then, a few seconds later the light dulled until the little group of trainees were enshrouded in darkness again.
"Woah, what was that?" Frint asked.
"A part of my quest," Tars answered, still gasping for breath. "It has an enchantment on it now, but it doesn't say what it does."
"I should be able to 'Identify' it, if you want," Paschot said.
Tars looked at Paschot wondering when he arrived. That was when he noticed some other people gathered around. A few of them were the younger classers who had been on guard duty earlier.
There were also a bunch of children and a few parents watching the people training.
Tars sat up and offered his sword to Paschot to look at. In the meantime, the Protector decided to set up a larger training field next time and let anyone join.
Between the dangers of traveling through the wildlands and the Chief's hinting at greater disasters to come, it would be important to make sure his people were as safe as possible. And that started with them being able to protect themselves, at least a small amount.
"Sword of the Justicar," Paschot whispered, being sure to only be heard by the few closest people, all of which the Rogue knew were under a Vow. "By channeling Light Mana into it, this sword can glow with light, becoming a beacon for allies or causing fear to beings of darkness. Possesses the skill 'Blinding Light."
-Blinding Light- Channeling a greater amount of Light Energy will allow the wielder to emit a sudden burst of light that can temporarily blind any opponents looking at least partially towards the Sword of the Justicar.
"That is a good enchantment," Feerestia said. "I believe 'Blinding Light' is a tier two light skill."
"Could I learn it from the sword?" Tars asked, hoping for another skill.
"Maybe," Feerestia replied, "but I think you might have to try tomorrow." Tars glanced at her and saw her looking behind him.
When Tars stood and looked behind him, he saw Elder Jesta, the former owner of Immica's tavern, approaching the training camp.
"Good, I'm not interrupting anything," the Barkeep said. "The Chief wants to have a meeting. He's asked for Tars and Paschot to attend." She then looked at Ponter.
"Your help was also requested, Ponter and Miss Feerestia, was it?" she said, the last part coming out as a question.
At the elf's nod, Jesta spoke again. "Frint and Doster as well," she finished, before turning around and waving for them to follow her to the meeting point.
Tars was hoping for a little rest, but it seemed he'd have to wait a little longer. But as long as he got a chair or an even an overturned bucket to sit on, he'd be happy.
The area they were brought to was a large tent, tall enough for the lanky Hunter Kino to stand straight with room to spare overhead. It was large enough to comfortably hold ten to fifteen people. This was a tent for meetings, not sleeping.
All of the other Elders had gathered already. Chief Kinton, and Elders Ennira, Hamal, Kino, Lusmond, as well as several of the people who have been put under a Vow already.
"Good, you're here," Kinton said with a smile, waving the group in. "For the Elder's, I'd like you to give input for this meeting. For the others, stay around the tent and make sure we don't have any curious sorts listening in."
"Also, considering your backgrounds and experience, Paschot and Feerestia, could I have the two of you guarding the entryway?" Kinton added. "I'd like you to be close enough to chime in if you have an idea."
A few minutes later the Chief asked the question he'd gathered the Elders for.
"How are we going to get through the Canyon Checkpoint?"
For the second time, Tars found his quest menu opened without calling for it.
-Emergency Quest!- Across the bridge!
-Getting your people through two checkpoints from two separate provinces is no simple task! Find others who can help you!
-Meet the Loyal Knight. Find the waterfall where he awaits.
-Papers of Transit. Work with the Chief, the Son of Darkness, the Guiltless, and the Loyal Knight to create the needed documents.
-Trade Favors with the Captain in all but name. Prove your allegiance to the Goddess of Life, Light, Healing, and Peace and the path will open.
-Enemy of my enemy. Form an alliance with the Child's leaders.
-Rewards- Freedom from Zemwold and Vesperian, Blessing of Light.
Tars looked around to see everyone in tent, even Feerestia and Paschot lost in their menus.
It looks like the Chief was right. The Gods are watching, and this is no simple matter.