The clashing of swords echoed in the quiet room.
"What's wrong kid? Had enough?" The bulky man said, "Is this all you got Mr. Prince?"
I could feel a vein pop in my head, "Huh? Take this!" I said as I swung my sword downwards. The bulky man, however, countered my sword and was already preparing for a counter-attack.
I dashed backward to distance myself, but the man dashed forward to catch up to me.
"!!!" I lowered my body, to avoid his horizontal slash. Then I rolled to the side and readied myself while I was still low on the ground. Tightly holding my sword, I dashed towards the blind spot ofthe bulky man and used my body's momentum to increase the strength of my attack, however--
"Heh! Not bad kid!" The bulky man said as he spun around parrying my sword with his and using my momentum to his advantage to knock the sword out of my hand, sending my sword spinning a few meters away and my hand numb from the impact.
"Can't you just go easy on me?" I said as I lay on the ground from exhaustion. "You're too serious for my swordsmanship lessons Captain Douglas"
"Hahahaha your improving kid, so what's the problem with getting fired up a little?" He said proudly as to deny my complaints.
After catching my breath, I looked at the bulky man who picked up my sword.
"... What's the use of swordsmanship anyway? The intercontinental wars had already ended a few years ago. Shouldn't the basics be enough? It's not like I'm going to war or something." I asked the man in a complaining manner.
"Heh.." Captain Douglas says as if reminiscing. He then closed his eyes and opened them, this time accompanied by a wide grin stapled on his face.
"I wonder about that," he says with an air of profoundness.
"?" My expression dropped to a frown from that mysterious answer of his.
"Hahaha I'm just joking kiddo," he says while wiping his watery eye from laughing at my expression. "But to me at least, fighting is something that I look forward to in living. Just the thought of exhausting one another by comparing strength excites this uncle." He says after calming down.
"Isn't that just masochism and sadism?" I confusedly asked.
"Heh, maybe your right kid. But there isn't only one way of living yah?" He asked, but it was also as if it was a proclamation. He then threw my sword in the ground in front of me.
"Now come on Mr. Haughty prince! You're not done yet are you?" He asked, but it was more of a taunt. I felt a tinge of annoyance again, so I picked up the sword and stance myself for another bout.
"Let's get this over with!" I said as I charged to the man.
...
..
.
A familiar breeze swept my cheeks, waking my unconscious mind. As the sunlight shined brightly in my bed, I recalled the dream I had when I was younger in my old body. Where I would train daily and rigorously with the captain of the knight's order to perfect my swordsmanship.
Thinking back, that man always annoyed me to the point of sometimes removing the calm expression I always wore, especially if we were alone. But he wasn't a bad guy, just a tad bit too annoying to deal with.
As I tried to sit up, my body ached all over, giving me a hard time just sitting up straight.
"To think I would trash this body this early on... What kind of sick luck is this?!?" The murmuring escaped my lips, but I maintained the calm on my expression as I simply thought of the latter.
As I tried to regain my composure, I recalled the Bear-like chimera beast that trashed my body and the last of my moments before falling unconscious.
I don't know how, but I survived the beast and somehow ended up back in my room. Suddenly, the door slid open as my grandfather and Sophia came into view.
"White, you're awake!" my grandfather said jolly and relieved, but I could feel a tinge of uneasiness in his eyes-- or is it excitement?
"Ahh yes, yes, here eat. You need to regain your strength. I made i-"
"I. Made it." Sophia cut in
"That doesn't matter!" The old man said huffing. Eyeing the soup curiously, I took a spoonful of it.
"Delicious!" I exclaimed in surprise. This wasn't a lie, the broth was rich and aromatic and the taste had a tinge of herb and meat in it. Followed by chunks of meat and finely cut vegetables which further enhanced the flavor of the soup.
Noticing the grumbling of my own stomach, I decided to think later and have my meal first.
"Huhu, slow down child," The old man said "try to savor the taste of my dis-"
"My. Dish." Sophia cut in.
"Since when did automaton go against their masters?" The old man huffing complains.
"Negative. You have already given that authority to the young master."
I froze at the words I have heard. I'm the master? what?
Tilting my head in confusion, I turned my attention away from my meal and into the old man's direction.
The corner of the old man's lips curled upwards forming a wide grin. "Ahh yes, yes. You're going to the Northern Dominion kid!" He proclaimed.
"... huh?" I asked, confused by his statement.