"That was quicker than I expected, Lets hope you acual read anything." Duae announced as I made my way to the training grounds. It was just a cleared patch of land filled with exercise equipment. Straw dummy's, weights, and weapons of all kinds littered the grounds. We were the only ones currently using it, which surprised me.
I would've come earlier, but I decided to have a cup of tea or two. I also looked over the books again to make sure I'd passed Duae's test. I wasn't very good at reading in my old life because I wasn't allowed to read much. I was only able to read books written by the church. Which I'm sure now was full of lies and exaggeration. With little to no entertainment in the paladin order, I read every book and scroll I found in the church. The priest didn't care. I could only talk with their command so, there was no risk of me leaking any information.
"Can we get this over with?" I exclaimed as I approached the cold woman. I could usually ignore her rudeness when I was younger. However, I was older now. I knew that as rude as she was, as long as Mog was still alive. Duae wouldn't dare do anything stupid. So I decided to be rude back. I saw the vein in her head pop out, but she didn't give in to her anger. I had no idea why Mog's sister hated me so much, nor did I care.
"Fine, then tell me what you've learned." She said, gesturing for us to walk. Drak followed behind us, not daring to speak. As we walked, Duae asked question after question, which I answered correctly. My answers came as another shock for the maid. She clearly didn't think I would get all the questions right.
"It would seem you at least grasp the basics, let's hope that not all you'll grasp." Duae said as we made our way to a rack of wooden weapons. We stopped at the stand, and I noticed my hand start to shake a bit. (What's the matter with me.) I thought as I grasped my sword arm. It's been years since I picked up a weapon. I wasn't sure I was ready. That's when The maid handed me a wooden practice sword shaped like a saber.
For a moment, I froze in thought. (Do I want to use a sword in this life?) I asked myself. Although I have experience with all manner of swords, there were just too many bad memories. What other weapon would use, though? I didn't want to fight, but I wasn't as naive. As to think I wouldn't have to. This world was not kind to weak people. If I had to fight, I wanted it to be my way. That said, I was having a hard time deciding which weapon I should use. While examining the rack for inspiration, a thought struck me. (My mother had used her fists as a weapon. Maybe I'll do the same.)
"No thanks, Duae, I think I'll learn the art of hand-to-hand Ti-Ki. I honestly doubt you will be able to teach me anything about the sword." I said, letting my genuine feeling slip by accident. I didn't intend to say all that. It just came out. Duae's eyebrows twitched, but she kept her composer.
"Someone is just full of hot air, I see. My sister must be to blame. Your father's orders were for you to learn the sword. So, that's what we will do." Two said. We argued a bit but stopped when the angry maid found out I wasn't going to budge. I could be pretty stubborn when I needed to be.
"Fine, I'll make you a deal. If you can land a single blow on me, I will concede this matter." Duae proposed with a smile. I thought about the offer considering my chances. ( Damn it! In a far fight, I don't stand a chance against her.) I thought while I examined the maid. In terms of strength, she was just one level below Mog.
"I'll make it fair. I won't use my Ki. I'll only defend myself. Two said, reading my mind. Her odds did sound a little reasonable, but I still didn't have the confidence that I would win.
"What happened to all the courage from before. Not so bold anymore, are we? Two exclaimed try to egg me on. I didn't know who the child was, her or me. (All right, it's time to knock you down off the high horse.) I thought of formulating a plan of action. The gears in my head started to spin.
"Ok, I agree to your deal. If by the end of the day I can't land a hit ill learn swordsmanship. But if I do hit you, I get the learn whatever I want. Deal? I asked, setting the terms. Duae nodded her head and gestured for us to begin.
Clank clank.
My wooden sword clashed with her wooden sword. I went with a simple slash to gauge my opponent. I swung a few more times like a madwoman, which got a smirk from Two. She probably thought I didn't know what I was doing. In all honesty, I hadn't used a sword in years, so I was a little rusty. In terms of blades, I was more versed in the long sword.
I could only name a few accounts where I used a saber in my old life. I never really cared for the weapon, so I didn't keep up with its techniques. (Maybe I should have thought this threw.) I thought as I kept swinging away. I tried hard to remember a move but only came up with one.
Clank! clank clank clank.
Without warning, I thrust my saber countless times, catching my opponent off guard. Even still, she blocked every attack. (Her reflexes were impeccable.) I thought as I continued to thrust. I had seen someone use the move at the entrance exam. Although it wasn't an exact copy, it was very similar. I did miss my opponent a few times. It was hard to fight with my new tiny body.
"It looks like you have a little potential, but it's still not enough." Two said, a slight smile on her face. I decided to fix her smile. I thrust twice, fully committing on the first blow but fainting the second. On the second attack, I stopped mid-thrust, swinging upward in an awkward motion. My blade sailed past her head just inches away from her cheek. Duae had managed to evade my attack by only a hair. I had learned that move from an opponent from my old life. The man in question had almost claimed my head with the technique. When he used the attack, the movements looked much better. (Damn this body, I almost had her.) I thought as I pulled back.
Clank clank clank.
I went back to my thrusts in an attempt to catch Duae off guard again. She must have learned her lesson because she stopped underestimating me. I doubted I'd get her to lower her guard again. On the upside, I had succeeded in whipping the smile off her face. That fact put a smile on my face. We continued our battle for hours, and my arms were starting to grow numb from exhaustion. I had been ignoring my pain, but it was beginning to catch up to me. My demon blood was probably the reason I hadn't collapsed entirely.
"You done?" Duae asked. I paused for quite a while to catch my breath. I was throwing the same moves at her for the past three hours. I was also mixing in some basic swordplay at random. I still could touch the maid. I ignored her words and sat down right where I was. I then called For Drak to fetch me some water. He looked worried for me but agreed to my demands. While he was busy doing that, I laid back on the ground. I let out a long breath before inhaling deeply. I was getting my breathing under control with an exercise I learned from my days as a paladin.
"It is not becoming for a lady to ignore a persons question. Your highness." Two stated smugly. I held up one finger to get her to shut up and wait. After a minute, Drak returned with my water, and I gulped it down. I then sent for more water and continued my breathing.
Ah! that's the spot!" I exclaimed after finishing off the second jug of water. Then looked at my Duae who's veins were throbbing under her skin.
"Just taking a break, theres no rush. We got all day remmeber?" I asked her. Two scoffed at me as she paced back and forward, mumbling curses under her breath.
"I dont know what I expected? Of course it take someone like you a much longer time to learn your lesson." Two said, holding her sword at the ready. I slowly stood up, stretching my arms for a moment. They still felt a little numb, but I had finally gotten warmed up.
Clank clank clank clank
I began my barrage with a few thrust attacks, but this time they were an exact copy from the ones I saw at the exam. I then followed it up with a faint and an upward slash. My blade whistled as it cut through the air. This time the move didn't look so awkward. I had planted my feet precisely the way I saw in my old life. I missed my target, who dodged the move again. Before she could back away, I pressed on. Slashing away, I slide my blade off my opponent's guard and attack over and over.
Clank Clank
I stop the attack holding my blade against Two's blade. Her smug smile had returned to her face. It infuriated me that I couldn't touch the woman. I emptied my mind thinking of nothing but the battle, of my blade and my body. I repeated the moves, this time faster and more precise. My surrounding vision began to blur as my eyes focused solely on my opponent. I attempted another upward strike. Instead of dodging like always, she caught the attack with her sword. I slide my blade off hers, stopping after clearing her weapon. In a blink of an eye, I switched grips and slashed down.
Duae blocked with her sword. I was only inches from her face, the shock in her eyes. Gave me the confidence to keep going. Before she could fully recover, I then thrust at her exposed face. My wooden sword was still touching my opponent's sword. So, the blade made a scraping sound as I attacked. Duae leaned back to avoid the strike. Her spine curved backward awkwardly as I applied all my weight to my saber. I was now almost directly on top of my opponent, attempting to make her fall back.
Two smirked as she began to push me off. With her strength, it would take her no effort for her to repel me. Still, a big grin found its way on my face. Just before I got pushed away, I let go of my sword.
Clank
My sword bounced off the ground as Duae sent me flying. Before I could hit the ground, however, Drak caught me. It was a good thing he was there. I was so exhausted couldn't stop my fall. I had used up all my energy on my last attack, but it still had no effect on my opponent. The battle had served as a reminder of how weak I was. (I cant wait to use Ki.) I thought as I laid in Drak's arms I was tired beyond imagination. I gazed up at the sky, just noticing the sun was starting to go down, which meant it was almost time for us to call off the bet.
"Second Mog go to far!" Drak growled. We both looked at Duae, who stood dumbfounded. Her sword hand shook uncontrollably. It looked like she was about to cry. If I weren't so drained, I would have jumped with joy.
"I guess I win huh?" I asked. The maid's eyes locked on mine. I felt that at that moment, she was ready to strangle me. I couldn't blame her. I wasn't aiming to win the way I did. I got a little lucky. On our last clash, I dropped my saber. Before it could hit the ground, it had grazed Duae ever so gentle on her arm.
"You can't be serious?" That barely counts as a strike. The guardian beast shouted, throwing her sword to the ground. (Sore loser.) I thought.
"You said if i hit you I win. You never said how hard the strike had to be. Of that I had to do it while holding my sword." I said matter a factly. Two's whole body began to shake as if she was going to explode. Then she suddenly stopped. She fixed her hair and her outfit before speaking.
"It would seem I underestimated you, princess. It won't happen again. I will speak to your father about this... arrangement. In the meantime, your training will start every day after breakfast. don't be late." Duae said before leaving. She didn't even bother to wait for my response.
"whew!" I let out a long sign when she was out of sight. Against someone like Mog's Twin, I needed more than just good sword skills. I needed more power. I also need to get to know my body more. The reason I took the bet was that I had grossly overestimated my capabilities. If it weren't for luck, I would have lost. I had a few months before my awakening. I had to get strong enough to protect myself here, or at least strong enough to run away from this kingdom entirely. I decided then and there that I would take Duae lessons more seriously from now on.
"Princess fought well. Drak proud!" Drak said, carrying me off the training grounds. The words warmed my heart as I drifted off to sleep in his arms.