A week passed again just like that.
Repeating the same routine, today is another sparring day between me and Kim Jaesuk against the sibling(?) Ars and Sutra.
After doing our morning routine, we arrived at the barracks just to see captain Morris waiting there.
Looking around, I didn't see Ars and Sutra around.
"Good morning, sir"
We greeted captain Morris.
"Morning boys, today's another sparring day. You ready?"
"Of course, but where's Ars and Sutra?"
"Oh, we're not sparring here today"
"Eh?"
Pointing outside the back door, he said
"We'll sparring at the field today"
---
Walking outside the field, I see a lot of people sparring against each other with a wooden sword.
Most of them look like middle aged man around 24 years old or so, and there's a younger one as well like Ars and Sutra.
Looking around the field, I found Ars and Sutra sparring against each other where Ars is getting pushed back my Sutra.
"Come to think of it, are they sibling sir?"
I finally asked captain Morris what I've been curious about since weeks ago.
"Hmm? Yes, they are brothers. Sutra, the older one is 19 years old and Ars is 18 years old"
"So they're one year different. How come their personality is so different though"
"Hahaha, Ars still acts like a kid even though he's already 18"
"Thats right..."
"Can't be helped, he's jealous that I'm teaching you both even though I've never teach them them personally"
"Eh, why?"
"Because..."
Just as captain Morris is about to explain, someone shouted.
"They're here!"
"..."
"Good morning, sir!"
Everyone then stopped whatever they were doing and saluted to captain Morris.
"Morning everyone"
After greeting the other, captain Morris then introduced us to the other.
"These two are the people who recently joined our village, and I've been teaching them about sword for a few weeks"
After saying that, everyone's expression turned ugly, which surprised me.
Glancing at Kim Jaesuk, I know he realised it too.
"I've been having Ars and Sutra sparred against them every week now, and told them to keep it a secret. Today, I'll be having them spar for real in the field and you guys can watch how they are"
Clearly surprised, Ars and Sutra then stepped forward while the other makes some space in the middle of the field.
"Just like last week, Alex against Ars and Jaesuk against Sutra. But Jaesuk and Sutra will go first"
After saying that, Jaesuk started walking to the middle of the field.
I then called him out.
"Jaesuk!"
"???"
Looking back at me, he wondered why I called him.
"Good luck"
After saying that, he gave me a smile then continue walking.
Standing in front of each other, They then get into stance.
"You look confident now"
Sutra said with a slight smile.
"Just a little bit..."
"If you think its gonna be the same as last week, you're wrong"
"???"
"The last couple of weeks, the instruction was to knock your sword down. So I didn't try to hit you at all. But now, its a fight for real"
Both Kim Jaesuk and I look surprised. I then turned my head to look at captain Morris.
Seeing him nodding, I gulped and looked at the match getting started.
"Get ready... 3... 2... 1... start!"
And the fight began with Sutra dashing towards Kim Jaesuk.
While they were fighting, I took my time to observe their fight.
Each of their movement, especially Sutra, is done effeciently which makes it looks elegant.
Kim Jaesuk's not as smooth, but definitely keeping up with Sutra's.
As the spar continued, I noticed that Sutra's facial expression changed after few minutes has passed.
He probably never thought that Kim Jaesuk will improve that fast just after a week.
Well, I gotta admit that he's way proficient than me in handling the sword even though we started at the same time.
I guess that's what you call talent.
'I wonder what my talent is?'
"Stop! The spar is over!"
Just as I was thinking that, the match ended with Kim Jaesuk able to hold his ground.
It's clear that he suffered quite a few hit looking at his bruised arms.
As Kim Jaesuk approached me, I hold out my fist in front of me, which he bumped with his fist.
"Good luck on your match"
"I will"
I then walked to the middle of the field.
Glancing at where Ars' standing, I noticed Sutra whispering something to Ars, which he nodded.
Ars then walked to the middle of the field as well.
"..."
I'm a bit surprised that he's not saying anything like last time.
"Ready... 3... 2... 1... start!"
I dash forward straight away the moment captain Morris started the match.
Once again, I got surprised by the fact that Ars is just standing there holding his sword.
Just as I was about to hit him, Ars suddenly deflected my sword which throw my guard off, then pushed my chest with the tip of his sword.
I got pushed back and rolled a few times before standing my ground.
By the time I got into position, Ars is already in front of me swinging his sword at me.
Holding back the pain in my chest, I blocked his swing and then realised.
'It's way stronger than before'
I then predicted his next swing correctly and tried to land a hit, which he's able to dodge with ease.
'What the heck... he's clearly different than last week'
Catching my breath, Ars then dashed towards me again.
Clashing swords a few times, I then tried to predict his next attack again.
He slashed his sword from the top to bottom.
I slightly evaded to the left side, before trying to hit him on his right side with all my might.
But just as the sword is about to hit, he used bring his sword up from the bottom to change my sword's slash direction.
"Ugkk..."
Caught off guard by the sudden development, He then hit my ribs with his sword, which makes me groan.
"Alright that's enough!"
Just as Ars was about to land another hit, captain Morris shouted.
Kim Jaesuk ran towards me before assisting me up.
"Alex! You alright?"
"Ugh.."
Holding my ribs with a hand, I nodded and said jokingly.
"I think its broken haha"
"You still can joke around?"
He berated.
"You guys alright, Alex?"
Captain Morris then approached us and asked.
"Yes, sir..."
I answered.
"Take him inside the barrack, we'll treat him there. Good work Ars, you've improved yet again"
Being praised like that, joy can be seen on Ars' face before he replied.
"Yes, sir! Thank you for the praise!"
Captain Morris nodded and started heading towards the barracks following us.
---
"Urkk..."
Inside the barrack, I'm rubbing my ribs trying to ease the pain.
Captain Morris then approached us with a small bottle of liquid on his hand.
"Drink this"
Handing me the bottle, he told me to drink it.
I then opened the bottle and smelled it.
"Wh- what is this? It smells weird"
"It's a potion made by your friend, Adrian. They said it's more potent than the usual one except its very bitter"
'Hahaha of course, if you can say that after trying out my potions then sure'
Recalling what Adrian said last night, I then braced myself and gulped it all in one go.
Right after, I can see my deceased grandparents waving at me.
"Uwerghhhhhh... Wh- what the fuck is this taste..."
I tried throwing up but nothing came out.
"Is it that bad?"
"Bro I can literally see my deceased grandparents waving at me"
"Pfft..."
After asking that, Kim Jaesuk laughed due to my response.
"Hmm, so I'm not the only one"
"..."
We then heard captain Morris muttered something.
"Anyway, I saw your matches. You've both improved significantly over the past few weeks"
Approving our progress, captain Morris nodded his head in approval.
I then said while feeling down
"But I lost... Couldn't even landed a single hit..."
"..."
Clearly feeling dejected, I felt Kim Jaesuk patting me in the back.
Captain Morris then continued speaking
"Don't be like that. Well, actually I expected you to lose to Ars earlier"
"Eh? How come?"
"It's because even though Sutra is the older sibling, Ars is way stronger than Sutra"