Chereads / THE WARD / Chapter 297 - Forty six

Chapter 297 - Forty six

These arguments are pointless, but nonetheless, here we are at it once again. It happened every single time since Eric has decided to join us for training. The animosity runs deep, and I have a feeling that they are using me to hash out old grudges.

Mason throws the staff from across the room, and I have to admit that I surprise myself by catching it before it hits me in the face. It wouldn't be a first.

Although I hate to admit it, Mason's ruthlessness had proven quite effective at sharpening my reflexes.

Defeated, Eric resumes his position, slumping against the wall, casually nursing his bleeding wounds and probably his bruised ego. Couldn't care less, about either of those, so I focus on extending the staff to its full length, so we can move on with the training.

They can bicker and argue on their own time.

Mason takes his place in front of me, and like every single time we face each other, I vow that this will be the time I outdo him in a fight.

You have to admire my unrealistic aspirations, but where would I be without any?

He takes his stance in front of me, gracefully sliding his foot across the floor in a semi-circle and the fact that he's done that gives me some confidence that he sees me as a worthy opponent. He has never done that, our training usually consists of him running circles around me, while I do my best to evade his attacks.

" Ready?" He dips his chin, and I dip mine in a wordless assent and wait for him to make the first move.

With his gaze fixed on mine, I wait to see the minute flicker of his gaze, every single time I strengthen my grip on the staff. I know he is expecting me to attack, and then it all begins. I've tried in every possible way to take him by surprise, but I guess no amount of sheer force can beat experience. And that is something I cannot fabricate out of thin air. Pun intended. It will take a hell of a lot more training sessions before I can predict attacks, like he does just by judging someone's stance, or the way their eyes flit just for a split second to the right, indicating their trajectory.

He hasn't told me any of this, I've learned them just by observing him. He is very good at concealing his tells, but there are slip-ups here and there, small glimpses into his mind.

Lifting my staff off the ground, I twirl it in my hand casually, in the hopes that it will throw him off. It doesn't come as a surprise when it doesn't.

Lightly shifting on his feet, angling his body in my direction, I take a moment to formulate a strategy. One that would help me land one single blow. That would be sufficient to satisfy my need for victory, for now.

In one swift movement, I lift the staff and launch it his way, he tracks it with his eyes, only for a second but it is more than I need.

While his eyes go up, I go down, sliding on the polished floors, while he reaches to catch the staff mid-flight. I have every intention of taking him down.

I don't know who taught Mason to fight, but it must've been a hell of a teacher.

Before my feet touch his, he launches himself in the air, propelling on his staff while I continue to slide on the floor, approaching the wall at a dizzying speed.

Instead of crashing, I use the momentum that I've gained, find the ground under my feet and run the last few feet up the wall. When I reach high enough, I push against the wall, turn in the air and find my target on the ground waiting for me armed with two staff. Admittedly, I haven't done myself any favours by throwing the staff but so far I've found the damn thing more cumbersome than useful. Just as well.

Mason leans back watching me from below, primed and ready to take me down.

But for once, I'm in no mood to go back to my room beaten to a pulp. Frankly, my ego is more bruised than anything.

He swipes one of the staffs my way, while he throws the other. Smart, but not enough.

Twisting in the air, I grab the staff he has launched at me in mid-air. This takes seconds to complete, and I'm grateful that for once Mason isn't making an effort to evade. He is planning to counteract my attack.

He parries with his staff my first blow, but I take advantage of the distraction and manage to land an elbow to his stomach.

He grunts, the force of the blow pushing him back a few feet. I land on the floor rolling, while the staffs clatter on the floor with a resounding clang.

In the ensuing silence, Mason laughs, " Good. Now you're getting it," He says chuckling, while Eric sighs, and I swear, I could hear his eye roll from where I was on the floor. In fact, I think the entire district heard it.

Catching my breath, I push myself off the floor, pride blossoming in my chest, my eyes searching his for any trace of dishonesty.

Shining brightly in the warm glow of the sconces, his eyes track my moments as I stand in front of him, for once not as wiped as usual.

" For all that good and gracious, I hope that you're being honest, " I say mildly winded, while Mason gives me an approving nod.

" That was an excellent beginning. It would be even better if you could keep up the pace," He pauses for a moment, " But no need to rush it. Every step in the right direction counts. Even small ones," He looks over his shoulder when Eric snickers and it's my turn to roll my eyes.

" Whatever you say," I grumble under my breath, while Mason throws the staff my way.

Sighing, Mason takes his position in front of me, and dips his chin once again, without saying anything more. Not to me, not to Eric.

We just focus all our energy on the training.