{02 Mulud 832}
*cluck-cluck-cluck-cluck*
"Yawn..."
Genevieve woke up from her sleep, she felt very refreshed this morning. She then went straight for a shower.
It had been a week since Genevieve's first training. She just woke up and felt very refreshed after a good night's sleep. She felt stronger and more confident after a week of training.
Genevieve feels the changes that have come about because of the training. Her body became more flexible, her senses started to become more sensitive, and she became more natural when fighting. She felt stronger and more confident.
Not only that, Genevieve had become more knowledgeable about all sorts of things, thanks to her alchemy and magic training.
After bathing and dressing, Genevieve went downstairs to the dining room to eat. She was hungry after a long sleep this morning.
'Strange that Quer and Moland aren't here,' Genevieve thought.
Usually every morning Genevieve was greeted by Quer and Moland, but strangely this time Quer and Moland were not here to greet Genevieve.
Genevieve saw a letter on the dining table. She opened the letter and read it carefully.
[Hi Genevieve,
I'm sorry we couldn't greet you this morning. We had to go to another city on important business. We'll be back in a few weeks.
Greetings,
Quer and Moland]
Genevieve felt a little disappointed at not being able to meet with Quer and Moland for the next few weeks. However, she didn't want to waste time complaining.
She decided to quickly finish her breakfast and start her own training this morning. She hoped to learn even more from her trainer and become even stronger.
***
{Training Field}
"331, 332, 334, 335, ....," Genevieve shouted loudly.
Genevieve is currently warming up her body by doing push-ups, which she does to strengthen her endurance.
"You've been doing pretty good during training the past week young lady," said Olev. "Perhaps now I can start teaching you about sword techniques".
"Sword techniques?" Tilting her head, Genevieve asked in a curious voice, seeking information she did not already know.
Olev smiled gently when he saw Genevieve showing her curiosity, "Sword techniques are martial arts or the skill of using a sword in combat or training. Usually to learn sword techniques, people have to join a dojo," While using simple illustrations, he enthusiastically explained in a clearer and easier to understand manner.
"So, we have to go to the dojo first?" Genevieve asked.
Olev stifled a laugh with a faint smile, trying to respond to Genevieve's question respectfully, "We don't need to go to the Dojo young lady, as the leader of this Dojo is already right in front of you."
"Oww," Her eyes widened in shock, reflecting her surprise at realising what Olev was talking about.
"So, what sword techniques will you be teaching?" Genevieve asked.
"I will be teaching young lady the 'Asu' and 'Koe' techniques, which are techniques that are perfect for you to use when your mana is running out," said Olev.
"The 'Asu' and 'Koe' technique? What are those techniques?" Genevieve tilted her head in ignorance.
"These two techniques are techniques used by rapier users like you, where 'Asu' is used to defend and 'Koe' is used to attack when there is an opening" said Olev.
Genevieve is a rapier user, because rapier is very suitable for Genevieve who is very agile and fast.
Olev, who has evaluated Genevieve's sword skills, has prepared techniques that are suitable for Genevieve to use. One of them is 'Asu' and 'Koe'.
"So we'll practice 'Asu' first, right?" Genevieve asked.
Olev immediately shook his head, "No, we will learn both at the same time," said Olev.
Genevieve nodded vigorously, "Alright, I'm ready to learn. Let's get started!"
Olev smiled with satisfaction at Genevieve's enthusiasm, "Very well young lady, let us begin. But remember, despite your strength, never underestimate your opponent."
Genevieve blushed at Olev's praise, "I know that Mr Olev. I hope I can learn a lot from you."
Olev picked up his rapier from its holder and walked towards the training field. He signalled Genevieve to follow him. "Let's go over there. We'll use training field number three. There are already some target dummies there that we can use for practice."
Genevieve took her rapier from its holder and followed Olev. She felt nervous and excited all at once. She couldn't wait to see and try out the techniques Olev would teach her.
The two of them arrived at training field number three. There were already several target dolls made of straw and wood. The dolls were of different shapes and sizes, some were tall, short, fat, thin, and some even had wings or tails. The dolls were placed in various positions and distances, some standing, sitting, lying down, near, far, and some even moving around.
Olev pointed to one of the target dolls standing near them. "Young lady, we will start with this dummy. I will show you how to use the 'Asu' and 'Koe' techniques. Pay close attention to my movements."
Genevieve nodded and watched Olev closely. She saw Olev take a ready position with the rapier in his right hand. The tip of the rapier was pointed at the eye of the target doll, and the blade of the rapier was parallel to the floor. This was guardia alta or guardia terza, the basic position Olev had taught her before.
Olev then steps forward with his right foot and stabs the dummy with the rapier in his right hand. This is a lunge, the basic movement for striking with a straight thrust. However, before the tip of the rapier touched the dummy, Olev twisted his wrist to the left and changed the direction of his thrust to the left side of the dummy's neck. This is a feint in quarta, a false move to deceive the opponent.
The target dummy does not react to Olev's feint, as it is just a dummy. However, if it was a human or any other living creature, they would definitely try to parry or dodge Olev's jab. And that was an opportunity for Olev to make his real attack.
Olev did not stop after feinting at the quarta. He immediately continued his movement by turning his wrist to the right and swinging his rapier towards the back of the target dummy's hand quickly and powerfully. The rapier hits the back of the target dummy's hand with a "cling" sound, and makes the target dummy bounce backwards. This is a flick in seconda, a special move that utilises the flexibility of the rapier blade.
Genevieve was amazed to see Olev's move. She had no idea that a rapier could be used in such a way. She felt that the rapier was not only a sharp weapon, but also a beautiful tool of art.
"Wow, that's really cool, Mr Olev!" Genevieve exclaimed in awe.
Olev smiled proudly at Genevieve's reaction. "Thank you young lady. That is the 'Koe' technique, a technique to attack when there is an opening. I used feints to create the opening, and flicks to capitalise on it."
"So that's the 'Koe' technique? I want to be able to do that too!" Genevieve said enthusiastically.
"You can young lady, as long as you practice hard and persevere." Olev said excitedly. "Let's continue our training. Now I will show you the 'Asu' technique, a technique for defence."
Olev then pressed the button next to the target dummy. The target puppet began to move quickly, flapping its wings and swinging its hand that held the wooden sword. The target puppet attacked Olev with various stabs and swings.
Olev took a ready position with his rapier in his right hand. The tip of the rapier is pointed at the target puppet's eyes, and the blade of the rapier is parallel to the floor. This is guardia alta or guardia terza, the basic position Olev has been taught.
Olev then moves his rapier to divert or parry the target dummy's attacks with the blade of his sword. He parries in quarta or parries in seconda for straight attacks, and parries in sesta or parries in quinta for circular attacks. He also parries di prima or parries di settima for attacks from above or below.
"Cling" and "clang" sounds were heard as the blade of Olev's rapier made contact with the blade of the target dummy's wooden sword. Olev maintained his distance and balance, and avoided excessive or unnecessary movements. He seemed calm and focused, unfazed by the target puppet's increasingly aggressive attacks.
Genevieve was mesmerised by Olev's movements. She felt that Olev was not only a good teacher, but also a great swordsman. She wanted to be able to perform such moves as well.
"Wow, that was awesome!" Genevieve exclaimed in awe.
Olev smiled lightly at Genevieve's reaction. "Thank you young lady. That was an 'Asu' technique, a technique for defence. I use parry to divert or deflect the opponent's attacks."
"So that was an 'Asu' technique? That's quite a technique!" Genevieve said enthusiastically.
"You are absolutely right young lady, the 'Asu' technique is a pretty cool technique for everyone." Olev said excitedly. "Let's continue our training. I will now teach you how to use the 'Asu' and 'Koe' techniques together."
Olev then pressed another button next to the target dummy. The target dummy stopped moving, and returned to its starting position. Olev signalled Genevieve to approach it.
"Young lady, now we are going to spar. I will be your opponent, and you must try to use the 'Asu' and 'Koe' techniques that I have shown you." Olev said seriously.
"Gulp" sparring with Olev was enough to make Genevieve feel nervous.