As Ahiro entered the dojo, he felt a wave of excitement and anticipation. Today marked his first day where he would be trained in the art of Weapons, and he was eager to begin his journey. The dojo was abuzz with activity, filled not only with his fellow classmates but also some senior students who were already well into their training.
He glanced around, taking in the sight of students practicing various forms of martial arts, physical exercises, and awakened power control. The atmosphere was charged with energy. Ahiro found an open space and began to stretch. He watched the senior students with a mix of admiration and inspiration. Their movements were precise and powerful.
His attention was drawn to a senior student who was manipulating water along the tip of his spear with graceful fluidity. The water swirled and twisted around the spearhead under the student's control. It was a mesmerizing display of awakened power and weapon handling, and Ahiro couldn't help but be impressed.
Sensei Ruchi entered the class, and the students immediately took their seats, eager to absorb his wisdom. "Good morning, students," he began, his deep voice resonating through the room. "Today, marks the first day for the first year, as for the second year they could just listen to the basic concept again," he said as he sat down. "Choosing a weapon is critical as once you start training in a particular weapon it is very difficult to break those habits later on"
He gestured to a display screen that showcased various weapons, from swords and staffs to firearms and energy projectors. "Each of you has chosen a weapon to train with in previous class. It may be a traditional choice or something more unconventional. Regardless, the process of training with any weapon starts with becoming one with your weapon."
The sensei spoke in a calm tone. "First, spend time with your weapon. Carry it with you, practice its handling, and understand its weight and balance. The more time you spend with it, the more attuned you will become to its nuances."
He walked to a display case containing a variety of weapons and took out a katana. "Take, for example, a sword like this. To wield it effectively, you must practice the basic forms, work on your stance and footwork, and develop a connection with the blade. Learn its strengths and weaknesses, and adapt your movements accordingly."
The sensei's hands gently cradled the katana, and the student's eyes were fixed on the gleaming blade. He continued, "A katana, like any weapon, should be an extension of yourself. It is more than just a tool; it is a partner in your journey. Watch closely."
He held the katana in his right hand and slowly drew it from its sheath. The blade emerged with a faint hiss, revealing its sharp edge. The room seemed to hold its breath, captivated by the elegant display.
The sensei assumed a ready stance, the katana held before him. He demonstrated a series of precise cuts and strikes, showcasing the fluidity of his movements. Every swing was a harmonious blend of grace and power, a symphony of steel and flesh.
"With your weapon," he explained, "you must aim for perfection. It should feel like an extension of your own body. Practice until you can anticipate its movements without conscious thought. Trust in your weapon as you trust in yourself."
He continued the demonstration, his katana gliding through the air, a graceful dance of precision and control. He executed different techniques, transitioning seamlessly from one to another. Each movement was a testament to the deep connection he had with the katana.
The students watched in awe, absorbing the sensei's teachings through this visual masterpiece. It was a humbling experience to witness such mastery. The sensei's final strike was executed with unparalleled speed and power, and the blade produced a sonorous ring as it returned to its sheath.
The room remained silent for a moment, the students awestruck by the beauty and efficiency of the katana's movements. Then, a wave of applause and admiration filled the space.
The sensei sheathed his katana and looked at his eager students. "Your chosen weapons are your allies, your protectors, and your instruments of change. Treat them with respect, and they will serve you well. Now, practice diligently and strive to become one with your chosen weapon."
The sensei then addressed. "For the first week of training, first-year students are not allowed to use their awakened powers. This is to instill discipline and ensure that you build a strong foundation in the fundamentals of combat. You will rely solely on your physical abilities and improve your weapon-handling skills. You must continue to communicate with your weapon and practice with your weapon any way you see fit."
his last statement was quite puzzling to students.
"I know some of you have doubts about what I just said," he said addressing student's doubts. "What I mean by saying is training in a way that feels right to you, one weak is a small time frame to both able to learn any good or bad habits, so I will be checking your movements next week and then decide how you would be moving from their onwards."
finally, the doubts of the students were cleared.
He turned his attention to the second-year students. "Second-year students, during this time, you are not to help them. Let the first-year students learn and grow at their own pace. You would be focusing on your own progress and you may use hall 2 from now on."
"Last but not least, every student has a unique fighting style, which depends on their awakened abilities, their preferences, and various individual factors. Therefore, you can draw inspiration from others, but never try to copy them. I can guide you along the way, but ultimately, each of you will develop your distinct fighting style."
After this piece of advice, the sensei instructed them to practice diligently and urged them to continue their training. For the remainder of the class, each student maintained some space between them and dedicated themselves to their practice, some were swinging swords, other were stabbing air with spears, and some practiced with their own unique choices of weapon. Some were still rather clumsy, while others had already refined their techniques.