"Clunk!!!!!!!!" *the sound of swords clashing during practice.*
"Concentrate more! Don't let an enemy see your weaknesses. Close your weakness spots and find enemy weaknesses." Kehal ordered as he looked at all the pairs of his pupils. They were using sword skills which they had learned to fight with each other like no one would give up.
Mariel made a promise to Segal that they would become brother and sister under oath. They often paired up to practice together. Mariel's sword skills have advanced a lot. Any movement that Segal had which was conveyed to Mariel without any confusion. Then Mariel became the perfect sparring partner for him.
"A little more speed up. Don't open your weaknesses. You'll get more wounds if you fail, Mariel." Segal said, advised to her as well.
"Understand, Brother." Mariel responded, increasing her speed, and focused more on their practices.
Kehal also noticed the relationship between the two of them. He still wasn't in a hurry to ask Segal about their relationship but waited for the opportunity to tell him later.
In the afternoon, after everyone had been practicing hard for half a day. They all took a nap during the day to rest to restore their Qi and magic power. Segal chose not to rest but he practiced sword skills alone under a big tree.
"Very well intentioned, Segal." Kehal said as he approached with his sword.
"My next goal is approaching and I need to hone my skills even more, Master Kehal." Segal replied.
A silver long sword was pulled out of its sheath. Then he pointed to his own pupil who was standing in front of him.
"Then let's fight!" Kehal said and used several sword skills to Segal.
Clunk, Clunk, Clunk! *The sound of the two swords clashing loudly. *
They used their Qi and magic to fight. The Fire Magic Sword's skills fought like they weren't just sparring partners, but it was as if they had to take down the other person with their own hands decisively.
With hundreds of movements pounding each other, Segal saw an opportunity to hit Kehal, so he immediately changed his movement from defensive to offensive and immediately stabbed his sword into his master's right wrist.
Clunk!!!!!!!
After this, Kehal's side stood, but it was Segal who stumbled back several meters and sat on his knees, panting from exhaustion. His body trembled, causing him to be shocked at how this happened.
When He looked up...the scene in front of him that was Kehal's right hand held a large, silver shield.
"You did it very well, worthy of being my favorite pupil. You even had to make me use the martial arts sword and shield technique skills." Kehal said while praising Segal.
"It is a great blessing to me and it was the first time in my life that I saw Master Kehal use the sword and shield in this practicing that has been famous for such a long time." Segal said humbly.
"Alright, don't waste your time. I will let you know the power of the sword-shield skills which can be both a front-line attack and a penetrating force or a line of protection for our party members from being harmed in any way." Kehal said and rushed forward to attack Segal.
The battle was over. Segal was unable to attack Kehal's large shield any longer. Moreover, he could only defend until he lost all his strength to continue fighting. He fell to the ground as his sword fell from his hand and hit the ground.
Master Kehal stood proudly in front of him, and his eyes looked at him with calmness. It made Segal himself even more admirable and wanted to be even more like Master Kehal.
"Thank you for the most precious battle of my life, Master Kehal. I would like to remember this to improve and practice to become even better. To lead to the path of the sword and shield class as intended." Segal bowed respectfully to Master Kehal.
"Very good, Segal. Soon we will both have to say goodbye to each other, but you must continue your training at many bureaus. Remember my teachings and follow them, and you will become a better shield-swordsman in the future." Kehal said blessings and praise to his favorite pupil.
"I always embraced your teaching, Master Kehal." Segal said.
"But...I would like to ask you one thing. What's the relationship between you and Mariel? I had seen you and Mariel practice together more often and it seemed like you guys were closer than usual." Kehal asked Segal curiously.
Segal was silent for a moment. He didn't expect that Master Kehal would notice this, but he told Master Kehal everything about their relationship.
"Um....about your past. I understand that, but are you sure that you and Mariel are just brother and sister in an oath? Because there is more to it than that." Kehal stared into Segal's eyes as if he could see inside his thoughts.
"Why? Master Kehal? I didn't think Mariel any more than younger sister." Segal tried to explain.
"I didn't even think about it like that. But I see something connected between you two," Kehal said.
"What is it, Master Kehal?" Segal asked curiously.
"When you were fighting I see a pure white thread connecting your hearts together. Ordinary people won't be able to see it but for someone like me who has advanced Qi and magic power, it can be noticed," Kehal said.
"White thread?" Segal wondered.
"It is the basic core of the subject, Coordinated mind. It is a subject that is not easy to complete but not too difficult because it takes up to 2 people who connect their Qi and magic powers between each other that they have trust each other and determined to fight side by side until the last drop of blood, No one leaves the other behind, and then both of them will become a strong partner who can fight in every battles, whether defensive or offensive at the same time." Kehal explained.
"Do Mariel and I have the chance to complete this coordinated mind as well?" Segal asked.
"That depends on both of you. But it's not time yet. Let it be a matter of the future. Come on. Let's continue our fighting." Kehal said and prepared his next attack.
"Understood, Master Kehal." Segal replied.
hey continued practicing together, then the others woke up and practiced sword skills until the evening. Everyone dispersed and went home, and Mariel invited Segal to join her in the car because today there was a party meeting between relatives in the village.
When Deric and Claudia arrived at the sword bureau, Mariel told them both that could Segal go to their house and joined the party meeting. Finally, Deric and Claudia accepted.
On the way home, Mariel and Segal looked through the driver's window at the front of the car, Deric saw that Segal and Mariel were having fun chatting with each other, it was just like brothers and sisters. Deric kept this doubt. Then he'll find a chance to talk to Segal privately later.
When they returned home, they found that all neighbors were busy preparing for the banquet which had various kinds of food that were arranged on a large, long table. Whether it's a big pot of hot baked potatoes or a big plate of roasted meats animal it's like a pig but much larger. Nevertheless, there were some various vegetable salads, peeled fruit neatly placed on a plate and there were also other foods such as noodles stir-fried with many kinds of seasonings, making them look delicious. Along with many other drinks, whether it be various fruit juices, liquor, and lots of beer.
Everyone started the party happily. They were talking and asking questions about suffering and eating and drinking with joy. It's like releasing all the stress from their working hard in the past week.
Many hours passed quickly, and everyone began to disperse and go home. Mariel helped Claudia to collect many plates and glasses and washed them in the sink inside their house. Segal helped Derik collect food scraps and trash and put them in bags in front of the house. After clearing up, Deric invited Segal to sit at the back of the house to watch nature at night together and had a glass of beer and another glass of orange juice that Deric had prepared separately.
"When did you become close to Mariel?" Deric asked.
"It's been a while, Father Deric." Segal replied.
"I usually notice that Segal doesn't hang out or talk to anyone easily. Why are you so close to Mariel? Can you please tell me the reason?" Deric asked more questions.
Segal told Deric about his background stories without hiding anything. The pain of losing his family, including his father, mother, and beloved sister. Along with telling of Mariel's personality that is like his younger sister. It made him want to go back to being a brother and sister statue again. No matter what Mariel came from different family.
Derik listened and became silent for a while, but he noticed that Segal was trembling and trying to hold back tears from falling out. Deric slowly moved closer and using his left hand to wrap his arms around Segal's shoulder and then made Segal came in and got closer to him.
"I understand your pain. I don't worry about it. Can you just make a promise to me? If something happens to me in the future, can I leave Mariel to Segal to take care of it instead. Please take care of my daughter. Can you, do it?" Deric asked seriously.
Segal slowly raised his head to look at Deric. Deric's eyes showed a lot of anticipation because in the future no matter what serious things happen to Deric or Claudia. At least there was another person who could take care of his own daughter. This also made Deric relieve his worries to a certain extent.
"Yes, Father Deric. I promise to take care of Mariel as best I can. In the future, I hope that both of us I will be the most skilled swordsman's partner as well." Segal promised firmly.
"Haha! Very good. You are a man." Deric laughed and they made their manly promise together by drinking a glass of beer and orange juice in one gulp.
They understood each other even more and even talked to each other. Deric is satisfied that Segal aims to become a strong shield swordsman with Mariel who intends to be the best female swordsman. If they fight together, they will become famous.
"Tonight, you stay here. I have already prepared a bed for you in the living room. Let's go back home tomorrow. It's late now." Deric said and invited.
"Yes, Father Deric." Segal responded happily.
Finally, they all go into the house to join Claudia and Mariel who had almost finished clearing all the dishes. Everyone sit and talk until late of the night and then go to bed.