Chapter 69: The First Client
In terms of swordsmanship, Aeg might not even be half as good as the swordsman originally hired by Arya's father, but teaching a girl with no foundation in swordsmanship is not the same as dueling, and a better skill does not necessarily give an overwhelming advantage in teaching.
Aeg still clearly remembered that his middle school physics was taught by a PE teacher. It sounds like an outdated joke, but it's true. During middle school, his parents were busy with their business, so he attended a small, run-down school in his hometown. That tiny campus had no shortage of math teachers. but everything else needed to be recruited. His homeroom teacher was a young woman who had just graduated from a sports school, and she taught both PE and physics for the entire class.
The homeroom teacher's physics level could be described as extremely low. She was learning and preparing lessons at the same time, and Aeg could still recall the comical situations in class where she would correct mistakes from her previous lesson. But interestingly, even under these extremely backward and adverse conditions, the class's physics grades were always far ahead of the other two classes taught by teachers who graduated from normal schools.
For teaching, the depth of knowledge is not the decisive factor. What is more important is whether the teaching method is engaging, whether the content is easy to understand, whether the teaching attitude is correct, and whether the teacher sets a good example with dedication. if the teacher can lay a solid foundation for the students and cultivate their interest in learning, then as an enlightenment teacher, they are qualified.
Admittedly, the PE teacher-turned-homeroom teacher could never teach high school physics to anyone, but her seriousness in teaching and patience in guiding and answering every student's questions were firmly imprinted in Aeg's mind until he graduated from university with a physics degree. Even today, he still firmly believes that the teacher he encountered was the "best" middle school physics teacher.
***
Now, Aeg was to play the role of Arya's swordsmanship teacher, despite his average skill level. He believed that as long as he was serious and patient, he would not teach worse than Ser Alliser Thorne.
Aeg agreed to the girl's request to learn the sword, with the direct goal of establishing a good relationship with a member of House Stark, thereby more conveniently basking in Eddard's "Hand of the King" light for future needs. With a clear objective, he naturally would not be as strict and meticulous as the dancing teacher from Braavos in the original plot. He did not play any tricks like throwing the sword to see if she could catch it. He very conventionally handed the girl a lighter training sword and taught her how to grip the sword and stand, and the lesson began.
Arya was left-handed, which was quite interesting. According to something he had heard before his transmigration, the reaction speed of the left hand is faster than the right hand. Maybe she was born to be an excellent swordsman.
"There is no such thing as powerful swordsmanship technique in the world, only movement and basic moves for offense and defense: thrusting, slashing, chopping, sweeping, colliding, these are for offense. dodging, blocking, parrying, deflecting, these are for defense." He only picked out the universal truths that he had heard from Gared and Ser Alliser Thorne that were absolutely correct: "A swordsman's job is to learn and master these techniques and know when and in what combination to use them."
"We'll start with the basics and build a solid foundation. When the time is right, you can decide on the techniques and style that best suit you."
Aeg began to teach the girl the most basic sword movements. There may be hundreds of people in the world who can perform these movements more beautifully and skillfully than him, but they may not necessarily teach Arya better. Aeg had only started learning the sword a year and a half ago, and now this shortcoming became an advantage. he still clearly remembered the difficulties and doubts he encountered during his initiation process, and the solutions he eventually came up with. Unexpectedly, this little she-wolf learned so quickly that she soon demanded to learn new moves.
"How long do I have to do these movements?"
"It's never too long. These are the most basic movements. You want to run before you can walk? If you think you've got it, try attacking me."
After a series of clashing moves, Arya didn't even touch Aeg's clothes.
"This dress is so cumbersome! Can I take it off?"
Aeg chuckled. "If you're more comfortable in something else, go ahead. But remember, a true swordsman can fight in any attire. It's not about the clothes; it's about the skill."
Arya nodded; her eyes determined. She quickly changed into something more suitable for training and returned to the yard, ready to continue her lesson. As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the yard, Aeg could now see the potential in Arya. She was a quick learner, and with the right guidance, she would become a formidable swordswoman.
Just as Aeg was about to call an end to the day's lesson, a figure appeared at the gate of the office. It was a man, well-dressed and with an air of importance about him.
"Excuse me, are you the Chief Logistics Officer of the Night's Watch?" the man asked, his voice carrying a hint of urgency.
"I am," Aeg replied, stepping forward. "How can I help you?"
"My name is Gendry. I've heard you're the man to see for. certain arrangements. I need to send a message to the Free Cities, and I need it to be done discreetly."
Aeg's interest was piqued. This could be the first client for his new venture. "Come inside, Gendry. Let's discuss your needs in more detail."
As Arya watched the man enter the office with Aeg, she couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. Her master was not just a swordsman; he was a man of many talents. And she was determined to learn as much as she could from him.
The first client had arrived, and with him, the promise of new opportunities and challenges. Aeg's plan was unfolding, and the game was only just beginning.
****
"No, you have to overcome difficulties. You're a girl, a lady of House Stark. There will be many occasions and times when you'll need to wear a dress. Will your enemies give you the chance to change into pants?"
"Hmm. why do girls have to wear dresses? Pants are so much more convenient and comfortable!"
"Don't blame the dress. Let's keep practicing!"
"It's not fair, this sword is heavier than my Needle!"
"It's much lighter than a real sword! And do you plan to use Needle for the rest of your life?"
Amidst Arya's grumbling complaints about the dress and the training sword, the two practiced until lunchtime. After eating something, Aeg suggested a break. There was no need to rush the progress. With increased training, whether the girl could handle it was one thing, but Aeg was afraid that she would learn too quickly, and he would run out of ideas within a month.
They returned to the inner office, relaxing in chairs and chatting casually. As "master and apprentice," they had only met briefly a few times before and knew too little about each other. For Aeg personally. he also hoped to quickly close the gap with the Stark girl through a few heart-to-heart talks, just as he had attracted Tyrion's attention through nonsense that day in Winterfell. the content, naturally, was tailored for this playful and willful young girl, using "Caina" as a template.
Completely as expected, Arya was quickly attracted by the carefully crafted lie. What Aeg told the girl was not the advanced technology and systems of "Caina," but the concepts of gender equality and the free and open atmosphere that were most lacking in the world of ice and fire: In that distant land beyond the Sunset Sea, girls could also learn swordsmanship openly and could enter the army or even become government officials through normal channels. and perhaps most importantly for many girls. they could choose their own husbands and even request a divorce if unsatisfied.
If it were just these things, they would at most make Arya long for the fictional country, but when she heard that Aeg had come to Westeros and joined the Night's Watch after an accident during his adventurous journey around the world, the girl's eyes lit up.
"You're an adventurer!" The blood of the direwolf almost boiled within her, or perhaps it was more appropriate to say that her spirit of youthful rebellion was burning fiercely? Aeg instantly became her new idol. "When will you go home? Take me on your next adventure~"
"Who knows when I can go home. There are no ships in Westeros that can safely cross the Sunset Sea."
"Oh. well, then tell me more adventure stories!"
"No more sword practice?"
"Later, no rush."
The girl's interest shifted so quickly that it caught Aeg off guard, which was a bit of a problem. Making up stories about "Caina" was simple, because in a sense, Aeg did come from "Caina," but he wasn't a real adventurer. Of course He had always loved reading fantasy and adventure novels, so searching his memory and picking out stories to process into his own wasn't too difficult for him.
Just as Aeg was spinning his tales, Tyrion's voice suddenly came from outside the door: "Aeg, come out and greet the customer! The first bond buyer is here!"