The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting long shadows over the training yard just behind Old Man Brann's forge. Yuuto stood in the center of the clearing, sweat dripping down his face as he held a simple wooden staff in both hands. It was a far cry from the sword he had trained with the previous day, but Brann had insisted he needed to learn the basics before handling more advanced weapons.
Brann stood at the edge of the yard, arms crossed, watching Yuuto's every movement with sharp eyes. "Before you master any blade, lad, you need to learn control. Magic can only take you so far, and swinging a sword recklessly will get you killed. The staff teaches you precision, balance, and most importantly—patience."
Yuuto gripped the staff tightly, feeling the smooth wood under his fingers. It was heavier than he expected, but the weight gave him a sense of stability. He had always imagined wielding something like a sword or a mystical weapon, but the staff was his starting point. He could already see its benefits—reach, versatility, and a connection to magic, which he could feel faintly through the wood.
"Alright," Brann said, stepping forward. "Today, you're gonna learn the basics of stance and movement. Hold the staff out in front of you, feet shoulder-width apart."
Yuuto adjusted his stance, positioning the staff as Brann instructed. The old blacksmith circled him like a hawk, observing every small movement.
"Good. Now, keep your knees slightly bent. The staff is an extension of your body—move it like you'd move your own arm. Fluidly, not rigid."
With a deep breath, Yuuto began to follow Brann's instructions. At first, his movements were clumsy and awkward, the weight of the staff pulling him off balance. But slowly, as Brann corrected his posture and grip, he started to feel the rhythm of the staff. His swings became smoother, his footwork more deliberate.
"Better," Brann said with a nod. "Now, let's try some basic strikes. Start with the head—always aim high if you want to disorient your opponent."
Yuuto raised the staff and brought it down in a sweeping arc, aiming for an imaginary opponent's head. The motion felt powerful, though not entirely controlled. He could feel the staff shake in his hands with the impact.
"Keep your grip firm, but don't strangle it," Brann advised. "You need to control the staff, not fight against it."
Yuuto nodded, taking a deep breath. He tried the strike again, focusing on the movement of his body, letting the staff guide his motion rather than forcing it. This time, the strike felt more fluid, more natural.
"Good. Now strike again, but follow through with a lower sweep. Catch your opponent off guard by changing the angle of your attacks."
Yuuto obeyed, bringing the staff down in another strike, then sweeping it low toward where his opponent's legs would be. The movement felt smoother this time, like the staff was a part of him.
Brann grunted approvingly. "You're getting the hang of it. The staff is about control and adaptability. You don't have the raw power of a sword, but what you lack in force, you make up for in speed and precision. Remember, the staff is also a defensive weapon. Use it to parry and block just as much as you use it to strike."
For the next hour, Yuuto practiced under Brann's watchful eye. He worked on basic strikes, thrusts, and defensive movements, learning how to use the staff as both a weapon and a shield. His body ached, and his arms burned from the constant repetition, but he refused to slow down. This was a different kind of training than what he had experienced with magic, but it was just as important. The staff wasn't a glamorous weapon, but it taught him discipline and focus.
After a particularly difficult series of strikes, Yuuto collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily. He wiped the sweat from his brow, looking up at the sky. The sun was now high overhead, and he realized they had been training for hours.
Brann walked over, his heavy boots crunching on the dirt. "You're doin' well, lad. You've got the basics down. But remember, no amount of training will help you if you lose your focus in a real fight. The staff isn't just about hitting things. It's about controlling the battlefield. You keep your enemies at a distance, wear them down, and strike when the moment is right."
Yuuto nodded, taking in Brann's words. He could see why the blacksmith insisted on starting with the staff. It wasn't the weapon itself that mattered, but the lessons it taught.
"Now," Brann continued, "since you've got a basic feel for the staff, it's time to integrate magic into your combat. That's where the real power of a staff comes into play."
Yuuto's eyes lit up at the mention of magic. "How do I do that? I've only been using spells like Mana Bolt so far."
Brann smirked. "Magic is all about channeling energy, right? Your staff can act as a conduit for that energy. If you learn to flow your mana through the staff, you can amplify your spells or even use the staff to channel magic in ways you couldn't with just your hands."
Yuuto's mind raced with possibilities. The idea of combining physical strikes with magic opened up a whole new world of tactics.
"Let's start simple," Brann said, picking up a staff of his own from a nearby rack. "Focus your mana on the tip of the staff, just like you would with a Mana Bolt spell. You want to channel the magic through the wood, directing it where you need it."
Yuuto nodded and closed his eyes, reaching for the familiar sensation of mana within him. He felt the faint pulse of energy, and with a deep breath, he began to direct it through his body, concentrating on the staff in his hands. The wood felt warm in his grip as the mana flowed into it, causing a faint blue light to glow from the tip.
"Good," Brann said, watching closely. "Now, keep that energy steady. Don't let it overload or fizzle out. Once you've got control of it, use the staff to strike."
Yuuto focused harder, keeping the flow of mana steady. The energy vibrated through the staff, and with a quick motion, he swung it down in a sharp strike. As the staff made contact with the ground, a burst of mana erupted from the tip, sending a shockwave through the dirt and kicking up dust.
Yuuto blinked in surprise. "Whoa."
Brann chuckled. "Not bad for your first try. But you're still leaking too much energy. That's why the shockwave was unfocused. You need to channel the mana more efficiently—think of it like a river. You want to control the flow, not let it spill out all over the place."
Yuuto nodded, eager to try again. This time, he focused even harder, carefully channeling the mana through the staff and holding it at the tip. When he swung the staff, the burst of energy was smaller, but more controlled, striking the ground in a focused line.
"Better," Brann said, clearly impressed. "With practice, you'll be able to use that energy to enhance your strikes or even cast spells directly from the staff. It'll take time, but once you master it, you'll be a force to reckon with."
Yuuto felt a surge of excitement. The idea of combining his magical abilities with physical combat was something he hadn't even considered before, but now, it seemed like the perfect balance.
For the next few hours, Yuuto continued to train with the staff, learning to channel his mana with more precision. Each swing, each burst of magic became more controlled, more focused. He practiced integrating his Mana Bolt spell into the strikes, using the staff to direct the energy more efficiently. With Brann's guidance, he was starting to understand just how versatile the staff could be.
Finally, as the sun began to set, Brann called an end to the training session. Yuuto was exhausted, his body aching from the intense practice, but he felt accomplished. He had learned more in a single day with Brann than he ever could have on his own.
As they walked back toward the village, Brann clapped a hand on Yuuto's shoulder. "You're doin' well, lad. Better than most. But don't forget—this is just the beginning. You've got a long road ahead of you, and it won't be easy. But with enough hard work, you'll survive in this world."
Yuuto smiled, feeling a sense of determination welling up inside him. "I won't give up. I'll keep training, and I'll get stronger. Thanks for everything, Brann."
The old blacksmith grinned. "Don't thank me yet. Tomorrow's another day of hard work."
As Yuuto headed back to the tavern for the night, the wooden staff slung across his back, he couldn't help but feel a growing sense of purpose. He was learning—slowly but surely—and each day brought him closer to mastering the skills he would need to survive in Aetheria.
He had no idea what challenges lay ahead, but with Brann's guidance and the Ascendant System by his side, Yuuto knew one thing for sure:
He was ready for whatever came next.