Chereads / Endless pursuit of strength / Chapter 6 - Swordmanship

Chapter 6 - Swordmanship

Morgath pushed open the heavy door to the gym. The interior smelled of wood polish and sweat—a testament to years of hard training and discipline. The soft creak of the floorboards beneath his feet echoed in the near-empty space. As his eyes adjusted to the dim lighting, he noticed a figure moving gracefully across the room. A man, perhaps in his late forties, with a lean, muscular build and a calm aura, was practicing slow, deliberate swings with a steel sword.

The instructor's movements were fluid, controlled, every step a dance that exuded mastery. His dark hair was pulled back in a small knot at the base of his neck, and his sharp, angular features gave him an almost regal presence. His eyes were focused, but the moment Morgath entered, the man paused mid-strike, lowering the sword to his side as he turned to face him.

"You must be Morgath," the man said, a warm smile breaking the sternness of his expression. His accent was faint but noticeable, hinting at his Japanese heritage. "Welcome to my dojo."

Morgath stepped forward, nodding in respect. "Yes, that's me. It's an honor to meet you."

"The honor is mine," the man replied, placing the wooden sword on a nearby rack. "My name is Kenji Tanaka.From our call earlier I heard that you were interested in learning the way of sword. I must admit, it's rare to find someone your age interested in the art these days." He gestured for Morgath to come closer. "Most people are chasing after the newest trends, forgetting the value of tradition."

As Morgath walked deeper into the gym, he noticed the simplicity of the place. Aside from a few training dummies and racks of wooden weapons, the room was mostly empty. It was clear that this wasn't a place of flash and spectacle but one of discipline and purpose.

Kenji folded his arms, observing Morgath with curiosity. "So, what brings you to the way of the sword? It's not exactly a popular choice anymore. Especially not for someone like you."

Morgath smiled, appreciating the man's straightforward nature. "I'm looking for something more than just combat. I want to understand the discipline, the focus, and the strength that comes with mastering the blade. And I've always been drawn to swords—especially a particular type."

Kenji raised an eyebrow. "And what type would that be?"

"I'd like to learn how to wield two swords, both long, slightly curved blades that would reach from my hip to my ankle," Morgath explained, his voice steady. "Something about that style has always felt… right."

Kenji's eyes widened slightly, a spark of surprise lighting up his face. He took a moment to absorb Morgath's words before letting out a low chuckle. "Two swords? And not just any swords, but a matched pair of long blades? That's an ambitious request, my friend. Most people struggle to master one sword, let alone two."

Morgath nodded, unfazed by the challenge. "I understand it's not easy, but I don't see myself wielding any other kind of weapon. If I'm going to learn, I want to learn with the swords that feel right for me."

Kenji scratched his chin thoughtfully, pacing for a moment before stopping in front of Morgath. "You know," he began, his tone more serious now, "what you're asking for isn't just about the technical skill of wielding two blades. It's about balance, coordination, and understanding the flow of combat in a way that takes years to master. I won't lie to you—it's going to be harder than you think. But… I admire your determination."

He paused, looking at Morgath closely, as if weighing his next words. "It's rare to find someone who wants to pursue this kind of challenge. I've had maybe a handful of students over the years, and none of them ever asked to learn something so specific. Most just wanted a taste of the art, but not the full experience. That's why I barely make a living doing this. I might get one or two students a year if I'm lucky. But it's not about the money—it's about keeping the tradition alive. If I gave up on this, I feel as though I'd be letting my ancestors down."

Kenji's voice softened at the end, and Morgath could sense the deep sense of pride and responsibility that this man carried for his craft. It was more than just a job to him—it was a legacy.

"I appreciate that," Morgath said sincerely. "And if you're willing to teach me, I'll do whatever it takes to learn."

Kenji smiled again, this time more earnestly. "I can see that you mean it. Since you're my only student right now, I can dedicate all my time to you. We'll make sure you get the best training possible. But first, I need to ask: Do you want to focus solely on the dual blades, or are you open to starting with a more standard style, like a longsword, to build a foundation?"

Morgath didn't hesitate. "I want to focus on the dual blades. I know it's harder, but I've thought a lot about this. I don't see myself using any other kind of weapon."

Kenji nodded approvingly. "I like your conviction. But we'll need to take this step by step. Today, we'll start with the basics—your stance, footwork, and balance. Unfortunately, I don't have swords like the ones you described ready to go. I'll need to carve a pair out of wood for training, and that'll take some time."

"That's no problem," Morgath replied. "I was expecting something like that. Take your time. But could you make an additional pair, so it would make as an template for the smith, as I also want to get a pair made out of steel? Speaking of which, do you also know someone trustworthy, to whom I could commision the making of the swords? Probably the one who forged your katana?"

Kenji's eyes brightened slightly. "I'm glad that you're taking this so seriously. This katana is something that was passed down in my family, so the one who forged it is dead for some time already, though I know a guy who specializes in custom work. I'll introduce you to him once we're ready."

Morgath's heart swelled with excitement. This was exactly what he had been hoping for. "Thank you, Kenji. I really appreciate it."

Kenji waved a hand dismissively. "Don't thank me yet. You've got a long road ahead, and it's not going to be easy. But if you stick with it, I promise you'll come out stronger on the other side."

Morgath smiled, his determination burning brighter than ever. "I'm ready for whatever it takes."

"Good," Kenji said, clapping his hands together. "Now, let's get started. The first thing you need to learn is how to stand. It sounds simple, but without the right stance, you'll never be able to effectively control two swords at once."

He gestured for Morgath to follow him to an open area of the gym. "Spread your feet about shoulder-width apart," Kenji instructed, stepping into the stance himself. Morgath mimicked the movement, feeling a bit stiff at first.

"Relax your shoulders," Kenji said, gently tapping Morgath's arm. "Your strength needs to come from your center, not from tensed muscles. Keep your knees slightly bent and your weight balanced between your feet. This is where your power comes from—not your arms, but your core."

Morgath adjusted his stance, focusing on the instructions. Kenji circled him, making small adjustments to his posture.

"That's better," Kenji said, stepping back to observe. "It might feel awkward now, but once you start moving, this stance will become a second nature."

For the next hour, Kenji drilled Morgath on his stance and footwork, teaching him how to shift his weight smoothly from one leg to the other, how to pivot without losing balance, and how to keep his movements fluid.

By the end of the session, even with his higher constitution, which also boosts stamina, Morgath's legs were burning, and sweat dripped down his face, but he felt a sense of accomplishment.

"You did well today," Kenji said, handing Morgath a towel. "We'll continue working on the basics until your custom swords are ready. Once they are, we'll start integrating the actual blades into your training."

Morgath nodded, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I'm looking forward to it."

Kenji smiled. "So am I, Morgath. So am I."

Over the next few days, Morgath returned to Kenji's gym daily, dedicating himself fully to learning the fundamentals. While Kenji worked on carving the wooden swords, they focused on balance, footwork, and proper positioning. Morgath's endurance and perception, honed from his earlier training, made it easier for him to grasp these early lessons. But Kenji was thorough, constantly adjusting his posture, correcting the angle of his feet, and reminding him of the importance of precision.

Four days later, Kenji greeted Morgath with a pair of carefully carved wooden swords. They were simple but elegant, the craftsmanship evident in the smooth curves of the blades and the balanced weight in each hand.

"Sorry it took so long," Kenji said, handing Morgath the swords. "This was the first time I've ever made something like this, and I had some trouble getting the weight just right."

Morgath smiled, taking the swords and feeling the weight settle into his hands. "It's worth the wait. I'd rather have them done properly than rushed."

Kenji gave a small nod of approval. "Good. Now, let's see how you handle them. Remember, this is going to be a lot harder than a single sword. You'll need to get used to the weight and balance of two weapons."

As they began practicing, Morgath insisted that Kenji not hold back with his strikes. "My body's durable enough to handle it," he said. "Trust me."

Kenji looked skeptical. "Even with wooden swords, you could end up bruised—or worse, break a bone."

"I'll be fine," Morgath assured him. "Hit me as hard as you can."

Reluctantly, Kenji complied, swinging one of the wooden blades at Morgath with controlled force. To his surprise, when the blade made contact, it felt like striking a tree. Morgath barely flinched.

Kenji blinked, pulling back and studying Morgath with a new respect. "Alright then. I guess you weren't exaggerating."

With that settled, they moved on to more intensive drills. Morgath was starting to understand the rhythm of wielding two swords, though it was far from perfect. The extra weight and the need for precise coordination taxed his stamina more than he expected, but his progress was steady.

At the end of the lesson, Morgath decided it was time to take the next step. He visited his parents, asking if he could borrow some money to have his custom swords forged from steel. His parents, understanding the importance of his quest, decided to give him the money instead.

"The way things are going," his father said with a knowing smile, "the money won't mean much soon enough. Better it goes toward something important."

The following day, after another productive training session, Morgath and Kenji visited a local blacksmith together. They discussed the design and specifications for the swords, placing the order for the custom steel blades. As the smith examined the wooden practice swords Kenji had crafted, he nodded in approval.

"It'll take some time, but I can make these for you," the smith said. "Come back in a few weeks."

Morgath felt a surge of anticipation. Soon, he would have the real weapons in his hands, and the true test of his abilities would begin.