'I assumed my loose stance ready for the attack I thought was going to come but Father stayed still. '
Ethan broke the silence saying in a serious tone,
"I think its time we practice with real weapons, don't you think?"
Father was not the kind for cracking jokes so I replied calmly,
"You haven't allowed me own a weapon besides this wooden thing, can I take one from the storage?"
"Go ahead, choose wisely, I will let you take and keep one weapon as a gift for completing your final training session with me."
'He said this with a stern look on his face so I went to the storage without questions and looked around, confused on what he meant by final session.'
'There was all kinds of weapons, some that would suit my style and physique and others that didn't. I had nothing specific in mind since I had only ever used a wooden sword, but I needed something light.'
There were a good amount of high quality armaments ranging from dual daggers to battle axes and bows.
'That was when a weapon in the corner of the room caught my attention. It was under some other weapons not worth looking at. It was a clear and poor attempt at hiding the weapon.
It was a blade in a beautiful black sheathe with bits of gold on it. I took it out and inspected it and the blade was as black as the sheathe except the blade had golden…runes or symbols maybe? They were engraved on the flat side of the sword and I couldnt decipher them, I doubt he could either.
It was perfect. The blade itself resembled that of a uchigatana and could be held in both hands, but was light enough to hold and use effectively in one. It truly was made for me.'
'Before leaving I grabbed a simple dagger and clipped its scabbard to my hip. I know Father said only one weapon but im taking it anyway, I believe there will be a situation where this blade will save my life in the future.'
'Returning to the training ground I re-assumed my stance and gave the black blade a few test swings, it suited me well.'
'Father squinted while looking at the blade, recognising it right away and overlooking the fact I had also taken a dagger.'
'That's a fine choice, the weapon is an artifact.'
He said it casually as if artifacts and in weapon form at that weren't really expensive.
"I found that after conquering a tower on a hill in a land that never stopped raining. It was on an alter at the top floor with words beside it saying 'Heaven's half'. Artifact weapons usually have a special ability but that one did not so the one I own is better."
He put his hand on his sword and assumed his stance ready to start the match.
Markus who was now slighly distracted on what 'Heavens half' could mean, reluctantly pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind for later, steeled his resolve to make his Father enhance and readied himself.
"Here I come" said Ethan in a low voice and lunged toward markus unsheating his sword with a swing to follow it. In one step he closed the 5 meter distance between them with great speed.
Markus anticipated this exact move and blocked his sword, the speed Ethan accumulated with his lunge forced Markus back a few feet. Blades crossed, Ethan pushed with his advantage of strength knocking Markus back a couple of steps and swung again immediately. Markus parried the attack well but it didn't affect his Fathers posture at all who brought a heavy blow down from above.
Markus barely reacting in time hopped back to dodge the sword and instantly dashed forward to try and counter, blade pointed forwards going for a thrust attack.
It was probably a rookie mistake as Ethan side stepped the thrust and extended his leg. Markus unable to stop himself in time, tripped over his Fathers leg, sensing the danger of falling, rolled forward following his momentum, got back to his feet and gained a small bit of distance from his opponent. The two rushed to eachother and swung simultaneously clashing hard. The two beautiful blades silver and black in colour contrasting heavily with eachother would've been a pleasing sight to see had Markus not been under heavy pressure.
Ethan launched a flurry of swings from different directions at overwhelming speeds, all Markus could do was block. He was on the complete defensive, with his posture weakening with each block. Ethan swung heavily upwards sending Markus' blade into the air and followed the opening with a swipe from the side.
Markus left defenceless had little options remaining. Ducking the blade and just barely getting away unscathed, keeping low he punched Ethan in the stomach which had no effect and spun attempting a leg sweep on his Father.
The idea was good and it would have at least connected on some fighters or knocked others, Ethan effortlessly jumped over his sons leg and landed a heafty and devestating punch with his right hand on Markus' left cheek sending him to the ground.
Markus' blade stood in the ground, hilt pointing to the sky right beside him. Markus dizzy and left ear ringing couldn't form any thoughts at the current moment. He just wanted to lay there in pain.
That was when he barely heard words that for some reason which he didn't yet know why, agitated him to his core.
"Get up"
He sat up head spinning and annoyed, listening to what his Father had to say.
"Your hard work and new skill have paid off, you have indeed grown stronger. Though compared to your average adventurer who could enhance, you are weak. Join the Royal Force and become a knight, dont waste the skills you have worked for. Adventuring is not for you."
He turned away from his son and told him coldly, "from this day forward, you will learn no more from me".
Confused as to why his Father wouldn't teach him anymore, Markus picked up his blade, sheathed it and left the grounds without a word. Although he was somewhat satisfied as this is the hardest Father had fought against him to date.
'Does he see me as useless and talentless? I definitely am getting stronger I was holding my own against Father who was giving it his all'
'It was a shameful attempt at cheering myself up, knowing well Father was not even going 40% and I didn't really hold my own either. Even that number might be me being generous. Ive never seen the extent of his true strength and he has a title. Titles have been given only to a handful of the strongest knights and adventurers in history.'
"Someday ill prove my strength to you" I muttered to myself.'
Markus lived in the centre of the largely populated city Synthia. It was the capital city where the King and his Royal Force reside. The Royal Force were simply peacekeepers arresting thieves and what-not but by performing well and proving your ability and loyalty there, you could earn promotion to the Kings personal Royal Guard.
'As if im gonna join them, nothing will stop me becoming an adventurer. I will see the sights nobody else will see and I will uncover secrets no one else has.' Markus thought clenching his teeth in anger.'
'If enhancing is so important why wont he teach it to me already? Is he afraid ill surpass him maybe?' I smirked with that thought while heading for the bath once again.
'Staring at my bruised cheek in the mirror of my bathroom, I gave myself an inspection to repair my slightly damaged ego from getting punched in a sword fight.'
Staring at his short, naturally white hair he got from his Father and lean and somewhat muscly body from years of training, Markus had a slight smile. He was a decent looking guy but at the same time, nothing too special. Not to mention he was 5 feet 10 inches tall and still had plenty of time to grow some more.
He entered the bath and relaxed for a while before getting out and drying himself. He then headed downstairs and had a conversation with his Mother about her day. Markus enjoyed listening to his Mother talk about what she got up to while he was training. She is a very kind woman with long brown hair, a pleasant face and a warm, welcoming smile. He loved her with all his heart and she the same. Their relationship was unshakable.
Soon heading to his tutor at his regular time he was met by his Father who explained that he will be adding more enhancing classes on top of what he was already doing and had already hired a tutor that specialises at enveloping limbs for when Markus learns to do the same.
This was a nice treat for Markus and he couldn't wait to start. His teacher explained that to be able to enhance you simply had to have a clear understanding of what you perceived enhancing as, aswell as consistent meditation in attempt to become one in body and mind. But doing so took a long time and would only allow you to unlock the ability to manifest your enhancement. After unlocking it the only way to be able to envelop a limb was to constantly practice it which also took a long time. Basically it was a long process instead of a hard one and required discipline.
But still, happy to start learning it Markus paid deep attention to what his teacher Jared was explaining.
Finishing his usual day of training and study he once again headed to bed satisfied with his steady progress on his path to becoming an adventurer. He could already feel the impact that [Finesse] had on his fighting and slept soundly to have his body rested for a day of practice and experimenting with his skill.
He was awakened earlier than usual the next morning thanks to an argument happening in a nearby room.
'Sitting up I tried to listen to the voices in hopes of discerning the cause of the argument.'
'Is that Mother and Father arguing? Strange I think this would be a first'. In fact, these days, I can't seem to recall them interacting with eachother often'.
'After putting on some casual clothes, confused on how to spend my morning with no training supervised by Father, I headed to where the voices were coming from in a cheeky attempt to eavesdrop. But the dispute had already ceased and Father was nowhere to be seen. I found Mother in her room with a grim expression and teary eyes. '
'I wanted to comfort her but I had never seen Mother look like this before so I was afraid to ask about their conversation.'
'Thankfully she broke the silence first but the words that came from her mouth left me perplexed, furious and shattered.'