I am Ren Drakemore, age 5, and I am the unwanted second prince of the kingdom of Arcadia. But one day, I will be King.
An Arc has passed since our trip to the market, where my eyes were opened for the first time to the corruption and suffering that plague my home. That day marked a turning point for me. Since then, I've approached my studies and magical training with renewed purpose. No longer do I learn to pass the time. Now, I train with a goal, a lofty one.
I understand now that dangerous men, including my own father, would rather see me dead. The only thing keeping those wolves at bay is my father's fear of Lady Willow and the belief that I am not yet enough of a threat to warrant the risk of eliminating me. Neither of those protections feels permanent. The possibility that one day they may fail hangs over me constantly, like the sword of Damocles, ready to fall at any moment.
First, I must grow stronger.
To that end, I've begun studying the castle guards as they train in the courtyard each day. My brother Charles often joins the sessions as part of his royal education, though it's clear he has little interest in the practice. He is easily distracted, complains often, and rarely completes drills with any real effort. I doubt he's learned much at all.
I, on the other hand, watch intently from my window. Armed with a wooden short sword, I mimic the movements of the guards, copying their stances, strikes, and blocks. It's exhausting work, far harder than I imagined, but I persist. My life depends on it.
Lady Willow has yet to begin teaching me offensive magic, but I still practice to the point of exhaustion every day. This relentless effort has brought steady, significant improvement in both my magical control and capacity. I can now control two puppets simultaneously, and their range has tripled. My control of the puppets has improved so well that I am now able to make a small wooden bird puppet that can actually fly.
When I first thought of creating a bird puppet it was so I could entertain myself with the view outside my tower. Now I see this puppet as a tool I could use for gaining information.
Through my studies of military tactics, I've learned that battles are often won long before the soldiers take the field. Preparation, training, equipment, and even the choice of the battlefield itself often has a greater impact on the outcome than the bravery or skill of any one warrior. Information is the key to all of it, and with my new creation, this bird puppet, I may be able to gather that information.
In the last forty days, Lady Willow has continued making weekly deliveries of potions to the apothecary without me. This has earned us a fair amount of coin and given me plenty of practice in potion-making. However, with the sheer volume of potions we've crafted, our supply of medical herbs has run dry. Today, I'll leave the castle with Lady Willow again, this time traveling to the countryside to gather more herbs.
And that brings us to now.
Lady Willow and I are walking through the castle halls toward the courtyard. Unlike our last trip, I'm determined to keep a low profile. When we reach the gate, a broad-shouldered man in gleaming plate armor stands before us, towering a full head taller than Lady Willow. A massive two-handed sword is strapped across his back, and his presence exudes authority. I recognize him from observing the guards' daily training, this is Captain Gavin, the captain of the castle guard.
"Lady Willow, stop right there!" Captain Gavin's deep voice booms, resonating in the stone corridor. "Where are you and the prince going?"
Is he here to stop me from leaving?
"Hello, Captain Gavin," Lady Willow replies, her voice calm and steady. "The young master and I are traveling to Lord Griswald's domain at his invitation. Do you have some sort of objection to that?"
"I do, in fact," Gavin responds, his sharp gaze locked on her. His stance is imposing, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sword.
They stare each other down, their intense auras colliding. Lady Willow's serene confidence meets Gavin's stern authority, and the air feels heavy with tension.
"I will not allow the young prince to take one more step outside this castle," Gavin growls, his voice like thunder. Then, raising a massive arm over his head, he appears ready to strike.
For a moment, my heart freezes. Their locked gazes are unyielding, the moment charged with potential violence.
But then, Gavin's intense expression shifts into a wry smile, and he lowers his hand, extending it in a gesture of camaraderie. "...Not without the proper protection," he finishes. "My duty is to protect the royal family, and I can't allow a member of the royal family to travel into the countryside without an escort."
"If you wish to join us, very well," Lady Willow says coolly, her demeanor unchanged as if the tension never existed.
It turns out that Captain Gavin's presence is purely coincidental. When he saw us leaving, he wasn't trying to stop me, he simply wanted to ensure I had the same level of protection any other member of the royal family would receive. My father and brother would typically be escorted by as many as twenty soldiers on a similar journey. While Gavin appears genuine and even friendly, I can't bring myself to trust him completely. After all, he works directly for my father.
"If I'd known about this trip in advance," Gavin says, turning to me with a broad, friendly smile, "I could have arranged for a full escort. But since I'm here, it would be my honor to escort you myself, young master."
Lady Willow had arranged for a carriage that now waited for us outside the castle gate. Captain Gavin walked beside us, his broad frame towering over me as we approached. With a practiced motion, he opened the carriage doors, stepping aside to allow us to enter first. I climbed in and settled close to Lady Willow, who wrapped an arm around me and gently pulled me closer. When Gavin joined us, the carriage creaked under his considerable weight, tilting slightly as he took his seat across from us. His cheerful demeanor seemed to fill the small space, though the air remained tense.
With a tap from Gavin on the carriage wall, the driver urged the horses forward. The wheels rattled against the cobblestone streets as the carriage moved through the bustling city. Homes, shops, and carts rushed by in a blur, and soon we were speeding along the northern road out of Cairndorn.
Despite the pleasant scenery outside, the atmosphere inside the carriage was stifling. Few words were exchanged during the journey, and I couldn't shake the weight of unease in Gavin's presence.
"So," Gavin said after a long silence, his voice breaking through the quiet, "we're headed to Ashford Village to meet with Lord Griswald?" His attempt at breaking the awkward silence.
"Yes," Lady Willow replied evenly, her tone composed. "Our first stop will be Lord Griswald's manor."
The trip to Ashford Village would take half a day even at our brisk pace. I entertained myself by gazing out the window, taking in the breathtaking sights of the expansive valley surrounding the capital. This was my first time seeing the world beyond Cairndorn, and it was beautiful. The flat valley stretched endlessly, surrounded by distant mountain with Cairndorn at the center, creating what is referred to locally as the Dragon's Nest. The fresh air that drifted through the carriage window carried a crisp, earthy scent, invigorating and new.
For a time, I was captivated, but the gentle rhythm of the carriage lulled me into drowsiness. Before I knew it, I was laying my head on Lady Willow's lap, her hand absently stroking my hair. The soothing motion quickly carried me to sleep.
It felt like only a moment had passed before I heard Lady Willow's soft voice coaxing me awake. "Ren, we've nearly there," she said. I blinked groggily, sitting up to take in my surroundings.
The carriage was passing through Ashford Village, and I immediately noticed how different it was from the commons of Cairndorn. The homes were simple but well-built, with thatched roofs. The villagers looked healthier and happier than the downtrodden faces I'd seen in the city. There were no lines of desperate people waiting for aid, no visible signs of suffering. It was as though this place was untouched by the corruption I'd witnessed in Cairndorn.
I need to know why this place, not far from the capital is so different.
Curious to see more, I reached into my pocket and pulled out my small bird puppet. Folded into a ball, it fit neatly in my hand, but with a quick motion, I held it out of the carriage window. Glancing to ensure Gavin wasn't watching, I cast my spell. The puppet sprang to life, its wooden wings unfurling as it took to the skies.
The bird soared high above us, and through it. As we left the village and approached Lord Griswald's manor, we passed farmland being worked not by slaves, but by villagers.
But then, something caught my attention. Large swaths of the farmland appeared withered and unhealthy, a stark contrast to the vibrant fields surrounding them. My curiosity burned as I raised a hand to cover my left eye, focusing on my connection to the puppet.
A gasp escaped me as my vision shifted, merging with the bird's eyes. From above, the farmland stretched out beneath me in intricate detail, revealing the full extent of the damage. Oddly, there seemed to be a pattern, something irregular and unnatural.
"Ren?" Lady Willow asked, her quiet.
I lowered my hand and blinked, returning to my own perspective. "Something's wrong with the fields," I murmured.
Lady Willow's gaze flicked toward the farmland, her expression of mild curiosity. "Yes, I noticed as well," she said. "We're nearly at Griswald's manor." She added.
The carriage passed through the stone wall surrounding Lord Griswald's estate and pulled up in front of the manor. Waiting at the entrance were two well-dressed, cheerful servants. Captain Gavin hopped out first, leaving the door open for Lady Willow and me to exit.
"We are happy to welcome you to Lord Griswald's estate," the servants, a man and a woman, said in unison before bowing politely. As we approached, I noticed something peculiar: they wore collars similar to those of slaves, but these were thin, elegant bands made of embroidered cloth instead of the heavy metal collars I'd seen in the city.
"Thank you kindly," Lady Willow replied with her usual calm politeness. "We're here to see Lord Griswald."
"Yes, m'lady," the female servant said with a bright smile, gesturing toward the doors of the stately manor. "The master is expecting you. He wishes to meet you over dinner. Please, come inside and make yourselves comfortable. We will fetch the master shortly."
"Excellent!" Captain Gavin boomed joyfully. "I could eat a horse!"
I didn't doubt him. The man was the size of one.
"And it'll be nice to have someone to talk to," Gavin added with mock frustration, clearly still irritated by the long, silent trip.
The servants escorted us inside the manor. The interior was stunning, elegant without the excessive opulence I had come to associate with nobility. Every detail, from the polished wood furniture to the understated but tasteful decorations, reflected a sense of practicality and refinement.
We were led into a large dining hall dominated by a long wooden table running through its center. On either side of the room, four beastkin and elf servants in simple maid uniforms greeted us warmly as we entered, their demeanor genuine and friendly. They gestured for us to sit near the far end of the table, leaving the head seat conspicuously open.
We took our seats. Gavin's chair creaked and groaned in protest under his massive frame, but he either didn't notice or didn't care. Lady Willow's seat, in contrast, made no sound at all, as if it barely registered her presence. My chair welcomed me without issue, but I quickly realized the table was slightly too high for me, making it awkward to sit comfortably.
Moments after we were seated, one of the servants opened a door to the right of the hall. All the servants immediately bowed, and a tall, muscular man strode into the room. He had a thick mane of black hair streaked with gray and a matching beard that reached halfway down his chest. His clothing, while finely tailored, lacked the ostentatious embellishments common among nobles. Instead, his fur-topped cape and sturdy leather boots spoke of practicality, as though he spent more time in the wilderness than at royal galas.
"Thank you, ladies, but stop that, no need to bow," Lord Griswald said, waving dismissively at the servants as he crossed the room with purposeful strides. His voice was deep but warm, carrying an air of authority without arrogance.
He quickly took his place at the head of the table, seating himself with ease and nodding to each of us in turn. "Welcome to my home," he said, his sharp eyes lingering on me for a moment before moving to Lady Willow and Captain Gavin. "I trust your journey was smooth?"
"Our journey was uneventful," Lady Willow answered as the servants began placing plates and silverware before us.
"That's an understatement," Gavin muttered with a grin, clearly in better spirits as a pretty servant placed a plate in front of him. She returned his smile and added a playful wink, drawing an amused chuckle from him.
Watching this, I couldn't help but feel increasingly puzzled. The servants, no, the slaves, here didn't seem burdened or downtrodden like those in the capital. Instead, they moved with cheerfulness and ease, their demeanor far removed from the sorrowful expressions I had come to associate with their status. It didn't make sense.
"Very good," Lord Griswald said warmly. "Good to see you as always, Gavin. And I'm pleased to have the chance to meet you, Prince Ren, as well as your esteemed attendant, Lady Willow. Honestly, I was surprised when I received your request for a meeting."
"You were very kind to extend us an invitation, sir," Lady Willow replied with polite grace, before glancing at me expectantly.
I quickly straightened up, realizing I should respond, but my attention had drifted to the servants now placing food on our plates. A foxkin servant carefully set a steak before me, her tail flicking slightly as she worked. Distracted, I blurted out, "Lord Griswald, it's nice to meet you… but what kind of slave collars are your servants wearing? And why are they so…"
"Happy?" Lord Griswald offered with a knowing smile.
"Yes," I said, surprised by his understanding.
"Well, young prince," he began, leaning back in his chair, "I believe slavery is an unforgivable violation of a person's rights. And I believe that non-human races are just as much persons as humans."
His words stunned me. I wholeheartedly agreed, but hearing such a bold stance from one of Arcadia's great noble families was unexpected. Lady Willow, however, seemed completely unfazed, as though nothing unusual had been said.
"Damn right!" Gavin added with enthusiasm, slapping the table lightly. "I know it's not a popular opinion in the kingdom, but it's the truth."
In that moment, my opinion of Gavin shifted drastically. Perhaps there was more to him than his rough exterior and jovial demeanor.
"But, sir," I said, my voice tinged with confusion and indignation, "you own slaves."
Lord Griswald met my gaze evenly, his expression calm. "My servants' collars aren't enchanted, young prince. They're not bound by magic, nor are they threatened with pain or death if they disobey or wish to leave. They wear them by choice."
As if to demonstrate, the elf servant standing beside Gavin smiled and removed her collar with ease, holding it up for us to see before placing it back around her neck.
"The collars serve only one purpose: to indicate to others that they are under my protection," Griswald explained. "Slavers in Arcadia wouldn't dare harass or capture them if they believe my servants belong to me and are acting under my instruction."
"They stay because they want to," Griswald continued. "And they are free to leave whenever they choose. My household is their refuge, not their prison."
"Lord Griswald, sir," I said with deep conviction, leaning forward in my chair. "I agree with you, slavery is evil. But it's more than that. The effects of slavery cause suffering for the commoners too. I'm just surprised to hear that other nobles feel the same way."
"I'm even happier to hear that you feel that way, my prince," Lord Griswald said, his tone warm with approval. "Perhaps there is a bright future for this kingdom yet."
"All the people in your domain seem to have jobs and are able to make a living," I continued as another plate of food was placed before me. "That's because you don't rely on slavery for labor, right?"
"Correct," Griswald said with a smile, his eyes twinkling. "My, you're quite insightful for someone so young, Prince Ren."
"Master Griswald," the elf servant standing beside him interjected gently, her voice carrying a touch of humor. "There will be plenty of time to discuss how kind and generous of a lord you are, but perhaps you should eat before the food gets cold."
"Right you are, Silfy," Griswald replied with a chuckle, picking up his fork. "Please, everyone, eat up. My chefs are miracle workers with food. It'd be a sin to let their blessings grow cold."
His servants are confident enough to speak their minds to him, and he clearly respects them. This simple exchange spoke volumes about the kind of man Lord Griswald was.
We all began eating, and the food was remarkable, better even than Lady Willow's cooking, though I'd never tell her that. Lady Willow herself ate politely, though I know she was doing so more out of courtesy than hunger.
"So," Griswald said between bites of potatoes, turning his attention to Lady Willow. "What was it you wanted to discuss, Lady Willow?"
"We wanted permission to harvest medicinal herbs from the forested area at the edge of your domain," she said, her tone matter-of-fact.
"What... that's all?" Griswald asked, laughing heartily. "Of course! Feel free to pull as many weeds from my forests as you like. Honestly, I'm glad you came to visit, but you could've asked for that in a letter."
I had the distinct feeling that Lady Willow's real reason for visiting wasn't to ask permission for herb gathering.
As we continued our dinner, I learned a great deal more about Lord Griswald and Captain Gavin. Griswald's territory was among the most prosperous and productive in the kingdom, a testament to his good management and refusal to rely on slave labor. Instead, he bought slaves solely to free them, offering them jobs, housing, and fair wages. Though he regretted he couldn't save every slave, the loyalty and affection his servants showed him were a clear testament to the respect they held for their master. They behaved more like happy employees than subjugated slaves.
With plates emptied and bellies full, the mood turned lighthearted as Gavin and Griswald began swapping humorous and heroic war stories from their years of service together. Gavin's booming laughter filled the hall as he recounted one particularly daring escapade that ended with Griswald falling into a swamp to escape a demon ambush.
The servants, who had finished their duties, joined us at the table to listen. Even the dainty foxkin woman who had served Gavin earlier perched herself on his knee, laughing along with the tales. It became clear that Gavin was a regular visitor here, and the servants seemed to know him well, and were quite fond of him.
Captain Gavin, it turned out, had earned a minor noble title as a baronet and been appointed as head of the castle guard due to his heroic exploits during the wars against the demon nation of Draemor.
As the evening wound down and the sun dipped low on the horizon, I spoke up, my voice cutting through the warm hum of conversation. "Lord Griswald, sir, I noticed some areas of your farmland look sickly. Do you know why?"
The joyful expression on Lord Griswald's face faded into one of frustrated sadness. "Actually, no," he admitted with a heavy sigh. "It started about a arc ago with one small patch of crops withering. Since then, the affected area has been steadily growing."
"We've tried everything we can think of," he continued, his voice tinged with resignation. "We've had mages attempt to revitalize the plants, renew the soil, even lift any curses that might have been placed on the land. Some of these methods worked, briefly. The crops would spring back to life for a few hours, but by the next morning, they were withered again."
I leaned forward with a confident smile. "I know what's wrong with your crops," I said, my tone assured. "And I can fix them for you."
The room fell into an awkward silence as everyone, except Lady Willow, of course, stared at me in shock. Lord Griswald's eyes narrowed slightly, his skepticism clear, while Gavin folded his arms, raising an eyebrow at me.
"You know…" I added hesitantly, now feeling the weight of their stares. "If you want, I could remove what's causing your crops to wither."
Gavin broke the silence with a chuckle. "What do you know about farming, young prince?" he asked, his voice amused but not unkind. "This is probably the first farmland you've ever seen."
Lord Griswald sighed, rubbing his beard thoughtfully. "I have to agree with Gavin. I find it hard to believe you were able to diagnose the problem just by passing by the fields on your way to my manor. But," he added with a shrug, "we've tried everything else. At this point, we're looking at losing a fourth of our harvest. So, by all means, let's see what you can do."
With that, the four of us, Lady Willow, Gavin, Griswald, and I, departed the manor. As we thanked the servants for their wonderful meal and service, Silfy hurried over with a thick fur cloak for Griswald, replacing his cape. She fussed over him like a mother sending her child out to play, her parting words a gentle, "Stay warm and be safe."
The other servants gathered at the door, waving goodbye as we climbed into the carriage. Their warmth and genuine affection for their master lingered with me as we rode toward the afflicted fields.
The carriage ride was brief, and I directed the driver to stop near the center of the affected area. As we stepped out, I saw desolate patches of farmland stretched out before us, lifeless and dry. In my mind, I overlaid the aerial view I'd seen earlier through my bird puppet. From above, the withering followed a distinct spiral pattern, like the coils of a massive snake.
From my studies of the bestiary, I remembered an entry about a monster that matched this pattern: the Dreadcoil Worm. A giant subterranean creature, it lays its eggs beneath farmlands, feeding the larva by siphoning the life force from the surrounding plants. As the larva grows, the area of decay extends outward in a spiral.
Dreadcoil Worms weren't native to this region; they were usually found much farther south in the lands of Fuketsujin. That explained why no one here recognized the telltale signs.
"What you're dealing with here isn't a blight or a curse," I began, drawing shocked expressions from Gavin and Griswald. "There's a monster coiled beneath our feet, feeding off your land. Its egg hatched about an arc ago, and it's been growing ever since. Right now, it's a juvenile, so we still have a chance to kill it. But if we wait any longer, it will grow much larger and far more dangerous."
"A Dreadcoil?" Griswald repeated, his brow furrowing. "I've never heard of such a creature."
"It's still a baby, then," Gavin said with an air of confidence. "This should be easy."
That's not what the word juvenile means.
"All we need to do is pull the worm from the ground using a bit of earth magic," I said confidently. "It should still be sluggish and slow to respond since it's still developing."
"Small problem," Griswald said, folding his arms. "Gavin isn't a mage, and I have a water affinity, not earth."
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lady Willow turn her head and roll her eyes.
Lady Willow always said that only novice magic users worried about magical "type affinities."
"Don't worry, I'll handle it," I said, my tone firm.
"You?" Griswald scoffed, raising a skeptical eyebrow. "You're five years old. You expect me to believe you can use earth magic powerful enough to pull a monster from the ground?"
Rather than arguing, I decided it would be easier to show them. I extended my hand, focusing my mana into the soil beneath us. I visualized it spreading through the earth, coiling around the worm, and becoming one with the ground. Once I felt the connection, I pushed the soil above the worm aside while forcing the ground beneath it upward, bringing the creature to the surface.
The ground rumbled as the earth parted, revealing a massive, slimy creature erupting from the soil. Gavin and Griswald stumbled back in shock, while the carriage driver screamed and fled. Gavin's massive sword was in his hands in an instant, gleaming in the fading light.
Lady Willow, meanwhile, stood perfectly calm, her expression bored as though this were merely another tedious task on her agenda.
The worm finally emerged in its full terrifying form, a monstrous, 40-foot-long creature, its slimy body nearly five feet in diameter. Its head was a gaping circular mouth lined with spiraling rows of razor-sharp teeth, designed to shred prey as it was drawn into the abyss of its throat.
"That's a baby?" Gavin exclaimed, his voice full of disbelief. Without hesitation, he began casting enhancement magic on himself. "Iron Skin, Lion's Heart, Thought Acceleration, Diamond Edge, Enhance Speed!" His armor and sword glowed faintly as each spell took effect, enveloping him in a golden aura.
"Fire Lance!" Griswald shouted, casting a blazing spear of fire toward the worm. But with shocking speed, the creature dodged the attack and lunged directly at me.
Panic surged through me. Reflexively, I cast a barrier spell. The translucent shield held, but the worm's attack sent a shockwave through my body. The immense mana drain from the impact left me dizzy, my knees buckling beneath me. I gasped for breath as the worm reared back, its focus locked on me.
Why was it targeting me? Perhaps it didn't appreciate being woken up.
The worm lunged again, its massive, razor-filled mouth hurtling toward me. My mana was nearly depleted, and I knew my barrier wouldn't hold against a second strike. I froze in fear, unable to move. Its grotesque maw filled my vision, and for a moment, I thought, Is this it? Is this how I die?
Just as the worm's mouth was about to close around me, Lady Willow appeared before me, her movements impossibly graceful. With a flick of her hand, she cast her own barrier, one far more powerful than mine. The worm slammed into it with a deafening crash, its body instantly searing and smoking where it made contact with the shield.
Before it could react, Gavin moved with inhuman speed. His massive frame belied a startling agility as he darted around the worm, his blade slicing deep into its side. Blood sprayed in torrents as Gavin ran the length of the creature, cutting it from head to tail in a single, precise motion. The worm's body convulsed, split apart, and collapsed in a heap of gore.
As the monster's lifeless remains slumped to the ground, Gavin stood at its center, drenched in blood but grinning triumphantly. "Now that's how you handle a baby," he said with a smirk.
There is so much wrong with that statement
Lady Willow lowered her barrier, turning to me with a calm expression. "You did well, young master," she said, though her tone was more matter-of-fact than congratulatory.
I sank to the ground, trembling as the adrenaline drained from my body. The smell of blood and the sight of the worm's massive, bisected corpse filled the air. It was over, but the lesson was clear. I still had so much to learn, and so far to go, if I wanted to survive in this dangerous world.
Lady Willow gently lifted me off the ground, cradling me against her chest with surprising tenderness.
"Is the young master all right?" Lord Griswald asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.
"He's fine," Lady Willow replied, her tone steady and reassuring as she carried me back to the carriage. "Just a bit drained of mana. He'll recover with some rest."
That was kind of her to say, but truthfully, I am not just exhausted, I am shaken to my core. The monster was far more terrifying in real life than it had ever seemed in the pages of a book.
"I'm okay too, by the way," Gavin called out from the side, trying and failing to wipe off the overwhelming stench and gore covering him from head to toe.
"I'm very impressed by the boy," Griswald said, his tone thoughtful as I struggled to keep my eyes open. "Not only did he identify what was destroying our crops, but he saved my lands from a monster that could have caused even more destruction. He's done a great service for my domain."
"He is a very talented boy," Lady Willow said with quiet pride as she carried me into the carriage.
She settled me onto the seat beside her, laying my head on her lap. Her fingers brushed my hair soothingly, and I felt some of the tension begin to ease. Lord Griswald stepped into the carriage next.
Captain Gavin moved to follow, but Griswald held up a hand. "Not you, Gavin," he said firmly. "I don't want you making a mess of the carriage. You're riding on the outside."
"This is the thanks I get?" Gavin grumbled, throwing up his hands in mock frustration. "I just saved everyone here!"
"Exactly, and we thank you by letting you enjoy the fresh air," Griswald quipped, smirking.
Gavin muttered something under his breath but complied, climbing up onto the driver's bench.
As the carriage began to move, I felt myself drifting off, exhaustion pulling at my consciousness. The last thought that flickered through my mind was of Captain Gavin. His enhancement magic and brilliant swordsmanship during the fight had been astonishing, especially for someone who wasn't a mage.
I had no idea someone with so little magical capacity could use it so efficiently. From what I could sense, Gavin had about the same mana reserves as me, yet he wielded it with precision and discipline.
I need to have him train me