The afternoon sun shone brightly as Kael was called to the advanced training field. There, he met Lyanna, a tall woman with her hair tied in a bun and penetrating eyes. She carried two short swords at her waist and had a presence that made Kael feel small.
— So, you're Kael. I've heard you rely too much on strength. Let's see what you can do. — said Lyanna, handing him a wooden sword.
Without warning, Lyanna attacked. Kael barely had time to raise his sword to block the strike, which made him stumble back. Her movements were precise and relentless, and Kael found himself constantly on the defensive.
— You fight like a hammer trying to smash everything in its path. But not everything can be solved with brute force. — Lyanna said, as she pressed him.
Kael tried to counterattack, but Lyanna dodged with grace, striking him repeatedly with light blows that, although not painful, wounded his pride. After several minutes, he collapsed to his knees, exhausted.
— This is pathetic. You'll never survive like this. — said Lyanna, crossing her arms. — Your father, Arden, understood the importance of balance. You should learn from him.
Kael lifted his head when he heard his father's name.
— Did you know him? — he asked, panting.
Lyanna nodded, a nostalgic gleam in her eyes.
— We fought together many times. He was an exceptional warrior, but he also knew when to retreat. You have a lot to learn if you want to honor his legacy.
In the following days, Kael trained intensively with Lyanna. She taught him to read his opponents' movements, to conserve energy, and to stay calm under pressure. Although the training was exhausting, Kael began to understand what Lyanna meant by balance.