I woke up the next day, feeling refreshed. After getting ready, I grabbed a book and began reading, immersing myself in the words. The morning was peaceful until a knock sounded on my door.
"It's me, Kyra," came her familiar voice.
"Come in," I said, placing the book aside.
Kyra entered with her usual grace. "Young master, your mother is calling for you."
"Alright. Let's go," I replied, following her as she escorted me to my mother's chambers.
As I entered, I greeted her with a bright smile. "Good morning, Mom!"
She returned the smile warmly. "Good morning, dear!"
"You called me?"
"Yes," she said, gesturing toward the door. "Sir Cedric, please come in."
A tall, imposing man stepped inside. He had a sword strapped to his waist, and his sharp, piercing eyes immediately commanded respect. There was an air of authority around him that made it clear he was no ordinary swordsman.
"This is Cedric Mo," my mother began, "one of the squad leaders in the Mo clan and your new teacher. He will teach you how to wield a sword."
Cedric bowed slightly. "Young master Jin Mo, it's a pleasure to meet you."
I stood and bowed respectfully. "It's an honor to meet you too, Sir Cedric."
He studied me for a moment. "I've heard you're skilled with a bow?"
I scratched my head sheepishly. "That was just luck."
He smirked. "Let's see if your luck works with a sword."
"Yes, sir," I replied, determined.
My mother interjected, "Sir Cedric, please take good care of my son."
He nodded confidently. "No worries, madam. I'll make him a strong swordsman."
Cedric led me to the battle arena, a vast space where clan members practiced and sparred. The area was filled with racks of weapons – swords, spears, axes, and more.
"Young master Jin Mo, choose any sword you like," Cedric instructed, gesturing to the collection.
I scanned the options carefully and picked up a long sword. It felt balanced and familiar in my grip, even though I had primarily used a scythe in my past life.
"Come here," Cedric said, drawing a small circle on the ground and stepping into it. "We'll have a spar. I will only defend. Your goal is to push me out of this circle. Attack with everything you've got."
I nodded. "Understood."
Taking my stance, I adjusted my grip on the sword. Years of muscle memory from my previous life kicked in, and my posture instinctively became solid.
Cedric raised an eyebrow. "Have you wielded a sword before?"
"No, sir," I lied smoothly. "I've just observed the sparring sessions in the arena and tried to copy what I saw."
He chuckled. "Impressive. Most can't even replicate a proper stance by watching. Good. Now, come at me with all your might."
I took a deep breath, steadied myself, and charged at him.
The First Clash
I swung my sword with precision, aiming for his midsection. Cedric parried effortlessly, his movements smooth and calculated. I followed up with a flurry of strikes, testing his defenses. Each time, he blocked or redirected my attacks, his feet planted firmly within the circle.
"Not bad," he commented. "But you'll need more than speed to push me back."
I gritted my teeth and adjusted my approach, trying to combine speed with strength. My blade clashed against his in a shower of sparks. I aimed for openings, but he closed them as quickly as they appeared.
After several exchanges, I could feel my stamina waning. Cedric, however, looked entirely unbothered, his movements as sharp as ever.
The Turning Point
Taking a step back to catch my breath, I noticed a screen pop up before me.
Ding! New Skill Acquired: Sword Mastery (1 Star)
A surge of confidence filled me. My grip on the sword felt more natural, my movements more fluid. I stepped back into position, determination blazing in my eyes.
"Come again," Cedric urged, his tone serious. "Do your best this time."
I nodded, tightening my stance, and rushed forward. This time, my strikes were faster and more precise. Cedric's expression shifted slightly, his eyes narrowing as he began to take my attacks more seriously.
The clang of metal against metal echoed across the arena as we exchanged blow after blow. Cedric was forced to step back slightly, his footing momentarily faltering under my relentless assault.
The Final Push
I could feel my muscles burning, my breath ragged, but I pressed on. Each swing of my sword carried the weight of my willpower. Cedric's defenses were still solid, but cracks began to show. I noticed subtle shifts in his stance and aimed for them.
With a powerful strike aimed at his shoulder, I forced him to block high, leaving his lower body exposed. I followed up with a quick kick to his shin, disrupting his balance. He stumbled back, his foot stepping out of the circle.
"I did it," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper as exhaustion overtook me. I dropped to my knees, the sword slipping from my grasp. "I won…"
Cedric stared at me, his expression a mix of astonishment and respect. "Incredible," he said quietly. "To think you could push me back… at your age."
Before I could respond, my vision blurred, and I collapsed onto the ground, drained from the intense battle. The last thing I heard was Cedric's voice calling for help.
As I drifted into unconsciousness, a sense of accomplishment washed over me. For the first time, I felt like I was truly taking a step forward in this new life.