The Way of the Blade, Maybe?

I never did do real weapon training before. I excitedly examine each weapon hung and laying about the training yard. Swords are always cool, maybe I will try one out first. I look over the swords with more scrutiny. What makes one sword truly better than another?

“What are you looking for?”, The tired woman’s voice asks from behind me. I jump in surprise once again. Damn, she is light footed.

“I’m trying to figure out which sword to try out.”, I answer looking back at the beanpole of a woman.

“I understand that.”, The woman responds stoically as she steps next to me and examines the swords as well. “How about this one?”, She asks me pulling out some kind of fencing blade. “Light and safer to use than a broadsword.”, She explains handing the sword to me. I give a swing of the fencing blade. It is quite light. “You got quite the arm.”, The guild member says sarcastically as she walks away. At least pretend to care lady.

“Yamakuma.”, Nir calls from the middle of what looks like a track field. “Let’s see what you got.”, The burly man says. “What a weird name.”, He mutters aloud unintentionally. I would be offended but I got used to it growing up. The first time that is.

“He-”, I respond walking to the circle.

“Let’s get this over with.”, The lanky woman cuts me off. I am aware I will not be a challenge but at least keep it to yourself.

“We’re almost done with Group S Nadia.”, Nir says. The lanky woman sighs lifting up a large wooden sword.

“Listen kid.”, Nadia says to me resting the practice weapon on her shoulder. “You don’t have to win this.”, She continues with a yawn, “It’s just a test of your ability.”

“Go-got it.”, I manage to stammer nodding my head. I raise the light fencing blade and point it towards Nadia.

“You ready Yamakuma?”, Nir asks me. I tighten my grip on the weapon in my hand.

“I am.”, I answer with a gulp.

“I already know the answer.”, Nir says turning his head to look at the lanky woman. “You ready Nadia?”, He asks her. In response she simply nods. “Good.”, The burly man mutters. “Then start.”, The master says as he raises his voice.

Before I can even prepare for anything the large wooden sword of Nadia hits me in the gut. The blow had to be moving at the speed of sound because I swear I feel a sonic boom as I am flown out of the circle and into a wall.

“Pandemonium Nadia!”, Another female voice exclaims. I fall on my face to the ground. “Skadi’s breath! Hold back a little more!”, The voice yells at my opponent as I slowly rise into a push up position.

“Well ain’t that something.”, Nadia mutters at the sight of me rising to my feet.

“That-”, I start before I begin coughing.

“Even with the pain reduction runes all around the yard, how are you even standing?”, Nir exclaims in surprise. Pain reduction runes? I look over at Nir with a raised brow before I finally finish coughing.

“That hurt!”, I yell at Nadia turning to look at her again.

“Of course it did!”, Nadia yells back at me, “I hit you in the gut!” The lanky woman rests the large wooden sword back on her shoulder. “You took it better than anyone else so far though.”, She says barely hiding her annoyance. She puts her free hand to the back of her head before muttering, “And we were almost done… What a pain in the ass.” I think she is the real pain in the ass. “I was holding back you know Bergenia.”, The lanky swordswoman retorts quite delayed to the other woman. Oh joy! And here I thought she went full force. “What’s that look for?”, The swordswoman inquires with a glare.

-- -- --

“You are terrible with a sword.”, Nadia mocks as I fall to my knees trying to catch my breath. “Probably the most durable thing I’ve ever hit before though.”, She says quietly. Was that praise? She is terrible at giving it if that was what she was doing. “Killed a dragon once, never thought a little human girl would be able to take a blow just as well.”, The woman says with a sigh. What?

“What?”, Bergenia asks before I can voice the question, “Really?” The woman looks at me with a shocked expression as she continues, “This little girl?”

“Durability doesn’t mean much against a deadly animal.”, Nadia says walking past me. “It’ll just rip you apart limb from limb.”, She unnecessarily adds. She is not wrong, but what a terrible teacher.

“Alright.”, Nir announces, “Last bout, Goodswell!”

“Finally!”, Nadia cheers.

“Move peon.”, The prick from before says condescendingly to me. “You should find yourself fortunate to see a Goodswell fight.”, William continues while I stand to my feet. The annoying teen draws the sword on his waist and points it at Nadia. “Come at me then.”, He arrogantly states.

“What a dumbass.”, Nadia mutters before she begins to laugh hysterically at the teen. “Ha ha ha ha! Nobles really are just too stupid!”, The lanky woman cackles, “Look at you kid!” She points at Goodswell continuing, “I’m superior to you in every physical way! And I have real experience on top of that!”

“Know your place!”, The overconfident noble orders his superior. “I have been training the way of the sword since before I could walk.”, He prattles.

“Know yours Goodswell.”, Nir orders the teen. “You are an applicant here. Noble titles mean nothing in the guild.”, The man explains in an eerily stoic tone. “Nadia.”, The burly man looks at the woman while continuing, “I know you are ready.” The lanky woman merely nods as she hefts the wooden sword back on her shoulder. “I take it you are also ready Goodswell.”, Nir says as he looks at the idiotic teen.

“Of course I am.”, Goodswell responds still full of arrogance. Please show this shithead his place Nadia.

“Begin the final practice match.”, Nir says with that same eerily calm tone. I barely catch sight of Nadia moving.

“I will not fall for such-“, Goodswell proclaims as his sword meets Nadia’s. Unfortunately for the moron, Nadia was correct being his superior in literally every way. He is unable to finish what he was saying and is sent flying into the wall behind him.