The Dance of Blades

"Good morning," I greeted Zephyra as I entered the dining hall, guided by a demon maid, followed by Katarina and Valeria. Zephyra nodded in response, as if reciprocating the greeting. "Cid, the strongest swordsman of the four kingdoms," Zephyra said with a chuckle, sipping on the reddish liquid in her glass. I raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Where did that come from all of a sudden?" I asked, taking a seat at the table. Zephyra smiled mischievously. "Since we are friends now, why don't you teach some of my demons swordsmanship?" she proposed, placing her glass down. "In return, I'll teach you magic." The idea of learning magic had intrigued me for quite some time, but my father had always been against it. As a result, there were very few mages in the Kingdom of Leonhardt, as most of them chose to hide their abilities. They would never trust the prince, the son of a man who despised mages. Without hesitation, I nodded and agreed to Zephyra's proposal. I would teach the demons swordsmanship, and in return, I would learn magic from her. "Great, let's eat first. I'll show you the academies later. They're located in Sinewood," she said, taking a bite of the bread in front of her. Despite being a demon, Zephyra possessed a certain elegance and grace as she ate. I smiled in response and tore off a piece of bread, dipping it into a curry-like liquid that accompanied a small piece of dragon meat.

After breakfast, I followed Zephyra's instructions and returned to my room to freshen up. A demon maid accompanied me, similar to how Amelia had done so in the past. She helped me undress, washed my body thoroughly, and then dressed me in clean clothes that had been magically cleaned while I was being bathed. Once ready, I left the room, where Katarina and Valeria were waiting for me at the entrance. We made our way to the courtyard, where Queen Zephyra awaited us, along with my two loyal bodyguards. "Are you ready?" Zephyra asked as she saw me approaching. I nodded and walked toward her. As our hands met, I felt a warmth radiating from her touch, different from that of a human hand, yet comforting in its own way. She closed her eyes and muttered an incantation, and I followed suit, closing my own eyes. Katarina and Valeria placed their hands on my shoulders and closed their eyes as well. After a few seconds, the air around us shifted, and when I opened my eyes, I found myself in a bustling city. Numerous small shops lined the streets, and a variety of demons could be seen roaming about. The city felt alive in a way that was both fascinating and slightly overwhelming. As soon as we appeared, some of the demons scurried away, seeking shelter behind shops or crates. "Fear not, my demons. These humans are friendly," Zephyra reassured them, raising her hand in a calming gesture. Slowly, the demons cautiously emerged from their hiding spots, though they still maintained an air of caution. I couldn't blame them for being wary of humans. "That is where we're going," Zephyra said, pointing to a cluster of buildings nearby. "I teleported us here first because I wanted you to see our city." We strolled through the previously bustling street until we reached a gate. Zephyra opened it, and we entered before she closed it behind us.

"Welcome to Malphas Demon Academy," she announced as we walked toward a massive barn-like structure. Inside, a vast hall bustled with demons practicing swordsmanship and magic. "This is the gymnasium where swordsmanship and magic are taught, though our swordsmanship might not match up to yours," Zephyra remarked with a chuckle. She introduced me to Azrael, a swordsmanship instructor at the Malphas Academy. Azrael was a brawny man with piercing red eyes and a distinctive beard. Veins were visible on his arms, a testament to his strength. "For the next few days, Cid will be guiding you in swordsmanship," Zephyra informed Azrael. The instructor squinted at me skeptically. "My lady, a human teaching me swordsmanship? With all due respect, is this some kind of joke?" he questioned. Zephyra's eyes gleamed with determination. "No, Cid is the strongest swordsman in the four human kingdoms. If you're still unconvinced, why don't you duel?" she proposed. A slight unease settled in my stomach as I realized I would be facing Azrael, who seemed exceptionally formidable. "Very well, my lady," Azrael replied, walking to an open space in the hall. I followed suit. Katarina and Valeria stood behind Zephyra, watching the impending showdown. "Are you ready?" Azrael asked, gripping his sword tightly. I tightened my grip on my own sword and nodded. In a flash, Azrael lunged toward me, and I instinctively leaned back, narrowly evading his blade. He was fast, but I could discern that his style lacked finesse. It was more brute force than a dance. I quickly retreated and positioned my sword defensively as Azrael attacked, pushing me back slightly. Although his strength was undeniable, I could sense the absence of skill in his movements. It was akin to giving a stick to a child and engaging in a mock battle. The duel continued for a few minutes, and I noticed Azrael growing noticeably fatigued. It seemed he had exerted much of his energy within a short span of time. "In the hands of a true swordsman, the blade becomes an extension of the body, moving in harmony like a dancer on a stage," I commented, pointing my sword at Azrael. "But with you, I see stumbling, as if you're trying to dance with your feet in a bucket." I closed the distance between us, and although Azrael defended himself valiantly, I deflected his attacks, leaped over him, and held the tip of my sword against his neck. Surrendering, Azrael dropped his sword and chuckled. "I'm sorry for doubting you, my lady," he said, kneeling at Zephyra's behest. I resheathed my sword and made my way back to Zephyra's side. She burst into laughter. "It's all right, Azrael. I already knew the outcome before you fought. Are you ready for him to guide you now?" she inquired mischievously. "Yes, my lady," Azrael replied, acknowledging his defeat.

"In the realm of swordsmanship, it is said to be a dance, an art, and a conversation between two fighters. Yet as our blades clash, all I hear are screams instead of words. There is no exchange, no understanding between us. It is in this absence of connection that I find my advantage," I declared, now alone in the gym with Azrael. Katarina and Valeria remained outside, observing a young demon child practice magic. "Watch closely," I instructed, taking a step forward and swinging my sword with precision. Each movement flowed seamlessly, without any unnecessary motions. "Every step has purpose. Notice how I shift my weight, transferring power from one leg to the other. It is a delicate balance, maintaining both stability and agility," I explained, executing a series of strikes that left a gleam of steel in their wake. Azrael's eyes were fixed on me, clearly impressed. "Now, you try," I urged, holding my sword casually on my shoulder. Azrael attempted to replicate my moves, but there was still room for improvement. I kicked his feet gently. "Wider," I advised, carefully observing his strikes. "No, here you moved your feet to the back. In an actual fight, unnecessary movements can be crucial," I pointed out. I watched him make adjustments and witnessed a visible improvement in his movements over the course of a few hours of practice. "You see, Azrael, swordsmanship is not merely about defeating an opponent or proving one's superiority. It goes far beyond that. It is a journey of self-discovery, a means to understand oneself and the world around us," I reflected, taking a seat on a nearby bench. I took a sip of water from a flask provided by the demon maid earlier. "Every opponent we face, regardless of their skill level, holds valuable lessons. Their movements, techniques, and even their mindset contribute to the vast tapestry of knowledge that we can weave into our own swordsmanship," I continued, locking eyes with Azrael. "By observing and learning from our opponents, we broaden our understanding of combat. Even if they are less skilled, there is always something to glean—a glimpse into a different perspective that can enhance our own growth." Azrael chuckled and playfully hit my back, the force of a demon making me cough slightly. "You know, human, I like you," he admitted, a friendly gesture among comrades. I shot him a glance. "I have a name, Azrael," I retorted, raising an eyebrow. He burst into laughter. "Haha, yes, Cid, the strongest swordsman I've ever met," he said with genuine amusement. "Let's duel again tomorrow. I can see that you've improved quite a lot within today," I proposed, walking toward the exit of the gym and waving a hand in farewell. Though Azrael didn't utter a goodbye, I caught a nod of respect from him in my peripheral vision as I departed the gym.

Character Introductions

Katarina

Katarina, a skilled swordswoman, had been Cid's companion since he was twelve years old. As the daughter of a royal knight, she had been assigned as Cid's bodyguard. Despite her role, Katarina possessed an enchanting beauty that could rival princesses from other kingdoms. Her face radiated grace and charm, and her skin remained smooth and unblemished, lacking the roughness typically associated with a warrior. Standing slightly shorter than Cid, Katarina's figure boasted a subtle elegance. While her chest may have been comparatively flat, her curves gracefully accentuated her form, particularly in her shapely behind. Her dedication to safeguarding Cid stemmed from her desire to support her father, who had been incapacitated following a battle with a demon dispatched by King Leonhardt when she was just sixteen years old. Serving as Cid's bodyguard allowed her to honor her father's legacy and fulfill her duty as a knight's daughter. 

Valeria

Valeria, once an orphan hailing from the small village of Driftwood in the southern region of the Leonhardt Kingdom, had endured a tragic past. The bandit's assault had left her village ravaged and in ruins. It was at this darkest hour that Katarina's father, a noble knight, took Valeria under his wing and welcomed her into his family as his own daughter. Despite her origins, Valeria possessed a natural allure that captivated those around her. Standing at a height between Katarina and Cid, her stature exuded both strength and grace. Her sun-kissed complexion added a touch of warmth to her beauty, setting her apart from Katarina's fairer skin.

While sharing many similarities with Katarina, Valeria boasted a slightly fuller figure, with ample curves that accentuated her femininity. Growing up together as sisters, their bond had only grown stronger over the years. When Katarina assumed the role of Cid's bodyguard, Valeria wholeheartedly decided to join her "sister" in protecting and supporting Cid.