Ch. 12: Final Day of Training

The harsh morning light filtered into my room from the window near the bed, searing my eyes and forcing me to once again wrench myself away from the comforts of my bed, wrestling against the temptation to linger in the warmth of sleep. As I gently smoothed out the blankets, my attempt at making the bed as presentable as when I first rented the room. The danger of growing accustomed to these newfound comforts loomed like a shadow on the edge of my consciousness, threatening to become an expectation. Two nights, and already the familiarity seemed dangerously easy to embrace. It might be a bit of a struggle for me to not take it for granted. I clenched my fist in determination; I would work extra hard today to really earn my keep.

Upon arriving at the Guild, I seamlessly slipped into the familiar hum of the training area. The room was filled with the scent of worn leather, polished weapons, and the faint aroma of herbs used for healing. Today's the last day… I'll be able to take more requests, starting tomorrow, but…. I'm going to miss it. I understand why the training is mandatory; I feel like I've really learned a lot so far. If possible, maybe I should see if they offer any additional training courses. Of course, I'll have to actually take on enough quests to have a day off. What would that be like, I wonder? Not having to worry if I was going to be able to survive until the next day… I feel giddy just thinking about it.

"Alright, listen up!" Durin bellowed, his voice cutting through the air like a battle cry. "Today marks the end of your basic training. You've learned the essentials to survive out there, but remember, the real learning begins once you step beyond the guild doors."

He paced in front of the group, his eyes scanning each eager face. "First up, you're going to split off into pairs to conduct mock battles. While mock battles are nothing like facin' off against a human in life or death combat or like facin' a monster, it's important to get a basic understanding of fighting styles other than your own. It'll pay off when you start taking requests as parties."

Slowly, the other new adventurers began to pair off with each other. The room resonated with the clashing sounds of wooden swords as pairs of trainees engaged in simulated combat, honing their skills under the watchful eye of Durin. I jumped as someone tapped on my shoulder. I turned around to see Ellvira, staring down at the ground. "Do you… want to p-partner together?" She mumbled. She still seemed somewhat afraid of me, but I guess my apology yesterday helped.

I stared at her before looking around. Everyone else was already paired up, leaving just the two of us behind. I guess no one really wanted to partner off with either of us… I nodded, "A-alright…"

With that, Ellvira and I stepped onto the designated sparring area. The wooden floor beneath us echoed with the rhythmic cadence of ongoing battles. We faced each other, our training swords held at the ready. Ellvira's eyes flitted between the floor and my face, a nervous energy radiating from her.

"Alright, you two!" Durin's voice cut through the ambient noise, drawing our attention. "Remember, this is about learning. Don't hold back, but don't aim to harm."

I nodded at him half-heartedly. My test against Durin was my first time in mock combat. As such, I'm still not confident in my ability. It might be for learning and practice, but… what if I was so terrible that everyone made fun of me?

The air felt heavy with hesitancy and uncertainty as Ellvira and I circled each other, wooden swords poised. As Ellvira made the first move, her swings were cautious yet deliberate. I parried, my own strikes much the same. The mock battle unfolded, a dance of wooden blades as our confidence grew. We slowly warmed up to each other, exchanging blows with increasing force and flourish.

The day unfolded with more practical training as we delved into scenario-based exercises, applying our newfound skills in simulated quests. Durin, despite his stern exterior, offered encouraging words and constructive criticism, fostering an environment of growth. While he had seemed intimidating at first, and definitely talks big, I've slowly realized that he's actually putting a lot of effort into making sure everyone understands the lessons, making sure to guide even the ones who don't want to learn.

Finally, he gathered us in the center of the room, "You've all come a long way in a short time. Remember, the path ahead is treacherous, but the guild is here to support you. Be vigilant, be adaptable, and most importantly, trust your instincts. Tomorrow, you step into the real world of adventurers. Make the guild proud!"

A small smile crept across my face, but when I glanced over at Ellvira, I noticed her large grin. She looked so proud of herself… Maybe… She's really determined to take over from her father? She turned to me, "Ami! We did it! Did you hear him! We're really, real adventurers now!"

I took a half step back. I hadn't expected her to get so… friendly. "Y-yeah."

Her excitement undeterred, Ellvira continued, "We should celebrate! How about dinner in the guild hall? My treat! Consider it a prelude to the adventures we're going to have starting tomorrow!"

I hesitated, my initial instinct to decline warring with the notion that maybe it wouldn't be so bad to share a meal with a fellow adventurer. "Uhm, a-are you sure it's okay?"

"Of course!" She grabbed my hand, staring into my eyes insistently, expectantly awaiting my answer.

"O-okay then…"

Ellvira's eyes lit up, and she began dragging me toward the guild hall. "Great! Let's go together! I've always wanted to try the food here!"

I reluctantly trailed her, as she still hadn't let go of my hand. Maybe I should have just told her no… My quiet meal time…

In the guild hall, the lively atmosphere enveloped us as Ellvira found us a table. The aroma of various dishes mingled in the air, creating a tantalizing allure. As we settled in, Ellvira gestured towards the menu.

"Order anything you want, Ami. It's my treat, remember?" she said with a generous smile.

I couldn't help but offer a small smile in return. "Thank y-you, Ellvira. I appreciate it."

Over dinner, Ellvira's enthusiasm spilled over as she gushed about the three days of training. "I can't believe how much I've learned! Durin's a great teacher, isn't he? I never thought training could be this exciting. I mean, I always knew I wanted to take over the business from my father, but being an adventurer! I didn't expect it to be so exciting, and it's only the start!"

Between bites, she continued, exclaiming, "I can't wait to explore mysterious ruins, or maybe help escort important individuals through dangerous territories! And monster slaying! Imagine facing creatures straight out of legends! It's like stepping into a fantastical tale!"

I found myself nodding along, the atmosphere becoming more comfortable between us. Maybe…. There's a small chance that… She's not that bad.