Aurelius inhaled deeply as he joined the cluster of students gathering on the dusty field. Positioned at the forefront, the instructors radiated an aura of command and proficiency. From time to time, they would indicate and gesture toward certain students, engaging in private conversations.
Before long, one of the instructors advanced, a towering figure with a prominent scar traversing his cheek. His eyes, which hinted at his experience, meticulously surveyed the assembled students, absorbing their facial expressions and body language.
"Welcome, everyone, to Sword Mastery 101," the instructor announced, his voice carrying a weight of experience. "I am Instructor Donovan, and over the next few months, I will guide you on a journey to become skilled swordsmen and swordswomen."
Aurelius listened intently to the instructor's words.
"But first, we will split this group among the instructors. Each instructor will choose two students. Students, the instructor who selects you will assume responsibility for your instruction during this period, and the foreseeable semester. Today, once the groups are formed, your assigned instructors will observe and assess your skill levels. Depending on their evaluation, we may consider reassigning instructors. If you are exceptional, you might even be placed in a higher-level class."
Following this announcement, the instructors began to move through the crowd of students, carefully observing their stances, posture, and general demeanor. Aurelius watched as the instructors conversed with each other, pointing at the few of the students. His eyebrows shot up in astonishment when he witnessed one instructor roughly grab a student, subjecting them to a thorough pat-down as if scrutinizing a product on a store shelf.
Abruptly, Instructor Donovan advanced towards Aurelius, his piercing gaze critically evaluating him, measuring him up with discerning scrutiny.
Suddenly, Instructor Donovan made his way towards Aurelius.. The instructor's gaze scrutinized Aurelius, sizing him up with a critical eye.
"State your name," Instructor Donovan commanded, his voice firm but not unkind.
"Aurelius, sir," Aurelius replied, his voice steady.
Instructor Donovan nodded, his expression remaining impassive. He continued to observe Aurelius, constantly assessing him
"Show me what you've got, Aurelius," the instructor said, handing Aurelius a sword within its sheath.
Aurelius grabbed the sheath, and the professor took a step back.
Aurelius took a deep breath, steeling himself for the demonstration. He moved to the center of the field, mentally preparing for the upcoming display.
With a swift motion, Aurelius unsheathed the practice sword, the blade gleaming in the sunlight.
He assumed a perfectly balanced stance, ensuring that his feet were firmly planted on the ground. For a brief moment, a flicker of worry crossed his mind as he considered the new dimensions of the blade in his hands, different from the guard-issued one he had previously used. However, as his hands wrapped around the weapon, any concerns he had swiftly dissipated, replaced by the calm and collected confidence that came with his Blade Dancer class.
His movements were fluid, at least to Aurelius. Once again, the sword became an extension of his body as he executed a series of precise strikes, parries, and footwork.
Instructor Donovan's eyes followed Aurelius's every move, observing the intricacies of his technique. The instructor's stern expression softened slightly, indicating a glimmer of approval.
As Aurelius finished his demonstration, he sheathed his sword and turned to face Instructor Donovan once again. The instructor's face revealed a hint of satisfaction.
"Not bad, Aurelius," Instructor Donovan remarked, his tone neutral but with a subtle note of approval. "You have potential. I will be your instructor for this class."
Aurelius felt a surge of pride. "Thank you, sir," Aurelius replied, a smile gracing his lips.
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“But, you also have a long way to go.” Instructor Donovan interjected, his face taking on a serious expression. "Sure, you've got the instincts, but right now, you swing that sword with reckless abandon. Your basics need a serious makeover."
Just as Aurelius began envisioning himself as the next prodigy, Instructor Donovan swiftly shattered his aspirations, crushing them like a bug. Instantly, the smile vanished from Aurelius's face, replaced by a frown of disappointment.
Instructor Donovan continued, his voice firm but not unkind. "You have potential, but potential alone won't get you far. Sword mastery requires discipline, dedication, and relentless practice. Your technique is raw, and your fundamentals need refinement."
"I understand, sir," Aurelius replied, his voice steady despite the disappointment. He knew there was truth in instructor Donovan’s words "I'm willing to put in the work and learn from you."
Instructor Donovan nodded and turned his attention to the rest of the students, making his way through the crowd to select the second student he would be instructing. As the selection process continued, Aurelius observed his classmates, curious to see who would join him under Instructor Donovan's tutelage.
Aurelius stood there, his mind racing with a myriad of thoughts. He watched as the other instructors made their choices, pairing up with their respective students. Some students wore expressions of excitement, while others displayed nervousness or disappointment.
Finally, Instructor Donovan made his way back to Aurelius, accompanied by another student. The new student was a tall, muscular young man with a determined look on his face. He had a shaved head and a scar that ran across his jawline, mirroring the scar on Instructor Donovan's cheek.
"Aurelius, meet your sparring partner and fellow student, Kieran," Instructor Donovan introduced them, his voice carrying a hint of pride. "You two will be training partners throughout this course, learning from each other and pushing each other."
Aurelius extended his hand towards Kieran, who reciprocated with a firm handshake. Aurelius couldn't help but notice the calluses on Kieran's hand, evidence of some sort of training.
"Looking forward to training with you, Kieran," Aurelius said, a genuine smile forming on his face.
"Likewise," Kieran replied, his voice deep and determined.
With their training partnership established, Instructor Donovan wasted no time in utilizing the remaining hour of the session to further enhance Aurelius’ and Kieran's swordplay skills.
"Alright, let's dive into some of the basic techniques," Instructor Donovan announced, his voice carrying across the training area. "We'll focus on defensive maneuvers today."
Aurelius and Kieran eagerly positioned themselves on the field, ready to absorb the upcoming knowledge and put it into practice. Instructor Donovan began by demonstrating defensive stances and techniques, emphasizing the importance of timing and anticipation.
"Remember, a good defense is just as crucial as a powerful offense," Instructor Donovan explained. "You must learn to read your opponent's movements, anticipate their strikes, and react accordingly."
Aurelius and Kieran listened intently, their focus honed on the instructor's every word. They mirrored his movements, practicing parries, blocks, and evasive maneuvers to defend against imaginary opponents.
Instructor Donovan observed their actions closely, offering feedback and suggestions for improvement. He encouraged them to find a balance between agility and stability, reminding them that each defensive action should seamlessly flow into a counterattack.
As the minutes ticked away, Aurelius and Kieran practiced these techniques diligently, their determination shining through their focused expressions.
Instructor Donovan continued to provide guidance, tweaking their forms and suggesting slight adjustments to enhance their effectiveness. He shared anecdotes from his own experiences as a swordsman, highlighting the strategic thinking required in combat scenarios.
As the final minutes of the session approached, Instructor Donovan called for a short sparring match between Aurelius and Kieran. This would allow them to apply the techniques they had learned in a simulated combat situation.
The two students engaged in a controlled but spirited bout, their practice swords clashing and echoing across the training area. They demonstrated their newly acquired defensive skills and launched counterattacks with calculated precision.
While going head-to-head with Kieran, Aurelius couldn't help but take note of the sheer strength the guy had. Even with Aurelius boasting a solid 16 points in strength, he could feel those vibrations shoot up his arm every time their swords clashed. However, while Kieran might be strong, Aurelius had the speed advantage. He was quick on his feet, dodging and maneuvering around Kieran, which gave him a slight upper hand in the whole ordeal.
Instructor Donovan observed their sparring match, offering occasional insights and pointers to help them refine their techniques further. The session concluded with a final clash of blades, and the instructor called for a halt.
"Excellent effort, Aurelius and Kieran," Instructor Donovan commended them, a hint of pride in his voice. "You've made impressive progress today, and I can see the potential for greatness in both of you."
Aurelius and Kieran, worn out but filled with joy, simultaneously released their swords, the resounding clatter echoing as they hit the ground. They expressed their gratitude to Instructor Donovan for the invaluable guidance and concluded the session on a positive note.