As the morning sun crept over the horizon, casting warm light across Mei Wei’s garden, she took her position on the dewy grass. In her hand, she held a simple wooden stick, a tool she had crafted for practice. To a passerby, it might seem unremarkable, but for Mei Wei, it was her first step into the mysterious Arirasta Sword Art—a path she had only heard of in legends.
She had no idea what to expect. The Arirasta Art was said to be rigorous, demanding sharp focus and the courage to face one’s limits. Even now, as Mei Wei raised the stick to shoulder height, she could feel her heartbeat quicken. She wasn’t just learning a skill; she was pushing herself into unknown territory, where each mistake could be painful, each movement carrying the weight of a new risk.
Taking a deep breath, she attempted the first basic stance—a low, stable position with her legs slightly apart, stick angled forward like a poised blade. The stance was supposed to be simple, but she immediately felt the strain in her legs and lower back. Holding the position required balance and core strength she hadn’t realized she would need. As her muscles tensed, Mei Wei realized that even the smallest misalignment in posture could lead to strain or injury.
With careful precision, she practiced her first movement, a horizontal slash. Mei Wei lifted the stick and swung it in a wide arc, trying to keep her arm steady and fluid, as if slicing through an invisible enemy. But halfway through the motion, her grip faltered, and the stick wobbled, nearly slipping from her hand. She quickly corrected it, her heart racing as she felt the weight of her own inexperience. It was clear that handling the “blade” required more than simple strength; it demanded control over every part of her body, from her shoulders to her fingertips.
Moving onto the next motion, a simple forward thrust, she was instructed to push the stick straight out with a steady, precise force. Mei Wei took a step forward, trying to channel her strength into the tip of the stick, imagining it was a real weapon. But as she extended, her footing slipped slightly on the grass, throwing off her balance. She stumbled, barely managing to catch herself before she fell. The risk was clear: a misstep could cost her stability, making her vulnerable, and she realized how essential it was to move with full awareness of her surroundings.
Mei Wei took a deep breath and tried again, focusing on every detail—the grip of her fingers, the angle of her wrist, the alignment of her shoulders with her hips. She thrust the stick forward, this time more controlled, and felt a small spark of satisfaction at the clean line of her movement. But that feeling was fleeting, quickly replaced by the realization of how many other techniques lay ahead.
She attempted the “drawback” move, a retreating step paired with a defensive arc of the stick. It was supposed to shield her from an imaginary attack, a simple motion that required her to move backward with grace. Yet, as she pivoted her foot, her balance wavered, and her wrist twinged with discomfort. The repeated practice, combined with her inexperience, was beginning to strain her joints.
Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.
The discipline demanded by the Arirasta Sword Art was merciless. Every swing, every step carried the possibility of pain if done incorrectly. Mei Wei felt the ache growing in her arm and shoulder as she repeated each movement, determined to get it right but quickly realizing the toll on her body. The Arirasta Sword Art was teaching her not just technique but resilience—the ability to push through discomfort and hone her skills, no matter the initial stumbles.
Finally, as the sun climbed higher, Mei Wei paused, lowering the stick. She felt the soreness spreading through her arms, legs, and back, a sign of the new muscles she was using, muscles that were unprepared for the rigor of the art. Yet, despite the fatigue and slight discomfort, a small sense of pride welled within her. This was her beginning. She had faced the risks, the challenges of each movement, and discovered the demanding nature of Arirasta.
As she stood there in her garden, the morning birds still chirping in the trees, Mei Wei knew she had only taken the first steps. But even with the pain, she was prepared to come back each morning, to learn and endure, until these basic movements felt as natural as breathing.
After the intensity of her morning practice, Mei Wei stepped into the cool, luxurious interior of her villa, leaving the sun-dappled garden behind. The marble floors felt pleasantly cool under her feet, and the soft rustling of silken drapes in the light breeze gave a tranquil atmosphere to the open, elegant spaces around her.
Making her way to the bathroom, she entered a spacious, gleaming room filled with polished stone and intricate fixtures. Sunlight filtered through the tall windows, casting a gentle glow across the room. She filled a large porcelain basin with cool water, then gently splashed her face, feeling the refreshing chill banish the heat and exertion of her practice. The water trickled down her skin, each drop sparkling in the light, creating a quiet moment of relief and relaxation.
Next, she moved to her dressing room, a large, ornate space lined with mirrors and filled with an array of fine garments. She chose a soft, flowing robe, its fabric whispering against her skin as she tied it around her waist, savoring the elegance and comfort it provided.
With the late morning slipping into noon, she headed toward the villa’s kitchen, a spacious room of marble countertops and polished wood. As she began preparing her meal, she selected fresh ingredients with care, slicing vegetables and arranging them with a practiced hand. The rhythmic chopping, the scent of spices, and the sound of a sizzling pan filled the kitchen, creating a sense of calm. When her meal was ready, she plated it neatly, appreciating the quiet art in her preparation.
With her lunch in hand, Mei Wei moved to the open terrace overlooking her lush garden. Sitting down, she let herself unwind as the gentle noon breeze brushed against her face, embracing the peaceful simplicity of the moment.