-We will start with the most basic. (Dan)
Venir was standing in a round circle of sawdust and sand. Made for training in martial arts and weapons.
Outside the big circle and all around them where training weapons of all sorts. Spears, daggers, swords and shields on wooden stands. And some weapons Venir couldn't even put a name too.
Dan had gotten permission to exercise here after his shift was over. In general they used this place for training the guards and new recruits but later at evening it was usually empty.
-Let's see how you move first. Attack me. (Dan)
-I don't want to hurt you... (Venir)
-Hurt me? You got to be joking brat. Come at me and try.(Dan)
-If you manage to touch me I will give you a whole silver coin! (Dan)
Venir know that Dan clearly looked down on him. He had no skill whatsoever from sword fighting but he have improved a lot over the years. Smiling Venir breathed in and looked at Dan.
'Don't regret this old man.' (Venir)
-I am coming for you. (Venir)
In a short moment Venir was right before Dan's face and his eyes was wide in alarm. Dan was clearly going to go easy on him and was surprised by his sudden movement. Venirs speed might even be better than his.
[Woosh!]
[Smack!]
Venirs wooden sword was aiming for Dan's left shoulder but was instantly blocked by a another wooden sword. Dan smirked and was angry at himself for being nearly overran by his own son.
[Swish!]
[Swish!]
[Swish!!]
Venir have seen this attack being used earlier on a demon wolf and instantly cut off its head. The swings seems to combine and become one smooth strike.
He manage to avoid one strike, blocking it with his sword and the other was easily avoided by leaning to the right.
But the last strike was still going in and with a fright from the unusual bloodlust he felt from Dan he unconsciously used his left free hand to push him away.
[Bam!]
The wind seems to have solidified and shoot out from Venirs hand to slam into Dan and make him stagger backwards. He was going down on a knee and holding his stomach with a surprised expression.
-What? (Dan)
-Dad?! I am sorry. (Venir)
He dropped his training sword and rushed forward to where Dan to help him up. But it wasn't needed, Dan was unhurt and just surprised by the sudden attack out of nowhere.
-What happened? It felt like someone used magic on me. (Dan)
Dan was looking around himself and saw no one so his eyes in the end rested on Venir.
Feeling guilty he told him everything about his training in magic.
He left out the part of being reincarnated with memories of a past life. Other than that he told him about himself trying to learn magic on his own.
-Chant-less casting? But... I have never heard of it before. (Dan)
Dan and Venir sat down to have a long father and son talk. In the end Venir was patted on the head and told he was amazing.
Not only was his body flexible, strong and fast. He could also cast spells without any chanting.
He was told to hold that part a secret for now and concentrate on his sword training instead. He was after all very weak in magic and at most it could be used to help him. But using it for fighting was impossible for him.
-I have never heard of your way of body refining, but you are clearly at a higher stage then me. (Dan)
He grumbled at that but was also very proud of his son.
-Yet... Even if you have a stronger body now, your sword skills are not even at its most basic stage. Even I could have killed you easily if I did go all out. Hehe. (Dan)
-Don't look so down. From now on we well train you hard and build you up from the ground. (Dan)
-You got the body for it and more. If I had known earlier perhaps... Nah. You are still a kid. Bahah!
-Couldn't have started to train you when you where younger or you would have been here in your diapers hitting training dummies. That would been a sight! Hahaha!(Dan)
After talking it out for a bit and some father and son bounding, Venir was getting instructed on how to stand and move.
He was hitting at some training dummies over and over again until he know where to hit and how to move while doing so.
The thing that have stopped him previous now contributed ones again to his faster understanding and growth. While relaxing and listening.
Seeing and feeling every move his father showed he had a easier time grasping the concept of it.
When he released his meditative state and concentrated on doing the same movement his father showed him he once again moved in his own V-time. Being able to grasp the technique and precise movement was easier.
Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.
Dan standing by the side to correct him if needed. He was clearly ones again stunned by Venir, his son was like a war god to his eyes.
Every time he showed him something he nearly perfected it at his first try. It was like he was meant to use the sword from birth. The thought scared him.
....
Under a year.
The Inn Venir worked at got crowded with people, a lot of them was women. In ages from teens and up to lady's in their 40th's they were all drinking wine and chatting happily.
-There he is... (Woman)
Venir was walking to the table in a nice set of clothes the Innkeeper had specially made for him under the first week. She said it was his work clothes and must be worn when he worked.
To not make it suspicious she had a matching set being made for Violet too.
His clothes where a tight fit and clearly made his backside and broad shoulders stand out. Every time he moved it was like the clothes caressed him.
They were quiet comfortable and he didn't mind, but what he did mind was the stares he got from the women. At first it wasn't a problem, the women were few and they just looked.
But as time did pass more and more started to visit this Inn for some reason and soon it was being more than just stares.
-Don't be angry. They are just giving you tip. (Shena)
-And waiters keep all the tip. You should be happy and work harder. (Shena)
Those where the words Shena used when he wanted to complain about being hit on his butt while walking pass a table.
Some lady had put down a few copper coins in his back pocket and then smacked it.
-To see that it doesn't fall out. (Pretty woman)
She smiled innocently and Venir of course blushed and walked away speechless. After that it escalated. He ones told them he was just ten years old but they just laughed it off and said he was such a cute kid.
Time went by and he got used to it and even manage to relax and joke back to them. They weren't acting to badly and he got a lot of tip from it so he should be thankful.
The only person that seems to be in a bad mode was Violet, she could often be seen staring daggers at Venir and a few times at a the costumers backs too.
When that happened her mother tried to correct her attitude by pulling her away teach her one or two things about life. Because Shena earned a lot from having Venir entertain the costumers she couldn't have her daughter spoil it just because of some teenage jealousy.
Wine wasn't often sold, mostly ale and food was going regularly. But since Venir started working there, women have started to come, they didn't eat much but they drank wine.
Tipsy women made more men go there. The men then ate and drank ale.
It all was a snowball effect. The Inn was soon going better then never before.
.....
Waiter at the day and at the eve he was training with his dad. He was a quick learner and soon could even slightly improve the sword art his dad been teaching him, to make it into his own style.
From the side it looked like he wasn't conducting dull sword strikes anymore but were dancing. The first strike moved over to another in a graceful way.
'Finally starting to grasp my swordplay.'
After seeing Venir improve to such a degree Dan has started to train his swordplay by his side. But clearly he wasn't as graceful as his son, but it have improved and was just as deadly.
-Son. We need to head back tomorrow to your mom. So let's go back and wash up.(Dan)
-We need to go early in the morning. (Dan)
He looked forward to meet his wife and Venir was just as happy to be able to see his mom. They could only see Sara ones or twice a week because it was such a long trip between the city and their home.
They both longed to get home. Venir had now become eleven years old and is close to twelve. He have earned a fair share of money thanks to all the tip he got from working.
He have set away some for himself but also saved up for something special to give his mother. He had it carefully packed down in his pocket.
It was a beautiful silver necklace with a blue teardrop looking gem hanging on it. It was simple and yet very beautiful.
Venir thought it would fit her perfectly, it had cost him about half his savings and held no magic enchantments but it was worth every coin if he could see his mother smile.