SMACK!

CRASH!

Two Bo staffs slammed into each other, emitting a powerful gust of wind. Duck and Vulcan were sparring as their training for the day.

Vulcan was visibly struggling while Duck looked like he could go a couple more rounds.

“Remember to maintain good footing or else your strikes won’t have as much power.” Vulcan grunted and pushed Ducks staff away in hopes of getting an opening. He went for a stab which Duck parried while moving to the side. Duck followed up with a push kick that the pupil blocked with his staff but was pushed back from the force.

“Continue using basic attacks to get the hang of it but try to mix it in with other stuff. You can’t always use the same attack or string of combos because it’ll make you more predictable.” Duck reminded Vulcan who panted heavily as sweat dribbled down his face.

“Again!” Duck shouted before getting into his stance. Vulcan did so as well despite his exhaustion. The two continued to practice simple attacks with advanced ones here and there.

“Have you given your weapon choice more thought?” Duck suddenly asked in the middle of sparring.

Vulcan shook his head, “I have but I really can’t think of anything. Nothing calls out to me.” he replied with uncertainty. The teacher was quite surprised since most always have a dream weapon.

“Really? Surely you have some ambition towards a weapon.” Duck said after easily blocking an attack thrown by Vulcan.

“I’ve never had time to worry about something like this.” Vulcan grunts as he narrowly dodges a jab from Duck.

“What do you think suits me?” He asked only to get a slight chuckle from Duck.

“You sound like my brother. Couldn’t decide on a weapon for a whole month.” Vulcan stopped in his tracks, refraining from attacking for a moment.

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“You have a brother?!” He hardly expected him to have any family besides his parents. Even then, Vulcan assumed that they weren’t alive since Duck never mentioned them.

“How many siblings do you have?” He questioned further out of pure curiosity.

Duck was happy to see the enthusiasm and didn’t mind the questions.

“Yes, I do. It’s just him. My little brother. He’s quite the fighter but picking a weapon really stumped him. I still remember the day he called every weapon he tried, “primitive.” Vulcan listened intently to see if he would find sudden inspiration.

“If he didn’t like any of them then what else was there for him to choose?” Duck pulled back his bo staff before striking at Vulcan who just blocked it. The two remained clashed as Duck leaned in.

“Weapons are often seen as only offensive but there are options that don’t have to involve an offensive fighting style. A shield is a great example. They can push blows aside, allowing for counter attacks. As long as one is fluid with it. My brother didn’t exactly go for that but went with something similar, a forearm gauntlet.” Duck explained until Vulcan pulled away from their clash.

“Mainly defensive while his offense comes from his Fragment but, if needed, he can utilize it in close combat.” Vulcan thought about that for a moment which left him wide open.

Duck lunged forward, smacking him across the face. Vulcan moved to block the next attack but he was tripped by a swift sweep kick. He fell to his back so Duck pulled back his staff and brought it down inches away from his throat.

“Keep your guard up at all times.” He said with a smile before backing off. Vulcan pushed himself up into a sitting position.

“So, you think I could be like him?” Duck twirled his staff around with one hand.

“I’m simply supplying an idea. Your weapon should reflect your fighting style. Hell, you don’t even need to have a weapon. I know a guy who's like that.” Vulcan stood back up just as a loud knock occurred at the front door.

The teacher glanced back, “I’ll be right back, you keep practicing and then we’ll wrap up for the day.” He set his bo staff down afterwards to go see who was at the door. Upon arriving, he slid open the door but no one was there. Duck looked around in hopes of spotting someone until his eyes lowered to the ground.

There, a piece of paper fluttered about. It wasn’t too windy today so the paper was luckily still there. Duck bent over and picked it up to read its contents. The first noticeable thing he spotted was the name Kokoro in big letters. The flier described the many good characteristics the man had, stating that they would be the perfect candidate for the war general position. It was all hogwash. Most of it was just supporting how he’s an amazing person. Duck didn’t buy it though. War generals usually weren’t just selected by the government, not Lushwoods at least. You had to be a high ranking general in their small army or meet the requirements to receive such a position. None of it made sense.

He wasn’t well versed in politics but something felt very wrong.