For an underground network this room was particularly huge. The thick stone slab walls and the occasional pillar reminded him of the parking lots often portrayed in north American films.

He had been presented with a sharpened stick, having a similar length to that of a spear. The point was fairly dull, Touji twisting the shaft between his thumb and index finger.

"So, ya ready?"

Touji paused, dropping his new found weapon on top of a small table, it's hollow clang resounding throughout the hall.

-There is no way I'm using that.

Touji glanced down at the leather vest which was sewn onto the bland silk clothes which had replaced his hoodie and other such items. They weren't too uncomfortable but he definitely needed some time to get accustomed to them. The grey was at least not as plain as the what some others he had seen wearing, and well, looking fashionable wasn't on his to do list so it probably didn't matter.

-Damn I miss my clothes already.

He glanced over at Foss who had by this point had become visibly distracted and was now clumsily balancing a wooded sword over his head.

"Hey, Foss. I'm going to use a sword if that's alright with you."

"Yes, yes." He nodded, his hand wobbling back and forth as the blade remained stuck upon his palm.

-At least he is enthusiastic.

Touji searched the room. There were multiple weapons and gear splayed across the walls, tables, and the floor, none of which he intended to practice with, let alone know how to even use to begin with. Still the sword was probably his best bet as anything else would definitely take him longer to learn.

-Probably be the easiest to learn, Imma guess.

He grasped the nearest sword shaped stick that caught his eyes, testing the weight with his wrist.

-Hmm. It's not that bad in terms of weight.

He made a few poses, as he performed each movement, he was slowly becoming aware of the fact that what he was doing was extremely and I mean extremely cringe inducing, causing him to stop and ponder his existence and why it mattered.

"Yo, Foss. I think we should start."

The boy had since graduated from hand to nose balancing the swordplay device.

"Tis good."

"Okay? Just wanted to point out, like I literally have no idea what I'm doing. So, please be patient."

"It's good. I don't know what I'm doing either." The boy replied as he dangled the object like a pendulum between his two fingers. "Don't really know how to use a sword myself."

Touji blinked.

"Sorry, what are you doing here again?"

"Ta teach ya how to fight."

"No, no. Why are you here?" Touji could feel his eye twitch.

"Guess I'll find out, won't I?" He replied grinning, at what Touji could only guess.

"Sensei. Your pupal has completely lost respect for you."

"Let's not focus on them details, don't ya think? Life is more fun that way."

Touji would now officially declare this his own personal hell. The situation was so far beyond confusing that maybe he was just being trolled at this point.

Foss readied himself, the sword upright beside his face.

"That's not fair!" Touji screamed, "How come it looks good when you do it?!"

Foss's face suddenly became somber, his eyes peering off into the distance, "It's not just you. I have been persecuted so. Even women call me cute."

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

"..." Touji facepalmed. "I actually can't take you seriously."

"You better, cause you gotta beat me."

"First lesson, please. What am I supposed to even be doing right now."

"-I'll be giving the first lesson."

"Huh? Okay."

Fairial entered the room, her posture firm and her expression hardened.

-Huuuuuh. Haven't seen her without the armor on. She looks different, younger, I guess.

Her jet-black hair dangled loosely at her knees, strung together at the top in a ponytail. The clothes were the same color, thin and tight, defining the shape and curvature of her body. The outfit was held together with a belt around her waist.

"Prepare yourself."

"..." Touji's attention was quickly stolen from his thoughts and brought back to his reality.

Touji raised his sword, holding it close to his face.

-This is guaranteed the wrong way to do this.

"Begin."

No one made a move. Touji's arms became stiff and sore from the awkward position he held the sword in.

"Toto!" Foss called out from the sidelines, "Aren't ya going to attack?"

"Hell no. I'd basically be asking 'please slap the shit out of me'."

A smile crept across Foss's face. Fairial also appeared amused.

"Nice to see a you've got a head on your shoulders." She commented, "But unfortunately this is a training fight. I will not hurt you."

"Self-preservation is an instinct. Not a virtue." Touji muttered.

Fairial sighed as she placed her sword facing down beside her leg as she approached.

"Alright listen. Your form is terrible." She grabbed hold of his shoulder. Touji's body becoming tense.

-I thought we weren't supposed to hurt each other?!

"The problem is you've got no muscle. Your hands are basically shaking from just holding it in front of you."

-Why? It wasn't heavy when I picked it up. Dammit, it's only wood, too.

"Well, what am I suppose-"

Before Touji could process the situation, she kicked him square in the stomach. His body flew back, crashing into the wall, the sword flying out of his hand and clattering across the floor.

"Lesson one, don't drop your sword. Lesson two, your form is weak."

Touji wheezed.

-What the hell! I thought we were training, not killing each other.

"Oh-" she said in a confused fashion. She examined her foot to see if anything was amiss. "It wasn't that hard."

Turning to Foss who had retreated his hands into his pockets while whistling through his teeth.

"Foss, find him another weapon. We don't have enough time for him to gain muscle. Besides he will be up against entire armies of soldiers who have been trained in swordsmanship their entire lives."

"Aye, aye."

Fairial approached and extended her hand.

"I apologize for being rough. If your hurt badly I can get Maphori to treat you."

"Nah, I think I'm fine."

She wryly smiled, breathing a sigh of relief, "Your smarter than you look and I believe you could hold your own given enough time. Remember, fighting is as much a mind game as it is technique. Almost every person you meet will be stronger and faster than you. So, find a way to bring them down to your level."

Touji grabbed her hand and allowed himself to be pulled up.

"Ouch." He winced.

"Foss. Be a bit gentler on him." Fairial called out.

"What? Why? Wasn't my fault."

Fairial rolled her eyes as she closed the door behind her.

"You heard her. Be gentle with me."

Foss turned to him, his face resembling that of a puppy's.

"Your weak."

-Oh, really smart ass. Thanks for the update.

"Well, since ya won't be using a sword, I'm thinkin' you should go with the simplest of the simple." He tossed two daggers fully sheathed across the floor.

"Gee thanks." Touji muttered, picking up the blades and examining the craftsmanship as if he could even tell whether a knife was of high quality.

"Well, their light and can be hidden, ya can even wear them under yer clothes."

"Huh. Neat."

"Plus, ya won't need practice as much."

"Then why'd we even start with the swords?"

"Don't know. You were the one who picked it up so I ran with it."

"Okay, okay. I get it. But how exactly does this help me in a fight with a sword. It'll just break through these, won't it?"

"If it hit'em head on, then yes."

"Okay. So how exactly do I NOT use them?"

Foss placed the back of his hand underneath his chin. He pondered, his mouth making a slight o shape.

"You deflect with one hand and strike with the other."

-I think we all know that if it sounds easy then you're greatly misunderstanding the action. Also can we discuss what happens when they use magic on me?

Regardless Touji tightened his grip and pointed the two unsheathed projectiles towards his opponent, "But these are real."

"I know. Trust me, you can't hurt me." While his face beamed with the energy of a child on his birthday, the confidence behind those words was anything but assuring. "Don't sweat it. I'll come at you. Focus on deflecting first and hold your knives so that they face your forearms."

"Welp. Here goes nothing." And unfortunately, these words couldn't have been further from the truth. He was knocked out cold within three rounds.

"Better luck tomorrow it seems." Foss yawned as the motionless body was carried out of the room on a stretcher, "Another day of falling so we can get up the next." He placed his hand inside his pocket grasping something in a fist hold. "The question is, will he want too by tomorrow."