The training ground was a natural amphitheater, its grassy floor framed by the towering oaks and elms that had stood sentinel for centuries. A gentle slope encircled the clearing, providing a vantage point for spectators to observe the clash of steel and the grunts of exertion that echoed through the trees.

Scattered about the training ground were a variety of wooden dummies and straw-filled targets, each bearing the marks of countless practice blows.

Cobbled paths led from the village to the training ground, winding through the forest like veins of stone. A small stream, fed by a bubbling spring hidden deep within the forest, meandered along the edge of the clearing. The crystalline waters provided a source of refreshment for the weary combatants, their faces flushed and dripping with sweat as they paused between bouts to slake their thirst.

Ebonheim stood at the center of the clearing, holding her wooden sword aloft, and Thorsten stood across from her, his own wooden sword in hand. She watched as he moved his weapon from a defensive position into an attacking pose and then back again.

A few warriors who were training earlier had begun to gather around them, watching the sparring match. They all wore the same leather armor over chainmail shirts, and their weapons of choice were short swords or spears. Bjorn stood by Hilda, who was sitting down on the ground, knitting a scarf as she watched the match.

Thorsten took a few steps forward, keeping his wooden sword at an angle, and Ebonheim stepped back, her wooden sword held straight up in front of her. Thorsten lunged forward with his weapon, and Ebonheim held out her hand to signal him to stop. "Wait!" she called out.

Thorsten stopped and waited for Ebonheim to say something, but she didn't.

"Is there...a problem?" he asked.

"I need to get ready first, just so that I'm at full power," Ebonheim answered.

Thorsten quirked an eyebrow and looked between Ebonheim and their audience before shrugging and walking back to his starting position.

Ebonheim grinned from ear to ear. Thorsten must be thinking that she was an easy win. But little did he know that Ebonheim came prepared with a few tricks and a plan of attack. Trick number one, know your enemy. She spent a little of her Quintessence to increase the rank of her Divine Sight. Now it enabled her to get a glimpse of his attributes.

Her eyes glowed as she used her Divine Sight at Thorsten. The Akashic System displayed his information in her peripheral while she kept track of her own.

[Divine Sight (Rank II) activated]

[Essence] 190 -> 185

[Ebonheim's Attributes] Intelligence:17, Perception:23, Resilience:21, Strength:12, Agility:26, Endurance:17, Charisma:28, Manipulation:10, Wit:14]

[Health: 190, Essence: 190]

[Thorsten's Attributes] Intelligence:18, Perception:21, Resilience:23, Strength:27, Agility:18, Endurance:25, Charisma:19, Manipulation:11, Wit:15]

[Health: 300 (240 Base, 60 from Profession)]

Ebonheim's sword fell out of her grasp, and she stared wide-eyed at the screen. That big, dumb oaf was smarter and wittier than her?! How was this possible? There’s no way. The system must be broken. She rubbed her eyes and stared at the screen again. Nothing changed.

She turned her head slowly to look over at Bjorn and Hilda. She had a sinking feeling that comparing herself to them would only crush her pride even more.

[Bjorn's Attributes] Intelligence:19, Perception:23, Resilience:24, Strength:26, Agility:19, Endurance:25, Charisma:22, Manipulation:16, Wit:19]

[Health: 305 (245 Base, 60 from Profession)]

[Hilda's Attributes] Intelligence:24, Perception:28, Resilience:26, Strength:12, Agility:12, Endurance:19, Charisma:25, Manipulation:18, Wit:28]

[Health: 225, Mana: 370 (250 Base, 120 from Profession)]

Sweat started to drip off her forehead as she took in the information. She was a goddess, right? The system said that she was. Did all gods start their lives this weak?

She looked back over at Thorsten, standing idle just staring at her like a parent watching over a confused child.

Ebonheim reached down to pick up her sword and new information popped into view.

[Ebonheim Combat Stats]

[Weapon] Wooden Sword; Melee Attack: 19 (19 Base, no modifier); Weapon Damage: 4; Block: 24 (24 Base, no modifier); Physical Defense: 21

[Skill] No applicable skill found.

“...”

[Thorsten Combat Stats]

[Weapon] Wooden Sword; Melee Attack: 40 (22 Base, 18 modifier); Weapon Damage: 4; Block: 37 (19 Base, 18 modifier); Physical Defense: 30]

[Skill] Melee Proficiency: Sword - Renowned Rank (+18 modifier)

She wasn’t sure how big the gap was when she compared herself to Thorsten, but judging by how much being an expert swordsman increased Thorsten’s numbers, every point of difference seemed to matter a great deal if compared to her being unskilled.

[You can spend 50 Quintessence to attain skill Melee Proficiency: Sword - Apprentice Rank. You can spend an additional 50 Quintessence to attain skill Melee Proficiency: Sword - Novice Rank. Skills can be acquired up to Novice Rank using this method. Would you like to spend a total of 100 Quintessence to learn the skill Melee Proficiency: Sword - Novice Rank?]

Yes.

[Quintessence: 1948 -> 1848]

[Acquired Skill] Melee Proficiency: Sword - Apprentice Rank (+2 Modifier)

[Skill Upgrade] Melee Proficiency: Sword - Novice Rank (+4 Modifier)

[Ebonheim Combat Stats]

[Weapon] Wooden Sword; Melee Attack: 23 (19 Base, 4 modifier); Weapon Damage: 4; Block: 28 (24 Base, 4 modifier); Physical Defense: 21

[Skill] Melee Proficiency: Sword - Apprentice Rank (+4 modifier)

Whispers of information fluttered at the edges of her mind, forming a torrent of knowledge that threatened to overwhelm her. Information about swordsmanship came rushing in: stances, techniques, footwork, and more. She was inundated with it all, but she focused on absorbing and understanding the basics, letting the advanced techniques flow past her.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Ebonheim opened her eyes and took a deep breath. She could feel the knowledge settling within her, like puzzle pieces clicking into place. It was time to put it into practice.

Taking up a beginner's stance, she raised her sword and began to practice the basic cuts, her movements initially clumsy and uncertain. As she repeated the motions, however, her movements began to grow smoother, her confidence increasing with each passing minute.

Her footwork improved, and her sword strokes became more deliberate and precise. Ebonheim was no longer simply swinging the sword; she was wielding it, guided by the newfound knowledge from the Akashic System.

The gap got a little smaller. Maybe this could be a competitive match after all.

Ebonheim took a deep breath, then held her sword out towards Thorsten. “I’m ready now.”

"All right, Ebonheim," Thorsten said with a smile. “I’ll let you initiate the attack this time.”

She nodded, then took another deep breath and charged at him, swinging her sword.

He stepped forward to block the attack, his own sword rising up to meet hers. They clashed together, and they both staggered back slightly. She backed away, looking for an opening, but he wasn't making it easy. They traded blows, each one parrying the other's attack and countering as well.

The spectators cheered loudly. It seemed that everyone enjoyed seeing two good fighters competing against each other.

Thorsten swung his sword downward, aiming for her chest. She blocked the blow with her wooden sword and countered with a slash for his legs. He jumped back, narrowly avoiding getting cut.

Ebonheim feigned left, then turned right and slashed at his side. Thorsten immediately countered with a stab for her torso. Ebonheim deflected the attack with her wooden sword. She dodged the next swing, but Thorsten followed up quickly with a chop for her neck. Again she managed to deflect it.

Ebonheim dodged the next swing, and Thorsten threw himself back to avoid being struck.

This pattern continued for several minutes, neither of them giving ground.

"This isn't working," Ebonheim muttered. "I'm not making any progress."

She looked over at the crowd and saw that they were still cheering. They seemed to be enjoying the fight as well.

Ebonheim looked over at Thorsten and smiled brightly. "I think I have a plan."

Thorsten raised an eyebrow. He grinned back at her and nodded. "And what might that be?"

She grinned, her eyes glowing with power as she raised her free hand upwards.

[Divine Ability: Vines of the Bramble King (Rank I) activated]

[Essence] 185 -> 170

Vines sprouted from the ground beneath Thorsten's feet, wrapping around his legs and pulling him down. More vines crawled out from under his body and wrapped themselves tightly around his arms. His sword fell out of his grip as he struggled against the ropes binding him.

Ebonheim laughed. "I've got you now!"

She lunged forward, slashing downwards with her wooden blade. Thorsten managed to rise to his feet to meet the oncoming blow.

The Akashic System displayed a message in red just as Ebonheim's sword connected with Thorsten's chest.

[Thorsten activated Barbarian ability - Wildheart Defiance: He receives +5 Arcane Defense, +5 Physical Defense, 5 Damage Reduction (Physical), and 30 temporary Health]

"Eh?"

Her blow connected but bounced harmlessly off his chest. Ebonheim watched in disbelief as Thorsten shook his head and grinned.

"You better come up with better tricks if you plan on winning," Thorsten said as he grabbed his sword off the ground and started hacking at the vines constricting him.

[Vine health] 25 -> 12

That much damage with a wooden sword?! Ebonheim jumped back and took a defensive stance. Alright, trick number two didn't work as well as she hoped. It was probably of no use trying to keep Thorsten entangled if she couldn't inflict any damage on him. She needed to acquire a more offensive ability to break through his defenses.

The Akashic System started listing abilities, one after the other. All of their names sounded great and powerful but barely gave any hint about what each would do. There must be something else here that would help her win. Something that would give her the advantage over Thorsten.

Ebonheim looked over and saw Thorsten continue to cut away at the vines with his wooden sword.

[Vine health] 12 -> 0

As soon as the vine hit the critical threshold, it began to wither and die.

Thorsten ripped the rest of the vines off his body and stood up straight.

"Ugh, damn it!” She lunged at him with a series of slashes.

His response was swift. He leapt backward and brought his weapon down hard on top of her wooden sword. Her blade shattered instantly under the force of his strike, sending splinters flying everywhere.

Her eyes widened in shock as she watched her precious sword fall apart.

As she stared dumbfounded at her broken sword, Thorsten tapped Ebonheim's head with the tip of his wooden blade.

"Looks like it's my win, this day," he said.

Thorsten walked over to Bjorn and Hilda as the other onlookers applauded.

One lanky warrior at the back of the small crowd heckled Thorsten. "Boo! You're a boo-ly, Thorsten. You should have let her win. Boo-ly!"

"Hey, shut yer trap, Titus!" Thorsten barked. "You'll be sparring me next."

"What did you make of her skills?" Bjorn asked.

Thorsten rubbed his neck and chuckled. "Her swordsmanship was on par with a novice, at best. I honestly didn’t expect her to be that skilled. But her agility and awareness during our exchanges show a lot of talent and potential. That was the only reason why the match lasted that long."

"You were also taking it easy on her since the beginning. Though, you didn't have to use the Wildheart, you know," Bjorn said. "Her blow wouldn't have produced much force with her small frame."

"Aye, quite right. But she was keen enough with her attack that it would have left quite a bruise on me if I hadn't done that." He chuckled.

Ebonheim finally approached the trio and tossed her broken sword by Thorsten. "You broke it, so you have to make a new one."

"I've not the skill to make a passable wooden sword so I'll have someone else make it."

Bjorn approached her and ruffled her hair. "Don't be too upset. You had your chance and lost fair and square."

Ebonheim frowned. "It doesn't feel that way."

"Well, you could always try again later," Bjorn offered. "Maybe you'll get lucky next time."

"Do you think I'll be better if I use a different weapon?" she asked.

Bjorn and Thorsten pondered.

Hilda spoke first. "Why don't you try your hand on a bow?"

Ebonheim blinked. "I can use a bow against him?"

Thorsten flicked at Ebonheim's nose lightly. "That's not how people spar around these parts, you hear? It'd be a proper duel at that point."

They all burst into laughter.

"I think Hilda is right," Bjorn said. "With your fleet of foot, your keen awareness, and your grace, you'd make a great archer."

"Should we commission a fletcher to make her a bow?" Thorsten asked.

"No need for that," Hilda said as she stood up with the help of her cane. "Our goddess can create one for herself."

"I can?" Ebonheim asked.

"You don't know?" Bjorn asked her.

"Gods are not omniscient. History has proven that, time and time again," Hilda said as she placed a hand on Ebonheim's shoulder. "She is young when compared to her peers."

Hilda walked steadily to the center of the training ground before turning back to look at Ebonheim. "Now then, goddess Ebonheim, today's training is not yet finished. I have felt your affinity with nature ever since our first encounter. If you wouldn't mind letting this old druid teach you some things..."

Ebonheim nodded eagerly and approached her. She has already witnessed firsthand just how powerful Hilda was when she slew those frog-like creatures with ease. Maybe she could pick her powers to mimic what Hilda could do.