Mastering the basic forms were easy. It just took constant repetitions for the basic moves to be ingrained into his body. *Swish* an overhead chop smashed down not unlike an axe to firewood. Vincent felt his muscles work in unison to lift the sword back up as he returned to origin. “As I thought, it’s a bit silly to call it that.” He embarrassingly rubbed his nose. It was due to too many novels he read, that he began naming the stance the origin stance.

  Vincent’s way of learning was different to the other cadets. The others were at the camp to actually become soldiers once they finish their training. Vincent was only there, because he was being punished. Not only that, Vincent wasn’t formally introduced to the rest of the cadets so he couldn’t just join in on their training sessions. Halt was his instructor, but the tsundere uncle was often off somewhere else, so Vincent could only do self-study by watching from afar.

  Using what he saw the instructors demonstrating and his own understanding, Vincent continued his swordsmanship training. It was also due to this, that his own swordsmanship differed from Evergreen Swordsmanship. Evergreen Swordsmanship favored stability and rooting themselves to the ground just like an ancient tree and its deep network of roots. However, Vincent disliked staying in place and this slow and conservative way of fighting just didn’t fit well with him.

  Vincent preferred to be free like the wind, to come and go at his own whims, never to be held down. His swordsmanship reflected his thoughts as he dashed around on the field striking at different areas of the straw dummy. When you think that Vincent was going to strike your head, your arm would be pierced. When you think it’s your leg, it’s actually your throat. His moves looked fancy and because of it, it made him stand out. Standing out might be a good thing, but in an army training camp, it’s the worst thing you could do. The instructors began using Vincent’s various examples and dissecting it for their units.

  “Look that this unnecessary move.” The instructor swung his sword down, but suddenly feinted and kicked out. “This is unnecessary, because it leaves you open to attacks on your torso. Not only that, you will lose your balance when standing on only one foot. In conclusion, use this move only if you want a death wish on the battlefield.” Various analysis of this kind popped up all over the place and Vincent was made as an example for other cadets.

  “Hrmm, say whatever you want. It’s still much better than that boring way of fighting.” Vincent angrily swore to himself.

  “Is that what ya think, Kid?” Halt appeared beside him and asked. Slightly taken aback, Vincent hesitated in his reply. “Kid, the Evergreen Swordsmanship had been passed down from one generation ta the next. It has been refined over dozens of times by people greater than you and I. Why do ya think this swordsmanship is still here today?” Halt calmly brought up his own training sword. “It’s because it works.”

  “…” Vincent silently stared at Halt’s sword with downcast eyes.

  “*Sigh* It’s good ta experiment new things and have your own take on things, Kid. However, that requires ya to be good ta some extent first. Right now, your trying to run before ya can walk an’ it ain’t a good thing ta do. Ya might hurt yourself.” Halt explained.

  It was as if the fog had been cleared from Vincent’s eyes as he looked up at Halt’s experienced eyes. “I understand now. Thank you, Old Man!” He quickly ran off to join a unit that had just been criticizing him.

  “Damn, Kid. Calling me an old man… I’m only turning 42 this year. I’m gunna teach that kid a lesson again.” Halt grumbled as he turned around and left.

  Over by the unit, the other cadets quietly parted and made way for Vincent as he walked up to the instructor.

  “Instructor, I request that you show me just what I’m doing wrong.” Vincent earnestly said. When the rest of the cadets heard what the trash said they sucked in a cold breath. The trash had the audacity to challenge an instructor to a spar.

  “You… Do you know what you’re asking?” The instructor had a smile that was not a smile.

  “Yes. I would like to compare notes.” Vincent assented. As soon as he agreed, murmurs began sounding out from the crowd.

  By this point the instructor’s eyes had already disappeared behind his big smiling face. The instructor visibly shook as he took in deep breaths and said, “It wouldn’t do if I were to be the one. It would look like I’m bullying you. Why don’t I have a fellow cadet join you?”

  ‘What does he mean? I just want to get some advice to improve myself. Why would I ask another cadet to teach me if they are also learning the same material?’ Vincent wondered.

  Vincent shook his head and said, “No, it has to be an instructor. If not you, I’ll just ask another.” Vincent said.

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  It was as if the instructor had received a physical slap on his face as he flinched and stepped back. “Good… You’ve got guts! Fine! Everyone make some room!” Visibly angered, the instructor commanded the rest of the cadets to step back. “I won’t bully you, Boy. I’ll restrict myself to only the basic movesets.”

  “*Snicker* That’s all the instructor needs.” A cadet whispered.

  “Then I await your guidance.” Vincent said as he crouched low in the origin stance.

  “Good form!” The instructor smiled and also crouched.

  The voices of the snickering crowd soon died down and was replaced with an impatient atmosphere. On opposite ends of the clearings were two fighters, one with a stable bearing that seemed to be rooted to the ground and on the other was a silver-haired youth who swayed with the breeze.

  The instructor was the one to make the first move.

  “Do you know the greatest drawback of knowing only the basic forms of Evergreen Swordsmanship?” He said as he dashed forward. “It’s that it makes it hard for someone to close the distance!” True to his word, the instructor only used basic moves like slashes and chops. Even though they were basic moves, they were still fierce. If their swords were metal, they would’ve rang like bells at dinnertime, drawing in folks by the dozen.

  Blow after blow rained down on Vincent. He managed to block the instructor’s strikes, but just barely. Not only were the strikes fast, but they were also heavy, leaving him no time to retaliate. However, Vincent wasn’t perturbed by these strikes. He earnestly welcomed them and felt a rush of excitement whenever he blocked a strike. To him, who truly hadn’t moved his body so much in his past life, this was proof, proof that he was alive.

  Their spar crawled all over the grass clearing. Jeers and hoots rang out from the crowd, ignored by the two as they danced. Finally, unable to block anymore, Vincent was struck in the shoulder, making him visibly shrank back.

  “There.” The instructor breathed out. “Instead of keeping your foot in place, you pivoted, destabilizing your balance.” The instructor informed as he pointed at Vincent’s feet.

  “Thanks for the tip.” Vincent said as he rubbed his shoulder, but then he returned to the origin stance.

  “Hungry for more?” The instructor snickered as he rushed back in.

  Another round of violent attacks resumed. However, this time Vincent heeded the advice and remained in place; keeping in place when taking a hit and moving in the gaps between attacks. Soon, he had found a unique rhythm and if he danced to the tune of the rhythm he could advance and retreat.

  The instructor wasn’t mindlessly attacking out of rage, no matter how angered he was, he still kept in mind their statuses; he was a teacher to the cadet in front of him. It was because of this perspective that he was able to see the rapid growth of the person he was sparring with. At first the cadet was flustered with every strike he made, but now after receiving just a small advice, the student’s bearing had changed. He felt like a whetstone and the student was the blade. This realization made the instructor quite pleased with himself.

  “You… You’re not simple, Kid!” The instructor said as he abruptly stopped and blocked an attack by the opposing party.

  “Thanks. I learn from the best, Instructor!” Vincent said through gasps of air. Just now he made the first ever attack during the spar. It was only the first of his counterattack.

  “Doesn’t it seem strange?” A cadet murmured to another. “It looks like the trash has grown fangs.”

  “Yea, but there’s no way he could beat the instructor though.”

  “You’re right, but still…”

  The scene in front of the cadets was quite different from a minute ago. The two duelers were like two dancers. Instead of a lead, it was like the two for fighting for the role of the lead. With one initiating a step and the other following with a rebuttal and then answering with another step. They weren’t fighting to wound, but fighting to learn. One a teacher and the other a student.

  Finally, just when they both parried each other’s attack, Vincent violently pivoted and spun around. The abrupt maneuver stunned even the instructor; without knowing how to react, the instructor hesitated for just a moment. However, that short moment proved his loss as Vincent’s blade came to rest just under his armpit, poised to slide into his heart.

  “*Huff Huff* Looks like you beat me.” The instructor said through his hard breathing. Although he was more skillful than the cadet in front of him, he was getting on in age and wasn’t as fit as he used to. Since he limited himself to just the basic, he could only fight the cadet using his experience and limited skill.

  “*Huff…* It was only through your teachings, Instructor.” Vincent replied as he withdrew his sword. He saluted as he spoke. “If possible, I could like to join your unit during your demonstrations.”

  The instructor’s eyes flash with understanding as he flashed a toothy grin. “As you wish.” He then added, “There’s a saying amongst warriors. You can tell a lot about a person from the way they fight.” The cryptic message left the cadets puzzled, but only one man knew his meaning.

  “Thank you for giving me this opportunity.” Vincent smiled as he bowed.

  Vincent was very happy, so happy in fact that his usual emotionless face revealed a smile. After his bow, as he looked up, he was greeted with a stunned crowd. Even the instructor had a look of disbelief as he stood there frozen in time.

  “Is something wrong?... Instructor?” Vincent asked quizzically.

  “Nngh! N-n-notghing!” The instructor fumbled out as he waved Vincent away. Having been shooed away, Vincent could only puzzledly guess that he had injured the instructor during their earlier bout and feel apologetic.

  From afar, two stunned men were also arguing.

  “So that’s how he does it.” Halt mentioned as he laughed awkwardly.

  “That fucking trash better stay away from my niece or else I’ll cut his thing off!” Aster grumbled as he fumed silently.

  “Don’t think too much on it, Aster.” Halt soothed as he patted his old buddy’s shoulder. “So what do you think of the kid’s potential?”

  “Hmmph! He’s just a bit better than average, what’s there to say?” Aster pouted like a child as he turned the other way.

  “Ha! Right, if he’s just above average then there are no geniuses in this world.”

  “Fine! You can get him started on the low-rank movesets!” Aster flustered cried as he took his leave.

  “Vincent… He’s gonna be a big deal in the kingdom.” Halt mentioned softly as he scratched his chin in contemplation.