Part-222

  Carlos raised an eyebrow, then ughed—a deep, hearty ugh that echoed through the small training hall. "Self-defense?" he repeated, shaking his head. "No one chooses the sword for self-defehe sword is a on of attaot defense. If you want to protect yourself, pick up a shield, or learn some practical hand-to-hand bat."

  James stayed silent, his gaze unwavering. He uood what Carlos was saying, but his reasons ran deeper than that. The sword wasn’t just a on to him—it represented a challenge, a path to growth, both in the dungeon and in his own life.

  Carlos seemed to sehis. His ughter faded, and his expression softehough there was still a hint of skepticism in his eyes. "You blocked every attack, but you couldn’t nd a single one of your own," he said, almost as if testing James's resolve.

  "I know," James admitted, his voice low. "But I won’t quit. I’ll get better."

  Carlos studied him for a moment lohen sighed. "Alright," he said, his voice carrying a note of finality. "I’ll teach you."

  James's eyes widened in surprise. "You will?"

  Carlos hough his expression remaiern. "But uand this: swordsmanship is a long, grueling path. It’s not fshy, and it’s not easy. Most people quit after a few months because they ’t hahe discipli requires. If you’re serious, you’ll have to it to it fully."

  James nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. "I’m serious," he said firmly.

  Carlos gave him a small, approving nod. "Good. We’ll start tomorrow. Be here at 6 AM sharp. Don’t be te."

  With that, Carlos turned and walked away, signaling the end of their versation. James stood there for a moment, processing everything that had just happened. Goni approached him, a faint smile on his face.

  "Not bad, man," Goni said, extending a hand. "You’ve got potential."

  James smiled back, shaking Goni's hand. "Thanks," he said, still feeling the adrenaline c through his veins. "You’re pretty good yourself."

  Goni chuckled. "Carlos doesn’t just train anyone. If he’s agreed to teach you, that means he sees something in you. Don’t waste it."

  James he weight of Goni's words sinking in. He had earned Carlos’s approval, but this was just the beginning. There was still so much to learn, so muprove.

  James slung the wooden sword over his shoulder as he walked out of the martial arts ter. His body ached from the match with Goni, and the tension from his enter with Carlos still buzzed in his mind. Just as he reached for the door, his phone buzzed. He g the s and saw a message from Mili: *"Waiting for you outside by the exit."*

  James raised an eyebrow, surprised. He hadn’t expected Mili to be around. He quied his pace, curious to see what she wanted. Wheepped outside, there she was—leaning casually against the wall he exit, scrolling through her phone. She wore a simple outfit, a loose-fitting t-shirt, and jeans, her hair pulled ba a ponytail. Something about her rexed demeanor caught James off guard.