VII

  ━━━━━━┓???┏━━━━━━

  Arc VII Chapter 2

  ━━━━━━┛???┗━━━━━━

  1st Aqua Solar XI AAC 753

  The air was crisp. The rhythmic sound of wood and steel clashing reverberated throughout the yard, accompanied by the usual tirade of barks, shouts, curses, grunts, and the otherwise colourful vocabulary typical for sparring adventurers. It was times like these that the humble origins of their birth showed.

  Novices and veterans. Amateurs and professionals. It was late morning, and yet the guild’s training ground was brimming with people, with adventurers, with entire parties. They were training. They were practising. They were honing their skills. They were here to prove their mettle.

  Much to her expectations, the size of the ground was substantial despite being located in the middle of the city. The yard was large, large enough to accommodate a multitude of parties at once. It was a simple field, enclosed by surrounding buildings. Trampled sand and compacted earth covered the ground. Wooden dummies lined the perimeter, alongside an assembly of archery targets and what might be considered magic training targets. All in all, the ground served its intended purpose, to allow people to train and practise, which included a certain little girl and her lovely doll.

  “? ??? ? ? ?? ~. ? ? ? ??? ~. ? ? ? ? ?? ? ??? ~.” Aurora trod along, Dollrora safely cradled in her protective arms after they enjoyed a hearty breakfast together consisting of two hot chocolates, a few slices of bread with butter, and some lingonberry marmalade. So far, it had been thus an excellent day for Aurora and her dolly companion. “? ??? ? ? ?? ~. ? ? ? ??? ~.”

  “? ??? ? ? ?? ~. ? ? ? ??? ~.” Aurora adjusted her hold slightly to ensure that her companion enjoyed the perfect vantage point. “Better?”

  Little Aurora nodded affirmatively. “Somewhat.”

  “? ? ? ??? ~. I am glad to hear so~.” Aurora beamed while following Angelika and the rest of her party. Their mentor had summoned, or rather was currently leading them today, directly to the training ground, for unknown reasons. The purpose of the entire undertaking eluded them so far, but not any longer.

  Angelika suddenly halted her step, her merry blue eyes greeting them with a smile. Gone was her heavy armour of the previous day, replaced by a light gambeson shirt and a reinforced leather cuirass. A belt cinched her waist, securing her skirt. A series of scabbards strapped over her shoulder. The knightess to be was significantly dressed lighter than yesterday.

  “...” Angelika clapped her hands together, veritably beaming. Her smile was bright, almost too bright. “Edelgart, Erich, Ludolf, do you know why we’re here today?”

  “... ... ...” Erich, Ludolf, Aurora, her doll, every one of them exchanged a series of questioning glances. The truth was, nobody knew, which was hardly surprising considering they had not been told.

  “...” Erich crossed his arms, an eyebrow furrowed. He spoke for all of them. “To be honest, no, not really. Are we here to train?”

  “...” Angelika chose to ignore his less than enthusiastic response, her cheerful nature entirely unperturbed. The knightess merely nodded, her index finger raised. “You’re correct, Erich, in a certain way. Yes, we’re here to train. As you might know, the purpose of all training is to acquire strength. Whether it’s in the form of skill, physical strength, endurance, stamina, or experience.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  But there is something else that matters too. And that is knowing your comrades. You must know their weaknesses. You must know their strengths. As long as you stand together, you will succeed where a lone warrior fails. You will be far stronger than on your own.”

  Her gaze settled first on Erich, on Ludolf, then finally on her and her doll in particular as if she were singled out. “That’s why you must stand together. That’s why you must put your past grievances and differences aside and work together. Do you understand?”

  “...” They all tentatively agreed following her sermon on the supposed benefits of teamwork and cooperation.

  Angelika’s words lingered in the air until she decided to produce four wooden practice swords. Their meaning was clear. “That being said, let’s see just how well you understand each other today, shall we?” A mischievous grin flashed across her lips before she threw the sword at them. “You know the drill. One at a time. You first, Erich.”

  Quick witted as he was, Erich caught the practice blade easily, although his confusion was apparent. “One at a time? Weren’t you talking about working and fighting together and whatnot?”

  Angelika raised her index finger. The knightess approached the nearest free ring. A wide circle was drawn into the sand, marking the stage’s boundaries. “Admittedly, yes, but to know others, you must first know yourself. And more importantly, I must know you. I’ve read your files, and I’ve spoken with Sir Hartmann, but I’ve never seen you fight in person. In the end, there’s only one way to know where you stand.” Her unconventional antics and sermon aside, her words made sense. Somewhat. Somehow.

  In fact, so much that even Erich was forced to concede her point. “I think I understand.”

  Angelika grinned, her gentle smile seldom leaving her face. “I’m glad that you do. To start with, I would like you to come at me, Erich. Show me what you have got.” Her hand beckoned.

  Erich flexed his fingers and tensed his muscles. He obeyed. He entered the circle, his stance measured and controlled. The fight ensued, with the both of them circling each other, gauging each other. Seconds passed. Minutes passed. Nothing happened. And at this rate, it seemed that nothing would happen.

  Angelika beamed, her smile unfaltering. “Why haven’t you attacked me yet, Erich? Didn’t I tell you to come at me? Didn’t I tell you to show me all you have got? You must go all out. No need to hold back.”

  “...” Erich merely scoffed at her suggestion, almost dismissively. “Sure, you want me to go all out ... You want me to attack you head on, someone who is years my senior in terms of skill and experience ... Listen, Angelika, I might be young, but that sounds like a recipe for disaster. I’m not stupid.”

  “...” Angelika flashed a smirk, an approving smirk. “Smart boy. I hope that you’re as skilled as sharp.” The knightess struck first, her steps fast, clean, precise. Angelika closed the distance in an instant. Her blade struck with force, hard. She was not resorting to the use of her mana. Not yet.

  “...” Erich parried, forced to defend. He was put on the back foot, and it showed. Erich was practised, his footwork disciplined, but he was also predictable. Angelika quickly grasped his rhythm. The outcome was never a matter of contention, but such was obvious to begin with. This was not a fight. This was supposed to be training. This was supposed to be a spar.

  Angelika pressed her advantage, stepping up the pace. Her strikes came faster and faster, and harder and harder. From all sides. Continuously increasing in terms of strength and speed. Eventually, Erich’s defence collapsed, his stance broken.

  A blur. A strike. Angelika’s wooden sword halted, her blade close to his throat.

  “... ... ...” Erich stiffened like he was petrified. He had come to realise that he had lost.

  A warm smile accompanied Angelika. “You’re good, Erich. Way better than I expected, although a tad formulaic in your approach. Your style is far too orthodox, which makes you predictable for any experienced fighter.”

  The knightess retracted her sword, releasing Erich from her grip. “No need to worry. We can work on that. I see much potential in you. In fact, I was told you are also capable of using magic. Apparently, you’re versed in pyromancy. Fire and light. Is that true, Erich?” Angelika studied the boy with a burning curiosity.

  “...” Erich glanced up after regaining some semblance of composure. He merely nodded in confirmation. “Yes, I can use magic. Some. Father taught me.”

  “I see.” Angelika beamed, her hand playing with her practice sword. “No need to be so modest, Erich! Magic is a rare ability. Not everyone has that spark. You should be proud! Now show me your magic. I want to see it with my own eyes. It would be a waste to squander your talents, don’t you agree?” Her voice brimmed with confidence.

  “Are you sure?” Erich hesitated.

  “Quite.” Angelika nodded in response, her chest swelling with evident pride. “You might not know, but I’ve some talent when it comes to magic. Ignis. Lumen. Fire. Light. These are also my elements. The same as yours. I can show you a thing or two.”

  “...” Aurora sharpened her ears, her attention focused on their knightess. So it was like this ... She was a mage herself ... The same elements as Erich’s even... It appeared that having been chosen as their mentor was hardly a coincidence on the part of the guild. Angelika had been assigned to help them develop, both physically and in terms of magic.

  Angelika was not only a swordswoman of considerable skill, but also a practitioner of magic, which made sense, considering her noticeable magic signature and the strong presence of her mana. And yet, her profile felt ... unusual ... To be blessed with martial prowess and gifts of magic alike, it was the profile of a true knight rather than a mere adventurer.

  Angelika raised her wooden blade, the tip pointed directly at Erich. “Now, show me what you’ve got, Erich! Show me your magic. I am waiting!”

  ━━━━━━┛???┗━━━━━━