The training grounds were quiet that morning. A light wind moved across the open field, carrying dust and the faint smell of metal from the weapon racks nearby.
Kael and Rion stood across from Aris.
Aris stretched her arms lazily, as if she had just woken up. Her silver hair moved slightly in the wind, and she looked at the two boys with a small grin.
“Alright,” she said. “Let’s see what I’m working with.”
Rion stood calmly, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Kael stood beside him, arms crossed, clearly annoyed that training had started so early.
Aris pointed at Rion.
“You first.”
Rion stepped forward without hesitation.
Aris walked a few meters away from him and cracked her neck.
“Simple,” she said. “Fight me.”
Kael raised an eyebrow.
“That’s it?”
Aris glanced at him. “Did you want tea and biscuits first?”
Kael rolled his eyes and stayed quiet.
Rion slowly drew his sword.
“I’ll attack,” he said calmly.
Aris smiled.
“Please do.”
Rion moved first.
His steps were controlled and precise as he rushed forward and swung his sword toward Aris’s shoulder.
CLANG.
Aris blocked it easily with the dagger she had pulled out at the last second.
Rion immediately stepped back and circled her.
He attacked again.
Another strike.
Another block.
Aris moved lightly, barely putting effort into defending.
From the side, Kael frowned.
She wasn’t even trying.
After a few exchanges, Rion stopped and lowered his blade slightly.
Aris tilted her head.
“That’s it?”
Rion looked completely calm.
“I don’t see a reason to overextend.”
For a second there was silence.
Then Aris blinked.
And suddenly laughed.
A loud, genuine laugh.
“Hahaha— wow.”
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
She wiped a tear from her eye.
“That might be the most boring thing I’ve ever heard in a fight.”
But at the same time, there was a spark of irritation in her eyes.
She leaned forward slightly.
“Alright,” she said, still smiling. “I’ll give you a reason.”
Before Rion could react—
She vanished.
Rion’s eyes widened.
CLANG.
He barely raised his sword in time as Aris appeared directly in front of him and struck.
The force pushed him back several steps.
Her grin had grown sharper.
“Oh?” she said. “You’re fast enough to react at least.”
Rion steadied himself.
Then she attacked again.
This time faster.
Her dagger flashed through the air as she moved around him.
Left.
Right.
High.
Low.
Rion blocked again and again, but each hit pushed him further back.
CLANG.
CLANG.
CLANG.
His arms started to shake slightly from the impact.
Kael watched carefully.
Aris still wasn’t using her full strength.
But she was definitely fighting now.
Rion jumped back, trying to create distance.
Aris followed instantly.
“You said you didn’t see a reason to overextend,” she said casually as her blade came down again.
Rion blocked but slid across the dirt.
“Well,” she continued, “here’s the reason.”
She suddenly increased her speed.
Her next strike slipped past Rion’s defense and cut a small line across his sleeve.
Rion stepped back quickly, eyes narrowing.
Aris laughed again.
“Finally.”
Rion’s stance changed slightly.
His grip tightened.
He moved forward again, this time faster.
Their blades clashed again.
But Aris still had the advantage.
She moved around him with ease, forcing him to constantly defend.
After several more exchanges, she suddenly stepped back.
Rion was breathing slightly heavier now.
Aris rested the dagger on her shoulder.
“See the problem?”
Rion didn’t answer.
“You’re skilled,” she continued. “Your technique is clean. Your mind is calm.”
She pointed the dagger at him.
“But you fight like someone who’s afraid to commit.”
Kael smirked slightly from the side.
Aris kept talking.
“You calculate everything,” she said. “You only move when you think it’s safe.”
She shrugged.
“That’s great for staying alive.”
Then her eyes sharpened.
“But it’s terrible for winning.”
Rion stayed silent.
Aris walked closer.
“A real fight isn’t safe,” she said. “Sometimes you have to risk everything in one move.”
She suddenly flicked her dagger forward again.
Rion blocked it, but barely.
Aris smiled.
“You need more heart.”
She stepped back and pointed toward Kael.
“Your turn.”
Kael groaned.
“Oh great.”
He walked forward slowly.
Aris studied him for a moment.
Then she said something unexpected.
“Don’t attack.”
Kael blinked.
“What?”
“Sit.”
Kael stared at her.
“You dragged us out here at sunrise… to make me sit?”
“Sit.”
He muttered something under his breath but dropped down onto the ground.
Aris crouched in front of him.
“Your problem is the opposite of his,” she said, pointing at Rion.
Rion crossed his arms but listened.
Aris tapped Kael’s forehead lightly.
“Your head is too loud.”
Kael frowned.
“What does that even mean?”
“You’re not weak,” she said. “Your mana is strong.”
She pointed to his chest.
“But it’s a mess.”
Kael looked away.
Aris continued.
“You can’t control it because you’re distracted.”
She leaned closer.
“You keep thinking about not having an attribute.”
Kael’s jaw tightened.
Aris stood up.
“Close your eyes.”
He hesitated.
“Now.”
Kael sighed and closed them.
“Feel your mana,” she said.
At first there was nothing.
Then slowly Kael felt the familiar energy moving inside his body.
“Good,” Aris said. “Now gather a little in your hand.”
Kael lifted his hand slightly.
A small amount of mana formed there.
It flickered.
Shaky.
Unstable.
Aris watched.
“Hold it.”
A few seconds passed.
The mana suddenly scattered.
Kael opened one eye.
“…Oops.”
Aris crossed her arms.
“Again.”
He tried again.
The mana gathered.
Shook.
Then disappeared.
Kael groaned.
“This is stupid.”
Aris kicked his shoulder lightly.
“Focus.”
Kael glared at her.
“You think yelling focus helps?”
“Apparently you need the reminder.”
Kael closed his eyes again and tried one more time.
The mana formed again.
This time he held it a little longer.
Aris nodded.
“That’s your training.”
Kael opened his eyes.
“…Holding a tiny ball of mana?”
“Yes.”
“That’s boring.”
“That’s necessary.”
She pointed at him.
“When your mind becomes steady, your mana will follow.”
Kael looked at the flickering mana in his hand.
It wobbled again.
Aris smiled slightly.
“You two have opposite problems.”
She pointed at Rion.
“You have control but no fire.”
Then she pointed at Kael.
“You have power but no control.”
She turned and started walking away.
“But don’t worry.”
She looked back at them with a mischievous grin.
“I’m going to fix both of you.”
Kael groaned.
Rion simply tightened his grip on his sword.
Training had officially begun.
