Time flew quickly for Grey as he spent his days training and studying. His days followed this pattern, except for Sunday, when he would rest, be it on the couch or at the park. Grey's life wasn't tedious or monotonous, however, as he found joy in the little things. As someone who had spent his first life doing only what he was told to do, being able to choose was liberating.
At 10 years old, he focused solely on the spear.
11 years old, he moved back to both the spear and magic.
12 years old, he kept at it, incorporating his Poison element into his training. Knowing different torture methods and assassination methods would be very useful.
13 years old, Grey finished learning the basics of the spear. He had 'perfected' each and every move of 'Ares' Cry', starting from the most basic of basics to the advanced techniques. All he needed now was experience. You couldn't call yourself a master just by practising.
---
Grey lay on his bed, contemplating whether to become a Hunter. Hunter's were people who would go out to the uncharted lands of each domain and would fight mana beasts. It was an option people could take if they didn't wish to fight Villains.
'Should I be a Hunter? I mean, I'm going to go to an academy, right? So, there's no need to be a Hunter. I'll get experience either way.'
- It's up to you, Grey. This is your new life. The only thing I need from you is to kill God. What you do other than that is not for me to decide. - Fallen Star said.
'Argh, this is so confusing. For now, I'll just start to learn the sword. Keep my mind off the decision. I still have 4 years until the school.' Grey made up his mind, and so he headed to the living room to ask Lucas to teach him how to use a sword.
He exited his room, walked down the stairs and across the hallway. Grey entered the living room, stopping before the mirror next to the entrance. He was tall for his age, definitely, standing at 160 cm, slightly taller than most. His silver hair had grown to match his father's, a nice, neat two block cut. His maroon eyes had grown deeper, and his straight eyebrows sat cleanly above. His nose was small and straight, and there was little to no fat on his cheeks, allowing you to see his jaw. His chin was sharp and pointed, much like his mother and grandfather. He had fair, white skin with no blemishes, most likely due to mana.
His body was defined, the daily training and mana use allowed him to grow well. The boy's muscles were compressed, the taut muscles made him look skinny, unless you paid attention. He also had a six-pack, but it was well hidden under his baggy t-shirt. He wore a white t-shirt and black jeans, creating a contrast that only made his skin look nicer.
"Damn, I look good." Grey said, posing in the mirror. He flexed his muscles, held his chin and made many other poses that highlighted his appearance. It got to the point that Fallen Star had to step in to inform Grey of why he was in the living room.
- Grey, stop being a narcissist and go ask your parents. We came here for a reason, remember? -
"Oh, yeah, that's right." Upon being reminded, Grey stopped flexing his muscles and turned around.
---
Lucas and Samantha were sat on the couch, watching the news. Apparently, vampires had attacked the front lines of the elven border, and during the chaos of such a sudden push, made their way into a dwarven city with the help of a couple Villains. They had killed a few thousand before being wiped out by a Hero in the vicinity. He was a League Hero, so he easily took care of them, but he could not save the people. The man wasn't attuned to Light, and was only carrying a couple potions.
League Heroes were heroes who had a rank in the top 500 heroes, so they were all very well known.
Lucas switched the channel, wishing well to the departed souls, before he heard a sound behind him. Turning around, he saw Grey admiring his own visage, so he nudged Samantha. As Grey posed, they watched the boy and snickered.
He hadn't heard them, however, and after muttering under his breath, he suddenly turned around.
All three of them froze, Grey at the idea that he was being watched, Lucas and Samantha at the idea that they had caught their son doing something rather embarrassing, and were then caught in turn watching him. He moved to sit down on one of the single couches, under the stares of his very embarrassed parents. He, too, was embarrassed, but he pushed it aside.
"Dad, teach me how to use a sword." Grey's request was rather mundane, but it was the perfect thing to break the awkward silence.
"Of course, Grey! In fact, I'm so excited that you've asked me that. I'm going to go and get things ready. Bye!" Lucas quickly exited the room, breathing a sigh of relief at being out of that awkward hell.
"So, what made you decide on the sword instead of the bow?" Samantha spoke, hoping to slide over the sour memory.
"Oh, well, the bow seems pretty simple, to me, at least. Just aim and shoot, right? But with finesse and technique, as Dad says." Grey answered his mother, but he had no plans to let the conversation end there.
"So, why were you two watching me?" He asked, imagining his mother flustered. The sight would be one to behold, for it was something Grey could never imagine his mother being. She was always so composed, other than when you surprised or angered her.
Unfortunately, today was not going to be the day he saw his mother embarrassed.
"I have a better question; why were you posing in the mirror?" At the remark, Grey's face visibly reddened.
"It's not like I was planning to... I just thought that I looked good!" The plan had backfired miserably, and it was at that moment Grey remembered something that his father and grandfather had told him a couple of years ago.
'You don't win against Samantha, ever.'
Luckily for Grey, Lucas came in just after, saying that everything was set up. Grey was happy to take the chance to leave.
"Coming!"
---
Just like before, Lucas told Grey the ins and outs of the blade.
"The falcata is a short sword that focuses on slashing. It is about 60cm long, and although you could, I don't recommend dual wielding. Focus on learning 1 blade first. Then, if you want, move onto 2."
"Understood."
"Here are your choices." Lucas laid out 2 different arts for Grey to choose one. The first option was 'Grave's Blade' and it focused on quick strikes from unexpected areas that put you in the grave.
"Your second option is 'Swan Sword'. It focuses on flexibility and linking. At the end of it, you'll look like you're dancing, and your opponents will be captivated until their last breath." Lucas gave Grey flowery descriptions for each style.
Grey thought for a while, but decided to compliment his spear style with the first sword art.
His spear style focused on precise strikes of flexible moves that flowed into one another. It was a rather beautiful style that hid the danger it held under the guise of its dance. Separately, of course, the moves looked discordant, it was only when all of them were played out at once that you would see them in their glory.
"OK, since you have chosen 'Grave's Blade', here is your sword. We'll go through the moves after the basics." Lucas handed Grey an ornate sword.
The blade was made of mana steel, like his spear, as it was good at conducting mana. The handle was made of a hard wood, wrapped in synthetic leather with a rough hold; perfect to keep the blade in the palm, regardless of if you sweat or not.
The steel had intricate designs running along its length. The blade would have been straight, if not for the curve about halfway through. It was thin by the handle, and it got thicker throughout the length of the blade. The handle curved at the back, making it a snug grip.
Grey flexed the blade in his hand, seeing how it felt. He felt that it fit well, and that he could wield the blade with ease.
"It feels nice in my hand. The blade clicks with me." Grey spoke, telling his father about the sword.
"Alright then, let's get started. First, we'll go through holds, then slashes. Then we can move onto movements." Lucas began to lecture Grey on each step of wielding a sword.
'It's going to be another long 4 years, I bet.'