The Art of Footwork
I exhaled sharply, my breath misting in the frigid air. My legs burned, my balance wavered, and every fiber of my being protested against the relentless drilling.
"Again," Sir Garret commanded.
I clenched my jaw and forced myself to move. Step, shift weight, pivot. My movements were stiff, unnatural—like a newborn fawn trying to walk for the first time.
Selene, sitting comfortably on the courtyard steps, grinned.
"Averis, have you ever actually used those legs before?"
I shot her a glare. "I hope you get frostbite."
She gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her heart. "How cruel! After I came all this way to grace you with my presence."
The Frost Raven, perched atop a nearby railing, ruffled its icy feathers.
> ["Your suffering is her entertainment. Accept this."]
Sir Garret clicked his tongue, arms crossed. "Focus."
I straightened and forced my attention back to my stance. Left foot forward, shift weight—
"Too slow."
I barely had time to react before a wooden training sword lashed out at my legs.
I stumbled back, barely dodging the strike.
Selene let out a low whistle. "So that's how you teach? I like it."
Sir Garret ignored her, his steel gaze locked onto me. "Speed comes with instinct. You hesitate, you lose."
I exhaled sharply and tried again. Faster this time.
Step, pivot, shift—
The training sword whistled through the air. THWACK.
Pain shot up my calf.
I hissed, hopping on one foot. "Was that necessary?"
"Yes," Sir Garret said flatly. "Again."
Selene smirked. "I can see why your family is terrifying."
I grumbled under my breath and reset my stance.
This was going to be a long day.
---
A Dangerous Proposition
By the time Sir Garret finally relented, my legs felt like they were made of lead. I collapsed onto the snowy ground, ignoring the cold seeping through my clothes.
Selene stood over me, looking far too amused. "Are you dead?"
I groaned in response.
"Ah, good. Then you can keep training."
I cracked open an eye. "…Excuse me?"
Selene grinned, hands on her hips. "You're going to be a great mage, right? And a noble heir? But you're clearly lacking in combat training."
"I just spent hours training."
She ignored me. "So I propose a deal."
I didn't like where this was going.
"I'll spar with you," she said, crouching beside me. "Sword, magic, or both. Your pick."
I stared at her.
"You want to fight me?"
She nodded enthusiastically. "Obviously."
I sighed. "Of course you do."
Selene tilted her head, smiling. "What? Are you scared?"
I sat up slowly, rolling my shoulders. "I think you just enjoy fighting."
She didn't even try to deny it. "I do."
The Frost Raven let out an amused caw.
> ["She is dangerous. You attract dangerous people."]
I ignored the bird.
Selene held out a hand. "So? Deal?"
I eyed her outstretched hand, then let out a slow breath.
"…Fine."
Her grin widened.
I really wasn't going to get any peace, was I?
---
Averis vs. Selene – A Terrible Idea
The moment I picked up the training sword, I regretted everything.
Selene didn't hesitate. The instant Sir Garret gave the signal, she lunged.
I barely raised my sword in time. The force of her strike sent vibrations up my arm.
"She's fast," I muttered.
Selene's grin was razor-sharp. "You're slow."
She pivoted, her blade slicing through the air. I scrambled back, dodging by a hair's breadth.
Sir Garret observed from the sidelines, arms crossed. "If you keep retreating, you'll never win."
Easier said than done.
Selene was relentless.
She feinted left, then swept her blade low. I barely managed to counter, our wooden swords clashing with a sharp crack.
The Frost Raven cawed.
> ["She is enjoying this too much."]
I gritted my teeth. I needed to change my approach.
I exhaled and shifted my stance—just like in training. Footwork first. Balance.
Selene struck again, but this time, I sidestepped smoothly. Our blades met in a flurry of quick strikes, and for a moment, I wasn't completely on the defensive.
Sir Garret nodded slightly.
Selene grinned. "Not bad."
Then she sped up.
The next thing I knew, my sword was flying out of my hands, clattering onto the stone. Before I could react, Selene tapped my shoulder with the tip of her blade.
"Point," she said cheerfully.
I stared at her. "You've definitely done this before."
She winked. "Obviously."
Sir Garret exhaled. "You lasted longer than expected."
That was not comforting.
Selene sheathed her wooden sword and clapped me on the back. "That was fun! We should do this again."
I coughed. "I'd rather not."
She ignored me entirely.
I sighed.
This was going to be a very long few weeks.
---
Why I Didn't Use My Spirits
Later that evening, as I sat in my room nursing my bruised pride, the Frost Raven perched on the windowsill, watching me.
> ["You could have used your spirits."]
I let out a slow breath. "I could have. But I didn't."
> ["Why?"]
I ran a hand through my silver-white hair. "Because I need to stand on my own first."
Relying on spirits, on magic, would make things easier. But if I became dependent on them for everything, then what would happen if I ever lost them?
I wasn't arrogant enough to think I'd always have the advantage.
Selene didn't use magic either. She relied on pure skill.
If I wanted to be more than just a 'genius with mana,' I had to train my foundation first.
The Frost Raven stared at me for a long moment before letting out a quiet chuckle.
> ["A wise decision. But you will suffer."]
I sighed. "I already am."
> ["Then continue suffering. It builds character."]
I glared at the bird. "I hope you get frostbite."
It just ruffled its feathers, smug.
I flopped back onto the bed.
This was going to be hell.
---
End of Chapter 33