I looked around at the variety of weapons laid out before me. The room smelled faintly of polished wood and iron, with a metallic tang lingering in the air.
My eyes swept over the racks: bows, daggers, swords, and something that looked like a katana gleaming under the torchlight.
First, I reached for a bow, lifting it with practiced care, and stretched the string.
Strange… why does this feel familiar? I thought, tilting my head. Almost as if I've wielded it before. I considered it for a few moments, a faint memory teasing the edges of my mind, then shook it off. Perhaps it was just my imagination.
Next, I grabbed a pair of daggers. The metal was cold and unforgiving in my hands. I swung them experimentally.
They felt… off. Clumsy. Awkward. No, these wouldn't do. I set them back down. One by one, I tried other weapons, each one heavier or lighter than expected, until my gaze fell on the swords.
I lifted a longsword. It felt solid, but… too long."Too long," I murmured under my breath.
Vladislav, standing nearby, picked up a massive greatsword and shook his head."Nah. I definitely won't use a greatsword. It's too heavy — I'd probably get killed before I even lift it." He grinned wryly, his eyes glinting with mischief.
I moved my gaze to a sword resting on the left. The moment I grasped its hilt, a surge of familiarity shot through me, as though the weapon itself recognized my hands. I swung it experimentally.
SWOOSH! SWOOSH!
The blade cut through the air cleanly. Not too long, not too short. Light, but with just enough weight to feel commanding. I smiled."Not too long, not too short either. Light, but just enough weight. I like it," I said aloud.
Curiosity drew me to a katana leaning against the wall. Sleek, deadly, elegant. I picked it up, turning it over in my hands, testing the balance.It looks cool… why not try it too? I thought, flexing my wrists.
I glanced at Uncle Jian, who watched quietly, his posture relaxed but alert."Uncle Jian, is it possible for someone to wield more than one weapon?" I asked.
"Yes," he replied with a small smile. "It's rare, but possible. You're thinking of using two swords, Vlad?"
I nodded firmly. "Yes. I'll use the sword as my primary, and the katana as my secondary."
"It won't be easy," Jian warned, his tone calm but firm. "The techniques differ. You'll have to split your focus. Are you sure you're ready for that challenge?"
"Yes, Uncle. I'm sure," I said, my grip tightening around the hilt.
"Good." Jian's eyes twinkled with approval. "The katana excels at quick draws and fast slashes. The sword is versatile — capable of both cutting and thrusting. Balanced, precise, and effective in close combat. You made a wise choice."
Athelstan chuckled beside me, lifting the same type of sword I had chosen."I told you I didn't need any other weapon than a sword, hehe," he said, his grin wide.
"Bro wants to dual-wield, huh? Crazy… but I believe you can do it. You're not my big brother for nothing," he added with a wink.
"Thanks, At," I replied, shaking my head with a smile.
"Now," Jian said, stepping forward, "let's begin training. Normally, I'd suggest wooden swords for safety. But no… you'll train with real blades from the start. I need my nephews to dominate the next generation."
He picked up a wooden sword, holding it with ease. "I'll reinforce it with mana so it won't break. Now, both of you — attack me. Don't hold back. If I could be harmed by mere channelers, I'd rather kill myself."
"None taken," I replied. "You're right, Uncle."
Jian gestured to the center of the sparring arena. "Come. Show me everything you've got."
Since I hadn't mastered the katana yet, I set it aside and gripped the sword with both hands.
"Let's go, At!" I called, nodding to my brother.
"Yes," he replied with a determined grin.
Athelstan moved first, dashing toward Jian's left side. I reinforced my legs with mana, feeling my speed surge as I sprinted toward his right.
Athelstan swung at Jian's ribs, but the strike was effortlessly blocked.
CLANG!
"Predictable," Jian said. "Good speed, but rushing in like that will get you killed. And your grip… weak."
Athelstan stumbled back. I reached Jian's right side and tightened my grip on the sword, channeling mana into my arm and blade. Strength surged through me as I thrust toward his leg.
THRUST!
Jian sidestepped smoothly. "Footing is poor, but the arm strength — good instinct."
Before I could recover, he swept my leg, then punched my chest. I barely blocked it with the sword, but the force sent me flying several meters.
"Urgh…" I groaned, chest aching.
"Not bad. You managed to block," Jian said with quiet approval.
My arms trembled; my wrists ached. Just one punch, and my arms are shot… and he isn't even using his full strength.
CLANG! CLANG!
Athelstan unleashed a barrage of strikes, all of which Jian deflected or dodged. Seeing his brother's ease, Athelstan gritted his teeth, adjusted his stance — right foot forward, left back — and poured mana into his blade.
He leapt into the air and swung vertically.
SWOOSH!
Jian blocked lazily, dust rising from the arena floor."Good. You're trying a stance — poor, but progress nonetheless." He tapped Athelstan's shoulder with the wooden sword, forcing him down to a knee. Athelstan's sword hit the ground, stabbing the dirt, and he grabbed his shoulder in pain.
I seized the opening. I appeared behind Jian, slashing toward his neck.
He didn't even flinch, reaching back with his free hand to catch my blade between two fingers."Nice try — aiming for the blind spot, trying for a fatal strike," he said, smirking.
I yanked my sword free and stepped back. Athelstan twisted his wrist and swung horizontally.
WHSSSHH!
I poured my remaining mana into my legs and dashed faster than ever.
FWOOSH!
I tore through the air, my body moving like a blade. I swung horizontally at Jian's stomach, feeling the momentum in my shoulders and core.
He only smiled. Leaping into the air, he twisted his body in a corkscrew motion, dodging both attacks.
Athelstan's sword sliced past his back, mine past his forehead.
Before landing, Jian kicked me square in the chest, sending me flying. My sword slipped from my hand. Moments later, he struck Athelstan's face with the wooden blade, spinning him across the arena.
Jian landed lightly, almost gracefully.
The spar ended in four intense minutes.
"And that," he said, smiling, "is a corkscrew twist. Pretty cool, right?"
I groaned, exhausted, muscles trembling, body aching from the exertion. Athelstan lay sprawled, cursing quietly.
"Damn… we couldn't even last five minutes," he muttered.
"Of course not," Jian said calmly. "If I had been serious, you wouldn't have lasted a minute. But I'm not here to fight — I'm here to teach you." He nodded, smirking. "And yes…you both suck at the sword."
The words stabbed deeper than any blade.
Athelstan laughed bitterly. I only clutched my chest.
"Your stance is weak. Knees not bent properly, feet too narrow. Footwork sloppy. Grip poor — if your sword slips, how can you ever win? That's why I'm here. To train you. To break you down, and build you stronger." Jian's smile turned mischievous. "And it's going to be hell."
He muttered to himself, laughing softly."Hehehe…"
Shit…he has gone nuts, we're screwed, I thought, staring at the ceiling.
"Ah, we're dead," Athelstan said, a fake tear rolling down his cheek. "Mom… I miss you."
I smiled faintly. "I miss Mom too."
That day, we trained until our bodies refused to move, until even lifting a sword became impossible.