The teenagers in these militia reserves, even if their families are not wealthy merchants, can at least wear a set of clean clothes.
Wood stood in front of this group, appearing somewhat out of place.
He only slightly furrowed his brow at the ridicule from these little brats, without much emotional fluctuation.
Levin shouted with a serious expression, "Quiet! If anyone keeps talking, I'll kick him out!"
After he spoke, the group instantly became obedient, all diligently practicing the basics of swordsmanship.
Behind Wood was Earl Hardy, with his background, strength, and prestige, naturally, these little brats didn't dare to defy his words.
Wood came to Duke's side, handed him a wooden sword, and said, "Kid, start practicing with this wooden sword. It's made of ironwood, so its weight is no different than a true sword and just as effective for training."
"Thank you, Mr. Wood," Duke said, receiving the wooden sword with both hands.
Wood noticed that Duke didn't seem embarrassed by the earlier incident, which made him appreciatively pat Duke's shoulder.
After Duke received the wooden sword, he indeed felt its weight, but to him, it wasn't a problem, and he used it with ease.
Others, regardless whether it was an iron sword or a wooden sword, still found it somewhat laborious to handle.
The basics of swordsmanship are divided into footwork, attack techniques, and defensive techniques. Footwork includes forward steps, side steps, lunge steps, among others, each with its own unique way of applying force.
Footwork is related to attack techniques such as thrusts, chops, picks, upward slashes, and slices, as well as defensive techniques like blocks and parries.
This was Duke's first time encountering systematic swordsmanship training, and he found it somewhat strenuous; there was just too much for him to take in quickly.
However, he had a good physique and excellent control over his body, allowing him to gradually master everything through orderly practice.
Many others had already learned the basics of swordsmanship long ago; for them, this was just a simple review.
Levin was like that, too. While practicing, he took the time to glance at Duke, and upon seeing the farmer boy's awkwardly unfamiliar and clumsy movements, he began quietly discussing with those next to him, occasionally chuckling.
Wood kept observing everyone's movements; with just one look, he could tell who had a foundation in swordsmanship and who was a complete novice.
He continually offered insights, occasionally correcting their movements, and ways of exerting force.
"Your habit is incorrect; your arms and waist both need to exert force. With such a force-exerting method during a confrontation, you might injure your own muscles before harming the enemy," Wood said to Levin.
Actually, Wood preferred inexperienced newcomers; it was easier to guide them.
Many who came with a foundation endured difficult-to-correct, bad habits due to previous unregulated learning, a real headache.
Soon, Wood came to Duke's side, and after watching for a while, he said, "Your strength is good, but remember, in a lunge, bend the front knee while keeping the back leg straight…"
Duke corrected every move according to Wood's instructions.
Due to his outstanding body control capabilities, he was able to execute these actions very precisely.
Wood nodded in satisfaction, feeling he'd discovered a great talent, saying, "That's right, keep up the good work!"
Duke recalled the entire set of basic swordsmanship, then meticulously practiced it from start to finish once again.
Ten minutes later, something changed in the Skill Tree in his mind; a new branch grew, with a green bud on it.
When Duke focused on it, he received some information.
[Basic Swordsmanship: Level 1 (1/300)]
The appearance of basic swordsmanship on the Skill Tree indicated Duke had finally reached an introductory level in it.
With the wooden sword in hand, Duke began practicing the basics of swordsmanship once more.
This time, he didn't need to deliberate over each move and footwork intricately; his body could naturally carry out these movements as if they were innate reflexes.
He would no longer forget these basic techniques; every move was engraved deeply in his mind, never to be forgotten.
This is a hidden function of the Skill Tree: once certified, always certified.
Any skill once mastered will never be forgotten, eliminating the possibility of regression.
Duke thoroughly enjoyed this feeling, becoming wholly immersed in practicing basic swordsmanship, as though no one else existed, with nothing able to disturb him.
After guiding everyone, Wood turned to see Duke's practice, becoming somewhat surprised.
An amateur watches for spectacle, a professional watches for technique.
He noticed that the young man's movements were extraordinarily standard, as if every move was sculpted from a mold, with no deviation.
Wood considered that even if he practiced basic swordsmanship personally, he couldn't ensure every move would be this polished.
"It seems I've encountered a genius," Wood thought to himself.
He didn't show any obvious expressions because he also saw how the group had earlier ostracized Duke.
If he openly praised Duke as a genius, it could instead pose a problem for the boy.
Wood silently kept Duke in mind, refraining from saying anything.
Training went on for a day, from morning until afternoon, with only a break for lunch.
The training ground provided lunch, which was a piece of black bread and a bowl of potato soup, which Duke ate heartily.
Levin and the others were different; they looked down on black bread altogether.
While not nobles, they saw eating black bread as disgraceful, as though it labeled someone as a lower class.
"That's it for today's practice, we'll continue tomorrow," Wood said, standing before the group.
There were still a few hours until sunset, but many in the group lived far away, so they needed ample time to return home.
Duke hesitated while holding the wooden sword, only approaching Wood to ask when most others had left, "Mr. Wood, may I take this wooden sword home? I promise I'll take good care of it."
Wood immediately deduced Duke wanted to practice at home, smiling, "Of course you can; this wooden sword is yours. But remember, training is a gradual process; don't rush it. Overtraining can be harmful to the body."
"Thank you, Mr. Wood! I'll be careful," Duke nodded.
He was about to leave when Wood called him back.
"By the way, wait here for a moment," Wood seemed to recall something, quickly returning to a side room.
After a short while, he returned with a set of clothes in hand, handing it to Duke with a smile, "Take it. These were my old clothes, and since we're about the same size, they should fit you."
Looking down, Duke saw that they were clothes made from fine linen, feeling completely different from the coarse roughness of hemp linen, promising great comfort when worn.