Inside the forest where the two first met, Bell cranel and Kaelis valeblade had arrived after Kaelis relayed the okay to Bell.
"So first order of business…"
"Are we gonna start with sword swinging!? I wanna use a cool sword, you know—like the one heroes use!" Bell was giddy with excitement.
The prospect of being trained by someone strong made him feel like it's the start of his legend.
But what Kaelis said next left him speechless.
"No silly." He smiled mischievously, waving Bell to calm down.
Bell became confused. "But aren't we supposed to start with sword swinging?"
"Strip."
"Eh?"
"Strip."
"But why!?" Bell recoiled covering his body.
"Just take off your shirt, I'll be doing an inspection." Kaelis told.
Bell eased up a bit but the confusion was still on his face. "But why though?"
"I'll need to see what I'm working with. You're thin as a sheet so I'll need to see what kind of training I should start with." Kaelis explained.
"Oh. Okay." Bell removed his shirt, showing off his upper body.
The kid's small. Real small. I guess I can't expect much from a 10 year old. His arms are thin, no real definition—barely any hint of muscle.
Can't have him swinging anything heavier than a short sword without his wrists giving out.
It's to be expected…
Although Bell grew up on a farm, his grandfather hadn't made him do much work other than helping out here and there.
So even if he build little muscle from those chores, they weren't consistent enough for them to be permanent.
Still, there's something there.
The way he stands, a bit too straight for someone untrained—like he wants to look the part.
His balance isn't bad either…
That's good. It means he'll learn fast once his muscles catch up.
For now though, he's too light for real sword drills.
I'd probably start him off with basic conditioning—bodybuilding stuff, footwork, and a wooden sword to build grip and control.
Running, stretching, balance drills. Get his stamina up before anything else.
His shoulders are narrow, but if he keeps at it, they'll broaden soon enough.
Maybe in a year or two, he can handle a longsword. But right now?
He's better suited to a short blade or dagger. Fast, light, and simple.
As Bell stood there nervously, wondering what kind of judgment he would be getting, Kaelis straightened up after a minute of observation, before giving him one last look.
"Alright," He finally said, his voice calm but firm. "First off—you're small."
Bell blinked, caught off guard. "Eh?"
"Don't take it the wrong way," Kaelis added with a small grin. "You're just young. Nothing wrong with that. Means we're gonna start simple—no heavy blades, no flashy swings."
Kaelis face turned cold . "But be warned. Now that you're my student, I won't accept mediocrity. Got that?"
Bell's face fell slightly, but he nodded. "I-I can handle it!"
"Oh? You can, huh?" Kaelis then chuckled.
He summoned a wooden Japanese sword, the bokken.
Pretty heavy but not enough for a kid to pick up. "Then we'll see. But before you even think about swinging, you're gonna learn how to move."
He tossed the wooden blade to Bell, who barely caught it with both hands.
"What was that Mr Kaelis!?" Bell's eyes shone brightly as stars lit up in his eyes.
"My power. Anyway, focus on the objectives. Can ask questions later."
"Okay!"
"Feet first," kaelis continued.
"We'll work on your stance, balance, and grip. You'll run laps, do squats, learn how to keep your footing. Swordsmanship isn't about swinging faster—it's about staying upright when everything else is trying to knock you down."
Bell nodded again, this time more seriously.
"And one more thing," he said, placing a hand on bell's shoulder.
"Don't rush it. Every swordsman wants to swing like a hero from day one, but all that comes later. For now, you focus on not tripping over your own feet. Got it?"
Bell smiled shyly. "Got it!"
"Good. Then let's get started. Drop the sword and give me four sets of twenty five squats."
"Squats?!"
"Yep," Kaelis smirked. "Welcome to training, kid."
…
Thirty minutes later…
"Stop."
Bell froze mid-squat.
"You're trying too hard," Kaelis said. "Keep your feet shoulder-width apart—good. Now lower yourself slowly. Feel the weight on your legs, not your back. There you go."
Bell followed his instructions, his legs wobbling and sweating pouring down his face.
"Burning, isn't it?"
"A little…"
"Good. That means your body's learning something new."
Bell nodded, gritting through the last few squats.
When he finished, he exhaled heavily and looked up. "Do I get to use the sword now?"
Kaelis just chuckled at that. "Dude, you just started. Fine, pick it up."
Bell scrambled to his feet, grabbing the short wooden sword.
He gripped it tightly, mimicking poses he'd seen in stories—legs spread wide, sword raised over his head like a hero about to slay a dragon.
Kaelis winced. "Whoa, whoa, what's that?"
"My hero stance." Bell had this serious look on his face as if what he said was god's word.
"Hero stance, my ass. You planning to chop wood or fight monsters?"
Bell blinked. "Um… fight monsters?"
"Then lower your arms before you break your back."
Kaelis began adjusting Bell's stance.
Aligning his feet, knees bent slightly, sword angled just above the waist. "There. Keep your blade in front of you. Don't overextend. Think of it like breathing—steady, natural."
Bell's shoulders tensed as he tried to hold the position.
"Relax," Kaelis reiterated. "Tight muscles make slow movements. The sword should feel like an extension of your arm."
After a few minutes of adjustment, Bell began to find a rhythm.
His hands still trembled from the weight, but the stance looked less awkward now.
"Better. We'll spend the next few days just on that. You'll hate it, but you'll thank me later."
Bell tilted his head. "Just… standing like this?"
"Exactly. You'll build endurance and muscle memory. When your legs stop shaking and you can hold that stance for five minutes without keeling over, then we'll move on to basic footwork."
Bell's face fell, then brightened again. "That doesn't sound so bad."
Give it ten minutes and you'll regret saying that kid. Kaelis smirked.
Sure enough, within two minutes, Bell's arms started to droop, his legs trembling again. He bit his lip and forced himself to stay upright.
Kaelis didn't interrupt—he simply stood nearby, watching.
Every few seconds, Bell would adjust, struggle, then correct himself. It wasn't pretty, but it was effort.
Honest effort.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Bell let out a gasp and dropped to one knee, panting hard.
Nodding, Kaelis congratulated, "Good enough for a start."
Bell looked up, sweating and smiling weakly. "I didn't… last long."
"Doesn't matter. You started. That's what counts." He offered him a hand up.
"Do that every morning, before breakfast. In a month, your stance will hold. In two, you'll swing properly. But remember, technique first—not strength."
Bell took his hand and stood, still catching his breath. "I'll do it."
"I know you will," the man said, his tone softening a little.
"You've got that look — the kind that doesn't quit even when it hurts."
He turned toward the practice ground's exit.
"Alright, that's enough for now. Take a break. We'll continue in a few minutes and we'll keep at it for another hour or two. We didn't carry any snacks to hold us til evening."
Bell nodded firmly, wiping his forehead. "Yes, sir!"
As the boy sat down, wooden sword clutched proudly in both hands, Kaelis watched him go with a faint smile.
Small frame, he muttered to himself, but a big heart. Let's see if that's enough to carry him where he wants to go.
They kept at it for an hour and a half when Bell's stomach started growling.
"Alright! That's it for today. Tomorrow, we'll see how you handle moving with that stance."
"Yes, sir!"
"Call me master."
"Yes, master!"
Kaelis's smile came easily this time, genuine and unforced.
Chapter 41 end.