Chapter 6: Sword Training

Morning comes and the sun's rays fall upon the face of the world. Birds chirp in the distance, and the wind blows through the trees. 

Konzo and Yuna wake up and eat in the inn. The innkeeper is a kind old man who seems to know Yuna and Konzo very well. The old man looks at them and smiles. "It's a beautiful day today, wouldn't you say?" 

Konzo nods, and smiles as well. "Yeah, it sure is." 

Konzo and Yuna get up from their seats and get ready to leave. The old man waves them farewell as he goes back to tending to the inn's affairs. Konzo then began to think in his mind:“I should probably learn more information from the library before doing anything.” 

They decide to go to the library first. Konzo and Yuna go to the library. They sit down and look through some books. As Konzo looks through he finds a book with the title "The Way of The Sword".. He picks it up and looks through it. He finds a section on the sword. He reads the section. “The sword is an important part of any warrior’s arsenal. Swords are used for both offense and defense. Swords can cut down hordes of enemies in seconds. Swords can be used to parry attacks, which deflect them away from the user. The user can then follow up with a counter attack.” 

Konzo finishes reading the section. He continues to look through books. He finds another section on different types of swords. He reads about the longsword, the curved sword, the cutlass, and the rapier. He finds nothing on the nature of the blade or the blade's true origin. 

Konzo continues to look through books. He finds another section on different types of class. He reads about the offensive class, the defensive class, the magic class, the stealth class, the ranged class, and the support class. He finds nothing on the nature of the beings who define these classes. Konzo then decides to learn how to use a sword since he can't use magic. He decides to go to a practice grounds to learn how to use a sword. 

Konzo and Yuna leave the library and head to the practice grounds. They walk through the streets, past the people, and arrive at the practice grounds. The old man who runs the inn is also the warden of the practice grounds. He greets them as they arrive at the practice grounds. The practice grounds consists of a large open field with several different obstacles in it, like the walls of a castle, the foundations of a large house, a tree, and a large beam of wood. There are several people training under the watchful eye of the warden and several guards patrolling the area. Konzo and Yuna approach one of the wooden beams. 

The guard approaches them and asks, 

"New here?" 

"Yes." 

"Name?" 

"Konzo." 

"Rank?" 

"Commoner." The guard nods. 

"And she?" 

"My slave." 

The guard looks at Yuna, and then back to Konzo. "Follow me." 

The guard leads them through the practice grounds to the wooden beam. The beam is about two stories tall and about the same width as a large human's body. The top of the beam is about five feet off the ground. The ground below the beam is about three feet wide. 

"Now if you haven't known there are two types of energy in this world, there is physical energy and magical energy. Magical energy is created by the use of magic. Physical energy is the energy created by the use of physical means. For example, there is wood and coal, which is physical energy. Magical energy is a type of magical energy. A mage can create magical energy by using the power of their mind. They can channel this magical energy into an object, which then becomes imbued with magical energy. The user of a magic item can then use this item by thinking of the desired command. For example, a mage can create a sword with the power of his mind, and then use this sword by concentrating. Physical energy is created by the use of physical means, and a sword is a physical item. Therefore, a sword is a physical energy weapon. In order to use a sword, you must have a sword. 

Now, physical energy weapons are very basic. Swords are made of metal, which is a physical energy. You can create a sword out of any metal, even out of dirt, wood, glass, or ice. However, you need a certain amount of physical energy to channel into the sword. The more physical energy you use, the more powerful your sword is. 

Channeling physical energy into a sword is very easy. All you need to do is swing at the target. For example, if you swing at a door, the door will break open. You don't need to be too precise with your swing. You can swing as hard as you can as long as you hit the target.

Channeling magical energy into a sword is a little more difficult, but not impossible. For this method, you will need a strong mind, and a sword that can absorb this power. 

Now, enough about the details. Come on, let's practice." 

Konzo and Yuna follow the guard along the beam. The guard leads them to the middle of the beam. "This is the sword stance. You stand with feet about shoulder-width apart. Keep your knees slightly bent. Raise your sword, but don't lock your knees. Your feet should be facing forward. Your hand should be on the pommel of the sword, your fingers wrapped around it. Ready your stance for a swing. The other stance is the bow stance. You stand with feet much closer together. Bend your knees slightly. Hold the sword out in front of you. The bow stance is useful for defense. If an enemy comes at you, you can easily block or deflect their attack with the bow of the sword. The sword stance is useful for cutting and destroying. You can hack and slice enemies with great precision. Now, let's practice. Konzo and Yuna practice the sword stance. Konzo concentrates and channels physical energy into his sword. He moves his feet and pushes forward. He swings the sword as hard as he can. Konzo swings his sword. The beam lights up with a bright flash. The sword flies true and cuts through the air. The sword slices through the beam and chips away a section of wood. Konzo swings the sword again. The beam lights up once more. The sword slices through the air and chips away a section of wood. Konzo swings again. The beam lights up for the third time. The sword slices through the air and chips away a section of wood. 

Konzo breathes heavily. "I think I got it." 

"Good," the guard says. "It is easy for beginners to miss the mark and cut themselves. Now, then shall we try again." 

Then they practice until sunset 

"Let's call it a day" says the guard. 

The guard laughs. "I'm not sure how much more I can teach you in a day, let alone a week, or a month. There's no way you'll ever master the sword in a week. I can teach you how to fight with the sword, and how to use it effectively, but that's all I can teach you. You'll have to find a way to continue your training on your own. Anyways, if you want to keep training here you will have to pay a fee. If you have the money, you can come back tomorrow. If not, you'll have to find another place to practice your sword skills. 

Also, if you're ever in a real fight, don't attack with your strongest weapon. Use your strongest skill, not your sword. For example, if you have great speed, use that. If you have great strength, use that. If you have great magic powers, use that. For example, if you have a great fireball skill, use that. If you have a great sword skill, use that. Whatever your strongest skill is, use it. 

Also, I don't know how I should say this, but...be careful. There are some really nasty people out there. Be careful." 

Konzo:"So training is free here for the first time?." 

Guard: "Well, not exactly. We do have a training fee." Konzo: "How much?" 

Guard: "It's one gold coin a week." 

Konzo: "What?" 

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Guard: "It's a pretty reasonable price for a pretty good training. We have the best sword masters and trainers in the world here." 

Konzo: "Still, a gold coin a week is a lot of money for a day's training. I must be honest. I'm not a wealthy man, so I cannot afford this." 

Guard: "What? You think we're trying to cheat you out of your money? We're not trying to rip you off. A gold coin a week is a pretty good deal for our services." 

Konzo: "I understand that. But I cannot afford this. I can only afford to pay a silver coin a week for now." 

Guard: "What?! You're trying to pull one over on me? I gave you a good deal! You can't afford it? We can always just take the coin out of your pay at the end of each week. How much do you make a week?" 

Konzo: "I don't know. A silver coin would be enough to keep me here for a week." 

Guard: "Well, you should have thought of that before you decided to train here." 

Konzo: "But I need to learn how to fight, and I need to learn how to survive." 

Guard: "That's what all the riff-raff come here for. The fighting is easy. Most of the people who come here don't even know how to swing a sword. They just want to learn how to LOOK like they know how to swing a sword. But you're different. I can tell. You're a cut above the rest. And I think you'll make a good addition to our community." 

Konzo: "How much longer do I have to train for?" 

Guard: "I'd say a month. You're a quick learner. But I do have one more question for you. I'm curious. Why do you want to become a better swordsman so badly?" 

Konzo: "I'm not sure. I think I just want to. I don't know. I've never been good at anything." 

Guard: "Well, I'm sure you'll be great at it. If you really want to be the best, I'll even train you myself." 

Konzo: "Really? That would be great." 

Guard: "Well, I suppose I should start you off with some basic training. I'll see you at the training grounds tomorrow." 

Konzo: "Alright. See you there." 

Guard: "See you there." Konzo walks away from the guard. Konzo:"Oh wait can I have your name." 

Guard: "I'm the guard named Cern. You can call me Sir if you want." 

Konzo: "Alright Sir." Konzo and Yuna heads to the dorms to get some rest for the next day's training. 

Konzo: "So Yuna, how was your training so far?" 

Yuna: "It's been great, Master. The guard there was nice." 

Konzo: "You're doing well. You don't seem to have any issues with them. It won't be too much longer before you don't need me anymore, though." 

Yuna: "M-Master....don't say that. You are always here for me." 

Konzo: "I know. I just want to get to the point where you don't need you anymore." 

Yuna: "But Master, I need you to train me. I need you to teach me how to be strong and how to be brave. I need you to protect me." 

Konzo: "I will always be here for you. I will protect you as much as I can. But I want you to be able to survive on your own as well. I want you to be able to fend for yourself. I want you to be able to live your own life. You deserve that much, Yuna." 

Yuna: "But you are my life, Master." 

Konzo: "I want you to be able to live. I want you to live your life to the fullest, Yuna. I want you to go out and do things, have adventures, and explore the world. I want you to be free. I want you to be happy." 

Yuna: "But I am happy, Master. I'm already happy." 

Konzo: "I know you are, but I want you to be happy with yourself. Don't let others define your happiness. You have a life ahead of you, go live it. Don't let me stop you. Do what you want to do. Be happy." 

Yuna: "I will, Master." 

Yuna: "I'm glad you're still here with me, Master." 

Konzo: "I'm glad I am as well."

 Konzo and Yuna get into their bed and go to sleep. 

To be continued.....

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