Students began moving toward the racks, their steps hesitant but eager. The walls were lined with an assortment of weapons—swords, spears, daggers, and bows—each one carefully crafted and enchanted for training purposes.
Arthur walked over, his eyes scanning the choices before settling on a standard longsword. The weight felt natural in his grip, a familiar sensation that stirred memories of his past life's combat training. Nearby, Alex confidently selected a spear, his expression brimming with determination, while Alicia picked twin daggers, testing their balance with a graceful twirl.
"Line up!" Samantha's voice cut through the growing noise, sharp and authoritative.
The students quickly formed rows around the training area, their attention fixed on the instructor as she stepped into the center.
"Today, we'll focus on the foundation of all combat: stances, footwork, and defense," Samantha began, her voice resonating in the large hall. She unsheathed her blade with a practiced ease, its edge gleaming faintly under the enchanted lights.
She demonstrated a series of stances, moving with precision and grace. Her footwork was fluid yet deliberate, illustrating how controlled steps could create an advantage in battle.
"Your feet are your foundation," she declared, her sharp gaze scanning the class. "Master your movements, and you'll master the battlefield."
Next, she transitioned into defensive maneuvers, showcasing blocks, parries, and counter-defensive stances. Each motion was executed with impeccable timing, a testament to her years of experience.
"Defense is not a sign of weakness," Samantha emphasized, her voice cutting through the quiet focus of the room. "It's a strategy. A properly executed block or parry can turn your opponent's strength against them. Master these techniques, and you'll always have the upper hand."
The students nodded, their determination evident. At Samantha's signal, they paired up and began practicing. The hall soon filled with the sounds of clashing practice weapons, the shuffle of feet on the smooth floor, and the occasional grunt of effort.
Samantha moved through the room, her critical eye catching even the slightest misstep. She offered corrections where needed, adjusting a student's stance here, refining another's grip there.
She paused for a moment, observing the various levels of skill among the students.
Sigh... Some of them don't even know how to stand properly, let alone defend themselves or maintain their footing. What were they doing before this? Samantha thought, her brow furrowed. But her gaze softened as she noticed a few standouts.
Still, there are some promising ones.
Her eyes lingered on Alex for a moment. Despite his earlier clumsiness, his rapid improvement was striking.
He's quick to learn. Well, this much is expected from someone coming from a noble background, not to mention that he has the backing of the Light Church.
She shifted her gaze to Alicia, who moved with a natural grace, her twin daggers slicing through the air with precision.
Efficient and focused. She's no stranger to these weapons. Good.
As she continued to assess the students, something unusual caught her attention. Her sharp eyes landed on a boy with short brown hair practicing off to the side. His movements were fluid and deliberate, but they didn't match the techniques she had just demonstrated. Instead, he seemed to be executing an entirely different set of maneuvers, his focus unwavering.
"What is he doing?" she muttered under her breath.
Samantha walked over, her curiosity piqued.
"Hey, student," she called out, her tone sharp enough to draw the attention of those nearby. The boy stopped mid-movement, his expression calm as he turned to face her.
"Why aren't you practicing what I just taught?" Samantha asked, narrowing her eyes slightly. Your journey continues with empire
"…"The black-haired boy paused what he was doing and turned to face the instructor. His calm, steady gaze met hers.
"It's because I mastered those techniques long ago," he replied confidently. "I thought it would be more productive to practice other things."
A murmur of curiosity rippled through the nearby students, their attention drawn to the bold statement. Instructor Samantha raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued.
"Mastered them, you say?" she said, stepping closer with a critical gaze. "Prove it. Show me the combat stance, footwork, and a defensive maneuver."
The boy nodded without hesitation. Setting down his weapon momentarily, he adjusted his posture and assumed the combat stance with practiced ease. His movements were fluid, deliberate, and controlled. He shifted into a series of steps, his footwork precise and calculated, as though he were gliding effortlessly across the floor. Finally, he executed a defensive maneuver, parrying an imaginary strike with such clarity and finesse that it left little doubt about his proficiency.
The watching students whispered among themselves, their surprise evident.
Instructor Samantha folded her arms, her sharp eyes scrutinizing every detail. Despite her initial skepticism, she couldn't deny the polished expertise in Arthur's movements.
"Well, it seems you weren't bluffing," Samantha admitted, her stern demeanor softening slightly. "What's your name again? I don't recall it."
"Arthur Ludwig, ma'am," he said respectfully.
"Ludwig, you say... That explains your refined technique," Samantha commented, nodding slightly. "Very well, you're free to practice as you wish. But do not disturb anyone else."
"Of course, ma'am," Arthur replied courteously, stepping back to his position.
However, before he could resume, another voice rang out, halting him in his tracks.
"Excuse me, instructor," Alex said, his voice carrying a mix of confidence and challenge. "I've also mastered these fundamentals. Rather than wasting my time repeating them, I'd prefer to spend my time on something more meaningful."
The room grew still as all eyes turned to Alex. Samantha's lips curved into a faint smirk.
"Oh?" she replied, clearly intrigued. "And what exactly do you propose, student Alex?"
Alex glanced at Arthur, his spear resting easily in his hand. "Since my classmate Arthur has also mastered the fundamentals, I'd like to challenge him to a duel. It would help me gauge where I stand against my peers."
Samantha's smirk widened. "That's an excellent idea, Alex. If Arthur agrees, I'd be more than happy to supervise."
Arthur turned to face Alex, his expression unreadable but his eyes sharp. "I accept," Arthur said calmly.