To Hold A Sword (Pt.4)

6 Days Later.

It is around 8am. Lucian is practicing his swordsmanship in his private quarters. He has run through the first arc of the "Dance of Northern Wind" at least a few hundred times at this point. Each repetition has progressed him further and further. Lucian's version of the dance is nowhere near as graceful as Alaric's. However, his previous errors in properly using his whole body to empower his movements are slim.

Lucian finishes the 300th repetition.

'I understand what he was talking about now. I can feel every muscle in my body as I move. It's like they're instinctually activated with each of my movements now.'

'Ding!'

'You have reached a milestone.'

'New martial proficiency added "Dance of Northern Wind"'

'Awesome. I guess the system works with stuff like this too?'

'Status'

Name: Lucian

Current State: "Fledgling"

Race: Half-Breed

Titles: "Diligent Learner"

Corruption Index: 0% Lv2

Health: 100%

Strength: 17

Dexterity: 16

Constitution: 12

Intelligence: 16

Charisma: 12

Perception: 12

Magic: 12

Skills:

"Demonic Instinct" - When killing intent is present, predatorial instincts kick in, nullifying emotion and heightening senses. Lv1

Proficiencies:

Magical Affinities:

"Lightning" - Those with an affinity for lightning gain access to a rare tree of magic, which is capable of unleashing destructive power or immeasurable speed.

Martial Proficiencies:

"Dance of Northern Wind' (25%) - An ancient style of swordsmanship specialized in dueling with one-handed swords. [25% Bonus to striking power when One-handed Sword is equipped]

Languages: Common 100%

'Holy. A 25% bonus to striking power?? It's only at 25% proficiency right now. Does that mean it scales on a 1:1 ratio?'

'Alaric just taught me a ridiculously overpowered proficiency. Wait, if I'm at 25% percent right now and have this kind of boost...Alaric might be even stronger than I thought.'

'I should test this out.'

Lucian grabs his newly apprehended sword and unsheathes it from its scabbard.

Taking a deep breath and exhaling as he starts the dance.

With each movement, his body responds perfectly, where it didn't before. The blade arcs through the air as if it is an extension of his arm. Finishing with a sweeping slash, he slices clean through the leg of his desk chair.

'Shit. I need to be more mindful of my environment.'

'But who cares! Since it's been added as a proficiency, I don't even need to think about my movements. It's like my body moves on its own.'

Lucian sheathes his word, strapping it to his hip.

"I should probably do something about this chair." Lucian grumbles as he begins to snap the chair into smaller pieces, throwing them into the fireplace.

The door opens as he throws the last chair leg into the fire.

"Someone's getting rowdy."

"Next time try taking a walk. I don't want you turning into some kind of aggressive beast while I'm in the room." Isla remarks with a giggle.

Lucian turns to her with a scowl.

"You know for all your knowledge of "Etiquette" it's surprising that you don't know how to knock."

Isla frowns at his remark.

"You know, with the way you talk to girls, I'm surprised you're not a lady's man." She sneers.

Lucian runs his hand through his hair to calm himself.

"I'll never win with you, will I?"

"Nope!" Isla peps back.

"Now give me a bow, lady's man!"

Lucian groans before giving her a bow in his best form.

"Wow! You're really starting to get the hang of it!" Isla compliments, causing Lucian to smile.

"Give it another week, and you'll be a bowing hotshot!"

Lucian's smile immediately disappears as utter terror shakes his features.

'Another week...God save me...'

Lucian sits down on the floor as Isla sits in the only available chair.

...

The lesson continues until around lunchtime. Lucian spends the rest of the day practicing the dance with his sword. Making sure that there are no discrepancies he missed initially.

...

After a quick dinner with his parents and little Talia, Lucian departs for the Marquis Quarters.

...

"Knock. Knock."

"Enter."

Lucian enters the room.

"I take it you're ready to put your skills to the test? You're not making me find you, so you must be confident." Harald remarks.

"Yes, Master." Lucian replies confidently.

'I can't wait to see the look on his face when he sees how far I've come.'

"Let's go." Harald commands.

Harald begins leading Lucian down to the courtyard. His face is blank, as if he has no concern for how Lucian will fair in the challenge.

After entering the courtyard, Harald summons his Mage Sphere and a dummy for Lucian.

"15th of Janus. My Apprentice Lucian will complete the first challenge I have set for him." Harald orates to the sphere.

He nods for Lucian to begin.

'Let's see what you think of this.'

Lucian licks his lips as they form a sinister smile. His excitement has reached an all-time high in anticipation of the Marquis shock.

Unsheathing the sword at his hip, he prepares to use the first step of his sword dance.

His feet dig deep into the snow, his back arching for optimal leverage.

Every muscle in Lucian's body activates at once as his sword darts forward with uncanny speed.

"Thwack!"

The dummy shakes against the impact.

Lucian's blade sinks deep into the wood, causing a fatal wound if it were real.

He immediately removes his sword from the dummy and places it back in his scabbard.

"Sst."

Lucian's eyes dart to Harald's face looking to indulge in his reaction.

His anticipation of shock on Harald's face crumbles. The Marquis's face bears no such reaction.

Actually, it hasn't changed at all.

"Good work, boy."

"You look like you've seen a ghost. Did you really think I would be impressed by something as small as this?"

Lucian shakes his head.

'I really got my hopes up, didn't I.'

"You've succeeded, but you don't seem to be happy with the result." Harald states bluntly.

"Strike me. I'll show you why I'm not impressed."

Harald stands in front of the dummy. Patting his cuirass, prompting Lucian to swing.

"W-what?" Lucian replies, lost.

"Strike me, boy. Don't hold back."

Lucian facepalms.

'This guy is nuts.'

'Well, I can't say no. I'll show him that he's overestimating himself.'

Lucian gets into his stance. Letting out a horizontal slash against Harald's chest.

"Clang!"

Lucian's blade bounces from the cuirass as if he struck a mountain.

"How??"

"Equipment."

"Your strength."

"Both of these things equivalate to the fact that against a real opponent, you are nothing."

Harald points to his armor.

"Things like this are pretty commonplace for a soldier to wear. You are entering the World of Mages. Everyone you face will be fully equipped with equipment as good as this or better."

"So don't think so highly of yourself just yet. There will come a time when you will transcend defenses like this. Or you will learn to go around them."

Harald pats Lucian on his head.

"I think you've done enough for tonight. I've been watching you train all week. You should rest for a while. After all, you've passed the first test. From now on, I will be teaching you how to truly swing a sword against a real opponent."

Harald bears a warm smile towards Lucian.

"You exceeded my expectations. Picking up Alaric's old tricks, so quick." Harald compliments as he begins walking with Lucian back inside.

"Tomorrow morning, we begin our real training. That witch can teach you bowing some other time." Harald chuckles.