Chapter 23: Sword basics

Mother Sophia briefed me on the skills that I have to learn in order to finish my trial. "Devin, your swordsmanship and control over your powers have to get better. You are currently being controlled by your powers. You can barely defend yourself after even a little off your power is released. We will teach you areas from stealth to guerrilla warfare and finally blood magic to control others. " Mother Sophia's face was stern but still looked beautiful as she was while smiling, her long silky black hair reflecting the sunlight, her skin smooth and flawless, her deep brown eyes sparkled like a gemstone.

Mother Vicki then guided me to an empty plain, the earth scorched by the accident that happened years ago. "Mother? what are we doing here? " I asked in confusion as I stared around me, no one but the two of us far from the others resting at the camping ground.

" I will teach you a multitude of weapons and hone your skills. I have to admit that you do have issues with your strikes. For example, your diagonal slash throws you off balance causing your attacks to be slow, predictable and sloppy. " She explained as she sliced the air with a loud and crisp swish, she changed the direction of her blade and slashed it the same way it came and ended with a slash which swung above her head and crossed her previous path and stopped in front of her chest in the basic ready position. Not a single movement wasted, each slice was smoothly transitioned and crisp while maintaining full control over the blade.

I was getting excited to learn the technique for I had always struggled to maintain the balance between defence and offence in battle. " Are you going to teach me from the basics? Or another trial by combat?" I asked, barely able to contain my excitement.

" Let's start with wooden sticks. We wouldn't want you to get hurt and learning the wrong ways. Let's rearrange your basics. Firstly, a vertical cut from your above your head and towards your opponent's torso through the center line of his body. Then return to ready position. " She demonstrated a simple vertical slash while explaining.

Her hips, legs and hands synchronised while she swung the blade downwards, exhaling naturally in perfect synchrony to her movements, I followed suit only to feel uncomfortable as the stick was way too light than what I was used to. I learnt to fight while locked in combat, learnt from friends and watching enemies in combat. Midday turned to sunset as I pushed on with the training, just swinging the stick in a single motion and focusing on feeling the technique flowing through my body.

"Let's head back and continue tomorrow morning. It is getting dark and you must be famished by now." Mother Vicki then proceeded to walk back towards base camp where the tents were set and the food was ready.

Kol rushed towards me and gave me a warm welcome hug, pecking me on my sweaty face. "Welcome back! Good work today!" Kol's soothing voice brought my energy back. Now I was more determined to complete it and be the best I could be. I grabbed my portion of food and a cup of water before removing my body armour and setting it up to dry for the night.