Swordsmenship training - 3

" Eren " Ares allowed Eren to answer the question.

" Ranks are the division for physical oriented use of mana." When he answered that question everyone started clapping except Ares, the answer was correct but not what he expected.

" Even though your answer is correct, it seemed half ass. I want a proper explanation. Can anyone give me that?" He asked but none of the people sitted raised their hands except Claude of course.

" Claude " Ares sighed at his soldiers lack of knowledge and asked Claude.

" Ranks are a power system created for mana user's who temper their body and use weapons. Rankings are the divisions created to differentiate between rankers strength." He answered but Ares still wanted to test him more that's why he asked :-

" Can you tell me the history of Ranks ?" He asked.

" Yes, during ancient times when the beast used to rule over Ordius. The first humanoid race : Elves fought against the beasts using magic but they noticed a huge flaw in the use of magic and that was the limitations of talent." Claude continued.

" But the first human king thought that if every living being had mana then why only talented people were able to use it. That's why after countless years of research and experiments they noticed that the reason why only talented people were able to use magic was because their mana reserve was high. Therefore the first king created a less effective but less mana required way to use mana and that was use of weapons and artillery."

" Now after countless years with countless peoples research and experiments finally created a power system which was strong enough to rival the magic power system and that is Ranks" Claude finally concluded while everyone stared at him with awe.

Ares was the first one to clap his hands after which everyone started clapping their hands.

Claude fluttered a little because he didn't recognise when he went in his knowledge frenzy and said everything he knew. Only when people started clapping did Claude recognise what had happened.

After a few moments more of explanation did the lecture ended and practical lessons started. Claude was not allowed to participate as it was his first day he was given some simple sword moves to practice.

Just when he removed the sword given to him on his birthday Ares said :-

" A weapon is the most crucial factor for any ranker. The reason why I gave you and Eren the sword with length and width changing enchantment was so that the sword will be able to adapt to your growing age and the way you want to use it. I won't tell you how to change your sword because that is something you should be able to do on your own no matter how many trials and errors."

After saying that Ares went to see over the duels happening. While Claude was pondering on how he should change his sword Eren came to his side and said :-

" Let's do swinging practice together."

" Don't you want to spar like others?" Claude asked.

" Yeah I do but I am going to spar when you are going to spectate. Dad allowed me." When he said the last part it was as if he told Claude that there's nothing to worry about.

" Fine "

For half an hour or so Eren kept on practicing while Claude always used to change a bit of his sword's size for every swing. After countless trials and errors Claude finally decided to go with rapier style sword and why it is rapier style but not actual rapier was because the sword was a bit broad for rapier and unlike rapier which is stabbing oriented this sword also had sharp two sided edges. The reason why Claude changed the sword this way was because he didn't want the sword to hinder any of his movements and also it would be easy to dodge the enemies attack.

Ares smiled when he saw how Ares's sword turned out unlike Eren who just wanted to focus on offence at first but even though his sword change turned out good, it's usefulness will only be known in battle. After all, even if you got the trishul of Shiva, if you don't know how to use it, then it is just a work of art.

With only 20 minutes left before 12, Ares asked Eren to spar and Claude to spectate his match.

Erens opponent was a man in his mid twenties. He had chiseled and we'll balanced body with a long sword but what Claude saw left him surprised. The mana core of this man was already green, which means he was at least a sword master. He also seemed experienced.

Everyone stopped their sparring to spectate Erens match. Claude was confused. For him this match was worth watching because he knew the person's strength but why did everyone stop their sparring and spectate a spar between a five and a half month child against a sword master. Wasn't the outcome already decided ?

Ares started the spar.

Eren was currently standing on his spod with his sword pointing towards his opponent with a defensive position. The person was the first to move. He pushed his body with his leg and appeared directly in front of Eren swinging his sword towards Erens arms but Eren already knew about the upcoming attack so defended it by holding his sword in the left side and pointing the tip downwards. The opponent started attacking Eren continuously and Eren kept defending. It seems bullying rather than spar. But Claude noticed something fascinating. He saw that even though that person was continuously attacking Eren, Eren didn't have worry on his face. His face was carrying the expression of a predator waiting for the right chance to pounce on his enemy. After a few more hits the person started to focus on Erens defence. When Eren noticed this he smirked and instead of defending the next which came from above he dodge it by doing a side step.

What he did next left everyone surprised. He hit the back of his sword on the joint of the opponent's hand which was holding the sword and jumped while swinging his sword towards his opponent's neck but the opponent simply pulled his head backwards. Why but it seemed like Eren's physical body was somehow limiting his battle IQ.

The spar continued but Claude felt something fascinating from within him. It was like an innate desire or desires to be precise. One desire was building excitement of the heated battle in him. The other was building the fascination of observing the battle. While the last one was keeping him calm and surpassing the other desires at bay. He allowed the observing desire to take over him and stared at the spar noting ever single thing in his brain.

" Who do you think is more talented, your eldest or youngest son, sir ?" Another sword master in his late thirties asked Ares, who was standing before everyone and observing the battle but he was not able to observe it instantly and accurately like Claude.

" According to me your first son is a sword genius." The sword master said.

" Yes my first son is a genius but even he will face difficulty while facing my second son in a few years." Ares replied not even turning to look at who asked the question.

" Why ? Isn't he going to be a mage ? No offense but how can your second born surpass your first born." This sword master was a sword fanatic, he has been traveling the whole of North from 18 year of age. He didn't even marry because of his love of swordsmanship but his love for sword was not able to overcome his natural limitations in talent. He gave up after reaching sword master rank but his love for sword didn't end. You can also say he has seen Ares's swordsmanship career and is staying in the venia village to see another sword genius, Eren. He felt offended when Ares said that Eren, a sword genius, will be overpowered by a mage in swordsmanship.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

If you like my novel please add it to your library !!

Please support the author by voting your precious power stones !!