Training

Warden could sense the binding placed on his soul and how terribly it restricted Xiv, who had taken the oath without even a stutter.

 Even if Xiv mistakenly let out his secret, he would suffer a terrible curse. All his awakened power would be stripped away from him, and he might as well die if Warden didn't unbind the other end of the binding. 

The boy had played it heavy-handedly, though this could be how the world worked. The weaker ones follow the whims of the strong. Still, it gave some ideas on how to use it to his benefit.

"First lesson," Warden sighed, slapping the boy on the shoulder. "Think through everything before you take a soul oath. Twice, thrice, no matter how many times it needed you to be certain, don't take these oaths lightly." Embarrassed, Xiv could only nod.

"Also, a heads-up on what you are up to next time will be preferable."

"Sorry," Xiv said. "I just... You saved the village putting your life on the line. I just wanted to be a little helpful."

"You are," Warden said, turning towards the village. "But I'll make you more than just a little helpful."

"Warden, you mean?"

"Xiv, are you curious about the world, these powers, and everything?" Warden asked. He didn't wait for an answer because everyone was curious about magic. "How about I help you train for the rest of the time I'm here?"

"Really?" Xiv's eyes almost glowed earnestly.

"Yeah," Warden said. "I already planned on giving you some tips after you answered my questions, but now I have something else in mind. Nothing less than my full attention in your training would be enough for your training."

Xiv almost became teary, clutching his spear tightly.

"Don't cry now," Warden laughed. "You'll have all the time to cry after training."

Also, Warden wanted to use the boy to ask all the stupid questions he had for the two academy students. They would be leaving in a couple of days. He planned on making the most of their answers now.

They barely reached the village, and Warden already found the white bunny lunging towards them cheerfully. Cupcake seemed to have woken up by the time they were away after digesting the beast core. Warden found no change in her outward appearance, though her aura felt much more condensed.

The little bunny leapt into his arms without warning, squeaking happily.

"Ahh, Cupcake, are you waiting for me?" Warden asked, caressing the little beast. "Or did you smell the beast cores on me?"

The bunny squeaked in response.

Warden laughed, bringing out the beast cores to feed the bunny. A few meters away, he found the blonde maiden staring at them suspiciously. After a little consideration, she made up her mind and came towards them. Unlike the other time, she didn't outright try to pull away the bunny but instead drew her palms, her cheeks turning a shade of pink in embarrassment. Warden understood why she acted like this. She was probably worried he would take Cupcake from her.

Sighing, Warden returned the bunny to the owner. "You know I won't take her away from you." That seemed to embarrass Kiara even more. "I know," she said meekly, even though Warden didn't believe her. "I'm just embarrassed that you have to feed Little Cupcake even though it is my responsibility."

"Well, the way I see it, merely one person wouldn't be enough to feed this little gluttonous bunny." Warden patted her head. "Just accept my help to ease your responsibility."

For unknown reasons, Kiara glared up at him with red cheeks and ran away with Cupcake, leaving a dumbfounded Warden.

Warden blinked at her and eventually turned towards Xiv. "Did I say something wrong?"

Xiv seemed unsure of what to reply. "I think you are a little too forward to her with your behavior," he said, "…and proposal."

Warden shrugged. "I don't think I said anything serious, not at least for her to act this way."

Xiv's training started right after he had some rest. Warden hadn't thought much yet about how to train him, so in the beginning, he was simply sparring.

"I don't think you're getting it," Warden said after making Xiv fall to the ground. "Your whole mindset is wrong. Your basics won't improve if you're scared when you fight."

He gave Xiv tips whenever he saw a fault in his movement, though carrying out those tips into action wasn't so easy. It needed constant repeated actions until they would be carved into muscle memory.

"I... can't help it," the lad said, standing back again. "Just your presence frightens me as much as those feral beasts do."

"Fear is alright to some degree, but don't be led by it." Warden took position again, gesturing for Xiv to do the same. "What are you even afraid of? Getting hurt?"

Xiv didn't answer as they began again.

"Using the longer reach of the spear is good," Warden said, deflecting Xiv's attack. "But not that way. The spear is more of a defensive weapon than a sword. You have to use it more aggressively to make the most out of it."

"I'm trying," Xiv heaved. His leg came forward, the spear swinging in an upward thrust.

Warden dodged it easily by stepping back. Xiv came again, thrusting forward.

"Any other attack would have been more effective there," Warden said, blocking the spear to his right. After a couple more exchanges, Warden sent him to the ground again.

"Take a break for ten minutes," Warden said and finally turned to Liam, who was standing silently a few meters away. "Care to join?"

"I didn't know you're knowledgeable about using a spear as well," Liam said, rising up to the challenge.

Warden frowned. "Isn't it elementary to know about the weapons you'll face?" Warden paused, his eyes drawn to the long spear in Xiv's possession. Can it be? Maybe?

"Warden?"

"Xiv, throw me your spear," Warden asked.

Unsure, the boy followed the order. Warden caught the spear easily out of the air, and something clicked inside him, as if a switch was turned on.

Literal chills pulsated in his veins as he swung the spear in shadow practice.

There was no mistaking it, Warden thought. This feeling... It was far greater than what he felt with the sword.