Path to Magic Swordsman

Two years after Lilac began teaching Aisrin, another instructor joined the fray. An aged, retired Knight by the name of Darwin. He had a large scar along his face, and all his hair was grey. But he still retained his youthful build and energy.

Aisrin had increased his proficiency in magic at a tremendous pace. With swordsman training mixed in, his days became increasingly busier. He barely had time to rest. Not that it bothered Aisrin. He was just relieved he was no longer bored.

"Parry. Thrust. Slash. Dodge. Block. Punch. Kick. These are the fundamental basics. Your stance, well, it differs person by person, so I'll just show you mine. Slightly bend your knees, and stand like so... now my body is protected by my blade. All attacks will be parried, and my return attack is doubled from this stance." Darwin briefly instructed.

"Let's just get started." Aisrin held his practice sword up and prepared for his next training exercise.

"Cheeky." Darwin muttered. But, nevertheless, he obliged. And yet again, Aisrin got his ass handed to him.

"God damn it!" Aisrin cursed as he began doing push-ups.

"I better see a thousand before you get back up!" Darwin, unlike Lilac, encouraged this type of training routine.

"He's eight years old, Darwin. What eight year old can do a thousand push-ups?" Lilac began lecturing Darwin.

"My pupil, my time slot, my training. He will do it. Because I said so." Darwin retorted.

"Muscle brained idiot!" Lilac insulted.

"Better than being a shrimp." Darwin shot back.

Aisrin just continued pushing. His days were full of such bickering, and he rather enjoyed it. In the mornings, he practiced magic, and in the afternoons, he practiced swordsmanship.

This would continue until he turned thirteen.

*Five years later*

The clash of swords rang out in the back training area as Darwin and Aisrin exchanged equal blows, neither gaining ground on the other. Aisrin had been practicing in secret every night for five years, just for this moment. If he couldn't best Darwin now, he would train himself even harder.

Darwin slashed horizontally from the left, while Aisrin ducked and went for a thrust, aiming for Darwins stomach. Darwin dodged right and went for an upward slash. Aisrin countered by blocking and jumping back.

"It took you five years to reach this point, but you still have a hundred more before you stand a chance against me!" Darwin suddenly changed his pattern and strike after strike , Aisrin found himself being cornered.

From the corner of Aisrins memories, an old technique arose, and with that memory came experience. Aisrin dove in close, grabbed Darwins wrist, shoved it to the side at the same time he thrust his wooden sword forward towards Darwins throat, only to have that blocked and then swiftly kicked back, while losing his sword.

"Well done! Let's see... for losing again, I want a full lap all the way around Dorstend! And then you can give me five hundred one arm push-ups! Hahaha!" Darwin laughed.

"God damn it!" Aisrin cursed again against his luck as he took off once more on his after practice exercise.

"He seems to excel at everything. Archery, swords, small blades, heavy weapons, magic... He's like a little genius, isn't he?" Iri commented, holding a little girl in her arms, and a little boy latched to her dress. Those were Aisrin's younger siblings. Adue, the little girl, was merely one, and Hari, the little boy, was five. Neither showed the same talent as Aisrin.

"He is indeed someone out of lore, I must say. A talent one only wishes to teach. Truly a star pupil. But, I'm making sure he doesn't get arrogant. Arrogance means death." Darwin commented.

"Still, he's a bit eccentric and anti-social." Itsysu joined in on the conversation. He had been away for most of the time. Popping in every now and then. His job was adventuring. Solving the kingdoms problems.

"I've taught him all I can, though sadly. He actually managed to land a blow on me. Haha!" Darwin laughed.

"With this, I think it's time to graduate him and for me to move on." Darwin said, satisfied.

"I'll have to take over finally. Since I'm the only one who can teach him dark magic." Itsysu nodded.

"I'll leave him to you then. I look forward to how he turns out." Darwin answered.

*A few Hours later*

Aisrin finally finished his exercise and headed into the house, only to find everyone gathered in the common room.

"What's going on?" Aisrin asked. Darwin stood up and smiled.

"I've nothing more to teach you. Today, you graduate swordsman training." Darwin announced.

"There's graduations for that?" Aisrin asked in confusion.

"Of course. It's an honor only few can truly experience." Darwin replied as he reached down and picked up a short sword and dagger sheathed on a belt.

"And these are yours, proof of graduation. It even has magical enchantments that only graduates receive." Darwin laughed.

Aisrin received the gift, though as confused as he was, he didn't argue.

"You still have magic to learn." Lilac thought to interject.

"Okay." Aisrin replied simply.

"With this, I bid you farewell Aisrin. I hope to see your progress next time I see you." Darwin saluted and made his exit.

"That was anticlimactic." Lilac scoffed.

'That wasn't even touching, you old fart!'

"Well, since that's over... How about we start training Aisrin?" Itsysu stood up and immediately jumped to what he wanted to do.

"Dear, I think Aisrin has trained enough for today." Iri sighed.

"Okay." Aisrin belted his new weapons on and walked outside to the back training area.

"Haha! Looks like he still has energy to burn!" Itsysu laughed as he followed suit.

"What are we training in, father?" Aisrin asked.

"We'll be applying everything you've learned. I'll be teaching you magic swordsmanship." Itsysu drew his blade and shadow like mist enveloped the blade.

"First, run mana through your weapon, then let whatever attribute you wish it to be, envelope the blade. The result... is this!" Itsysu slashed downward towards a tree, and a black vertical attack sliced forward and through the tree, continuing forward a few feet before dispersing. Aisrins eyes widened.

"Cool!" Aisrin exclaimed. Anxious to try it, he copied, applying lightning magic instead. Aisrin attempted a horizontal slash, but nothing emitted from the blade.

"Hmm, seems you aren't an emitter class magic swordsman son.... Try just slicing the tree itself." Itsysu instructed. Aisrin shrugged and approached the tree and half-heartedly whacked it. The blade passed right through like a hot knife through butter. At the same time, the lightning visibly traveled throughout the tree, causing splintering and charred paths.

"As I thought. Truly straight forward and abrupt, aren't you? You're a part of the Destruction Class! Truly hardcore. A perfect counter to my Emitter Class. Shall we battle it out so you can get used to it? I'll even be teaching you all the properties of void, illusion, and shadow magic." Itsysu laughed and explained.

"I'll be in your care, father." Aisrin bowed, a customary action of a student to their teacher.

"Ho, you very much will be. Now, let's begin!" Itsysu rushed forward, and the mock battle ensued.

This would be the new norm until Aisrins final day training. The day he turned 16 and moved on from his hometown to find his own way as an adult.