Mastery and Mystery

       Chapter 28

The entire class was captivated by Von, who stood before them, excitement radiating from the whole students very being. The weapons class was about to commence, and Von began by explaining the technique he was about to teach them. "Today, we'll be learning a fundamental skill essential for mastering more advanced sword techniques. This skill is called the Primary Guard."

Von demonstrated the stance, standing with his feet shoulder-width apart, his dominant foot forward. He held his sword in front of him, the blade angled downward at 20-30 degrees. The tip of the sword pointed toward his opponent's chest or shoulder at a 45-degree angle. Von's knees were slightly bent, his weight evenly distributed between both legs. His back was straight, shoulders relaxed, and head held high. With a firm yet controlled grip, he grasped the sword with his dominant hand.

In a flash of movement, Von swung his sword with inhuman speed, unleashing a strike so swift it seemed almost invisible. The class watched in awe, eager to learn this powerful technique.

With the swift demonstration over, Von had to demonstrate the skill again but this time, a little bit slower so the whole class could see the steps. They were to practice this skill on the dummies that were at the back of the class. The dummies were made from a material that was harder than diamond so it won't break easily.

The dummies now were in the middle of the room, with all the students taking one dummy each to practice with. Von went around the room to see how all the students were coming with the skill. While walking around, Von was impressed by the number of talents in his class.

Some of the kids were sloppy at first and then slowly, they were getting the hang of the skill especially Jake who was part of the first people to get the skill right on the third try. Jake couldn't hide the excitement on his face because he was worried that it might take longer to learn the skill just like when he was practicing 'The Triple Threat' technique but now, he learnt this skill perfectly.

After an hour of more practice, Von dismissed the class saying that the students will practice the skill for three days straight before they moved onto the next skill.

It was already evening when Jake, Sophia and Jack left the weapons hall for their dorm. Jake couldn't hide the excitement on his face after he learnt the skill.

"I can't wait to boast in front of the rest about how awesome our class was." Jake said excitedly.

"C'mon, will you calm down? Just because you learnt one skill, you won't let the rest of us rest." Sophia said.

"Just because you don't know how to use the skill, it doesn't mean that you will ruin our happiness." Jake said smiling.

"Who said I don't know the skill? Do you want me to demonstrate it on you instead of a dummy?" Sophia said.

"I would love to see you try. Without a sword that is." Jake said chuckling.

"You annoying brat!" Sophia shouted about to hit Jake.

"Hey! Will you guys just cool it down and stop fighting." Jack said trying to defuse the situation. "You guys are just behaving like a bunch of toddlers and am the babysitter."

"She's the one behaving like a toddler not me." Jake said.

To which Sophia glared at him while gritting her teeth back and forth trying to hold herself back. And just then, they finally got to their dorm.

Jack heaved a sigh of relief after seeing his dorm room. "Finally. Now I won't have to bear you guys bickering anymore."

Jack hurriedly opened the door and he saw that the rest of the room where in dorm chatting excitedly probably about their weapon class. Jack went to his bed and jumped on it tiredly.

"Hey, Jake what's up? How was your class?" Peter said.

"Is it only Jake that you gonna ask that question?" Sophia said glaring at Peter.

"Well Jake isn't as rude and cold as you. So yes, he's the one I'm gonna ask that question." Peter said smiling sheepishly at Sophia.

"You guys are so annoying." Sophia said while laying on her bed.

"Thanks for the compliment." Peter said smiling.

"It's not a compliment you moron." Sophia said.

"Will you guys just stop it? You're not toddlers anymore." Kate said.

"Thank you. That was what I said earlier with Jake and Sophia." Jack said.

"So how was your weapon class?" Kate asked.

"Well, it was okay. The teacher was good at explaining and demonstration and he's truly powerful and skillful." Jake said.

"Did you guys learn any new skill?" Peter asked.

"Yeah, and I was among the people that got it right on the first three times." Jake said excitedly.

"Big deal." Sophia commented.

"Didn't you get the skill right?" Kate asked turning to Sophia.

"I did. But not on the first few times. It took a bit of time before I got it right." Sophia said looking downwards at the ground.

"Well it doesn't matter because I also didn't get the archery skill taught to us today in class but I did kinda have some fun. The instructor, she's very nice and lovely." Kate said.

"Female!?" Peter asked.

"Yup. Actually, our class was filled with females no single male." Kate said.

"Females! Now I'm really jealous of your class and wish I could transfer over because my own class is the opposite of yours. Rather than all female class, it was filled with males. No single female." Peter said looking dejectedly.

"Will you stop trying hard to get a girlfriend? You are good looking enough to get girls chasing after you. But you are trying hard. Girls loves guys that don't make it obvious that they love them." Kate said while looking towards Jake who was oblivious.

After a few more hours of describing their class, how they enjoyed it and the different type of skills they learned and were taught, they finally went to sleep when it was 10pm.

Meanwhile, in the academy's staff office, a staff could be seen going through the computer in search of different things.

"How am I meant to find the kid with the orb?" Jim thought. "I was not even given a clear description, I don't know who he is and what he looks like so how am I meant to find him. I was only told that he wore an academy uniform."

Jim sighed and continued looking through the computer. "No matter what, I will find you kid. I won't disappoint my leader."