Chapter 28: A Friendly Spar

Sitting in the mess hall I enjoyed a big lunch.

For the training Nomicron has been putting me through leaves me with quite the appetite.

But in the end I know it will all be worth it.

So I'll keep working hard and enjoy the fruits of my labor when I finally get the chance.

Continuing to eat I stopped when I heard Yennali call out to me.

"Hey Van."

Turning around I saw her approaching the table I am sitting at, a train of food in her own hands. Bultar Swan walking right beside her, a tray of food in her hands as well.

The fact these two are together doesn't surprise me in the slightest, considering what good friends their masters are.

Reaching my table the two of them took a seat.

"Good to see you. It feels like it's been ages." Yennali spoke to me.

"Well considering we're Padawans now that doesn't surprise me." I replied. I then looked at Bultar. "Hello, we haven't been formerly introduced but my name is Van Sunrider."

"Bultar Swan." Bultar replied. "And I know who you are Van. I mean people within the order can't stop talking about you."

"Oh, and what are they saying?" I asked.

"That in the future you'll be a powerful Jedi and that we may get another Sunrider as the Grand Master of the Order."

"Hey don't let master Yoda here you say that. I don't want him to think I'm after his job." I said.

The three of us then shared a laugh.

After our laughter died down the three of us went back to eating while making small talk.

Until eventually we finished our food and were simply just chatting.

I missed having talks like this with Yennali, and found some of the things Bultar had to say quite interesting.

"So, your friend Marcellus. Do you think he would be interested in dueling me again?" Bultar asked. "I want to see how much he has grown since our match during the initiate trials. I also enjoyed our match back then quite a bit, even if I did end up losing."

"Sure, I don't think Marcellus would have an issue dueling you again, but right now he is off world on a mission with his master, Sifo-Dyas." I explained.

"Oh, I see. Thanks for informing me Van." Bultar spoke.

"No problem." I replied. "But if you are looking to duel someone then how about me?"

"You?" Bultar asked.

"Yes me. Due to certain circumstances, which I am not privy too, my master is off handling personal business at the moment and so until he returns I have been enganging in training with Nomicron."

"Who?" Yennali asked.

"The holocron of my acenstor, Nomi Sunrider. Who I have chosen to call Nomicron." I explained.

"Only you Van, only you." Yennali mused.

"Thanks." I told her. "So, as I was saying I've just been training with Nomicron but I would like something. That's one of the reasons I would like to spar with you, Bultar."

"One of the reasons?" Bultar questioned.

"Yes." I said. "You see I was hoping you might be willing to teach me unarmed combat. I heard you are quite skilled in it."

"I am." Bultar replied. "But why do you want to learn unarmed combat Van?"

"Firstly, because there will come a time when I cannot use or do not have my lightsaber and I wished to be prepared. Secondly, I am looking to become a Jedi Sentinel like your master and matrial arts would be a good skill for me to possess in that line of work. Lastly, I think it would be fun to learn." I explained to Bultar.

All of my reasons for wanting to learn from her being true.

Though I also have another motive.

I want to get closer to her so when it comes time for me to build my own Jedi Order she will join it.

For Bultar is on a list of candidates I have compiled who would potentially come and join my new Jedi Order.

Some others being her master Micah Giiett, Plo-Koon, Yaddle, etc...

But until the time comes for that to happen I cannot be sure of the decisions those on my recruitment list will make.

Unlike those on my list I know would never leave the current order or abandon the Republic.

Mace Windu, Ki-Adi Mundi, Even Piell, etc..

Those people have the potential to my enemies one day.

But I truly hope it doesn't come to that.

Again, only time will tell.

"I see." Bultar mused. "Well if that is the case and those are your reasons then sure. I don't mind showing you a few moves." Bultar spoke.

"Excellent. And thank you." I told her.

"You say that now Van, but once you start learning from Bultar I think you'll regret those words " Yennali spoke.

"Speaking from experience?" I asked.

"Yes." Yennali mused.

"Oh come on, your form is coming along just fine." Bultar said. Giving Yennali a soft pat on her back. "Besides, just like Van just now you asked me to teach you unarmed combat. So you can't complain."

"Yeah, yeah, I know." Yennali grumbled.

I chuckled lightly as she did.

Seeing she has found another friend in Bultar.

Good for her.

Our plans set the girls and I went to put our trays up before heading back to the training room I was using.

Where my spar with Bultar would take place.

-------------------------

As the three of us arrived in the training room I was using Nomicron appeared.

"Welcome back Van. Who are your lovely young lady friends?" She spoke.

"Bultar Swan and Yennali Fonemys." I spoke. Pointing to each girl respectively when I introduced them.

"Greetings." Bultar spoke.

"Yes, greetings." Yennali said.

"The same to you ladies." Nomicron replied. She then looked at me. "So, why are the girls here with you Van? Don't tell me you brought them here to play around. To think, my descendant is growing up to be a womanizer?"

I gave Nomi a flat look after her statement. "Haha." I laughed dryly. "Very funny Nomicron. But no, I did not bring them here for that kind of stuff. Bultar and I are going to have a duel against each other." I explained.

Besides, I am not even thinking of doing anything of that nature with the opposite sex until I am at least fifteen years old again.

Any younger and it would just feel wrong.

I mean I don't remember how old I was when I died in my previous life, but I think my point still stands.

At Nomicron's words Bultar laughed.

As for Yennali, she got a blush on her face and stopped looking me in the eye.

I chose not to comment on her reaction.

Instead I unclipped my lightsaber from my belt and activated it. I then looked towards Bultar. "So, are you ready?"

"Yes." Bultar said.

She then unclipped her own lightsaber from her own belt and activated it.

Her blade being a brilliant green.

Bultar also lowered the intensity of her blade.

Which I had already done with my own blade for starting my training earlier.

The two of us moving to the center of the room, for Nomicron was on the side with Yennali, Bultar and I got into our ready stances.

I went with one from Niman.

While Bultar chose the opening stance for Soresu.

Though given what I know about her fighting-style thanks to my previous life I understand why she chose that stance.

"Before you two begin, if I see things are going too far I will call the end to the match." Nomicron spoke.

Bultar and I nodded.

Then once we did do we began our duel.

Taking the initiative I pulled Bultar towards me using telekinesis.

I then swung my blade in her direction.

But she easily blocked my attack.

Regaining her footing Bultar tried to hit me in the chest with a palm strike.

Though before it could make contact I jumped back, dodging it.

I then made a downward diagonal slash at Bultar from the right.

Raising her lightsaber up she blocked it.

The two of us clashed for a second before we both moved back and broke it.

After we did so I jumped with the aid of the Force and flipped over Bultar.

Landing, I quickly spun and aimed a slash at her chest.

But just like before Bultar used her own blade to block it.

She then lashed out at me with a kick, striking a direct hit in my chest.

Though instead of fumbling I used the energy from the kick to do a backflip and land on my feet.

Ignoring the pain in my chest as I did.

Turning around to face me Bultar jumped in my direction.

Coming to land in front of me she started slashing at me from several directions.

Using my blade I parried the strikes I could and dodged the others.

But I could tell I am slowing being pushed back.

Needing to change the flow of battle I took several steps back and then used my free hand to send a burst of telekinesis at Bultar.

But this time she countered with her own.

As our attacks collided we pushed againist each other.

Until eventually Bultar managed to get the better of me.

Her attack broke through mine and I was sent flying through the air before landing on my ass.

Rushing towards me Bultar prepared to strike.

Seeing this I quickly kept back to my feet.

But just as I did so Bultar reached me, and came at me with a powerful overland swing.

Raising my blade up I managed to block the attack.

Though the force of it caused my knees to shake and put me on the back foot.

Pressing her advantage Bultar used her left leg to sweep mine, causing me to fall on my ass.

When I did she placed the tip of her lightsaber close to my face.

"I yield." I said.

Once I did Bultar deactivated her lightsaber and I did the same with mine.

She then helped me up.

"Thanks Van. That was a good spar." Bultar said.

"Same to you." I said.

Feeling this was the start of a good friendship between Bultar and I.