Chapter 21

There were countless weapons laid out. Those used by strong hero's, those used by quick ones, and those used by agile hero's.

From a great swords, to katanas and lighter blades, all the way to creative weapons like daggers, chains, thrown weapons, and even chain scythes which reminded Alex of a deadlier version of nunchucks.

He knew that this weapon was a great fit. He wasn't strong, never in his life had he spent time gaining muscle, not like he could, living in this day and age cost an arm and a leg.

Well that is unless you were like his mother and lived off money that the kingdom provided for your children.

He wasn't flexible enough for any short ranged weapons that would require a lot of dodging on his part.

However he knew that he was very good at predicting and controlling. And unlike the katanas and lighter blades, they were not attached to him. Meaning he would be able to use his spacial element to further his prowess.

He was already seeing himself fighting a beast, swinging the scythe and missing. The beast ready to charge through the opening, only to realize the scythe had miraculously hooked itself around its neck.

Daniel seeing Alex eying a weapon walked up to him. "The chain scythes are a nice choice for you. Normally many would be scared of such an unpredictable weapon, but with your grand wind affinity you wouldn't have to worry very much would you. In fact that would just make you even more powerful."

"I agree, and while I could use light blades pretty well, none would give me an edge."

"Have you chosen then?"

"Yes I have." Alex replied while picking up a set of chain scythes.

"Very well, here let me see them before you begin sparring."

Alex handed them over and Daniel pulled out a set of wooden covers for the blades.

"We can't have any students being injured can we. Well not yet at least, but that's for later."

Alex just nodded. He knew that eventually they would be sparring while going all out. It's not like they were going to fight lightly in a few years at the tournament.

"Good now you and Taylor will be sparring with me." Daniel said while dragging the two of them off to the side of the courtyard after grabbing a set of nunchucks off of the table for himself.

"Alright you two have two minutes to get used to your weapons, then we will spar, and then I will correct your mistakes." The two nodded in understanding while Taylor looking over at Alex. He remembered him the two went to many of the same classes, and Alex had even played on the school team for a year. He remembered him intercepting and scoring a few times.

Which is usually what he would have done as the teams captain. He remembered his father who was the coach at the time, reprimanding him and telling him to back off.

Taylor was just like every other student, they had no idea why, but their parents disliked Alex. Alex had made a lot of friends in elementary school but he had noticed that they backed away from him.

All but one Tori. Alex had met Tori's parents when his mom had dragged him off to the church they went to. Never in his life had he met such kind people. At first he was waiting for them to lose their temper and yell at him.

His mother had the same beliefs as them and put on an act whenever they were in public. But even when he went over to their place, they were kind.

Alex grabbed the scythes and had the chain behind him. He swung them around trying to get used to them. At first he was being careful while watching their every movement with spacial energy.

He was right about one of his initial thoughts, a chain was just a stronger version of a thread. If he held it in certain places, the arc that the scythe would follow would be larger or smaller, depending on how close to the handle he was.

Meanwhile Taylor was just getting used to the two handed swords weight, he had already been trained by his father.

When there were just thirty seconds left, Alex smirked. He had gotten used to the weapon quickly, and thanks to his spacial perception he was able to predict how it would move. Knowing this he began to truly get used to the weapon.

He threw a blade in a wide arc then pulled with the other to make it return to his hand. He then made it swing around his arm wrapping around it.

Seeing this Daniels eyes widened as he was about to step in and stop the blade, when he remembered it had the cover. 'At most he would get bruised.'

Just when the wooden blade would've come into contact with his wrist, Alex flicked his hand back and caught the handle.

Daniel cleared his throat. "Ahem, well it seems that you two are used to your weapons. Let's begin!" With that said he walked towards the two while he pulled out the set of nunchucks.

Daniel was the first to attack, swinging at both Alex and Taylor. Alex blocked with the back of the blade while swinging the other towards Daniel only for it to be blocked and sent back.

The exchanges continued until Daniel decided they were ready to take it up a notch.

When ever he deflected their attacked he immediately sent counter attacks towards them. Alex always had a free arm and was able to block, but Taylor had to dodge in order to not be hit. Alex was getting complacent. Eventually, he went to block an attack, Daniel got the nunchuck and the scythe stuck together and dodged the other scythe. He then pulled Alex towards him and delivered a kick to his stomach.

After freeing his other hand he quickly closed the distance on Taylor who was busy dodging the other nunchuck. Bonking him on the head lightly.

"Good, i have no doubt that if two were to go up against an old lady and fought together you might be able to win."

"Now Alex, today was your first day using the weapons, but even still just by using them you managed to get the basics down. As you just learned, even if they move more freely than other weapons they are still connected to you. There were multiple ways that you could have avoided my kick."

"And Taylor you were trained well, but I'm assuming you have been fighting against other swordsmen. Unlike swordsmen I can attack you relentlessly, it takes little to no effort or energy to wack you on the head. That being said, your weapon holds more mass. Unless I swing with all my might I wouldn't be able to block your weapon. Your treating me like a swordsman, swing that thing, force me to dodge. Me dodging can create an opening for your partner."

"Alex, the weapons are connected for a reason. Here let me see them."

Alex complied and handed Daniel the chain scythes. "Now watch."

Alex watched as he mimicked the chain scythes being caught on nunchucks. Daniel pulled back the hand that wasn't trapped creating slack on the chain. Then he threw the caught blade forward while grabbing the chain when it was freed. Once he had it in his grasp he slashed down, but he wasn't done he returned to the same position mimicking being caught.

This time he let go of the caught weapon while grabbing the chain behind him. He then proceeded to swing the scythe that was free around his back at a rapid speed towards the nonexistent enemy in front of him while rotating his body to increase its inertia.

An audible noise was heard as the blade cut through the wind.

"You could have also abandoned your weapon but that would be a last resort."

"I'll leave the rest of the possible solutions up to you to mull over in two weeks I want you to to have a rematch with me and win. Until then practice together." Daniel said before walking away towards the other two teachers who had finished up with their students.

Alex looked towards Taylor who was still rubbing his head. "Do you mind if I practice what he showed me before we continue." Alex asked

"Have at it, I still need to mull over what he taught me too."

Alex picked up his weapon and began swinging it around. He tried different things this time however. Rather than letting them complete an arc, he would pull with the other making the scythes trajectory change mid flight.

He had to use spacial magic multiple times to stop the blade from hitting himself because it was difficult to predict where it would go. 'Daniel made it seem easier than it really was, hopefully I can master it in two weeks.'

He then threw out one blade before pulling quickly on the other. As it was moving in an arc it stopped and was pulled back in a straight line towards Alex's hand. 'Well at least I've learned something useful.' He thought after catching the handle.

"Alright I'm ready." Alex said to Taylor

The two stood in front of each other waiting for the other to attack first.

Taylor made his move. The heavy sword in his hands moving as if it were styrofoam.

He took Daniels teachings seriously, and was planning to overpower Alex.

Alex knew he couldn't take that hit directly so he dodged to the left and threw a scythe towards Taylor who easily pulled his sword back to deflect it.

'Two can play at this game. I just hope this works.' Alex thought preparing to pull off a maneuver.

Taylor closed the distance on Alex and swung his sword downward.

Alex threw his scythe at an angle while Taylor began he swing it had hooked itself on the sword. He then pulled the sword until he knew it would miss him, and swung his other scythe towards Taylor.

'I've done it that was easier than I thou.. oh shi.' His thought being interrupted as he saw Taylor's body glowing.

Taylor yanked his sword allowing him to have enough space to dodge.

Alex felt a light pain in his arm as he felt an intense force pulling on it. He had thought of letting go however he knew that was a bad idea.

'Well since he uses his element to help him so shall I.' Alex lifted his legs from the ground to allow himself to follow the scythe through the air.

Whenever Taylor swing neared it's end, Alex did the same maneuver Daniel had showed him to get his weapon unstuck.

He was free just now he was flying faster than he could run. Alex shifted himself in the air until he was facing Taylor. His shadow beneath him rose slowing him down. In front of him a trail of darkness could be seen fading.

Alex landed safely, the two got ready to attack each other again, but Michael stepped in. "Ah ah i don't think so, look at your weapons you two. We can't have you two killing each other."

They looked at their weapons. Alex was missing one of his wooden covers. While Taylor's sword cover was missing as well.

"They're not supposed to come off, but you guys like to skip steps." Alright you two come with me, we need to get you some permanent safety scissors.

Taylor and Alex followed.

Alex glancing back at the two covers he located with his spacial perception. They were shattered on the areas that held them in place.