The Swordsmanship (1)

Artirian swayed the tent entrance and the wind would blow his hair as he got out from the tent. The sunlight would dazzle his eyes and the wind breeze would give a cold vibe. The conscripts would be doing some daily drills that officers tend to give. "Now proceed the said instructions like... this One… Two...Three... Then thrust. Swing your swords like you have an enemy in front of you REPEAT.. fix the thrust it must be stronger than the arm and enough force to strike" the officer said. While drilling the men.

The concripts would look exhausted but they need to learn the basics of fighting if not they will be just another dead body on the field.The drill would start at morning and it will end at noon where lunch is served based on the nutritionist of the outpost. It would be quite exhausting especially if the trainees are not yet drilled properly from their first days in the outpost. The entering trainees would now go under the strict drills by the Left Aide de camp which controls the routines and phases of the outpost training and requirements for certain conscripts that intend to become a knight in the future.

The day went by and Artirian would be walking out of the outpost while he encountered the knights that were under him last time. They would give a snappy salute before saying "Sir Artirian thank you for guiding us last time. You deserve your great dedication on this field Sir" . Artriain's face would give a half smile and salute them back before leaving the outpost. The Artirian would walk and look around the merchants who were back selling their goods to the nomads and vice versa.

Artirian would hop on his horse and began to trot the horse towards the main road heading to the Tasmian forest which is the first forest that he would travel before entering the inner territories of the Empire. Artirian is planning to make his journey a bit early as for him to have a better preparation in case there is a certain mishaps to happen while doing his journey.

The journey he planned is 5 days and 4 nights into the main road towards the Xethova capital. Artirian would be studying while he would journey so when he took the Divine Empire MIlitary Academy entrance exam he would have some high chance in passing his test. And would not get nervous once he would face the test.

Artirian would look around while journeying with his horse his things would be ordinary as he is a very minimalist person. He never liked en grande type of designs or many accessories nor good things, As he would prefer the essentials in travel and surviving in type of scenarios and circumstances.

While on his journey as he reached the forest of Tasmian which has lush vegetation and the trees which are blooming with different kinds of flowers. He would see two young girls that were crying on the side of the main road. They would try to give a signal to Artirian to stop, as they put their hands up and waved it multiple times to let Artirian see. Artirian would then glance on the girls that were getting his attention as he was driving his horse.

They tried to halt Artirian using their body and going in front of the horse, Artirian horse would neigh as he would pull the leash so the horse would stop. And the other girl would say with a courteous manner and gloomy tone of voice "Please Mister Help! Our village was attacked by raiders and we don't know what to do. We asked different kinds of people but they only laughed at us." The poor girl's eyes would be filled with tears as her face was covered in dirt and ehr clothes were covered with stains of blood.

Artirian would get off from the horse and as soon he got off from his horse. The other girl would release a short dagger from her skirt and would try to attack Artirian striking at a dash distance as she almost thrust near Artirian left side chest.

Luckily Artirian would get a glance of the short dagger before it happened so he would kick her hands up then he would push the other girl on the ground to disable the other girl's movement. Soon he would stand up and unsheathe his Bokken sword; the short dagger would fly off in the far distance when it was kicked from the air.

Artirian would then release his kill intent to give a sense of realization for the two girls. The girls would beg for mercy as Artirian looked at them with no mercy. Artirian eyes turn magenta red as like a non merciful person. Artirian would then sheath back his Bokken sword and slap the two girls' faces. He then got on the horse and trot off the main road.

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Artirian POV

"I cannot believe they will do that kind of thing to me. I was honest to help them if they are in need of help. So this is how the world ends. I hope I can still meet people who still have the sense of dignity and I hope mistrust will never get into my life again."

I would grab the leash of my horse and trot faster as my eyes would be filled with tears as I remember how my family was betrayed cold blooded by people who we trust.

Some tears would fall on the ground as I trot faster I leaned forward to make the horse faster. My tears would be on my cheeks and the breeze of the wind is hugging me.

I would exit the Tasmian forest for the almost 3 hours of my journey there were no bandits nor raiders at that time because of the new reforms on the military and chain of command. The Emperor has increased the capabilities of the Corps and the Generals that control regions.

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After exiting the Tasmian forest Artirian would make camp on the riverside while overlooking a great plain. Artirian would prepare his tent and get a mat and placed it near the campfire and he would sit there watching the wind and the nice open view of the great plains. as he would also look at 4 more villages he would enter before reaching the first city. Then he would imagine the other 3 more villages and last the Xethova capital.

Soon He would try to rest as the night would come. The night would be seemingly clear and the stars would be up in the sky shining through the darkest night and as the moon became the most beautiful art form that can be seen at night. The cold breeze would be giving the wind a healthier to remove the heat that is lingering inside the tent. Artirian would cover himself with a blanket that would make him a bit comfortable to sleep.

Artirian would wake up as the sunlight would awaken him up on his makeshift bed. He would wash his face on the river that is near and as he looked he would see bandits that were crossing with 3 women 4 oldmen 4 old women and 2 young kids. The kids were seen crying as their eyes would be filled with tears they would try to get off from the grip of the bandits. But with no avail the 3 women were tattered clothes while the 4 old men were almost battered with bruises and the 4 old women were either helpless as they tried to catch up with the others.

Artirian would quickly wear his leather armor and a the arm steel guard. He would then grab his Bokken sword and slowly follow the bandit to their lair which is a cave near a mountain range near the Tasmian forest. Artirian would then unsheathe his Bokken sword and the Bokken sword would release a black misty type of aura as it engulfs the arms of Artirian and his Left Eye would also be engulf witht the misty black aura that the Bokken sword release.

Artirian would jump forward as he got the chance he would strike the first bandit who is leading; the first 3 bandits were not aware of his presence as they are much focused on the women that they are hungry from. Artirian would lacerate the bandits left chest the blood would spray onto him from his face down to his body and the other would receive a deep cut from the chest down to his stomach.

The inner organs would go out and the sounds of ( shhh wooosh szzrtt*) the blood would spray as Artirian cut through the body of the bandits. The last one would let go of his grip and would fell on the ground with a frightened face as he would stutter from the words "No...P-P-Please h-h-have m-m-m-ercy I didn't do any-thing!" Artirian would sway his sword on the ground and the blood would be on the ground as he looked at the Bandit.