Reinhard's Resolution

"Your form is exceedingly poor, Michael. Are you sure you know how to swing a sword?" Rajaa asked, disdain dripping from his tone as he spoke.

It was the third week of Michael's training under Rajaa, and under the ancient Dragon's ruthless and unrelenting control, Michael had pushed his body to its absolute limits. Now, they were going over Michael's basic sword forms, and it was proving that Michael was a much worse swordsman than he thought.

"I'm trying..." Michael grunted and got back into his stance. The concentrated weight that Rajaa had placed on his forearms did not help in the least bit with helping him maintain his center of balance.

"If we wait for you to adjust to that weight, then you might as well not learn anything throughout this week. Fight me." Rajaa said, and the weight on Michael's arms disappeared. "Pick up your sword." He gestured to Michael's sword that had been resting in a corner for the past few weeks.