164 Disguised Devil (2/2)

”It seemed that whoever taught you the basic was a far-seeing individual. Too many of the kids I get will try to start fighting right away so each sword move is a complete mess. They can fight, but not in an efficient manner. Sometimes, it is the constant drilling of the basics that will save your life in battle. In the moment where your brain cannot follow, your body will respond for you based off instinct.”

Smiling, Greyson thought back to Teacher Vivian and felt that she would have felt proud to hear her methods praised.

”Since your basic are strong, I wish to help your reaction time and defensive swordsmanship first. Offensive swordsmanship is usually a bit more difficult to teach. It's a lot of the same, until you find an opening. A lot the time, experts will use that opening for a killing move that they have perfected and are confident in. I could always teach you one of mine, but I do not think that would help you in the long run. Plus, you have many more options than I do when it comes to elements, so what is best for me is not necessarily best for you.”

”I will have you stand in the spot I have marked with a red circle.” Pointing towards the center of the mountaintop, there was a painted red circle that seemed to be prepared beforehand. Greyson followed direction and obediently stood within the circle. It was at this point that he heard rustling from the trees in his surroundings. Preparing himself for an attack, he noticed 10 individuals dressed in white and blue robes coming out from hiding. Giving their bodies a once over, Greyson noticed the rainbow snowflake crest on each of their robes and the matching wooden staves. Feeling awkward, he wondered if they had been waiting there and watching his training this entire time.

”Imperial magicians...” He mumbled to himself.

Just as there were ordinary soldiers or magic warriors in the military, there were also ”pure” magicians. These people were normally the commoners born with magic or the noble children from weaker families who were not in-line to inherit their father's property and title. They usually did not have enough funds to buy the required resources or magic items they needed to advance. This was where the imperial family comes in and provides them that much needed money and a well-paying, respectable, and relatively safe job. Most of them specialized in long-distance attacks, support magic, and healing. The best of both worlds meets in this position where they can benefit being in the military but avoid the frontlines. Obviously, this does not mean certainly avoiding death, but it reduces those chances by a lot compared to normal soldiers. By working in the military, they could build up merits in wars and receive spells, equipment, magic herbs, and other resources they require. Eventually, they could possibly receive a title of their own depending on their contributions.

”Everyone here, including me, will attack you using the non-lethal spell Water Ball. It will not injured you too severely, but it will definitely hurt. I want you to use your sword to block the attacks.” The Duke explained while giving the magicians a signal. Upon seeing that, they all chanted and a bunch of water balls formed in the air.

Seeing that he was now surrounded with no other choice, Greyson could only take his ready stance. Without warning, the first round of attacks shot towards him. Grunting with effort, he managed to swing the heavy sword to block or cut apart the water balls. His arms screamed out in pain as if begging him to stop. Not able to keep up with the onslaught, Greyson could feel the hard slap impact of the water hitting him. After the first wave, he could already feel the bruises forming on his body.

”Greyson.”

”Hah, ha, yes... hah, hah, sir.” Clearing winded, Greyson could only struggle to answer through his panting.

”Are you a magician?”

Too tired to play any mind games, Greyson just nodded with confusion clearly written on his face.

”Then, even if I say to use the sword to block, why do you not enforce it with spells? If you have mana, then use it. I'm not training you to be some sword master without your magic. Maybe if I could have started training you when you were younger, I would go that route because we have tons of time. However, right now, the fastest way to improve, is to improve your swordsmanship along with your control of magic. Last I saw, you use too much mana. You think about the spell and let your mana flow freely without considering how much is actually needed for the spell to activate. Your reserves are bigger due to the amount of elements your body can contain, but they are far from endless. You need to be smarter.”

”I understand.”

”Alright, then we will go again.”

On cue, the water balls attacked once more. This time, Greyson gripped the sword and sent fire mana coursing through. With every swing, swirls of fire followed that made the water evaporate on contact. However, he soon realized the weight of the sword and the constant mana output was draining him faster than he could recover. So, he began adjusting in the midst of the attacks. Although he got hit more often this way, he also learned much faster.

...

By the last round of Water Balls, he felt that his swings used his whole body more than just his arms and the control of his fire mana was more efficient. Far from perfect, but the improvement was evident to him.

”That's enough.” The Duke halted everyone.

”What? Hah, hah, hah, I think I can still go!” Despite his obvious exhaustion, the feeling of improvement dulled his senses. Greyson just felt eager to continue.

”Hm, well, I'm usually not one to turn down an eager student. However, you are clearly running on gas. We have tomorrow as well. After that, the team training will begin so I can't go too rough with you. Otherwise, the teamwork practice will suffer and I'm sure you do not wish to drag the others down. Plus, I don't think my subordinates can handle much more... Tsk, tsk, tsk, I have to say I am a bit disappointed. You obviously did all the work and took the damage, yet they are the ones ready to pass out. It looks like I will have to up their stamina training and mana control.” He paused and looked around. Following the Duke's lead, Greyson also took a glance and realized that they were huffing and puffing on the sides. Summoning that many Water Balls for so long was definitely draining in mana. When they heard the Duke's words, however, their originally rosy cheeks lost their color in fear as they tried to stand up straight.

”Yeah, I guess it is time to rest.” Now that he had stopped moving for so long, Greyson could feel the fatigue hit him like a ton of bricks as the adrenaline faded. The sword dropped to the ground and his arms and legs began to tremble. Plopping down onto the ground, he began to meditate. He wished to heal himself, but his mana stores were pretty much empty.

”Hm... not bad. It seems this will be worthwhile.” The Duke smiled to himself before he gestured for the rest to leave Greyson in peace. If Greyson could feel his improvements, how could someone as experienced as the Duke not also notice his fast pace? Geniuses were nice, but also not as rare as everyone thought. But hardworking geniuses were not a common commodity.

It seems my teaching will be a bit more worthwhile this time. I look forward to our training tomorrow. He took one last look back while thinking.

[1] Pretty much slashing straight down, straight up, diagonally down to the right, diagonally down to the left, diagonally up to the right, diagonally up to the left, and horizontally right and left.