51 The Real Steal (1/2)

(Eris POV)

Elder Xu led me to an open field within the Sect, a sheathed sword in his hand.

”By my understanding, Master Lin has begun instructing you in the way of the sword, yes?” He asked, stopping in the middle of said field.

”Yes, Master has taught me the basics,” I affirmed.

”Umu… We can skip the basics of the basics then. Now observe, I will demonstrate my form.”

I remained where I was as he unsheathed his sword, standing there with his eyes closed and sword held loosely by his side.

My eyes were trained on him, analyzing his stance and his form.

He waited for awhile until a gust of wind blew past me, the Elder finally moving with his robes and beard billowing in the gust.

He lifted his sword in a slow arcing motion, his other hand pushing out in the opposite direction.

His right foot slid away from his body into an archery stance, dropping himself into a low crouch.

The pose was held for a few seconds before the Elder stood up on his right foot, swinging the sword above his head. His free hand was slowly drawn towards his chest, the index and middle finger sticking out while the rest curled into a fist. At the same time, his left foot was lifted off the ground, the base of the foot resting on his right thigh to be perpendicular to the ground.

What… Is this crappy old daft doing? [Bait]

Warm up… Perhaps… [Laverna]

This one humbly thinks it's a ritual. [Denna]

But… It's such a cringe to watch. He even waited for the wind to blow before starting it… [Eris]

I told ya something felt off when the bozo still wore the stupidly flowy robes! Master would'a changed out of 'em! [Bait]

Underclothes… [Laverna]

This one would like to refrain from watching him strip… [Denna]

Hey… Speaking of stripping-- [Bait]

Stop. [Eris]

No… [Laverna]

Don't. [Denna]

But I did'na say nothing yet! [Bait]

We all know what you want to say. [Eris]

Well excuse ya! I think Master stripping himself that night was the best thing to happen, period! [Bait]

Mmm… [Laverna]

Why must you remind this one… [Denna]

Must not think about it… Must not think about it… [Eris]

Heh heh, remember how he slipped his robe off his shoulders? The way the cloth just slid off of him? Mmm… Quality schlicking content right there. [Bait]

Stop… [Laverna]

Oohh~ Someone's getting hot and bothered now, is she? [Bait]

This one… Admits she is… [Denna]

Oh! And remember what Master whispered in our ears that night? I told you jumping on him was the best option! [Bait]

… I hate to admit it, but you were right. That was truly the best night… [Eris]

Uh-huh, and then-- [Bait]

”That's the first move set of the sword style 'Dancing Crane', now it's your turn to try,” The Elder interrupted us.

This old fag… Can't you read the damn mood?! [Bait]

This one is more concerned that he was actually serious about those silly moves being a sword art. [Denna]

He even expects us to perform it… Do any of you remember the moves? [Eris]

Eh, I remember the front parts. [Bait]

The middle… [Laverna]

This one remembers parts of the end. [Denna]

Alright then, let's just get this done and over with, I'm guessing this may be just a small test of his to see if we at least know how to use a sword. [Eris]

Makes sense, none of those moves woulda been any bloody use in a real fight! [Bait]

I unsheathed my own sword, taking the pose that the Elder had started off with.

I repeated through the process that the Elder had shown, my body twisting and turning through the motions without any error. I had even sped up the motions to make it look more practical in a fight, though it wasn't by much, honestly.

I finished his so called 'Dancing Crane' with a sword thrust, balancing on a foot with my other leg raised in the air, parallel to the ground. The pose was as silly as it looked in a practical fight.

The Elder nodded, ”Very good. I can see why Master Lin took you in. You have an enviable talent in sword arts.”

I turned to him, awaiting his next instruction.

”But you were moving too quickly. The way of the sword is more than just completing a set of motions quickly. One must feel and breathe the way of the sword.”

I squinted at him, not believing his words.

”Then I shall show you the second move set,” He announced, lifting up his sword again.