49 Sword Training (2/2)
”Perfect! I assume you're still planning to use the sword?”
”Yeah. But I'm going to try and use this sabre rather than the falchion I used during the battle,” Eric replied, pointing to the sabre hanging from his back. ”I still have the falchion, but I feel the sabre suits me better,” Eric explained, producing said falchion from his storage to prove his point before causing it to disappear again.
Zwei's eyes lit up at this.
”A two-handed sword then. Great! I don't think we have any greatsword users here yet. Apart from myself of course. I've got a few spears, a dual-wielder, some duelists, and even a dagger fighter, but you'll be the first greatsword user.”
”What are we, pokemon?” Mikasa complained.
”Dibs on Charizard,” Ryan said quickly.
Mikasa rolled her eyes at this. As she began bickering lightly with Ryan, Zwei moved to examine Eric's sabre, still hanging as it was upon his back. Unable to contain himself any longer, Zwei reached out tentatively.
”Do you mind if I see it?
Unsheathing the sabre, Eric handed it to the old swordsman, who held it reverently as he examined the blade, running his fingers along its length and giving it a few practice swings before returning it to Eric.
”It's an excellent weapon. If you haven't done so yet, I'd get Tom to rebalance it for you, the centre of balance is a little off for someone our height. But apart from that, it should serve you well.”
Nodding gratefully to Zwei, Eric looked around at the barren field. The grass had been sloppily cut, leaving uneven wildgrass everywhere one stepped. The fence that surrounded the field was also in dire need of repair. Layers of moss covering slats of rotten wood that were steadily falling apart, leaving wide gaps in the fence. If he hadn't insisted on making a cool entrance, Eric would have never jumped the fence, but instead opted to simply walk a few feet to either side and step over a fallen partition of wood.
Taking in the state of the field, Eric gave Zwei a side-eye.
”Nice place you've got here.”
”It's not much, but it's ours. No one bothers us here, and the open air is good for the skin,” Zwei confided with a grin.
”Good for the skin? It's a game,” Eric responded.
”Good health is good health. That doesn't change just because the reality is virtual,” Zwei said with a sage tone. ”Now then, if you're joining us, we were just about to start doing drills.”
”Drills?”
”Yes, sword drills. Just stand with the rest of them and follow my movements.”
Nodding mildly, Eric followed Ryan as the other members of the group got into a ragged line facing Zwei with their weapons at the ready. Unsheathing the longsword on his back, Zwei took a ready stance, setting his feet slightly apart, he faced the group with his longsword raised.