Kaiser D. Paragon POV
No matter how I looked at it, that was the only way, but that bastard didn't hold back at all. My body was practically in shreds, and the worst part was I couldn't even throw my authority around to retaliate. At least I now had the chance to meet this woman.
"So, to what do I owe the honor of your visit, young master?" Kethra asked, her black eyes scanning me.
There was no point beating around the bush with her, and my body was killing me. I had never been hazed that violently in my entire life.
"I'm not going to waste words. I want you to teach me the basics, swordsmanship, everything." I said, staring straight at her without blinking.
Seeing my determination, she looked at me for a few seconds before standing up, revealing her athletic body hidden beneath light silver armor that perfectly outlined her curves.
"I'm rather surprised. I didn't peg you for the type… Whatever. I'll be waiting at dawn," she said, running her fingers through her short brown hair.
I was stunned. That was really it? So I got completely wrecked by that fat pig just to spend a few minutes with this woman?
Yes, I had achieved my goal and I was relieved, but I still had this feeling that I'd been screwed over somewhere in the process.
Taking it in stride, I thanked her and left the office immediately. I needed a bath and sleep. I couldn't take any more. This day had been far more eventful than my entire three-month summer vacation back when I was still in my original world.
I probably wouldn't become strong from her training, but if I learned the basics and got lucky, I might be able to learn some Arts and go hunt down a few artifacts. That was better than moping about my lack of talent.
Kethra also had mediocre talent and she had reached an acceptable level. I wasn't hopeless.
Night had already fallen when I returned to my room, preparing for a bath before going to bed.
End of POV
The next morning
Kaiser was already standing in the training courtyard at dawn. The pale morning light illuminated the still-damp cobblestones, and the cool air stung his skin. He waited in the middle of the yard, feet slightly apart, as if he already wanted to prove he was ready. Despite his seriousness, it was clear he hadn't slept much. His messy hair and still-red eyes betrayed a mix of nervousness and excitement.
Kethra arrived without a sound. She walked at a measured pace, head high, face as expressionless as ever. She gave the impression of being in complete control from the very first glance. When she stopped in front of him, she stared at him for a moment without saying anything.
"You're already here," she said simply.
Kaiser nodded. "I wanted to be ready. I didn't want to keep you waiting."
"I didn't expect you this early," she replied. Her voice stayed flat, but there was a hint of surprise hidden behind her usual neutral tone.
He lowered his eyes slightly. "I don't want to waste time. I want to learn as fast as possible."
Kethra positioned herself a few steps away from him. She wore simple training pants and a tunic that followed her movements without restricting them. She already held her saber, as if she had been carrying it since waking up. It was like the weapon was part of her. Kaiser, on the other hand, held a training sword that felt much heavier than what he was used to.
"Fine," she said. "I'll be clear. I'm not going to explain things like a traditional teacher. Swordsmanship isn't learned from books. It's learned by taking hits and understanding why you took them. That's how my mentor taught me. You're going to fight me. Don't worry, I'll hold back."
Kaiser swallowed hard. He expected her to be direct, but not this direct. Was it really a good idea to choose this woman as a teacher?
"I'm ready," he said anyway.
Kethra raised her saber. "Then come."
Kaiser took a deep breath and stepped forward. His first move was hesitant, but he tried a simple attack he had practiced alone many times. Kethra deflected the blade with a fluid motion, as if brushing dust off her shoulder. Before he could even register what happened, she had placed the tip of her training saber against his chest.
"Too slow," she said. "Your shoulders are stiff. Relax them."
He stepped back several paces, shook his arms, then resumed his stance. He tried another attack, a little faster. Kethra sidestepped and struck him in the back with the flat of her blade. Kaiser lost his balance and nearly fell.
"Get up," she said without emotion. "And look in front of you. When you attack, you have to know where I am."
Kaiser gritted his teeth. The pain wasn't unbearable, but the humiliation stung hard. He stood up, raised his sword, and tried again. This time he moved a little faster, trying to anticipate her actions. Kethra only had to raise her saber to block his before tapping his thigh.
"You're putting too much strength into nothing. Do you want to split the ground in half or hit me? Control your breathing."
"I'm doing what I can," Kaiser replied, out of breath.
"That's exactly it. Do better."
He tried again. And again. And again. Every attempt ended in failure. Kethra didn't just beat him. She controlled him. She corrected him without the slightest hesitation. She told him to adjust his feet, bend his knees, keep his gaze straight, not over-anticipate, not dream of a winning blow that would never come. Kaiser took it all. His breathing grew short, his arms shook, but his eyes stayed determined. He wanted to at least touch her blade once. Just once.
After about twenty minutes, Kethra paused. Kaiser was drenched in sweat, face red, hands sore.
"You're holding up well," she said. "At least there's that."
"Thank you," he answered in a gasp, even if he wasn't sure it was a compliment.
"We're starting again."
He raised his sword even though it now felt twice as heavy as at the beginning. He charged more cautiously. Kethra parried calmly, then slid her blade along his to lock it completely. Kaiser tried to pull back, but she had already advanced. Her strike hit his shoulder.
"Your center of gravity is everywhere except where it should be. You lean too much. Do you want to fall on your own, or do you want me to make you fall?"
He clenched his teeth but didn't answer. He wanted to shout that she didn't have to correct him by hitting him, but he knew she had warned him from the start. And somewhere deep down, he was really learning. He understood what she was saying, even if he couldn't yet apply it.
Kethra stepped back. "Again."
Kaiser took a deep breath and charged once more. Every time he moved, Kethra read him like an open book. She anticipated his intentions before he even finished the motion. It felt like fighting someone who knew his thoughts before he did. After another failed attempt, she snapped her blade against his and pushed him back.
"You raise your arms too high. You're wide open. If I were your enemy, you'd already be on the ground."
"I know," he said, frustrated.
"Then fix it."