The Arcane Trickster

CHAPTER 5 - SPARING

Derwyn began their training with some exercise and basic movements, Reynald and Asahel performed sets of movements without rest for hours, Asahel was excited to train at first, but soon his arms started to get sore and he could barely keep his dagger up.

As Asahel sat down to rest, Reynald too stopped his training, he still looked energetic, but he was bored of this type of training. -” Hey Uncle, Hey Uncle, why don't we spar, I already did so many sets.” Asahel thought that Reynald energy was neverending.

-” Tsk, what good sparing is? You need to polish your basics first.” Derwyn looked a bit annoyed, Reynald was too unruly to take training seriously, Derwyn wanted to train Reynald seriously, after all, the young man was gifted with a strong body and a rare class.

Derwyn thought that Reynald had quite the good future ahead of him, nevertheless, he was all drive, but no dedication. Derwyn was about to repress Reynald when an idea popped up in his mind. -” So you want to spar? Huh, Why don't we bet something?”

-” Betting? That would be so unfair, how can I compete with you?” Reynald was suspicious of his uncle's behavior, he generally would tell how Reynald should focus on the basics and complain a bit before finally accepting the spar after Reynald pestered him for a bit.

-” Don't reject it too soon, you didn't even listen to it yet;” Derwyn's grin grew larger. “ If you can hit me during the spar, I will not ask for you to do any more basic training set, and I will even teach you two abilities.” 

Reynald's eyes shone with interest, the allure of learning two abilities was too much. -” I accept, I accept.” Reynald was agitated when he heard about his uncle's proposition.

-” Oh, but, if you lose you will need to do 100 sets of each movement I taught you for 50 days.” Reynald's face froze he knew that his uncle baited him. “But, don't worry, Asahel can help you;”

Asahel who was exhausted on the ground was shocked when Derwyn said he would too participate in the bet.

-” B-b-but I don't know how to fight, and I’m still quite tired.” Asahel didn't want to spar with Derwyn.

-” Oh, while I don't any spells from your class, I do have some spell books that you could learn, I was thinking of giving you as a reward if you guys won.” Derwyn's smile made Asahel feel like he was trying to scam them.

-” If I lose do I have to do the sets too?” The allure of the spell books was too great even to Asahel, soon he would depart to the Army Examination, and learning some abilities could be a good thing;

-” Oh, don't worry about that, only Reynald will suffer the losing part of the bet.”

-” Hey, this is unfair! Why don't Asahel have to do it too?”

-” Because he won't be with us so I cant see his progress, besides that, you are the one who asked for the spar.”

Reynald kept complaining but he eventually accepted his uncle's terms. -” Hey Asahel let's go, we need to win.” He was back in full spirits in no time.

-” Can I rest for a bit more? I’m still a bit tired.”

-” Of course, take your time.” Derwyn sat down to drink tea, he didn't pay much attention to the spar, the chances of the boys winning were serious too low.” Oh, Did you bring your dagger?”

Asahel was caught in surprise as Derwyn asked him about his dagger and nodded.

-” Reynald go get your sword too, you guys will use your weapons on the spar.”

The two boys paled, if they were using their weapons, would Derwyn use his too? Reynald trembled as he asked his uncle. “ H-h-h-Hey Uncle? Don't tell me that you are using your sword too? If you cut me or something Mother will be angry y-y-you know.” 

Derwyn got up and walked towards a tree in the backyard, he broke one of the branches of the tree. “ I will use this.” Derwyn smiled menacingly as he showed his “weapon” choices.

Reynald and Asahel looked weirdly towards the branch, they were using real weapons, how could Derwyn even fight with an ordinary branch? Reynald was feeling happy, it looked like this would be a free win for them.

Soon Asahel got up, he was feeling a lot better now, and Reynald's incessant pestering made him annoyed. Reynald was anxious to win his two spells. The two boys prepared themselves, Asahel wanted to make a strategy, however, Reynald rejected it.

-” Let's just attack together, we just need to destroy his branch, he can't defend himself without a weapon.”

Asahel felt that Reynald was a bit too innocent, if Derwyn choose the branch as his weapon he must be confident of facing them, but, he knew that Reynald wouldn't listen to him and just accepted his proposition.

The spar soon started, Reynald was euphoric as he rushed towards Derwyn with his sword in hand, Asahel followed him, as Reynald swung his sword wildly towards Derwyn, Asahel ran to slash at him from the right side.

Derwyn saw the attacks and smiled, he side stepped towards the left dodging Reynald's sword and Luckas's dagger, at the same time he dodged he thrust his stick towards Asahel's shoulder.

The stick didn't injure Asahel heavily, yet, the hit hurt like hell, Derwyn aimed at Asahel's right shoulder, making him drop his dagger. Reynald saw Derwyn attacking Asahel and tried to strike him again, however before he could attack, Derwyn kicked Reynald front leg making him lose balance and fall.

Asahel was still holding his shoulder when Reynald fell on him. the two boys were still processing what happened when they heard Derwyn laughter.

-” Hey, what you two are doing? If you keep like this even if I’m asleep you guys won't touch me.” Derwyn's mockery made Reynald even more pumped.

Reynald got up and prepared to dash again, Asahel was still on the floor confused, he couldn't even follow Derwyn's movements.