New training

The training grounds. It refers to the area inside the Duke's estate where the knights regularly train. I've never gone there myself, the reason being that I really just didn't want to interact with the knights.

Ok, that might not be the only reason... it's because Weiss has always trained me in the wilderness. He's only been teaching me how to dodge this whole time, but I'm actually getting better and better at it.

The chaotic terrain of the forest, with all its shrubs, trees, rocks, and bunch of stuff made it hard to even avoid Weiss' punches and kicks at first. But slowly and surely, I was able to get the hang of it.

I learned how to use the environment to my advantage. Starting from throwing dirt to block Weiss' sight to using what I call "self-taught" acrobatics to jump from tree to tree. I felt like a ninja when I learned how to do that.

It was a grueling month of constant dodging and evading, or was it 2 months? Maybe somewhere in between. Still, the harsh dodging training paid off. I could feel my physique and Aura get stronger each training session.

I made my way to the training grounds. Despite my dislike of the annoying prick called Rosaline, she's right though. This manor is too fucking big.

I had to go through so many different hallways, so many lefts and rights and twists and turns just to make it outside.

I didn't go outside through the front door but through one of the back doors in the kitchen.

As I stepped outside the cold winter air greeted my face.

The crunching sound of the snow as I continued to walk followed me all the way to the knight's training grounds.

Immediately I could see men and women sparring with each other, all of them using Aura. Some were colored, and most were white.

It was an amazing sight. Swords clashed in the air with a myriad of colors surrounding them.

"You're here"

I turned towards the direction of the voice and saw Weiss wearing his usual stoic expression.

"So, what am I supposed to do here?"

"Go pick up and wooden sword and follow me."

I looked around and saw a rack full of wooden training swords.

I went there and took a wooden sword. It was light and a standard length of a normal sword.

I followed Weiss and he led me to the middle of the training grounds.

Along the way, the knights scattered around the training grounds stopped whatever they were doing and watched us.

"That's the new kid right?"

"Yeah, the new servant for the lil' Lady."

"He looks weak."

"Yeah, he does."

Yeah, murmur it up douchebags. I'm weak, but I will get stronger.

"Hey, Weiss! Are you gonna train the kid?"

A man with brown hair and green eyes approached. It was that knight I saw back then. The guy who fought the necromancer. What was his name again? I think it was something like Willem?

"William, how are you?"

Oh yeah! William.

"Doing great! Bevok banged me up pretty bad back then. It was a miracle I didn't die hehe!" William scratched his head while wearing a dumb grin on his face.

"Good. And to answer your earlier question; yes. I'm going to teach him how to handle weapons."

"Weapons huh?" William looked at me.

He patted my shoulder with his big hand and said, "Good luck kid.", then walked away and joined the crowd that gathered around. Guess they wanted to see what I'm made of... or laugh at me.

Is it just me or did those words have a trace of fear in them?

Whatever. I think I already know what that implied.

Weiss is a demon instructor... I'm gonna have to be ready for pain.

"Arch! Come." Weiss called for a knight from the crowd.

"Yes, sir!" A young man that doesn't seem to be even in his 20s approached. He was holding a wooden sword same as me.

Weiss looked at me and asked, "You bought a dagger for your weapon. Am I correct?"

"Yeah," I replied.

"A smart choice considered your size and age. However, you are still a growing boy. You will need to learn how to use a sword."

"Why a sword?" It's not like I didn't want to learn how to use a sword. Swords are cool. Even back in my previous life I've always been attracted to melee combat and shied away from guns. But I couldn't help but be curious and just asked.

"A sword is quite a versatile weapon. You can slice, stab, block, and deflect attacks. It has a long reach and is still a good weapon even in close quarters combat."

Ok, that's pretty convincing.

"So... what do I need to do? Practice swinging a thousand times?"

"No, you will spar with Arch here." Weiss pointed towards the young knight.

"Wait, you're sending me straight to a fight?" I asked in surprise.

"Yes."

"Aren't you going to teach some sword stances and movements or something?"

Weiss shook his head.

"No. That process of training wouldn't work for you."

I couldn't help but ask why. I'm no combat expert or anything but isn't he skipping some steps here?

Weiss answered my inquiry.

"Your body is quite different from the average person. You are quite flexible and agile, making the freedom of movement high."

Wait seriously? I think I'm gonna blush here. I think that's the first time this old bastard ever complimented me on something.

"What do you mean by that?"

"It means that it isn't suitable to restrict you to a single form to follow. You should forge your own fighting style, and to do that..." Weiss again pointed towards Arch, who was already in a sword stance.

"...you must spar."