Sword training

"Sword training," Avon said, his voice filled with excitement.

Instantly, his mood lifted, as it always did when the topic turned to his favorite part of their daily sessions.

The anticipation of wielding a sword, of honing his skills, filled him with a sense of purpose.

He looked forward to the day he would finally defeat Kareal in a sparring match, a goal that seemed both distant and tantalizingly close.

After catching his breath, Avon grabbed two bamboo practice swords, tossing one to Kareal with a determined flick of his wrist.

They both took their stances, the air thick with anticipation as the spar began.

Avon attacked first, his swings quick and powerful, fueled by the adrenaline coursing through his veins.

But Kareal was faster, a seasoned warrior whose movements were fluid and effortless.

He dodged each of Avon's strikes with ease, countering with precision. Within moments, Kareal disarmed Avon, sending the bamboo sword flying from his grasp, and pinned him to the ground.

"Argh! I always lose!" Avon exclaimed, slamming his fist against the floor in frustration. The dojo echoed with the sound of his defeat, a stark reminder of how far he still had to go.

"That's because you still haven't mastered the basics," Kareal said, helping him to his feet with a firm grip. "You have to get the basics hammered into your head, fused into your bones and body. Get used to the way of the swordsman until you reach the point where you don't have to think when using a sword—the point where you act. Now get up and try again. And this time, try Luminous—a sword forged by Kareal, possessing magical powers and attacks which can be wielded by non-magical creatures."

"Luminous? But that could hurt you!" Avon protested, concern flickering in his eyes.

"Don't be silly. With your current skills, you couldn't hurt me even if you had the most powerful weapon in the world," Kareal teased, a sly grin spreading across his face.

"Let me make this even easier for you. All you have to do is knock me to the ground, and you win. That is, if you can. After all, I am just an old man. No biggie, right?" Kareal's playful taunts only fueled Avon's determination.

With a huff of resolve, Avon drew the glowing blade from its sheath. The moment he held Luminous, its light filled the room, casting long shadows across the dojo and illuminating the path ahead.

He felt a surge of energy coursing through him, a connection to the sword that transcended mere physicality.

They took their stances again. This time, Avon moved with more caution, trying to apply Kareal's advice.

He swung Luminous with precision, but Kareal was a blur, his movements almost impossible to track.

Avon's frustration grew as his attacks missed their mark, each swing feeling more futile than the last.

"Focus, Avon!" Kareal shouted, his voice cutting through the haze of Avon's frustration. "Don't just swing blindly. Anticipate my moves!"

Kareal's words sank deep amidst Avon's turmoil. "You're right. I have to focus and not just swing blindly," Avon responded, taking a deep breath to center himself. He closed his eyes for a moment, allowing the noise of the dojo to fade away.

As he opened his eyes, he felt a shift within him. He began to read Kareal's movements using his other senses. "I can hear you, feel your movement on the ground, and see you," Avon said, his voice steadier now.

With each passing moment, it seemed that time itself began to slow down. He could see Kareal more clearly now, tracking his movements with newfound clarity. Avon raised Luminous in response to Kareal's shifts, attacking with more precision and intent.

He studied the way Kareal flowed, trying to determine the pattern of his movements. With each swing, he felt more connected to the rhythm of the fight, more in tune with the energy of the dojo.

He finally pinned Kareal's next migration.

"Got ya!" Avon shouted, swinging Luminous with all his might. A line of white light projected from the blade, striking Kareal and sending him hurtling toward the fence bordering the dojo.

"Master!!" Avon shouted, rushing forward in concern. "Are you alright?" He bent down to check on Kareal, his heart racing with a mix of triumph and worry.

But as Avon leaned down, Kareal couldn't accept defeat. With a swift motion, he counterattacked, flipping Avon onto his back and pinning him to the ground once more.

"Never let your guard down," Kareal said, chuckling as he held Avon in place.

"What? You were faking!" Avon exclaimed, disbelief etched on his face.

"Faking? No, I was simply strategizing," Kareal replied, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"That isn't fair! I definitely won that match!" Avon protested, a mix of indignation and amusement bubbling within him.

"Well, the objective was to knock me over, and you did manage that, so let's call this a half victory. Kareal two thousand nine hundred and four, Avon half," Kareal said, offering his hand to help Avon up. "That's the spirit. Now, get up. We've still got work to do."

As Avon stood, a flicker of determination burned in his emerald eyes. He tightened his grip on Luminous, silently vowing to surpass his master—no matter how long it took.

"Let's go again," Avon said, his voice steady and resolute.

Kareal nodded, a proud smile on his face. "That's the attitude I want to see. Remember, every defeat is a lesson. Embrace it, learn from it, and come back stronger."

With renewed vigor, Avon took his stance once more, the weight of Luminous feeling more familiar in his hands. He focused on his breathing, centering himself as he prepared for the next round.

Kareal moved first this time, launching a series of quick strikes that forced Avon to react. He dodged and parried, feeling the adrenaline surge through him as he began to anticipate Kareal's movements.

"Good! You're starting to get it!" Kareal encouraged, his voice a steady presence amidst the chaos of the spar.

Avon felt a rush of pride at the compliment, fueling his determination. He countered with a swift strike of his own, aiming for Kareal's side. The old man sidestepped effortlessly, but Avon was ready.

He pivoted, using the momentum to swing Luminous in a wide arc, aiming for Kareal's legs.

Kareal leapt over the strike, but Avon was already moving, following through with a thrust aimed at Kareal's midsection.

The old man barely managed to deflect the blow, but Avon could see the surprise in his eyes.

"Now you're thinking!" Kareal shouted, his voice filled with excitement. "Keep that momentum going!"

Avon pressed the attack, feeling the rhythm of the fight flow through him. He was no longer just reacting; he was creating opportunities, anticipating Kareal's counters.

Each swing of Luminous felt more powerful, more precise, as he began to embody the spirit of the swordsman.

But just as he felt he was gaining the upper hand, Kareal unleashed a flurry of strikes, pushing Avon back on the defensive. "Stay focused! Don't let your guard down!" Kareal shouted, his voice a reminder of the lessons learned.

Avon gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay calm amidst the onslaught. He remembered Kareal's words about instinct and focus, and he let them guide him. He began to read the patterns in Kareal's movements, finding openings amidst the chaos.

With a sudden burst of energy, Avon launched himself forward, swinging Luminous with all his might. The blade glowed brightly as it cut through the air, and for a moment, he felt invincible.

Kareal barely managed to block the strike, but the force of Avon's attack sent him stumbling back. "That's it! Keep pushing!" Kareal encouraged, a hint of pride in his voice.

Avon seized the moment, following up with a series of quick jabs and thrusts, each one more confident than the last. He could feel the energy of the dojo surrounding him, the spirit of the swordsman igniting within him.

Finally, with one last powerful swing, Avon managed to knock Kareal off balance, sending him tumbling to the ground.

"I did it!" Avon shouted, exhilaration flooding through him.

Kareal lay on the ground, a broad smile on his face. "Well done, Avon. You've finally managed to knock me down. That's a victory worth celebrating."

Avon extended a hand to help Kareal up, a sense of accomplishment swelling in his chest. "Thank you, Master. I couldn't have done it without your guidance."

Kareal chuckled, brushing himself off. "Remember, this is just the beginning. There will always be more challenges ahead, but with each one, you'll grow stronger. Keep training, keep pushing yourself, and never lose sight of your goals."

As they resumed their stances, Avon felt a renewed sense of purpose. He was ready to embrace whatever challenges lay ahead, determined to become the swordsman he aspired to be.

With Luminous in hand and his master by his side, he knew he was on the path to greatness.