Cedric's Birthday 2

A few minutes passed before a firm knock echoed through the house. Christine, wiping her hands on her apron, quickly made her way to the door. As she pulled it open, a warm smile graced her lips. Standing before her were familiar faces—old friends she and Marcus had known for years. Alongside them stood their children, Cedric's friends, their eager faces filled with excitement. Among them was Antony, one of Cedric's closest companions.

Cedric's eyes immediately lit up when he spotted Antony. With a grin, he stepped forward and clasped his friend's forearm. "Antony! You made it! I was hoping we could spar today. We both need the practice before we head to the academy."

Antony smirked. "You read my mind. Let's see if you've gotten any better since last time."

While the boys exchanged words, Elana let out a squeal of delight and dashed toward a group of young girls who had arrived alongside the guests. The girls giggled and huddled together, their chatter filled with excitement.

"Did you see the new hair ribbons in the market?" one of the girls asked.

Elana clapped her hands. "Yes! Mama got me a blue one, but I think red would look better on me."

The group erupted into playful debates over which color suited them best, their laughter filling the room as they twirled around, imagining themselves in fine dresses adorned with beautiful accessories.

Meanwhile, Cedric and Antony approached Marcus, who was conversing with one of the guests. "Father," Cedric called. "Will you oversee our sparring match? We want to make sure we're improving."

Marcus looked between the two boys before nodding approvingly. "Very well. Let's take it to the sparring platform."

The excitement spread through the gathering, and soon enough, everyone moved to the sparring area outside. The platform was a sturdy wooden structure, slightly elevated, providing a proper space for training. Marcus stepped onto the platform first, motioning for the two boys to join him.

Christine, holding George in her arms, moved with the crowd and settled near the front, ensuring she had a clear view of the match. George, despite being nestled comfortably in his mother's arms, had his gaze fixed on the two boys as they stepped into the ring. Unlike the others who anticipated an entertaining match, George was observing with a deeper curiosity. He had yet to witness true martial arts, and the thought intrigued him.

Marcus raised a hand, signaling the match's start. "Begin!"

Cedric and Antony took their stances, eyes locked onto each other. Antony moved first, lunging forward with a thrust aimed at Cedric's chest. Cedric sidestepped swiftly, deflecting Antony's blade with his wooden training sword before countering with a sweeping horizontal slash. Antony ducked low, rolling to the side to create distance before springing back up, his stance resetting.

The exchange was fast and calculated. Cedric held a balanced posture, his movements precise and disciplined, while Antony relied on fluid motion and quick reflexes. Each strike was met with a counter, wooden swords clashing with sharp, echoing snaps. The intensity grew as the sparring match continued, drawing murmurs of approval from the onlookers.

As George watched, something in his vision flickered. A blue panel appeared before him:

[System Analysis in Progress…]

His eyes widened slightly. The system was observing the movements before him, breaking down the techniques being displayed. He focused harder, memorizing the flow of combat between Cedric and Antony.

Minutes passed, and another panel popped up.

[Analysis Complete.]

[New Skill Acquired: Unnamed Sword Technique (Rank: F)]

[Would you like to name this skill?]

George blinked, his mind working quickly. He glanced at his older brother, whose swordsmanship had been the foundation for this new skill. A small smirk played on George's lips as he silently thought the name.

[Cedric's Swordsmanship]

The system confirmed the name, storing it within his growing skill list.

Back in the ring, Cedric saw an opening and seized the moment. With a swift pivot, he brought his sword down in a powerful overhead strike. Antony attempted to block, but Cedric's force knocked the training sword from his grip. The wooden weapon clattered onto the platform, and Marcus raised his hand.

"The match is over. Cedric wins."

Applause erupted from the crowd as Cedric extended a hand to his fallen friend. Antony accepted it with a grin, pulling himself up. "Damn, Cedric. You really have improved."

Cedric chuckled. "You're not too bad yourself. You just need to strengthen your defense a little."

Marcus nodded approvingly. "A good match. Both of you have shown great progress. Keep training, and you'll do well at the academy."