"Who said that?" The students all turned to the culprit. It was Alix.
Obviously.
"I believe that it is a pertinent question considering the circumstances of this assignment. Hell, you do not even have all of the possible weapons here." A few of the students looked at the pile of weapons confused.
"What do you mean? There are at least a hundred weapons on the floor. How could she not have all possible weapons down there."
"Did you not listen? Take a closer look at the pile and you shall see what I am talking about." The students were struggling to understand their fellow trainee's thinking but began to analyze the pile more intently to appease her. After a few minutes of examination a few of the students picked up on what Alix was talking about.
"There are only the six standard weapons here. Swords, daggers, bows, spears, axes, and clubs. Each weapon is simple and non-specific truly the most basic form of each weapon." After hearing that person's explanation all of the other students finally noticed the same thing.
"But didn't Instructor Bizen literally say that there were six different weapon types here. These are probably just standard issue for trainees. What's the problem?" Alix clicked her teeth irking a few of her fellow students.
"The problem is that they are standard issue." The students all stared blankly at Alix.
"This is why I can't stand knight wannabes. Holiday, show them your knife." Eric unsheathed his knife without a moment's hesitation which surprised him a bit.
'I may have gotten too used to taking orders from, Mama Wolf.' The students stared at the ritual knife in Eric's hand.
"This here is my acquaintance's weapon of choice. It is a ritual knife that he inherited." Some of the students began looking at Bizen searching for an expression of irritation.
However, Bizen seemed to be completely unfazed by Alix's interruption. She even seemed to be listing intently herself.
"Okay, so he inherited a scary looking knife. What does that have to do with these weapons on the floor?" The crowd murmured in an equally questioning tone.
"Each of you likely just see the knife here as some sort of overly decorated item and would never even consider using it. This fool, on the other hand, wields it like a chef would a kitchen knife. Like a fisherman would wield his throwing spear.
He wields it like it was made to be wielded by him."
All of the students eyes began to widen. The weapon seemed to fit the wielder perfectly. At that moment Bizen decided to enter the discussion as well.
"I understand your point. You're telling these cadets that even though I have granted them access to a metaphorical armory of weapons representing each of the core types, there is still a chance that they will not find the perfect weapon. Is that right?" Alix shrugged.
"Pretty much." Bizen smirked and folded her arms.
"That is very true and quite wise for a young girl like you." Alix let out a weary sigh.
"But..."
"You seem to have misunderstood the point of this first day. I understand that a weapon should be designed with its wielder in mind but that would mean that the wielder understands their preferences themselves. A trait that many cadet don't tend to possess." The students hung their heads in shame.
"It isn't something to be ashamed about. It just means that you lack the experience to understand your preferences. That is why I start first-years off with standard issue weapons of all six core types. That way they can first discover the core weapon they feel comfortable with.
After the first day they will be questioned by their new main instructor to get an even more specific weapon before the real training starts. Does that make more sense?" Bizen turned to all the students but clearly posed the question to Alix who simply nodded.
The rest of the class similarly nodded and returned to the main point of today's class being the weapon compatibility test. They now moved with much more fervor than before now that they knew that this was just the start.
Bizen let out a satisfied breath at the sight. She turned back to Alix who hadn't moved to the weapons.
"You taught the entire class a lesson on the very first day of class. You must have much experience in the Martial field. Daughter of Sala Ren." Alix rolled her eyes.
"My name is Alix. Not Daughter of Sala Ren, so I would prefer if you call me by my name. If you can not do that then simply call me Cadet Pink because that would be a far better descriptor than child of this person." Bizen shook her head.
"I meant no disrespect, Pink Cadet. Shall I answer your original question now?" Eric, who was still standing next to Alix, tilted his head bewildered. "Did she not answer her own question?"
"My question was about not using any weapons, Holiday. Though, I understand that it occurred more than 30 seconds ago so your small brain may have lost the information." Eric thought that he had grown used to Alix's insults but they still hurt.
"I expected this type of question from you, Pink Cadet. After all, your mother was a very powerful Pugilist. I still recommend that you test out the weapons that we have here. The chances of you being as talented as your mother are very unlikely." Alix grimaced at the instructor.
"What do you mean by that?" Alix's voice was grim as she spoke. "Are insinuating that I will never amount to my mother's achievements?" Bizen shook her head.
"I'm not insinuating anything like that. I'm just saying that since your mother's era most other pugilists have basically gone extinct. I do not wish to lose a cadet because they were too ambitious and attempted to amount to their washed up parents rusty, old trophies." Alix stood silently.
She was really pissed at this wiseass instructor. Did she really think that Alix was some sort of tool? That she was just like any other pugilists.
ALIX WASN'T EVEN A PUGILIST!
She clenched her fists so tightly that her hands became pale from lack of blood. Bizen noticed this and seemed be entertained by Alix's rage.
"Look at this. It seems that Pink Cadet wants to show off mommy's teachings. I'll tell you what kid. Since you don't want to use one of those weapons over there you can fight me with your hands. If you win then you don't need to do the test as beating me would prove your talents. Is that good for you, Pugilist?"
Alix's eyes narrowed and she released the tension in her hands. Don't mistake this for control. Alix was fully ready to pounce on the woman before her.
"That sounds fantastic. Instructor." Rasque reached down to her side and grabbed the practice sword at her hip. She pointed the tip at Alix with her hand offhand in her pocket.
"Then show me the outdated stylings of your mother."