Chapter 194
Training (3)
"Did you think I was lying?" IAM asked, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Henry let out a small laugh. "What? No, it's just… hearing about it and seeing it for myself are two very different things. This is seriously impressive, IAM. I feel like I'm standing next to a future superstar."
IAM's smile faded slightly, his eyes dropping to the wooden sword in his hand. "Do you really see it that way?" he said quietly. "Because to me… the people who are actually incredible are you and the others. The way you fight, the way you keep pushing to get better… the sense of purpose you carry with your sword. That kind of life, where you fight for something—that's what I admire."
He paused, his fingers tightening just a little around the hilt.
"I've had things handed to me… or at least, that's how it feels sometimes. I don't want that. I want to earn it. I want to know that I worked for it—that I deserved it. And… Your sense of righteousness…the way you keep working to improve yourself through your sword. Being able to live life like that is incredible to me.… that's something I feel like I've lost along the way."
His voice had grown softer, the words almost falling out of him, his gaze still fixed on the weapon.
Henry looked at him for a moment, then shook his head with a small chuckle. "If we're doing this, then I'll say this—I'm jealous of you. You're honest. You don't live behind a mask. You're completely honest with yourself… and with the people around you"
IAM didn't respond.
He just kept staring down at the sword, his eyes deep in thought.
...
Henry stood across from IAM, leaving a comfortable bit of distance between them.
He clasped his hands behind his back in a pose, clearly trying to look more like a proper mentor. Clearing his throat dramatically, he said, "Ahem. Now… what do you think is the most important thing when it comes to using a sword?"
IAM gave it a moment of thought before answering, "Footwork and technique?"
Henry smiled. "Not a bad answer… definitely better than mine when I first started. I said the most important thing was learning how to kill as effectively as possible." He laughed lightly at the memory. "So yeah—your answer's a little more... noble than mine… but still wrong."
IAM tilted his head. "?"
Henry's expression became more serious.
"The most important thing about using a sword," he said, "is learning safety—and respect for the weapon. You need to understand that a sword isn't a toy. It's dangerous. To others… and to you. If you don't know how to handle it properly, it'll hurt you just as fast as it hurts anyone else."
IAM blinked, then let out a short snort through his nose. "Wow," he thought aloud. "I guess that really is the most important thing about using a sword."
He had never considered it that way. When people talked about swords, it was always about form, power, cutting speed—how to use it. No one ever talked about the safety. The m discipline behind the blade. But it made sense now. You couldn't master something if you didn't first respect it.
"It's very important," Henry said, his tone firm. "Now, one of the first steps to using a sword is knowing how to grip it properly. If you don't, you'll not only swing it wrong—you'll hurt yourself, or worse, lose control in the middle of a fight. A bad grip leads to dangerous mistakes."
He stepped closer and gestured toward IAM's hands. "Alright. Hold out the sword like you normally would."
IAM adjusted his stance and wrapped his fingers around the wooden short sword's hilt. Henry took one look and shook his head slightly.
"Too stiff," he said. "You're choking it like it's going to run away. That kind of grip might give you power for one strike, but it'll wear your arm out fast and kill your precision."
He stepped beside IAM and gently repositioned his hands.
"Here's what you want," Henry explained. "Let the grip sit in the crease of your fingers, not deep in the palm. Your thumb and index finger should apply the most pressure—just enough to control the weapon, not strangle it. The other three fingers support, but stay relaxed."
IAM followed his direction, loosening his grip and adjusting his hand placement.
"Now feel that?" Henry asked. "You're holding it, but it's not rigid. You can rotate your wrist smoothly, right?"
IAM nodded.
"Good. That's what you want. You need flexibility. Control comes from flow, not brute force. If you grip too tight, your strikes will be stiff, and your parries will be slow. Too loose, and you'll drop the damn thing." He smirked. "The trick is finding the balance."
Henry circled around to face him again. "This is especially true with a short sword. You don't rely on reach—you rely on quick movement, tight angles, and sharp reflexes. That grip is going to be the foundation of every move you learn. So get comfortable with it."
For the next thirty minutes, Henry remained focused—repeating the same points, correcting IAM's hands, adjusting his elbow, tapping the inside of his feet to guide his stance. He didn't let up. Every few minutes he would circle around him, making small adjustments, repeating phrases like "loosen the grip here," or "sink your weight more evenly." It
Finally, Henry stepped back with a long sigh, placing his hands on his hips. There was a reluctant look on his face, like he was debating with himself.
Then, as if giving in, he said, "Alright… you've earned the next step."
IAM looked up.
"Now we get into basic cuts," Henry said. "Just the fundamentals. I wasn't planning to show you tonight, but you're picking up the stance and grip better than I expected. So don't make me regret this."
He walked over and grabbed another wooden short sword from the rack, mirroring IAM's.
"Short sword fighting is fast. You don't need wide swings or flashy moves—you need clean, direct strikes. We'll start with four basic angles: downward diagonal, upward diagonal, horizontal, and a straight thrust."
Henry demonstrated each one slowly cutting through the air. Every movement began with the shoulders, flowed through the arms, and ended with the tip of the blade stopping exactly where he intended.
"Watch the edge alignment. Keep your wrist firm but flexible. This isn't about power yet—it's about control."
"Alright," he said, "we're going to start with the first and most important strike—the downward diagonal cut."
He held the sword up near his shoulder, blade angled slightly across his body. "This is also called a descending diagonal. Imagine you're cutting from your opponent's shoulder to their opposite hip. Not straight down. Across, like an X."
IAM adjusted his stance slightly, trying to mimic the angle.
Henry nodded. "Good. Now listen carefully. The power doesn't come from your arms alone. It starts at your core—your waist and hips. Rotate through the cut, keep your elbow slightly bent at the start, and extend as the blade moves. Don't lock your joints."
He demonstrated slowly, letting the wooden sword sweep through the air in one clean, fluid motion. "Let the blade do the work. You're guiding it, not forcing it."
Then he turned to IAM. "Now your turn. Same motion. Slow and steady. Get the form right first—speed can come later."
IAM took a breath and raised his sword.