Mr. Daniel let all of them pick out their weapons, primarily the same one given to them.
"I guess it's a sword for me then." Kale swung the sword several times before placing it back in its sheath.
He looked at Ming Lee and saw her holding a pair of small curved knives.
Looking at Ian, he saw the red-headed giant holding a warhammer. The three of them had very different weapons.
'I understand Ming's knives. Her smooth movements complement such short blades and Ian's large body allows him to use a warhammer."
"A sword?" A voice called out to Kale.
He turned around and saw Mr. Daniel staring at him.
"Yes sir," Kale replied immediately.
"Well. I am quite skilled when it comes to using a sword. I could teach you." A smile spread on his lips.
As Mr. Daniel stared at Kale, several thoughts were running through his head.
'Isn't this the kid that Cayenne almost left to die? Not only did he survive but he killed the harpie.' He took a second glance.
'While I don't support her method, I can't deny that it produced invaluable data about him.'
Kale couldn't believe that a teacher would go out of their way to help him. Especially when there were more students using swords.
"Let's just spar to see where you stand at the moment."
Tendrils of darkness weaved themselves around his hand and formed a sword under the wide eyes of the recruits.
Mr. Daniel raised his blade at Kale and tilted his head slightly.
"Mr. Daniel, I don't know if -"
He ignored Kale and then moved in, barely giving Kale time to react.
Kale barely managed to lift his sword in time. The impact rattled through his arms and nearly tore the weapon from his hands.
Mr. Daniel didn't flinch. His strikes flowed like water, his blade a blur of steel and shadow. Each motion had purpose, each cut measured, his stance unshakable.
Kale stumbled back with every clash, his footing uneven, his grip clumsy. His sword dragged against the floor once, sparks skittering across the stone.
"Too tight on the hilt," Mr. Daniel murmured mid-strike, his voice calm despite the ferocity of his movements.
"You'll never last that way."
The next swing came faster. Kale swung back, but it was messy, all shoulders and panic.
Mr. Daniel's blade curved gracefully, catching Kale's clumsy strike and redirecting it past him as if brushing aside a leaf.
Kale spun from the force, nearly losing balance.
He raised his sword again, but Mr. Daniel was already there, his tip pressed against Kale's chest.
"You think of the sword as a weight," he said, lowering the blade, "but it is an extension of you. When you hesitate, it drags you down. When you act, it follows."
Kale gasped for breath, his arms shaking. "I… I can't move like that."
"Not yet." Mr. Daniel's smile returned, sharp but not cruel.
He stepped back, his blade cutting a fluid arc in the air.
Then he exploded forward. His movements blurred as he unleashed three strikes in one heartbeat, each faster than Kale's eyes could follow.
The final blow landed with a sharp clang against Kale's guard, and the force sent him sprawling onto his back.
The recruits watching couldn't hide their awe. Ming's knives lowered slightly, and even Ian's grip on his warhammer tightened.
Mr. Daniel spun his sword once before resting it at his side. Not a drop of sweat marked him.
"You lasted longer than I expected," he said, offering Kale a hand.
"Clumsy. Uneven. Afraid. But you didn't drop your weapon. That, at least, is the start of a swordsman."
Kale took the hand and rose, his chest still heaving. His arms felt like lead, his palms raw against the hilt.
Mr. Daniel turned his attention to the group.
"A weapon is not given to you by chance. It is a mirror. Each of you has to learn what it reflects about you." His gaze returned to Kale, sharp as a blade.
"And you. Well, you will either master the sword… or it will bury you."
The weight of those words pressed harder on Kale than the harpie's claws ever had.
'But nonetheless, I see what Cayenne saw in him.' He kept a close eye on Kale as the latter practiced swings.
"Kale. Starting tomorrow, you are to come here every day until you have developed more skills with the sword than I."
Mr. Daniel turned to the crowd.
"You will have to find the right person to teach you how to use your weapons."
Everyone's jaws went slack. The favouritism was obvious.