Making my way to the Rye Patch didn't take long, maybe twenty minutes. I soon reached my destination, walking up to the sidelines where a small crowd had gathered.
In the center of the field, two Disciples were giving a basic demonstration. Both wore light training gear, although one had a white veil covering his face. Each of them wielded a Shard.
The Disciple without the veil definitely seemed to be struggling.
"It's as if they're dancing," one of the girls in front of me whispered.
Watching the Disciples closely, it certainly seemed that way. Thinking back, I'd read many books that covered different fighting styles and how their movements were almost intertwined with dancing.
Watching the two Disciples move, it finally made sense.
They both jumped backward, giving each other room to breathe. Then the veiled Disciple lunged forward, delivering a vicious vertical slash with his Shard.
The other Disciple barely reacted in time, raising his Shard and catching the almost inhuman strike before it could reach him.
A small smile curled across the Disciple's face.
It didn't last.
The veiled Disciple drove his knee into the other's lower abdomen. The Disciple stumbled backward before falling to the ground, clutching his stomach.
Looked more like humiliation than a demonstration.
The veiled Disciple turned toward the crowd on the sidelines. When he spoke, his voice was loud and stern.
"Whether you are strong or weak, there is only one objective when put into a life-or-death situation, and that is to survive at any cost."
The field went silent.
"Never underestimate your opponent. Anything goes. Use their body against them. Use a dirty trick. Fight dirty if that's what keeps you alive. There is no honor in dying."
He raised his Shard.
"Your Shard is not your only weapon. It is merely a tool."
He lowered it.
"You are the weapon. Your feet, your hands, your eyes, your mind—every part of you should be looking for another way to defeat the person standing in front of you."
For a moment, nobody spoke.
The veiled Disciple turned to the Disciple on the ground, offered him a hand, and helped him to his feet. He guided him over to one of the benches before returning to the crowd.
"Everyone, find a suitable weapon and a partner. There are three options at your disposal: Splinter, Shard, and Needle. Find whichever suits you best."
He paused.
"And try not to get too injured."
A quiet chuckle escaped him before he walked over to the benches and took a seat.
Everyone remained still for a few seconds before, one after another, we made our way toward three large metal boxes. Each one held one of the three types of training weapons.
The first box held Shards—pure-white bone blades, each one about the length of a short sword and sharpened on both edges. Shard was engraved into the side of each blade.
The second box held twenty sets of Splinters, short bone daggers that came in pairs.
The third box was longer than the others and had no lid. Dozens of long, pure-white bone shafts stuck out from the top, each one ending in a dull point.
Needles.
One Disciple stood beside each box with a writing utensil and a piece of paper in hand, marking down each weapon that was taken.
Almost everyone formed a single-file line in front of the Shards. Only a few went for either of the other weapons.
I spotted Nesto walking toward the Splinters and decided to follow him.
"Nesto."
He looked back, his face immediately lighting up.
"Kroven, you've risen from the dead."
I gave him a confused look.
He shook his head. "Never mind. I'm glad you're up. You look better."
"Thank you. I wish I felt better, though. My body still feels a bit groggy."
"Hey, maybe a light spar with your favorite friend in the whole of Mozoa will wake you up."
A begging smile spread across his face.
I rolled my eyes. "Sure, why not?"
Satisfied with my answer, Nesto lit up.
"Perfect. I didn't know who the hell I was gonna train with."
I wasn't really looking forward to sparring at the moment, but the demonstration between the Disciples had piqued my interest.
I glanced around the field, searching through the different lines.
No Vira.
"Hey, have you seen Vira anywhere?"
Nesto looked around. "I have not. Oh, wait."
He turned back toward me.
"Her, Ms. Lena, and Daleon went back to the Sanctum not too long ago. Something about work they needed to attend to. Ms. Lena needed both of them. That's all I remember, really."
I rubbed my face and let out another sigh, this one a little more exasperated.
Nesto gave me a confused look.
"Why? You gotta confess your love or something?"
Heat rushed to my cheeks.
"What? No. I just need to talk to her about something important."
A slight smile curled across Nesto's face.
"Something romantically important?"
He chuckled.
"I'm just messing with you. Hurry up and go pick a weapon, or are you gonna train bare-handed?"
I quickly tried to rub the embarrassment from my face.
I quickly tried to rub the embarrassment from my face.
"No, I'll go grab one right now."
I turned around and headed toward the first box. Thankfully, the line had gotten much shorter, with only a few people remaining.
One after another, everyone received a weapon before heading out into the open field. When it was finally my turn, I took hold of a Shard.
The pure-white bone blade felt surprisingly light in my hands, although something about it didn't really feel right.
Well, it's not like I've ever held a weapon before. It would be more odd if it did feel right.
By now, everyone across the green field had already begun sparring. Looking around, it was obvious most of us were struggling with the basic fundamentals. A few seemed to be improving with every exchange, though. They were nowhere near the level of the Disciples' demonstration, but being able to pick up an unfamiliar weapon and already start outclassing the person in front of you was impressive.
Eventually, my eyes found Nesto. He was a good distance away from everyone else, taking wild practice swings with his Splinters.
I picked up my pace and reached him in no time.
Nesto noticed me and stopped swinging.
"Finally. I thought I was gonna have to spar with the wind or the grass."
I walked in front of him before turning around and taking thirteen steps back.
"The line was a little long, and you chose the farthest place away."
Nesto chuckled.
"Well, I didn't want anyone to see me destroy you."
A small smile crept across my face.
"Or maybe you didn't want anyone to see me completely humiliate you."
A slight frown appeared on Nesto's face.
"Big talk, friendo. Let's see if you can back it up."
I set my Shard on the ground.
"Let me stretch first. I've been lying in bed for two days. Or do you need a handicap?"
Nesto sighed.
"Nope, no need. Please, take your time, Lord Kroven."
I couldn't help but chuckle.
After finishing a few mundane stretches, I picked up my Shard. My body still felt slightly groggy, but at least I felt a little better now.
"You ready?" Nesto asked, giving his Splinters a couple of practice swings.
I wrapped both hands around the hilt of my Shard.
"Ready."
We stood completely still, watching each other.
Nesto smiled.
Then he rushed forward.
He lowered his body and closed the distance quickly—but not quickly enough.
I waited.
Just a little closer.
At the right moment, I sidestepped and stuck out my leg.
His foot caught against mine.
Nesto went face-first into the soft grass before he had enough time to use his Lathium to cushion the fall.
He let out a long grunt before jumping back to his feet.
"What in the hell was that?!" Nesto shouted. He looked pissed, but the redness in his cheeks told me he was more embarrassed than anything.
There were pieces of grass stuck all over his face.
I couldn't help but laugh.
"Nesto, you might want to get all that grass off your face."
His face turned completely red as he frantically wiped it away. Then he pointed at me.
"Again, what the hell was that?"
I took a deep breath, a smug grin spreading across my face.
A smug grin spread across my face.
"Did you even listen to the Disciple's words, Nesto? He clearly said your weapon isn't your only tool. I just took advantage of your speed and used it against you."
Nesto stared at me, confusion written all over his face.
"What?"
I let out a deep sigh.
"Just don't rush in next time."
I walked back to my position and raised my Shard.
"Let's go again."