In the end it somehow turned into something I'm good at? The training lady was standing a hundred feet from me. She wanted to get a spar herself. Everyone here was a battle junkie..
At first she wanted me to use a sword— that in fact did not end well. It resulted in a massive welt on my arm… and a scolding.
James, who sat on the side ran up to me just after to heal my arm— however, I was left with it, he was pushed away physically.
In the end… Well, she learned I could use magic. Mages were quite rare in Ard. Or well, it's not a popular occupation here.
My heart was storming and I could feel my throat swell. She looks so ready to kill me…
The training lady was in the stance she wanted to teach me. Her form I could feel my hair spike up.
She wasn't speaking, only her eyes were focused on me. There was no signal, just an empty silence before she started sprinting at me.
As she made it half way, I raised my hands— two balls of steaming fire formed in them.
… The air split as she swung her sword at me. My spells immediately fizzled when my hands shot in the air.
I couldn't—
I felt myself crumple to the ground. My head was ringing— my vision was spinning.
Did I get hit- I tasted iron in my mouth. Did-
The world was so…
"Get up, just two hits and you're sprawled out?"
"I-"
I could barely keep myself up. A throbbing sensation courses through my skull. There were at least three of her…
"Try again.."
Despite the immense delirium that caused the entire world to spin, I raised my hands. C-can't…
Can't-
Footsteps, they were running towards me. Multiple, multiple—
My knees started to buckle— I'm falling— I-
"I got you-"
Someone grabbed my stomach and pulled me down to the ground. It felt familiar, but my eyes were so blurry I couldn't see who it was.
"Why did you do that?!" The familiar voice broke through the muffled sounds. "Oh, no, no no Yukina! Stay awake!"
My body wouldn't listen, a skull piercing bolt ran through my mind. A wave of exhaustion tried to pull my eyelids shut
"Not my fault she hesitated."
…
I felt myself slip, my consciousness was still aware… but everything was dark. It's like everything was shut out. My head wasn't aching, the sickening taste of iron was gone.
Why… do I come here so often. Everytime I'm here…
"If you want me to teach her, you'll have to win."
"Alright."
Something soft and cold met against my back— but something was pulsating in my jaw.
In three… whatever… thunks were reverberating and shaking my ears. Huffs were let go between each time.
Gasps— swords against flesh— grunts— they kept shaking this void I'm in. The sounds were horrifying. Was he- was da- James fighting her?
The sounds went on, until what felt like an hour. I was finally able to open my eyes, and I could see James… and her.
Their swords were met together. He was forced to lean back as a grimace took over.
That clash ended fast. The lady yanked her weapon back— but James took a giant step forward and swung at her head.
In the end… and what I could see, that ended the fight. His weapon nearly collided with her head. She realized this, froze then raised her hands.
They didn't speak for the next few moments… He lowered his weapon, and she dropped hers to the ground.
James turned to me. The next few moments blurred and that bliss moment of not hurting ended
Hurts… My jaw was aching. James had me in his arms. I felt a warmth enter my body, it navigated up to it. …It hurts-
"..."
I felt James tighten his hand on my leg.
"What? A wolfkin that can't handle a hit?"
"She's only fourteen. Why did you have to hit her so hard?"
"Girl has to learn somehow. Her opponents won't be as nice as I am."
"..."
I had no control, James pulled me close to his body and forced my head to his chest.
Soft… I could feel myself slipping again. This time it wasn't due to the pain, but a warm feeling fluttering in my chest.
"Bah…" The training lady exclaimed before sitting on the ground. "I'll go softer. You need to train her at home.
And girl, train with some of the men… they'll go easier."
I do not want to come back here.
It seemed like he understood…
"Why don't you two decide at a later date…" The training lady suggested. "That girl is way too untalented to use a sword. Already said that, will always say that.
If she really wants to learn to fight others she needs fighting experience with humans."
"I understand." James mumbled.
"Good. We'll have training in the next couple of days. That girl, can she hear me?"
I can, but I can't speak. All the muscles in my jaw were contracted. No matter how forcefully I tried to open it, I couldn't speak. His magic is really… handy.
In response I slowly nodded my head despite my heart pulsating.
"Good." The training lady got to her feet. "I'll hit you lighter next time." Her hand raised and chopped at my head. "Don't hesitate next time, that's why your jaw is fractured."
…Could've done it better you jerk. I thought as I glared at her. Didn't need to hit me that hard.
"Anyways, shoo. There's more training for others."
We were set off with a wave.
"Honestly, Yukina, you're doing quite well with learning how to use a sword." He said to me with softened eyes and a small smile. His tone was just like how he looked, he was trying to raise my spirits. "Makes me proud even if you aren't made for it."
I couldn't speak due to my jaw muscles being tight. Due to that he was smiling at me wryly, his next words confirmed what he was feeling.
"It's going to take a few minutes for your jaw to stop hurting. I think the bone's cracked which'll make your jaw take longer to heal. Plus… I don't have Miss Shen's pain nullification spell, sorry…"
It's okay… I wanted to respond to him— but I reassured him by resting my head on his chest.
The rest of the walk was uneventful, and nothing was said aside from the two guards at the gates. They both "cheered" on me and James. Other than that… we went straight home.