It was the beginning of a new day, I was looking forward to my first training session in the castle courtyard. This is where I saw that girl the night before. Was I going to catch her sight today? I had no idea, all I knew was that things were about to get serious. I had to learn how to handle a sword so I could fight. To do so, the person in charge of my training was none other than the master swordswoman of House Rosade, the one who supervised the training of the royal knights. This is what the king had explained to me yesterday, it seems that her level is so impressive that she ranks among the best in the kingdom.

I waited for her as I spent my time imagining what she might look like. It was then that a young woman, slightly older than me, joined me. She wore a sword at her waist and her confident gait made me swallow nervously.

— "You must be Keiji, right?"

This person stopped in front of me. Her crimson purple hair were tied back in a high ponytail. They were so long that it stopped at the small of her back. A curtain bangs covered her forehead, her sparkling eyes were the same colour as her hair if not a little lighter. As for her outfit, it was quite simple and rather sporty. If I could compare what she was wearing to clothes from my world then I'd say her trousers looked like leggings and her top was similar to a sports undershirt. All her clothes were black and had no distinguishing marks.

I imagine it must be more convenient to train without the weight of a whole armour. Even though she wasn't wearing her royal outfit I could feel that I was just a commoner next to her. There was a gap between us. I had no confidence unlike her who stopped and stood proudly on the field. I finally answered her question.

— "Yes, that's me. Nice to meet you..."

She gave me a warm smile and held out her hand.

— "I am Stella Reonaito, master swordswoman of House Rosade. Every royal knight has followed my lessons to prove themselves worthy of wearing the colours of Rosefield."

I literally drank her words as my hand weakly grasped hers. I was captivated. I already knew who she was before I met her but her status was still truly impressive. She enjoyed my reaction judging by the look on her face, clearly satisfied with her move.

— "Are you impressed? I can understand, everyone had the same reaction as you when they saw me."

Stella headed for an area linked to the training ground. Under this shelter were benches, crates of all sizes and two huge solid wooden cabinets. She began to rummage through the crates, the one overflowing with equipment. Her search was fruitful as she managed to find me some light iron armour. Without looking, she handed it to me and moved on to the large cabinets. Her hands firmly grasped the wrists which she tried to pull towards her with all her might.

— "You need to protect yourself but also... defend yourself!"

With a final effort she slammed both doors wide open. The impulse sent her staggering backwards but she quickly regained her composure. The gleaming blades of all those weapons caught my attention. I approached slowly, observing them.

— "That's the whole arsenal?"

A small laugh escaped her.

— "More like a range of weapons, knights are spoilt for choice. That's why we're going to start your training with one-on-one sword fighting. This is a very important aspect for a knight to master. Come on don't be shy! Try the one that interests you."

She approached the massive cabinet and showed me all the weapons hanging there with a broad sweep of her arm. I contemplated them one by one.

— "Can I really choose the one I want?"

She nodded.

— "The choice is yours!"

I moved around and carefully observed each of them. They were all different, in shapes and also in sizes. But one in particular caught my attention. It was a sword with a long blade and an imposing pommel. A smile appeared on my face, it was the one. I stretched out my arm to detach it.

— "Oh... So you choose the broadsword then..."

Before I could even pick it up, Stella put her hand on my arm to stop me.

— "Are you sure it's not too heavy for you?"

My fingers tightened around the handle.

— "I think it was made for me. As soon as I saw it I knew I had to take it."

I pulled it out of its holder but it fell straight to the floor, taking me with it because of its weight. A thud echoed as it hit the tiles. Stella looked at me with the sword at my fingertips and frowned.

— "Are you sure?"

I had to make up for it to not look like a complete idiot. I tried as hard as I could to lift it up but it was impossible, it was stuck to the ground like it was attracted by a magnet. If I pull with all my strength... Then I'll surely be able to...

— "Maybe..."

I could feel my face heating up and my panting didn't sound good. My head was spinning and my arms were getting sore. It was a huge failure and I had to admit it. I let go of the broadsword and went for a more basic one.

— "I'll take this one."

Stella held back a laugh as she levitated the broadsword with a wave of her hand to place it back on its original stand. Meanwhile, I was trying to get my posture right with this new weapon. I held it in one hand and tried to wield it in different ways. She quickly called me out after her observations of how I was holding my sword.

— "You've never held one before?"

— "We don't have this kind of weapon in my world, this is a first for me."

Of course I didn't have the same abilities as everyone else here. She picked up the sword I'd just chosen and put it back in its place.

— "Then we're going to do a little swap. You can have this one."

There was a set of replicas of wooden weapons in one of the crates. She retrieved a sword similar to the one I had and handed it to me.

— "Thank you."

It's not the classiest thing, but I suppose you have to start somewhere. She smiles to reassure me.

— "All right, I'll explain the basics then. Firstly, you need to hold the hilt of your sword tightly, preferably with both hands."

I complied under her uncompromising gaze. She came up to me and grabbed my shoulders to lower them and correct my posture.

— "Now stand up straight. Don't get too tense, just enough to remain firm yet supple."

She then patted on my thighs.

— "Soft on your feet, yes just like this."

I understood a little better the purpose of my movements. I felt that all my muscles were straining and ready to move at the slightest signal.

— "Is that the stance I should adopt?"

She nodded in response.

— "Yes, that's how you need to stand. Then comes the guard."

Stella drew her sword and positioned herself right next to me. She then placed her blade in front of her.

— "During a confrontation, you can adopt two strategies: be offensive or remain on the defensive. It all depends on your opponent and how the fight is going but also on your ability to analyse the situation."

She illustrated each of her words by changing her guard.

— "Your sword allows you to protect yourself, to parry, to attack, to dodge, to surprise, to turn the tables to our advantage thanks to your techniques."

— "So it all depends on what I can do?"

— "That's right but magic can impact and change the end of a fight. Before we talk about that, you need to be aware of the expectations of this House. The three watchwords are: rapidity, dexterity and precision. We need to find these three elements in your fighting style. And I, Stella, have the duty to make sure it's respected!"

She walked away to stop a few metres further on, facing me.

— "What could be better than a demonstration? Let's get on with the fight."

Did I hear that right? We're going to face each other? This can't be! I'm not ready yet!

— "W-what!? Like here? Right now?"

Unlike me, Stella was delighted by this idea. She swapped her weapon for a sword similar to mine.

— "Yes! This is the best way for you to learn. Don't worry, I'll take it slowly. For now, just parry my blows. You need to experience the force of an attack to understand better." 

I have to live up to the expectations, I need to fit in and understand what's going on in this world. It's not by hesitating that I'll make a good impression on their master swordswoman. All I have to do is to parry and keep my guard up, just like she showed me. I took a deep breath. Focus Keiji, that'll do it. 

— "I'm ready!"

Stella twirled her sword around her wrist and caught it.

— "I'm going to attack you head-on so be prepared."

I nodded in response and then swung my sword horizontally in front of me. I held the grip firmly and didn't take my eyes off Stella. All my attention had to be on her and her behaviour. For the moment, she was hopping from one foot to the other, like an athlete warming up just before a tournament. It's fair to say that we're close to that situation, because what was coming next was her first attack.

She charged towards me at full speed, weapon in hand, and landed the first blow. The contact was so brutal that it knocked me back a few centimetres but I managed to parry her attack. Her strength overcame mine but I held on as best I could. I pushed her back as she had taught me just before. Our blades pushed against each other, the exchange was equal until she slid hers against mine.

I hadn't prepared myself for this eventuality, all the pressure accumulated sent me stumbling forward. She had escaped me. Her weapon was now positioned along my stomach and had prevented me from falling. If it was a real one, it would have been a fatal move. The fight was over, she looked at me and smiled.

— "Two swords slip when they meet, it's up to you to keep the upper hand on your opponent."

She helped me up then returned to her starting position. As for me, I continued to reflect on what just happened, my hand covering the area of contact.

— "It's all about balance." she added.

— "You're moving so fast. I have to tell you I had trouble keeping up with you when you took off. I hardly had time to blink before you were already in front of me."

— "Do you think so? In that case I should show you what the Royal Knights of Feris are famous for. Are you ready for another demonstration?"

Without waiting for another word from her, I got back into position and so did she. My support foot in front of the other, supple on my legs, my gaze focused on her.

— "Always ready."

This time, I will not take my eyes off her, I will not crumple under the pressure. She can use any tricks she likes, I'll remain impassive to... her…

Huh? How did she get here?

My heart skipped a beat as, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed her to my right. She was close and her weapon was hurtling towards me. Shit! I have to counter this! I managed to parry her attack with a rearward movement. This time it knocked me back several metres, my heels slipped on the slabs as I tried to regain my composure.

"Use your legs to parry!" she shouted at me.

But I had no time for that as she charged at me again. She had somehow ended up on my left without me noticing. She struck again, harder and faster than earlier. I managed to protect myself at the last moment but the impact was stronger.

"Too slow!"

Stella spinned on herself, gaining momentum as she swirled around to strike me from above. I couldn't counter this blow so I dodged it, which almost knocked me over.

"Be more reactive!"

That's how the rest of the fight went, I couldn't make out her movements. The only time I could see her was when she was about to hit me. I was just protecting myself and I even forgot to keep my guard up, as she had explained to me. Stella continued to come after me with power and speed, I did my best to hold on. Once on my left, once on my right, once forward. This pattern she was repeating and changing over and over again, I just couldn't make it out.

I parried each of her hits with great difficulty. Finally, she stepped back and took up her starting position, allowing me to catch my breath. My lungs hurt like hell... I hadn't prepared myself for such a major physical effort... But I must hold on to prove to her that I can claim the title of hero. Stella leaned forward and propelled herself towards me, heading at full speed to my left. She's going to attack me, she's going to deal me her final blow! I turned towards her, towards where I thought she was coming from.

What? She's not there.

A breath of wind caressed the back of my neck and sent a shiver down my spine as I swung hastily to my right. My gaze met her weapon, which was resting on my throat. How is this possible? I saw her moving to my left so how did she end up right there... I didn't hear anything, I don't understand... What did she just do?