"I chose this sw-"

Before Elric could finish his sentence, his instructor pushed his right leg on the ground and dashed towards him.

The instructor thrust his short sword as if it was a rapier.

Elric was just barely able to duck in time to dodge his instructor's attack. He quickly threw away the sword's sheath that he was holding in his left hand and then held his sword double-handed.

Pivoting on his left foot he aimed his sword at the instructors open side, using his momentum.

Not being able to position his sword to block Elricks swing, he dodged backwards, avoiding Elric's blade.

Despite not hitting his target, a smile crept on his face. Swinging a sword felt natural to him, just as breathing. The moment he picked up the sword it was like an extension of his body.

"Attacking me before I'm ready? That's not really fair, is it?" he asked, positioning himself to prepare for another attack.

"A bandit also won't wait until you're ready, he'll try to deceive you or attack you when you're not on guard."

Not waiting for Elric to talk the instructor dashed forward again, this time going for a horizontal sweep.

Having been prepared this time he was able to block his enemies blade, but because of their difference in pure strength he felt the impact despite the instructor only using one arm.

The sweep however was only a feint, taking a step forward the instructor struck forward with his left fist, directly hitting Elric's face.

Elric moaned out in pain as he tumbled backwards, holding one hand against his head. He thought their spar ended there, but the instructor didn't share his opinion.

He took another step forward and kicked him in the guts, sending him flying backwards until he hit an invisible wall.

_Ah so that's why they don't worry about the furniture… wait, this isn't the time for that! _

Before he was able to catch himself, the instructor reached into his pocket and pulled out a dagger that he immediately threw at Elric.

Elric instinctively threw himself to the left, dodging the incoming projectile.

Having learned that he shouldn't take this as a normal spar, he didn't wait to get back on his feet. Before he could react the instructor was already standing close, reaching out for another thrust.

With his right foot he pushed himself out of harms way. The instructor hit the invisible wall, tumbling backwards from the recoil.

Using this chance Elric kicked against the instructors leg, causing him to fall to his knees. Then, without hesitation, he went for a counterattack.

He raised his sword and swung it downwards with as much force as he could muster.

The instructor blocked Elric's blade, but had to press his other hand against his own blade as support, not being able to withstand the weight of Elric's strike with just one arm.

This was what Elric was aiming for, both of his arms were occupied and with the instructor on his knees he was at a advantageous position.

Using what he had just learned into practice he kicked the his enemy in his guts. The downwards swing was just a feint.

But his enemy didn't even flinch, as though he had just kicked against a wall.

The instructor quickly pushed away Elric's sword. The force behind Elric's strike had weakened since he had used one foot to kick his opponent, making it easy for the instructor to throw him out of balance.

With the flat of his sword the instructor swung his blade against Elric's chest, hitting him before he could catch himself.

Elric as he had so often during this duel, flew backwards and immediately got on his feet again. But this time his enemy wasn't charging towards him, he was sheathing his sword.

Then he turned to Elric.

"Excellent. Your technique is good, so is your stance, and adaptability. Taking into account that you've only trained by yourself until now, frighteningly so," he complimented Elric and threw a small green crystal at him that he had just detached from his left glove.

"Break it, it will heal you."

Elric did as he was told. A green light emitted from the broken gem, engulfing him as the pain from his head, guts, and chest slowly faded.

"Thanks," he said, letting out a sigh of relief. He was afraid that the instructor would jump at him again saying something like 'Didn't I tell you your enemies will try to deceive you?!'

"Well then, let us go over to the next part," he said casually, as though he hadn't just beaten Elric. "Do you know whether you are a Conjurer or Augmenter?"

He shook his head, but those words did strike some familiarity in him.

"What is the difference again?" Elric asked, scratching the back of his head as he let out a embarrassed chuckle.

The instructor raised a brow, but he didn't ask any questions. He had heard the rumors of the mute Elric Wakefield, who didn't talk and preferred to stay alone. From what he had heard the only thing he occasionally did was swing a sword.

So he wasn't all too surprised that Elric didn't know much about magic. It was impressive though that he had awakened at such an early age despite knowing so less.

"You do know what a mana core and mana is, right?"

Elric simply nodded in confirmation.

"Conjurers have more developed mana veins, making it easier for them to absorb and manipulate ambient mana. They're specialists in mid to long range magic. Augmenters on the other hand have more developed mana channels, they can reinforce and enhance their bodies with mana, Conjurers have to rely on barriers but once they've been penetrated their bodies don't differ much from non awakened," the instructor explained the basic information about Augmenters and Conjurers.