Time went by and we met very often. I continued to train with her on a daily basis. It was only a few hours a day but I could already feel my level improving little by little.

She took her role very personally. Lehia was a very patient person, paying attention to the smallest details so that I could master each of her lessons. The schedule for each training session was well-defined, a first part focusing on combat and a second on magic. I was a fast learner but putting it all into practice was far more complicated. I still couldn't control magic and my fighting technique left a lot to be desired.

— “Like this?”

I stood up straight, both arms forward and perpendicular to my weapon.

— “Be more flexible when you hold your sword. If you stay like that, there are several angles you can't cover.”

She positioned herself behind me and put her hands on my shoulders, then my elbows and finally my hands to correct their position. With a critical eye, she continued to watch me split the air.

I could do this for long minutes. Sometimes, we sparred or exchanged ideas on new strategies. But otherwise, we discussed a lot during rest periods or at the end of training. That's how we got to know each other and how our relationship as student and tutor evolved.

*

One day, Lehia decided it was time for me to face an animal. She pointed to a big chicken about a metre high.

— “I think you can try practicing against it.”

Yes, I know it well, that monster gave me a hard time and I've got a revenge to take.

— “Don't worry... I've dealt with it before…” I said as I glared at the animal.

— “Oh really? And how did it go?”

— “I'd rather not talk about it…”

I headed determinedly towards my target. Lehia was watching me, amused by the situation.  

— “Do better than last time then.”

I warmed up my arms while keeping her in sight. This time you're mine. As if it'd just heard me, the hen looked back. After so many humiliations, so many days stalking you, you aren't going to escape me this time! 

I ran towards her, holding my sword firmly in my hand as I thrust out my arm to inflict my first hit, then another just after and another! But this filthy animal avoided each of my attacks with such ease. It dodged me, jumped over my sword without even deigning to look at me. I was just an obstacle, not a threat to it. This little show went on for a few more minutes until I collapsed from exhaustion.

— “I haven't touched it once…” I said as I noisily caught my breath, my hands resting on my thighs.

Lehia approached me, completely stunned by what she just witnessed.

— “How do you do it? Even children can touch it with a stick.”

— “This thing moves fast!”

She sighed at my answer.

— “If I may say so, all your attacks are kind of predictable... You build up so much momentum with your weapon that it's easy to guess where it's going to go.”

That stupid bird won’t get me this time. I could see it wiggling away from us, its bottom shaking from left to right.

— “Hey, I’m not done with you yet!” I shouted as I ran towards it again.

With my sword in hand, I was ready to strike. The chicken turned and dashed towards me too. This time you're mine! I stopped my run to prepare to strike horizontally. The animal was approaching me at high speed. This was the moment! My timing was perfect, my blade had to hit him. Unfortunately, the hen leapt and avoided the trajectory of my attack. She charged at me in the air, her right paw stretched out and perpendicular to her body. Ah, that's the end for me.

I took its high kick right in the face, sending me spinning a few metres away. My body hit the ground once, then twice until I ended up next to Lehia. Face down on the ground, I was unconscious and unable to get up. 

— “We're going to increase the amount of physical training…”

*

As the weeks passed the difficulty of my training gradually increased. To perfect my combat skills, Lehia had kindly bought me a complete suit of armour. I wanted to pay her back, but when she told me the price it was way beyond my poor savings. She didn't mind helping me with this purchase but she said that I would have to pay her back as soon as I could… This armour was a necessity to make me aware of the weight of wearing it.

My body was indeed heavier, my movements were no longer the same but more slower. I had to get used to this difference. This time I didn't need her to lend me her gauntlets to try and capture magic, I had my own.

But let’s get back to my daily life, don’t think that it's all about training from sunrise till dawn. Even though it's very important I can't spend my time doing that when Lehia is in Rosefield. When she wasn't around, another career began for me. 

I was on my way to my little routine. Off to the village of Roselia to sell my ressources of the day! I strolled through the streets, hopping from side to side with my wicker basket in hand. I greeted every merchant I came across.

— “Hello!”

It’s with a radiant smile that I addressed the fruit vendor who was setting up his stall. His expression changed dramatically as soon as he recognised me.

— “Is that you again Keiji? Weren't you supposed to go on an adventure? Or are you going to hang around all day picking plants and fruit?” he asked me mockingly.

— “Hahaha, you're really funny old chap! I'm getting ready to leave, don't worry!”

Keeping the same pace, I reached our talented baker who stopped me in my tracks.

— “Keiji! I've got some succulent buns fresh out of the oven. Come and buy some!”

— “I'll be right back, just give me a minute ahaha!”

Ah, what a wonderful day, the sun is shining, people are happy, children are having fun and I'm about to make the deal of the century! 

I've been gathering these therapeutic plants for days now, they’re very useful to concoct all sorts of potions with different attributes. They should be taken for at least five silver coins the sprout, they're so hard to find! I've had to go on extremely dangerous expeditions to collect them!

— “WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE PURCHASE PRICE HAS DROPPED?”

The merchant's announcement calmed me instantly. The sound of my palms against his worktop startled him.

— “I'm sorry but there's nothing I can do. Few adventurers directly buy resources in order to make their own potions.”

He crouched down and took out a crate filled with the same plants that were resting on his counter.

— “My stocks are full, there's nothing I can do but lower their price.”

I clasped my hands together to beg him with all my might.

— “Please show some mercy! It's hard enough for me to live on the few coins you usually give me. If you lower your offer I'll be screwed!”

— “Unfortunately, I can't do anything about it.”

If the first step in your negotiation plan has failed, refer to the second step. This involves getting down on your knees to pray even more, forehead on the ground so your request will be accepted. 

— “I'LL DO ANYTHING YOU WANT BUT PLEASE DON'T LOWER THE PRICE!”

He sighed and, out of pity, picked up my plants.

— “In the future, bet on hunting instead. Skin and meat are always prized.”

Ah... Haha yes hunting, of course... I really need to know how to kill an animal to live better. I should be able to catch one by now. It’s true now that my skills with a sword were now decent but I still couldn't cast a single spell. I left this kind sir’s shop with my dues. My purse in my right hand, I bounced it to estimate the value of its contents. 

Talk about successful sales... Luckily Lehia is there to support me. All I could buy with my savings is this simple iron sword. I don't know what I would have done without her. She takes time out of her day to help a boy who can't even summon a spark with his fingers. On the way back, I quickly came to that conclusion : I was just worse than the average when it comes to magic.