"Are you ready, son?" Lionel's voice echoed through the clearing, a small grove just outside Cemirini Village where the father and son trained. The morning sun filtered through the thick canopy of oak and pine, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, carrying with it the fresh, earthy scent of the woods. 

Before Gai could respond, his father struck hard and fast with his wooden training sword. The whistle of the blade slicing through the air was sharp, and Gai was barely able to parry the blow, his shoulders still sore from the previous day's training. Sweat dripped down his forehead, mingling with the dirt on his brow. "Do not rely solely on your strength, you will exhaust more easily!" Lionel's voice was stern but encouraging. 

Gai moved his buckler to parry another blow aimed at his head. The impact reverberated through his arm, but he managed to hold his ground. He thrust with his short wooden sword, certain he would make contact, but his father sidestepped effortlessly. Only a moment passed before the wind was knocked from Gai's lungs as Lionel sent him sprawling to the ground, disarmed in a single swift action. 

"Good try, son, but you were not focused. Move your feet and try to be more aware of your opponent." Lionel extended a hand to help Gai up. The clearing was silent except for the sounds of their heavy breathing and the distant chirping of birds. 

Hours passed as Lionel instructed Gai in various drills and exercises of swordcraft. The rhythmic clash of wooden swords echoed through the forest. Such was the day's routine; Gai was no longer allowed to roam freely throughout Cemirini Village. Instead, he would wake with the dawn and exercise with his father, eat a military ration for breakfast, and then train in swordcraft until the lunch ration. Even then, he would spend the afternoon sparring with his father to polish what he had learned. The two would then prepare dinner together, the scent of cooking meat and herbs filling their modest cottage, and discuss what they had learned. 

"Father, I never knew you were skilled. What did you do in the army?" Gai asked one evening as they sat by the fireplace, the flickering flames casting warm light on their faces. 

"I think you will find that out for yourself when you begin your national service, son. I have fought and survived many battles." Lionel's eyes held a distant look, as if recalling memories he would rather forget. Even through the weeks of training, Gai had never been able to gain any more information on his father's military career. 

The training had not only benefitted Gai, who had become stronger and fitter. The same results were shown in his father, who had poured all his alcohol upon the dirt in the street the morning after Gai was beaten. His military physique had returned, and various scars were prominent on his torso, a testament to his survival. Lionel seemed melancholy, not the jovial man he had become these last few weeks. 

"Gai, the day is yours tomorrow. Just be back by dusk, please. I will have a gift for you." Lionel's voice was gentle as he patted Gai on the shoulder, the flickering light of the fire reflecting in his eyes.