I wheezed for air as I lay collapsed on the ground. Soreya, not too far from me, was bent over and similarly gasping for air.
“Better...luck next time,” she said through labored breaths.
“Are...you...even sure...you won? It was...so close.” We’d been neck and neck at the finish line, so it was hard to tell who’d won.
“If...you’re really so sure, then...wanna do one more lap?”
“Are you...crazy?”
“So...it’s my victory, then.”
“Why? I think it’s a tie,” I protested.
“Fine... Then let’s settle this...with a duel.”
“Fine by me. Just...tell me when the world stops spinning. I can’t stand up,” I said.
“Heh heh. Weakling.”
“Oh yeah? Come over and say that to...my face,” I panted.
She fell silent. “When the world stops spinning...you’ll see.”
“You’re in the same boat!” I snapped.
“Shut up. At least I’m standing and...not collapsed on the ground.”
“What’s...the difference? You can’t even move.”
“Just you...wait until I...get my hands on you in the duel. Oh, I can’t wait to settle this,” she growled.
“Bring...it.”
“Ahem.” A familiar throat-clearing sound from a man sent chills running down our spines. The two of us slowly turned our heads to see our master standing there, wearing a very deep frown. “You two just don’t learn, do you?”
“This isn’t what it sounds like, Master Crayne!” Soreya cried.
“Oh? My mistake. In my old age, I must have missed the point where the youngster slang for ‘duel’ meant something else other than fighting one another. Please do enlighten me. What does ‘duel’ mean these days?”
“Uh...” Soreya looked at me for help, but I had none to give her. I was just as out of ideas as her.
“Perhaps ‘duel’ means five more laps?” he asked, his eyes narrowing.
Both of our hearts sank at this. “Sorry, Master Crayne,” we both said in unison.
“Good.” He nodded. “After you’re done catching your breath, Soreya, meet me in the training room. I’ve something to discuss with you. And Ca’al...go practice your sword forms in the courtyard.”
“Yes, Master Crayne,” the two of us said.
And with that, he left, allowing us to finally breathe a sigh of relief.
“Where did he even come from?” I asked.
“I have no clue. For an old man, he’s surprisingly stealthy.”
“Anyway, we’ll have to settle this some other time, I guess.”
“Yeah. I think I’m gonna wash up real quick,” she said as she began to drag her feet back inside the monastery. “Oh, by the way, we may not have a duel later, but come meet me at our usual spot after dinner, ’kay?”
“Sure. But why? Something you wanna talk about?” I asked.
“Um...somethin’ like that. But yeah, don’t be late, ’kay?”
“Uh-huh, you got it.”
And with that, she shuffled off, leaving me still on my back.
I wonder what Master Crayne’s gonna talk to her about. Hopefully she’s not in trouble or anything. But more importantly, what does she want to talk to me about?
My mind began coming up with possibility after possibility, and before I knew it, minutes had passed by. I shook my head to clear my mind.
I should get up. I was finally starting to regain feeling in my legs, so I slowly stood up and limped off to the courtyard. Practicing my forms should be a good way to clear my mind and keep me focused.
✦ ✦ ✦
I cursed under my breath as I panted, out of breath from losing yet another duel to Soreya, only this time, it was a mental version of her. Even in my imagination, I can’t beat her. Sheesh.
One of the advantages of sharing a sword style with the most likely candidate to become the next Blade Saint was that I could learn techniques from her while dueling. I could feel myself getting better each time we’d crossed blades, but it hadn’t changed the fact that she was stronger than me—or anyone else for that matter.
I struggled to keep up with pretty much everyone here. The stranger thing though was that whenever I dueled someone, in my mind, I felt like I knew how they were going to attack. But my body somehow wouldn’t trust my instincts and would force me to move differently. All I could do was pound the basics into my body over and over again, hoping that muscle memory would eventually override the mind of its own that my body apparently had.
I’d consulted Master Crayne about this, and he’d told me that the reason my mind and body were at odds was because I didn’t have the basics down in both body and mind. As a result, more often than not, I was made to train by myself, focusing on getting the sword forms down while everyone else had practice duels.
Despite that, Soreya had indulged me in duels whenever I’d asked. She even treated me like a rival. Because of that, I wanted to do whatever I could to make sure that I was in a strong position to actually support her in the future.
But sometimes—I really meant sometimes—I’d dream of what it’d be like if I were the Blade Saint, the one who was loved most by the blade. No matter what opponent they faced, if they were wielding a blade, their opponent stood no chance. Even if not, the foe probably wouldn’t stand a chance either.
In general, people viewed the Blade Saint as the weakest Saint, but to me, they were the strongest. In terms of pure combat potential, they could outclass anyone. Plus, with the relic, the Blade Saint could summon any sword from its vast arsenal.
It wasn’t great, but sometimes that was how I’d practice. I’d imagine myself as the Blade Saint and think about what they’d do in certain situations. Even right now, I had my eyes closed and was focusing on an ambiguous, imaginary enemy in front of me.
If they come at me with a quick draw, then... I shifted backward to dodge my opponent’s attack. They’ll follow it up with a slash, but before they can do that, I’ll... I thrust my blade forward, hitting my imaginary opponent squarely in the throat.
I reset the scenario. This time, I tried to fight Soreya again. She started with her body tilted to the side and both arms raised, holding her blade to the side of her head with its point facing me. I raised my blade as well, taking the same stance. I inched my foot forward, but she remained in the same position. Just a few more steps forward, and we’ll be in each other’s range. When that happens...I need to strike first.
But right before I entered the strike zone, she made her move, swinging her blade upward. Though logically I knew it had no way of reaching me, I couldn’t help but flinch. I reactively tried to deflect it, but her sword didn’t make contact with mine. She then used the momentum to swing her sword down on me.
“Dammit...” I cursed.
Again. I raised my blade once more, mentally resetting our places. This time, she didn’t take the same stance; instead, she dashed at me and began releasing a flurry of attacks. It took everything I had for me to keep up with them, but I could tell that I was gradually being forced back. I judged the right timing and released a powerful horizontal swipe at her stomach, breaking free as I forced her to retreat.
As she jumped back, I took the opportunity to rush forward and take the offensive. I began with a thrust, but...she knocked my blade aside with her bare hand and swiftly ended the second match with a slash to my throat.
Heh... I seriously can’t even win against her in my imagination. Some might have been discouraged, but that only served to encourage me. Losing wasn’t the end of the world. As long as I could learn from my losses, I could get stronger. Even if I couldn’t be the Blade Saint, I could at least be strong enough to become the partner who supported her.
Okay. Again.