From Slave To Ruler

Making their way out of the training rooms underneath the Arena, and towards the training yard near it, the newcomers met with a rather accelerating view. They witnessed many many men practicing their individually different skills. Some sparing against each other with dull weapons or with wooden Swords, or practicing the arts of Hand to Hand Combat, While some bashing their Swords against Training dummies, learning the moves they were instructed to practice upon.

Each of those men were sticking to their routine, their training. They didn't bother to stop and witness a few ground tappers joining the Training yard, they were even less informed about the fact that these 5 people have powers. Which could explain the lack of attention they got.

The Arena Training Yards were of course split in 4 Areas since there are four teams who basically just want to kill each other. Around 30 meters away from the training room entrance/exit, there was a metal fence, attached from the Arena, to all the way at the 5 meter tall wall, separating the Arena Ground from the normal housing and or businesses. This fence however, separated the Black Team's training yard from the Blue Team's Training yard. And if glared upon the right side, there was another fence separating the Black Team's Training yard from the Red Team's.

In that training yard, it seems like there were around 50 people. While in the Training rooms there were roughly 30(with the 5 included). A rather large amount of people, and no doubt they bring a rather large amount of Gold in the Arena, if they manage to survive long enough that is. These men are no doubt lower Ranking Arena Warriors. Some might me Ground Tappers, and some slightly upper ranks, up to the third rank. But no Champion was on sight, they likely have their own private training yards and or rooms. 

But one man however, was paying great attention to them. Fixing an unbreaking look upon them. That man of course is the Sword Master, trying his best to remain patient as he immediately noticed a lack of discipline coming from a couple of men, lack of discipline a couple of newcomers portrayed while they were approaching the training yard. They chit chatted along the way instead of standing in formation, in a straight line as a unit. Perhaps the Sword Master's presence here in the Black Team's training yard, explains why these men aren't breaking their routine to glare upon the Newcomers. Arena Master Fin did mention that he hates a lack of discipline and order, he can get violent as well.

He kept it together, didn't want to cause a scene. Mostly because he already had quite a tiring day. But Indeed he didn't like what he saw. From first sight, he knew that he has a lot of work to put into it these Warriors, if they are too survive in the Arena Battlefield long enough to make a name for themselves and more gold for him. Every Warrior under his teaching that wins a match, he earns a handsome sum as well.

As if he wasn't busy enough considering the complete lack of teachers in the Arena. Him alone, is teaching every Warrior in the Black Team, even the ones with upper ranks who train in private. They have to listen to him even though this Teacher never set foot in the Arena as a Warrior. He never risked his neck in the Arena for Gold.

Now there are even more responsibilities over his back due to the new comers. Most of these people barely even have any skills in swordsmanship, and on top of all of that they are low level Bear Bloods. Be it EarthQuakers or EarthRippers. They have low levels so that means the SwordMaster will need to find a way for these 5 to train their abilities even though he hasn't the slightest idea how to, not to mention that he doesn't have any time to search for it.

"Ground Tappers!" Grabbed Fin the attention of the 5, away from the Shirtless men who were training (Don't worry though, they had Breechers). "This is Sword Master Athendurus Mihura. He will be your teacher from today onwards. He mastered swordsmanship long ago, reaching the highest possible level, level 6." Hearing the introduction, some felt uncertain and some felt nervous.

The ones who felt uncertain, felt that way because this man doesn't look like a threat. He looks old and dried up. It looks like Wind can blow him away. Apart from that, he was around 5.6 feet tall and his head was hanging forwards due to the lack of straightness in his posture.

While some were nervous just because of the reasons above. If he managed to become a Master without looking like a Manbeast, he must be way too dangerous to deal with Newcomers who might lack Discipline. The Ground Tappers might die before they even enter the Arena.

The Master being cold enough to not even let out a simple greeting through his lips, was rather busy absorbing the 5 Newcomers. It is a battle instinct, and he can't help doing it. Just by glaring at a person, he finds that person's weakness which could include: Fear, overconfidence, bad posture, lowered Guard, cloudy mind, lack of skill, type of Weapon, forms of attack he can bring upon them, etc etc etc. It is just a battle instinct, a Warrior must always know his and now surprisingly her's Surroundings. Or they will be doomed because of the phrase "I know everything" or "I'm the strongest." No matter what skill level an individual is, there will always be another one who is more skillful.

Breaking the obvious awkwardness, Arena Master Fin continued with the introduction. "Whatever Sword you choose to master, He can help you reach that goal. No, let me be more clear. He will make you reach that goal! If you survive long enough that is." Those last sentences, got the Ground Tappers rather concerned. Feeling like they have a bit more freedom now, they couldn't help giving short comments of concern!

"Um, i'm a bit concerned..."

"Me too."

"I think I have like 7 Questions."

Bang Bang Bang. Athendurus gently banged the edge of the medium sized Iron Sword's Scabbard.(A Scabbard is is a sheath for holding a Sword.). "Order."

Hearing him finally talk, they all got nervous, some fot goosebumps and one even expected for a Sword to be swung.

"Moving on, throughout his 40 years of experience with Swords, he has observed many Warriors, wielding  many different Swords. Short Swords, Normal Swords, and even the long ones. Be it Silver or Iron, he either trained with them himself or absurved other people doing it. You would think just absurving isn't exactly effective. But a passion lasting 40 years, is a passion all of you should learn from. He is 57 years old, started training since he was 17. He knows what he is talking about." Aaron couldn't help but feel amazed. He simply didn't understand how these people from an Era where they think that Slavery is okay, could be so ambitious. Weren't they left any other option or did they have a lot of passion for what they do?

This teacher however, surprisingly didn't even have a hair on his head. Apart from that, he is beardless as well. It was rather interesting to witness. The closer they look at him, the less dangerous he appears. Standing only about 5.6 foot tall makes him look even more harmless.

"Now I have other duties to attend to. please be respectful towards the teacher, because if you don't. Well I told you what could happen a bit earlier. I am sure that I made myself clear do we understand each other Ground Tappers?" He talked with his eyebrows raised high in intensity when he glanced upon the five. Showing them the seriousness of his words, showing them that he wasn't joking around.

"Yes sir!" They all yelled in agreement at the same time. This was the only form of Unity these five have. Athendurus felt at ease when he saw this unity as well. He found a bit more hope towards these people who in his eyes, only have a rank for target practice until now.

"I'll take it from here, Sir Fin." Spoke the teacher with an assuring tone. This sure won't be easy for the 5. This teacher strives for discipline, order and hard work. If any of the 5, lack any of the 3. They could lack a head.

"Have fun." Fin answered rather sarcastically. "You got a lot of work in front of you."

Yes yes. I know,  I noticed that." Replied the teacher while letting out a  gentle sigh.

"How could he even knows that? He barely even knows us. Or does he?" Thought Aaron James to himself indeed feeling perplexed but what could he do about it except for waiting to witnessing it for himself. If this teacher is half aggressive as Arena Master Fin described him, they won't live long unless they do exactly what he says.

"Alright, you there!" Pointed Athendurus Mihura towards Inigo Cassinade under a rather calm tone. As a man who treasures discipline and order, it is a surprise how he isn't yelling out commands.

He continued to say under that calm loose tone, "walk forwards and present your Sword. show us what you picked and why." 

Feeling extremely happy that the teacher picked him first, which led to him grabbing all of the attention. He finally felt like he got the attention he deserved. It felt honorary even though it wasn't exactly such a big deal. 

"I picked this Silver Shortsword, sir teacher." Spoke out Inigo after he approached and saluted the teacher.

Seeing this rather odd and unusual choice, Athendurus became eager to know the reason behind Inigo's choosing. He thought that, "This man either knows what he is doing very well, or not at all." With his right eyebrow raised in curiosity with his hands behind his back, Athendurus asked. "And why did you pick that specific Sword, Ground Tapper?" Silver Swords aren't exactly durable when it comes to battle. It can bend rather easily if many hits are struck with it or on it, to the point where it would be beyond use. Especially if it continuously hits a hard iron armor.

Giving out a c.o.c.ky smirk in front of Athendurus, Inigo answered "I suppose I can say that I do have a bit of experience with Swords. I tried a lot of them. Throughout a few experiences, I found Silver Short Swords to be more effective than iron for me at least. I realize that other people prefer Iron." Seeing that the teacher is clearly listening, expecting a deeper explanation instead of a short introduction, he got nervous a little bit and continued. "This light Short sword allows me to move more freely, it doesn't weigh me down. I can mostly evade an enemy and strike when the time is right, instead of risking deadly wounds fighting head on."

Athendurus Mihura saw this sort of fighting style a few times before. His own fighting style even includes a portion of it. But he noticed two main issues with it. The fact that it takes a lot of Stamina, and its lack of efficiency towards a bundle of opponents. "You will need to evade a lot if you wish to climb ranks around here. It isn't simply easy to survive with such a Sword." Seeing that Inigo wasn't pleased with the answer, Athendurus tried to lighten the mood without showing a lot of emotions to the crowd. "I hope you know what you're doing enough to make me and yourself more Gold." But the teacher still wasn't pleased. Evade and attack being Inigo's fighting style, he should at least use an Iron short Sword. Which is a lot more durable. Maybe Inigo has more tricks up his sleeve, time will tell. "What level of Swordsmanship do you qualify with?"

Hearing that question, Inigo felt happy. He can show his skills off again which has become his main goal now. Rather a waste of time. "I currently qualify as a 3 Swords Man." Answered Inigo no doubt c.o.c.ky. But he had confidence in his skills so he wasn't exactly overconfident either.

"Well in that case, you will be slightly easier to teach. and I will need to show you more advanced moves especially considering that your prefered fighting skill is evade and attack. That's rather advanced."

"I know Sir Teacher. And may I add that I already know quite a few moves."

"Do you know the knee cutter?"

Well this must be more common here in this country. Because in Makemis, we prefer to attack the upper body of an opponent which is more vulnerable. More damage can be brought about an opponent with few strikes."

Indeed but if you face against several opponents, evading won't get you far. But if you perform a Knee Cutter on a few, You can slow down a couple of your opponent's while you deal with another portion." Looking at Inigo who had slight difficulties catching up to him, he quit explaining and described something else. "However the good news is that the movement is rather easy to perform and learn. You just need to perform 1 or 2 steps."