Dragon Deep

Chapter 12 - Duel

Robert handed me a rather light sword before the class started. I didn’t recognise it at first and blinked quizzically at Robert.

“It’s a katana.”

Recognition registered in my brain as I faintly remembered Robert teaching me about the different kinds of swords, while I was half-asleep.

“You will be training with a katana and you will be learning some ranged attacks as well.” 

Excitement caused my heart rate to jump. A katana! It was a beautiful curved sword with a sharp edge, elegant and deadly and the same time. I felt the smooth blade drop into my open palms, feeling the added weight. It was rather heavy, but light enough for a person my build to carry. I slowly dragged my finger down the blade, feeling its cold metallic surface. It was disturbing to think that such a beautiful weapon could be soaked in blood.

“Okay split into the different weapon groups! Aria, you will follow Janice.” One of the teachers shouted when everyone gathered for lesson.

Smiling, I trotted over to Janice’s side, thankful I had somebody I knew in my group. Ren was in his own familiar training. It felt like something was missing as I absentmindedly touched my shoulder. It was missing the weight of Ren I had grown used to.

We learnt a few moves, defensive and offensive. I was very unused to even holding the sword and my swings were clumsy and uncontrolled. I only did a few powered swings before my arm muscles started to protest. I sheepishly blushed when I dropped my katana for the billionth time, causing the whole class to turn and stare at me. How embarrassing. My fingers were sore from gripping the katana and holding its weight. My palms were already sweaty and the sword was easily slipping out from my weak grip.  

I could only sigh, demoralised when I looked at Janice. She was gracefully executing moves, fluidly. I shuddered involuntarily when I realised that grace was the same thing that could determine life or death. She smiled very sweetly when she realised I was staring at her. The way her body moved, it was as though she was dancing. Her movements were coordinated and her steps were flawless.

She lunged without hesitation, pushing her body forth with a well-practiced force. She then slashed the air with the katana, her eyes glowing with intense concentration. The slash caused a chilling ‘crack’ sound in the air, the deadliness betraying the deceptive smile on her ever-glowing face. 

“Well done, Janice! You have improved greatly since your last session. At this rate, you will be able to be promoted to a B rank in no time!” One of the instructors praised her. Even though I had only been here for a day or two, I knew that instructors hardly ever praised anybody. Words of encouragement were rare. Praises were even rarer. Even though the instructor had praised Janice with a genuine tone, his face was still grim and serious. Janice beamed at him, causing a crack in the instructor’s emotionless mask. He smiled back, a small smile that vanished with a blink of an eye.

I couldn’t help but be captivated by Janice’s ever-smiling face. She was so sunny and bright. Never once have I ever seen her eyebrows knit together in frustration or anger. Never once had her smile drooped into a frown. She was just radiant like the sun. When she smiled, you couldn’t help but to smile back as well. She had told me that she had never been through initiation, but was unsure why. I could understand why. It was her bubbly personality that saved her from being bullied. She was the first girl in the academy, so radiant that even Bain didn’t touch her.

That realisation stuck in my mind like a parasite. As much as I wanted to convince myself, Bain had emotions. He might be a nasty crow that hurt people, but I was sure he had feelings too.

I shook that feeling away when his face came to my mind. His crow face. His cruel black eyes and ever firm face. It sent shivers down my spine when I thought of his powerful gaze. It reminded me greatly of Faris. They both radiated the same aura and same expressions. I couldn’t help but wonder if Bain was actually Faris in disguise, seeking for a way to take my soul and… I shook my head, repulsed at the thought.