Within the next couple of months, my routine continued to adapt. Instead of studying random material, Miss Maryanne decided to teach me the basics of arithmetic and science. She taught me about all the different problems and solutions involving math, geometry, and even trigonometry. She added on the physics of the world, and biology of certain creatures ranging from the towering trolls to the smallest slimes. She expounded how learning these topics would not only sharpen the mind for the test during the first day of trials, but also sharpens personal control over their magic.
"Magic isn't just casting spells all around. Control isn't just internal, but external. Cast a spell and you tell it what to do. Without a simple understanding of the breakdown of nature, thus casting without instruction-"
She draws a sigil with her staff and summons a sphere of Pyrul the size of a child's ball. However, instead of showing her familiar spell casting elegance, she backs off.
The sigil became erratic. Its form and script twists to become unreadable and the usual circular shape that surrounds it breaks into pieces. It was here that the ball of fire began to grow and absorb the broken pieces of the sigil. As if using the magic itself as some sort of fuel to grow larger and hotter. However before it could get out of hand, Miss Maryanne casted another sigil to summon an isolated area of heavy rain just above the burning orb, putting it out in a cloud of steam.
She turns towards me, an eyebrow raised as she awaited a response. I nod, reassuring her of the lesson she wished to tell.
However, my understanding only limited itself on the practical side of things. When I was quizzed about written equations and complex problems, I could only draw blanks and answer a handful of questions, leaving a frustrated elf as a result of my actions.
Miss Maryanne had also tutored me on how to cast simple sigils afterwards, but to the surprise of both myself and Miss Maryanne, I was not able to create even the simplest ones. This left Miss Maryanne intrigued, leaving me with a simple remark to keep practicing while she researches on the matter at hand.
On the physical side of my routine, my health continued to improve. However, as Esshiek saw my development, he proceeded to increase the difficulty of my routine. My running and other exercises were now to be accompanied by weights. Heavy metallic braces wrap around my arms and ingots tied in ropes hang over my shoulders. I still had to do my push ups and squats, as well as the run across the city.
The difficulty spike did not stop there however, as even the tree I had practiced on somehow grew back from the damage. I looked along the bark in awe, wondering when and how this could have happened. That is until my eyes dart over towards a piece of paper stuck to the tree with an iron spike.
"Good luck with the physicals! I made it tougher for you so you won't lag behind" It read. Signed with a moon and a stars that surrounded it.
Left in disbelief, I pocketed the note and got into position to swing at the tree. The familiar thud echoes across the dark canopy that surrounds me, but the tree did not react to the strike as much as it did. Staring at the bark, sparks of energy flew out from the point of impact. The head of Obsidian only driving mere centimeters into the wood before it was forced out by whatever magic Miss Maryanne had enchanted this tree with.
However, I was left with a wider smile on my face. This challenge they introduced was welcomed with open arms, and so I continued my practice. Testing new swings and forms, trying to see which drills deeper.
An hour after the sun reached its peak, I stood across from Esshiek once more. This time, he wielded a heavier weapon. It was a sword but it stood almost equal his height. The handle alone was long enough to be held with two hands and it still had the space to adjust the user's grip. The blade was elegantly straight, yet the edges were blunt. It seemed like this was more of a training tool than a practical weapon.
He raises his hands, pointing the greatsword in my direction with his hands rested at the pommel and the butt of the guard.
I raised my weapon in turn, and all remains quiet as we stood ready for this battle to come.
Not Esshiek nor I decided to deliver the first move. A mistake I learned during our past spars. We both decided to observe each other first. Our stances. Our grips. Our openings. We both sought for the same thing. A chance.
However at the same time, the first to strike can turn the tide of a duel if done right. As such, I stepped forward, arms raised high and at an angle over my right side to deliver a weighty downward swipe.
Esshiek meets the blow, sliding his sword along the shaft of Obsidian and using his momentum to swing the blow downwards, parrying it to the side. Using the momentum from the parry, he swings for a downward swing in turn before I had barely dodged it with a back step, Obsidian in tow.
"Slow and Sloppy again, young pebble. Make use of your might and endurance. Strike like a boulder. Do not let me parry. Force a block."
Esshiek speaks as I could only nod in response. We continued exchanging attacks afterwards. Seconds felt like hours as I continued to drive my swings with better impact with Esshiek getting knocked back with each blow. Sparks flying every time our weapons locked with each other.
However, as I continued to force Esshiek to block the incoming attacks, with one more downward strike, I struck a weak point in the blade, causing it to shatter. My weapon followed through and sank behind his defensive zone as the head slowly inched towards Esshiek's chest. Thankfully, Esshiek could push off and dodge the heavy impact before it met him.
The attack caused the dirt to pick up from the sides with the head getting stuck at the bottom of a small fissure.
As the smoke settled, Esshiek could only laugh proudly.
"Yes! That is what I like to see! That is enough for the day. You've done well, young pebble." He stood up and pat my shoulders as I nodded. Sweat riding down in rivers along out faces as I turned to pick up Obsidian from the earthen sheathe I accidentally made for it.
"You lasted close to a minute this time, and that is only because my weapon broke. Perhaps I should take it more seriously and bring my own weapon then?" He suggested before my eyes lit up with excitement.
I could see the Ironblooded Guillotine's weapon? A sword fabled to be so large, it was considered as a slab of metal instead of a practical weapon?
"Yes please! I want to see how you wield it, how it is used, how it was made!" I replied enthusiastically.
Esshiek laughs.
"It is done then! However, I will grant this wish ONLY IF!" He raises a finger in my direction.
"You pass the written exams. I will have to train you harder for the practical that follows after all."
"Deal!"