Chapter 14
I walked through the village, still thinking about my first day of training.
My entire body was exhausted, but I couldn't help feeling excited.
I had finally taken my first step toward becoming a swordswoman.
Then I remembered Travis's last advice.
"Wear something more comfortable tomorrow. Pants would be better for training."
I looked down at the dress I was wearing.
He was right.
This wasn't exactly the most practical outfit for swinging a sword around.
I glanced toward the small clothing shop where I had bought my dress yesterday.
Since I was already here, I might as well get something more suitable for training.
I changed direction and headed toward the shop.
The moment I entered, the shopkeeper looked up and smiled.
"Welcome back," she greeted me.
"Hello," I replied. "I need some clothes for training."
She looked at me curiously.
"Training?" she asked.
"Yes," I answered. "I'm learning swordsmanship."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Swordsmanship?" she repeated.
I nodded.
She glanced at my dress before looking back at me.
"Then you'll definitely need something more practical," she said.
She walked toward a rack and pulled out a pair of simple pants.
"These should work," she said.
I took them from her and examined them.
They looked comfortable enough.
"I'll take these," I decided.
"Would you like another pair?" she asked.
I thought about it for a moment.
"Yes. I'll take two pairs," I replied.
Since I planned to train every day, having only one pair wouldn't be enough.
The shopkeeper brought out another pair of pants, along with several simple shirts.
"What about these?" she asked.
I looked through them.
"These are fine too. I'll take three," I replied.
After choosing everything I needed, I paid for the clothes.
The shopkeeper folded them neatly and placed them inside a small cloth sack before handing it to me.
"Here you go," she said.
"Thank you," I replied, taking the sack.
Now I was properly prepared.
No more worrying about my dress getting in the way.
I thanked the shopkeeper and stepped outside.
As I walked through the village, I couldn't help but smile.
Tomorrow was going to be my second day of training.
And this time, I was ready.
I just hoped my body would survive it.
By the time I reached the inn, night had already fallen.
The village was much quieter now, with only a few lanterns lighting the streets.
I entered my room and placed the small cloth sack on the bed.
I sat down and stretched my arms.
"Ouch..."
My muscles were still sore from training.
I rubbed my shoulders and sighed.
"Maybe I should've listened when Travis told me not to use too much force," I muttered.
I glanced at the cloth sack beside me.
The clothes were already neatly folded, so I left them inside.
My stomach suddenly growled.
I froze.
Right.
I hadn't eaten anything since leaving Travis's house.
I should probably go downstairs and get something to eat.
But the thought of getting up felt exhausting.
I stared at the bed.
Just for a moment...
I could rest.
I'd eat afterward.
I lay down, intending to close my eyes for only a few minutes.
But the exhaustion from the day's training quickly caught up with me.
Before I knew it, I had fallen asleep.
I didn't even notice that I had gone to bed hungry.
---
The days passed quickly.
Every morning, I returned to Travis's house and continued my training.
At first, even the simplest exercises left me exhausted.
But as time went by, my body slowly began to adjust.
Soon, weeks had passed.
My movements became more natural, my balance improved, and I slowly learned to control my strength.
Travis was still strict with me, but I could tell I was making progress.
Somewhere along the way, our training sessions became less awkward too.
We started talking more between exercises.
Sometimes, we'd joke around.
Even Leon and Elia would join us whenever they weren't busy.
I had grown quite close to the two children, and I found myself looking forward to seeing them almost as much as I looked forward to training.
As for Travis...
I wouldn't say we were close friends yet.
But we had definitely become more comfortable around each other.
He no longer called me "miss" every time he spoke to me, and I had gotten used to his blunt way of speaking.
Before I knew it, a month had passed since I started training with Travis.
I still wasn't anywhere near being a skilled swordswoman.
But at least I no longer felt completely helpless with a sword in my hands.
That morning, after finishing my usual warm-up, Travis watched me practice a series of basic strikes.
I finished the last swing and lowered my sword.
Travis nodded approvingly.
"You've improved quite a bit," he said.
I smiled.
"Really?" I asked.
"Yes," Travis replied. "You're learning faster than I expected."
I couldn't help but feel proud.
"So that means I'm talented?" I asked with a grin.
Travis gave me a look.
"Don't let it get to your head," he warned.
I laughed.
"Too late."
He shook his head with a small smile.
"You do have some talent for this," he admitted. "Your movements are becoming more natural, and you learn quickly when I correct you."
My eyes lit up.
"That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me," I teased.
Travis chuckled.
"Don't expect me to say it every day," he replied.
I laughed again.
Then Travis reached for another wooden sword.
"Today, we're doing something different," he announced.
I looked at him curiously.
"What are we doing?" I asked.
"We're going to spar," Travis replied.
My eyes widened.
"Spar?" I repeated.
Travis nodded.
"You've practiced the basics long enough," he explained. "Now I want to see how well you can use them against an actual opponent."
I tightened my grip around the wooden sword.
"So... I'm fighting you?" I asked.
"Yes," Travis answered.
I stared at him for a moment.
Then I looked at his wooden sword.
Then back at him.
"Are you sure?" I asked.
Travis raised an eyebrow.
"Why wouldn't I be?" he asked.
"Because you're probably going to destroy me," I replied.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"I'll take it easy on you," Travis assured me.
I narrowed my eyes.
"That doesn't sound very reassuring," I muttered.
Travis chuckled softly.
"Don't worry," he said. "I won't go all out."
I took a deep breath.
Fighting Travis was completely different from practicing against a wooden dummy. I had to react to his movements while trying to predict his next attack.
I stepped into position and raised my sword.
Travis did the same.
"Remember what I've taught you," he instructed. "Don't rely on your strength. Watch my movements and control your body."
I nodded.
"Understood," I replied.
Travis lowered his stance slightly.
"Ready?" he asked.
I tightened my grip.
"Ready," I answered.
Travis moved first.
I barely had time to react.
He stepped forward and swung his wooden sword toward my shoulder.
I quickly raised my sword to block.
Thud!
The impact traveled through my arms.
I staggered backward.
"Don't just block," Travis said, keeping his stance. "Move."
I gritted my teeth.
Right.
I had practiced this.
I shifted my feet and tried to circle around him.
Travis followed my movement effortlessly.
I swung toward his side.
He easily dodged.
"Too slow," he said.
I frowned.
I stepped forward again and swung.
This time, Travis blocked.
I immediately followed with another strike.
He blocked that one too.
I kept attacking, trying to remember everything he'd taught me.
Footwork.
Balance.
Control.
Don't rely on strength.
For several moments, the training ground was filled with the sound of wooden swords colliding.
Thud.
Clack.
Thud.
I was breathing heavily, but I refused to stop.
Then Travis suddenly stepped back.
"That's enough," he said.
I lowered my sword.
"Already?" I asked between breaths.
Travis nodded.
"Yes," he replied.
I looked at him expectantly.
"Well?" I asked.
He studied me for a moment.
"You still have a long way to go," he said.
My shoulders dropped.
Travis smiled slightly.
"But I think you're ready," he added.
I looked at him curiously as he rested the wooden sword against his shoulder.
"Let's go monster hunting," he replied.
My eyes widened.
Monster hunting?
I had expected him to make me train for a little longer before taking me outside the village.
Apparently, Travis thought I was ready.
A nervous excitement filled me.
I hadn't even seen a monster in person yet.
Then I realized something.
I didn't even own a sword.
For the past month, I had been training with wooden swords.
"I need to buy a sword," I said. "But I don't know where to get one. Will you help me choose one?"
Travis nodded.
"Of course," he replied.
We headed back toward the village, with Travis leading me to a small blacksmith shop.
Inside, several swords were displayed along the walls.
I looked around curiously.
"So many," I murmured.
Travis picked up one of the swords and handed it to me.
"Try this one," he said.
I held it and tested its weight.
It felt different from the wooden sword I had been using.
I tried a few more swords while Travis watched carefully.
"This one suits you," Travis said, handing me another sword.
I swung it lightly through the air.
It felt comfortable in my hands.
"I'll take this one," I decided.
As I looked around the shop, I noticed Travis's sword.
The blade was scratched, and the leather around the hilt was worn.
It looked like he'd been using it for years.
I glanced at him.
"You should get a new one too," I said.
Travis shook his head.
"Mine still works," he replied.
I frowned, unconvinced.
I looked back at the swords on display.
Maybe I'd buy him one too.
After paying for my sword, I glanced at the display again.
Then I looked at Travis's worn-out sword.
I picked up another one and handed it to the blacksmith.
"I'll take this one too," I said.
Travis looked at me in surprise.
"Luna, what are you doing?" he asked.
"It's for you," I replied.
He stared at the sword before shaking his head.
"You don't need to buy me one," he said.
"I know," I replied with a smile. "But I want to."
Travis looked at me for a moment before finally accepting the sword.
"Thank you," he said.
I smiled.
"You're welcome."
After leaving the blacksmith, we headed back toward the inn.
"Get some rest tonight," Travis advised. "We're leaving early tomorrow."
I nodded.
"All right," I replied.
Tomorrow would be my first monster hunt.
I had no idea what awaited us in the forest.
But I was ready to find out.