Elsword: Changes We Make
(A/N Hello boys and girl I'm BAAAAACK. Did ya miss me? Sorry it took so long for this update, I've been super busy with school and what not. I'll be somewhat inconsistent in updates just so you know. But I will do my best to update these for you guys.)
Chapter 3: Training
Raven's POV
It wasn't very often that Raven got the house to himself. But with Elsword and Aisha off at the training hall, Chung and Eve working in the shed on their individual weapons, and Rena of who-knows-where, it was one of those golden opportunities he got to spend some alone time. That is, untill said elven warrior stepped into the house.
"Hey Raven." Rena said with her usually friendly smile. Raven nodded in acknowledgement as she sat down in the chair opposite of him. They sat in companionable silence for while. While Raven was friendly towards the others (in his own odd way of showing it), he and Rena got along better, probably because the two of them were the oldest in the group. The silence continued a little longer, untill Raven decided to break it.
"Sooo… has it been easy? Using a sword in battle I mean. I know you were used to using a bow more often than not in battle.", he said casually.
"It's getting easier. The Night Watchers held special lessons in sword combat training. But I'm still behind, and I have a ways to go before I truly master it." Raven nodded in understanding, remembering how long it took for him to master his Nasod arm.
"Well…if you want, I could train with you. I know my way around the sword, and I could show you a thing or two." Raven said cautiously. Rena gave a look of mock anger.
"Do you think I'm that weak?" Raven raised his hands quickly to apologize.
"I-I didn't mean to offend. Simply offe-" He was cut off as Rena started giggling.
"I was kidding silly. I'd love to train with you." She said as she got up. "C'mon, we can train out back." Raven sighed in relief, as he grabbed two training blades from the corner. He stepped outside and handed Rena a training blade. He stood opposite of her and raised his blade.
"Ready?"
"Ready!" And with that the two began. It started with small strikes that were easy to block or dodge. But soon into the fight, the two became serious, slashing, parrying, and swinging, but the two always managed to dodge the other's attacks. Rena feigned forward then quickly stepped back as Raven took the bait and began to step back. Rena performed a small leg sweep in front of her as Raven's foot hit the ground. Raven quickly fell on his back. As he looked up he saw the end of a wooden training blade in front of his face. Raven looked up to Rena, stunned for a little while. She says she's still learning, yet she wields a blade like a pro. He thought not even hearing Rena.
"… Raven… RAVEN!" Raven looked up from his thoughts as Rena gave him a concerned look. "Finally. Are you ok?" She said holding a hand out to help him up. Raven was about to take the hand, when memory flashed through his mind. Seris… standing over me… smiling…
Raven quickly picked himself up and dusted himself off. "I'm fine. We can train again tomorrow. In the mean time, I have some business to attend to." And with that, he walked away leaving behind a very confused Rena.
"Alright, now that we're here, we can get you started." Aisha said as she tossed a bag to Elsword. Elsword eyed the bag suspiciously.
"What's in this thing exactly?"
Aisha gave a confident smile. "Some new equipment. Head to the locker room and try it on." Elsword slung the bag over his shoulder and walked into one of the nearby changing rooms. After about ten minutes, Aisha became impatient.
"C'mon Elsword! We don't have forever! Hurry up!"
"No way! I feel ridiculous!" he responded. "Why these clothes anyway?!"
"They're specially designed to channel one's mana in order to harness them to the best of their ability." She said matter-of-factly.
"Forget it Aisha, I'm not coming out in these!"
"What's rule #2?"
"… Follow your instructions exactly…"
She smirked. "That's right. And my instructions are that you come out here right now!" Elsword stepped out reluctantly. He was dressed in a shirt that reached down to just above his stomach and a white jacket with two straps, one of them crossing his chest, black pants with red trim on them and grey shoes. Aisha circled him, inspecting him. She smiled a little. "Hmm… very nice. I was hoping I'd gotten the right size. Alright Elsword, you followed instructions, so now you get a reward. Reach in the bag again."
"It's empty."
"Ah, ah, ah. Rule #2." Elsword grumbled to himself as he reached back into the bag. His eyes lit up in surprise as his hands touched something that felt familiar to him. He pulled his hand out to reveal a large red and white sword with black flames on both sides.
"How did…when did…", he began.
Aisha closed her eyes in triumph. "One thing you should know while you're still training under me Elsword; mages always have a plan. You didn't know it but I enchanted that bag. I used a void spell so that the blade would stay hidden untill the bag was empty. Pretty impressive, huh?" Aisha opened her eyes to see Elsword testing the blade. She rolled her eyes a little and went back to the lesson.
"Alright, now that you're all set, we can begin training. I'm assuming you read those books yesterday?"
Elsword glanced at Aisha, then went back to the sword. "Uh… yeah I read em."
Aisha sighed. "Alright then. Now let's see how hard it's going to be to train you." She stepped in front of him. "You already know that the human body is able to wield mana once accustomed to it. So in order to get you accustomed, you'll need to channel it." She assumed a relaxed position as she let her own mana flow throughout her body. She knew from experience that her body was emanating a purple glow that some would refer to as her aura. Elsword looked up from the blade for a minute in time to see her charging her mana. He shrugged
"Big deal, I can do that in Awakening mode, it's nothing tha-" He was cut off when Aisha quickly discharged a lightning bolt a foot in front of him.
"You were saying?" Aisha said as she returned to normal. "This is different from Awakening mode, Elsword. When you channel mana, you're practically channeling your every essence. It puts a whole new definition to the word 'alive'." She said as she reminisced to the time here teacher said the very same words. Elsword nodded a little.
"Hmph, alright I can do this then. Tell me what to do Sensei." He said eagerly. Aisha smiled. At least he's enthusiastic.
"Alright. First close your eyes and find your center, where all mana is stored within the body." She instructed. Elsword did as he was told. "Don't worry it usually takes a while to find your center. Some take years to even begin to find it. Now, if you have found it, imagine spreading the mana all over your body." Elsword scowled a little as he struggled to bring out his mana. Soon however he began to feel something, a warm tingling spreading through his body. Aisha's eyebrows raised in surprise. She hadn't expected Elsword to even channel his mana without it taking a few weeks, yet here he was, his aura spreading over him. She was so mesmerized by the sight, that it took her a while to warn him.
"Wait! Try to keep it close to your body, but not too close or it may put strain on it." Elsword clenched his fists as he strained to keep focus. Suddenly a small flash erupted as Elsword was sent back a few feet. Aisha wondered what had happened, but soon realized. "I told you not to keep it to contract. You're lucky you aren't injured."
Elsword shook his head as he stood up quickly. "Ugh, can't believe I blew it like that! C'mon Aisha, lemme try again!"
Aisha looked at Elsword in bewilderment. He overloaded on his mana, and nearly blew himself to pieces, yet he shrugged it off as if it were nothing. Maybe I should take him there earlier than expected. "No, you need to rest up and let everything I told you sink in. Besides, tomorrow we're going on a little field trip, and I'll need you at full strength." And with that, Aisha hurried out, leaving a frustrated Elsword behind.
Me: Well that went well.
Raven and Aisha: ….
Elsword: Where are we going anyways Aisha?
Aisha: You'll see
Chung: All characters belong to Kill3r Combo. Read and review folks.
(A/N I dunno if I described the magic knight's promotional gear well enough. Lemme know in the reviews please. Till next time, peace.)
