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The Ace's Apprentices

May, X775

I've been practicing the lightning bolt spell every day for the past few weeks, and I think I got it down pretty well. I may not be able to do it instantaneously, but I can do it pretty fast. According to the book, the spell is supposed to be the most basic, beginner level spell that shouldn't take more than three weeks to master. It took me four and a half. I blame my magic, because apparently it seems to be extra stubborn, and extra explosive as well. It took me a week and a half to stop exploding myself accidentally. I'm not just saying this as an excuse, it's a legitimate reason. Celia even pointed out my magic's fondness for being too potent and exploding in my face. I feel like that pink haired girl from Familiar of Zero. Maybe I should yell "explosion" and see what happens.

…Actually, that's a terrible idea.

Comparatively, Kagura has improved way more than me. She has more control on the degree in which she can increase and decrease gravity. Of course, she can't make gravity bone crushing yet, and she still has ways to go in regards to how long she can keep up her magic, and how big of an area she can affect, but at least her magic doesn't explode in her face all the time.

Another issue I need to address is close combat skills. I have none, and so those Kagura. We've been so focused on improving our magic that we haven't bothered to work on that yet. We still did our daily exercise routines, but physical fitness can only get you so far in a fight. I asked Celia if she would train me in some close quarters combat, but she refused, saying something around the lines of, "I'm not gonna teach you everything, Kid. Why don't you ask around the guild?" The problem with that, was that Kagura and I didn't really interact with the other guild members much. We spent most of our time with Celia and Lana.

I was also thinking about learning how to use a weapon as well. I know that once I finally get complete control over my magic, that a weapon would complement it greatly. Also, knowing how to use a weapon would come in handy in a situation in which magic isn't necessary or not possible. Kagura had the same idea as me, and we decided that we would find a weapons instructor.

XXX

I was sitting at a table in the far right corner of the guild hall. Sitting at the table with me was Kagura and Araña. Kagura was wearing a white dress, with black leggings. On her head was the white bow she always wore. She looked very similar to how she did when we first met on that fateful day…

Araña was wearing an amber dress that had spider web designs on it. She looked like a chibi version of her mother. Her hair was the same color as Lana's, with the same curls and dark brown eyes. On the table was her favorite stuffed spider, Mr. Fuzzy, and she was currently drawing pictures with some crayons.

The guild hall had a lot of people in it, and the sound of multiple conversations filled the air.

"So Kagura, you have any ideas on who can teach us how to use a weapon?" I ask.

She shakes her head, "I've seen some guild members carrying weapons, but I don't know them that well, and I don't want to be a burden to someone that barely knows me…"

Before I could respond, Araña interjects.

"Are ya gonna learn to use swords? That's so cool! You'll be like Sam'rai, and be like swish and swoosh, and fight all the bad guys!" She said excitedly.

"Well, Araña-chan, we are looking for someone to teach us how to use a weapon, and swords are definitely an option…" I respond to the excited five year old.

"I wonder if Momma will let me use a sword…" she fantasized out loud.

Knowing Lana, she probably won't be let her anywhere near any type of weapon, especially a sword. Poor girl.

"Maybe she will if you ask nicely…" Kagura said.

A wide grin makes its way upon Araña's face. "You really th'nk so!" She said excitedly.

Before Kagura could respond, the guild erupts into cheers and whistles. Kagura and I turn our attention to the cause of the cheers and whistles to see Maribelle Lockhart walk on the stage that the guildhall had. She had her blonde hair in a ponytail, and was wearing her white dress and bolero jacket.

She held out her arms, and a violin and bow appeared in her hands with a gold flash. She then brought the violin up to her chin, and started playing a melodious tune.

I always enjoyed it when she performed on stage. It was one of the things that Kagura and I admired about Maribelle. She was always the picture of elegance and grace. Even though she was considered the ace of Mermaid Heel, she never bragged or boasted. Kagura aspired to be like her, and I don't blame her. She did look pretty bad-ass, with her white dress, proper posture, and her two… swords…

…That gives me an idea…

"Psst… Kagura" I whisper loudly.

She looks turns her head towards me, "What?" She whispers back.

"Why don't we ask Maribelle-san to teach us?" I whisper excitedly.

Kagura's eyes grow wide, "W-What?" she whispered loudly in shock. She quickly recovers. "Why would you consider that!? She would never teach us! We are not worth her time!" She argued quietly.

It looks like Kagura puts her on a very high pedestal and doesn't consider herself worthy of her idol's time. I completely understand, but she did say something about watching us months ago, and we are looking for a combat instructor. So why not ask the best?

I look Kagura in the eyes, "I know that she's your hero Kagura, and I admire her too, but we need someone to teach us. And it can't hurt to ask… You never know, she might accept." I say quietly.

The sound of clapping suddenly fills the air, and interrupts our conversation. We look back to the stage to see Maribelle bow, and then walk off stage with a small smile on her face. I watch her walk along the side of the room. I knew where she was heading, which was door to go out on a job.

I grab suddenly grab Kagura's wrist, "Come on, this our chance!" I exclaim and pull her along. I ignore Kagura's shout of "Wait! Stop!"

Maribelle was just about to open the door when we caught her.

"Maribelle-san!" I exclaim suddenly, and I feel Kagura freeze a little.

She stopped and turned around, her face was neutral, but her emerald eyes had curiosity in them. "Yes?" she inquired.

I was now starting to regret my decision, and I was starting to grow nervous like Kagura.

"U-Um, w-we were wondering, if… if" I stumble out nervously, before taking a deep breath, and closing my eyes. "We were wondering if you would teach us how to us a weapon!" I say quickly.

There is a moment of silence.

I open my eyes, and look up to see her studying us, her eyes switching between Kagura and me. I feel my cheeks flush, and I'm pretty sure Kagura is mortified that I potentially embarrassed her in front of her idol. "I-It's okay if you d-don't accept" I stammer out nervously.

She studies us for a few more moments, before a small smile appears on her face. "I was wondering when you two would ask me something like this… Very well, I accept. Meet me in my room at the dorms one week from now at 10 o'clock, and do not be late." She said, her eyes filled with amusement. She then turned around, and looked over her shoulder. "I would suggest putting your hair in a style that will not get in your face, and bring loose clothing as well." She said before opening the door and left.

I was stunned that actually worked, and I look back at Kagura to see the shocked expression on her face. She then snaps out of her stupor, and glares at me. "Never do something like that to me again, Rubi!" She exclaimed.

"Hey take it easy, Kagura!" I say with a hint of nervousness. "It would have taken you years to ask her, and I saw an opportunity and took it... Look at the bright side, we just got Maribelle-san to agree to teach us." I explain with a large grin on my face.

Her glare disappears, and she takes a moment to contemplate my words. "We got Maribelle to teach us…" She breathes out, before a large grin appears on her face. "We got Maribelle to teach us!" she shouted excitedly.

I'm suddenly squeezed in an excited hug and I let out a choking noise.

"Well I got to say, you brats have a lot of gall to ask Maribelle for apprenticeships like that... I'm impressed." Came Celia's voice from behind us.

We quickly separate and look to see Celia with a huge, amused smirk on her face. "In fact, I think you two are the first ones to actually ask her." She said with amusement. "Who would have thought that the two seven year olds would be the ones to finally ask Maribelle to teach them something?" She then chuckled. "I wish you two the best of luck. Knowing her meticulous nature, you two are in for a fun time." She then went up the stairs that led to her office.

Well, that wasn't foreboding.

XXX

1 week later

Kagura and I were walking down the hallways of the dorm. The floor was made of hard wood, and the walls were a tan color. The dorms sat right on the lake like the guild, but was only two stories tall. But it was significantly longer than the guild though. Celia said that Maribelle's room was on the second floor.

I was wearing a light blue dress with black leggings, and blue shoes. Even though everything about me in this new life seems to be based around the color red, it is not my favorite color. I personally prefer blue, but unfortunately, I don't get much say in picking out my clothes most of the time. Being a child again sucked. I never thought seven years ago, before I died, that I would mostly be wearing dresses. But after years of wearing them, I've gotten used them. I still miss wearing t-shirts and shorts all the time, but that can't be helped.

Kagura was wearing a similar outfit to me, but her dress and shoes were white. Instead of having her hair in the "Hime" cut that she always wore, she put her hair into a pony tail, and her white bow was on her head as well.

Since last year, my hair has grown to a little bit past my shoulders, and I didn't really style it. I never really styled my hair in my last life, so I didn't bother doing it in this life. But Maribelle suggested that I style it so that it won't get in my face. So I went to Lana, because there was no way I trusted Celia with something like this, and asked her to help style my hair. I never asked someone to do something like this, and Lana was slightly amused at my flustered face.

I didn't know much about hair styles, but I distantly remembered Erza putting her hair in a braid in the anime when she was a kid, and it looked good on her, so I figured it would look good on me. So that's exactly what I did, and I put my bangs to my side. Looking in a mirror, I looked like a chibi Erza.

We reached Maribelle's door which, not surprisingly, was painted white. She definitely had a white theme going. We stop at the door, and we look at each other nervously, before raising our hands to knock on the door. But before we could, it suddenly opens, revealing Maribelle. This made us both jump back in surprise.

She stares at us, and a small smile appears on her face. "Just on time. Please, come in." She said politely. She then walked back into her room, "Please close the door behind you, and I would appreciate it if you did not touch anything." She said without looking back.

Kagura walks in first, and I follow, gently closing the door behind me. I stop and look around the room in wonder. The room was about twice as big as our room, and the walls were painted a pure white. Every type of sword from rapiers, to scimitars, to katanas, and even a great sword were on the walls. There were also various paintings as well.

There was a queen sized bed in the back with white sheets and wooden dressers next to it. Mounted above the bed was a long Japanese style sword that had a white sheath, a red handle, and had a gold pommel and gold studs along the hilt. The weirdest thing about it was that it was wrapped with bandages around the area where the hand guard met the sheath. It seemed strangely familiar.

There was a door on the left side of the room that most likely led to the bath room. On the right side was four, white living room chairs surrounding a coffee table. Maribelle was sitting in one of those chairs, and was staring at me and Kagura, who was also looking around the room.

"Please take a seat. We have much to discuss." She said calmly, and beckoned us other.

We quickly walk over to her and sit down.

There is a moment of silence. Her face turned serious, "You have requested to be my apprentices. And if you are to be my apprentices, I expect both of you to learn what I teach you with no complaints. Do you understand?" She asked.

I nervously nod my head, and I'm joined by Kagura.

She studies us, before her serious expression is replaced by a small smile. "Good. Now let us go over what you will be learning over the next few years… I am a master of many styles of sword combat, and as my apprentices, you will be taught all of them of them as well. Once I deem you two to be proficient in every style I teach, you will then choose the styles that you are best at and master them. Is that understood?" She inquired.

We both nod

"Before we begin, do you have any questions?" She inquired.

I looked over at the sword that was over her bed, its appearance and familiarity bugging me. But before I could ask about it, Kagura beat me to it.

"What is that sword over there?" She asked curiously while pointing at the sword. It seems that she took interest in it as well, most likely out of curiosity, rather than having a sense of déjà vu.

Maribelle looked over shoulder to see where Kagura pointed, and looked back. "That is a nodachi that I received on an S-class job as a reward a while ago. The sword requires using a style that I am not particularly fond of, and the sword is also a bit too destructive for my taste. But it is a finely crafted sword, one of the best I have seen, so I decided to mount it on my wall for now. It has a name as well. Archenemy, or The Blade of Resentment. When it is unsheathed, it becomes quite... catastrophic."

Archenemy… wasn't that Kagura's sword?

She then looked at me. "Do you have any questions or concerns, Rubina?"

Well, I had a question, but Kagura took it. So I decide to just shake my head.

With that, she got up and started walking towards the door. "Come. We have much to do." We followed her, and we eventually arrive outside. We then follow her to the small field that was in front of the dorms. She then stopped and turned around and looked at us.

"The first sword you will be learning how to use, is the rapier." She said, before holding out her hands, and two sword like objects appeared in a quick gold flash. On closer inspection, they were child sized fencing swords. "But before you wield any type of blade, you must learn proper safety and technique." She then gently tossed the two fencing swords towards us, landing at our feet.

Kagura and I hesitantly picked them up.

"First lesson: Posture."

This was going to be a long day...

And a long day it was. We spent hours learning the proper way to hold a sword, and the proper way to stand. Maribelle gave a very detailed lecture on sword safety, while simultaneously correcting our stances with a meter stick that she somehow summoned.

I had a sneaking suspicion it was a form of Requip.

And that's how we spent our first day of training. Standing still and getting whacked by a meter stick if we stepped out of line. Maribelle did not joke around.

It was fun...

I feel like I could of written more of Araña, but I don't know how to write really young children well. As time goes on, I'll be giving her more dialogue. I decided to have Rubina learn how to use a sword, because that's what I would do (she is based off me after all) and it would be a complement to her magic if applied correctly. She won't be a pure sword fighter, but she will use one if need be. I just got to decide what type of sword to give her. Also, this is the first appearance of Kagura's sword, Archenemy. I was going to write more, but I kinda ran out of steam at the end, and I realized that I need to take a small break.

I hope someone gets my Familiar of Zero reference. For those not familiar to the show, it's about a guy from our world being summoned to another world as a girls summon. I would give a better summary, but that's what the internet is for.