by RA. Gil
Valeriana gasped. Before she could even run after him, a pair of hands grabbed her shoulders.
“That guy is scary.” Chavi shivered.
“What?”
“Well, he glares at everyone all the time.” She stated. “If you look at him in the eye, it feels like he'll kill you.”
Valeriana shook her head “I know that.” She said.
“What are you choosing anyway?” Chavi asked instead, changing the topic.
“Uh . . . what is Weapon's Art exactly?” She asked, looking at the ceiling while tapping her chin thoughtfully.
“There are daggers and knives, swords, cleaving weapons, spears, and ranged weapons. You just choose a weapon to specialize in. Okay! Right this way!”
“I'll never get used to this.” Valeriana grumbled before trudging wearily to follow Chavi's lead.
Chapter Eighteen ♣ Weapon's Art
After getting changed, Chavi steadily navigated through the corridor once more and guided Valeriana to the training field. After doing so, the girl happily waved at Valeriana and said she would be back after her class to fetch her.
“How kind of her.” She said before walking into the grassy field. Some students were already hanging around dressed in the proper attire, holding their own swords in hand. “So this is swordsmanship, huh?”
The expanse of the training yard was filled with students currently taking their lessons. It was further subdivided into different sections based on the weapons being taught. The other classes were being displayed in full view since the only thing separating them was distance.
Valeriana looked to the sky. The view of the beautiful, ethereal color of a clear, bright, blue with fluffy and soft-looking white clouds stretching from above ruled her sight. The gentle breeze caressed her cheeks and willfully played with her hair. Even though this wasn't the world she originally came from, she couldn't help but think it was beautiful.
“Enjoying the view?” A man's voice echoed beside her.
Valeriana jumped in shock, her heart leaping to her throat. She craned her neck speedily to see who just appeared. It was a man with dirty blond hair and brown eyes. He looked especially strong. He had slight stubble on his chin and he wore a cheerful smile.
“Oh . . . uh, yeah. I really haven't seen anything like it.” She said, hand on her chest as she tried to calm her racing heart. “This world is certainly beautiful. Well, it's my first time seeing it like this.”
“This world?” The man raised a brow at her. “Don't tell me . . .”
“I'm the rumored human.” Valeriana grinned, speaking for him.
He laughed. “You took the words right out of my mouth! So your name is Valeriana, is that correct? Valeriana Kerrigan?” He tilted his neck to the side as he gazed at the young girl in front of him with his questioning gaze.
“Yup!” She answered enthusiastically.
“I never saw you up close when you fought Courtney, but now that I see you face to face, you're quite the cute kid, aren't you?” His booming laughter echoed throughout the training yard. Valeriana stared at him in confusion as he reached out and patted her on the head.
“Not . . . really.”
The man's laughter came to a stop and he looked down at her with curiosity. “Why not?” He paused. “Oh, wait a moment. Let me look at you.” He reached for her shoulders and pulled her towards him gently, his eyes staring straight into hers as if searching for something.
“Why?”
“When I caught you looking up at the sky just now, I thought you looked a lot like someone I know.” He stated. “I mistook you for her at first, really. It was hilarious.”
“Really?”
The man stared at her for a moment. “It's like she was reincarnated.”
“Oh . . . she's dead?”
“Unfortunately,” he whispered. “But that woman did a lot of good things when she was still alive. Her words were a thousand tons heavy that it could change something completely.”
“Wow.”
“My name is Hajji Tarragon. I'll be your instructor. Unless, of course, you came to the wrong class. But no, I have your name on my class list. So, you’re probably not lost.”
“You're my teacher?”
“I can be no other person.” He chuckled. “Alright, I suggest you get ready. We'll be working on a lot of things today.”
“Like what?”
Before her question could be answered, Sir Hajji turned to his students and clapped his hands twice. Everyone stopped the activity they were currently doing and diverted their attention to their instructor.
“Line up!”
Without second thoughts, everyone dragged their legs and stood on a straight line. Valeriana decided to join in and stood on some random spot.
“Alright, everyone. Since this is just the first month of your stay in Celeste Academy, we'll work on the very basic of your skills!” He padded across the field and reached for a wooden sword sitting in a bin with others. “I know I told you all that yesterday or last week, but I'll be repeating it for our newcomer over here.” He briefly glanced over at Valeriana's direction and everyone's eyes were suddenly pinned at her direction.
Valeriana swallowed.
“Valeriana, do you mind coming over here?”
The human girl nervously walked forward. Sir Hajji flashed her a comforting smile and threw her the wooden sword. Valeriana caught it easily in her hand and flashed the older man a questioning look.
“Forgive me, my dear,” he grinned. “Tradition is tradition and everyone in this class had to fight me on their first day. It helps me determine the level of your ability. But since you recently just dueled and came out with injuries, I'll try to go easy on you.”
He must be talking about the wound on her left arm. It had healed nicely that she already forgot about it. It wasn't her dominant arm, nevertheless, so she was sure it wouldn't bring her any burden.
Valeriana furrowed her brows in worry. “I'm sorry. I don't think I can do it again.”
Hajji raised his brows at her. “Have you already forgotten the first rule about sword-fighting?”
“The first rule?”
“A battle cannot be won by just skill alone. You have to have more confidence in yourself, Valeriana.”
“O-okay.” She nodded.
“Well, then, quit with the babbling!” Hajji took a wooden sword himself and held the hilt firmly in his hands. He pointed the sword at Valeriana and smiled. “Come at me!”
Valeriana took a deep breath and whispered, “One with your sword.”
Remember to be like water. She reminded herself mentally before running forward and attacking the older man. Hajji didn't even lose that annoying smile on his face before he blocked Valeriana’s assaults almost effortlessly.
Compared to the fight with Courtney, this felt much more enjoyable with no pressure of being killed or cut. They were using light-weight dummy swords that didn't really pose much harm to an inexperienced eye, but Valeriana knew it would be much dangerous when put in the hands of a trained swordsman. After all, after what Seraphina showed her, Valeriana started to see things differently than before.
They exchanged hard blows. The sound of wood hitting wood was completely different from metal clashing against metal, but that did not make the situation any less difficult than the fight she had with Courtney. Hajji was on a completely different level. Nevertheless, he was treating it as if it was child's play.
Sir Hajji's style was different from Lady Seraphina's. Instead of what she was taught, Hajji's moves seemed just . . . playful. They were complex and hard to understand, as if they went to one direction then went to another. He was unpredictable, swift, and free.
Valeriana felt confused. With the current turmoil her mind was in, Hajji immediately took advantage of her condition and struck his sword down onto hers, completely knocking it out of her hand. He sent it flying away that it made Valeriana's jaw drop to the ground.
A round of applause came from the other students.
“You picked up great skills, young lady!” Sir Hajji exclaimed, lowering his dummy sword. “Lady Seraphina's truly a good trainer!” He then walked forward and placed a hand on her shoulder. “But she did not teach you everything yet—so that'll be my job.”
Hajji nudged Valeriana back to where she previously stood before facing all of his students with a gleeful smile. A gush of wind blew and playfully caressed Valeriana's cheeks. The cool breeze toyed with her hair before suddenly disappearing as if to only cool her down from the recent workout.
That was when it occurred to her. “The wind . . .”
Hajji, who seemed to have heard her, flashed her a knowing smile and winked. “That's right. You have moved like water, my dear, just like what Seraphina taught you. It may have worked on Courtney, but it won't work on me.”
“I don't exactly understand this.” She muttered, looking at him in confusion.
“It goes like this, there’s fire. It's rash, and it swallows everything it can, but water puts out the fire. Still, the wind carries the water and sometimes may even put it in a state of turmoil, but even so, a wall of earth can block the wind.”
“So you can fight, not just by being like water?” Valeriana inquired.
“Of course.” Hajji answered. “There are many ways to fight with the sword. Being like water is not the only one. A master swordsman knows how to be like all the elements—wild like fire, graceful like water, free like the wind, and firm like the earth.”
“I see . . .” Valeriana trailed off as she mulled over what he said.
“Alright! Since I'm done with my wonderful speech, it's time to start the lesson!”
“Will you teach us to be like the elements too, sir?” One of the students asked in obvious excitement, making Valeriana smile.
Sir Hajji paused and scanned all of his students. “Sure, I will!” He answered.
Everyone cheered.
“But not now. It’s too early. We haven't even finished with the basics yet. You all must know the foundation of everything before you even become ready to become beginners!”
“Aren't we beginners already?” Someone asked.
“Beginners are different from amateurs!”
The mood of the students suddenly faltered and they all began to whine like children, slouching their backs in disappointment, someone even amusingly muttered about it not being fair.
“You too, Valeriana,” Hajji said. “I noticed your lousy footwork. Your enemy would've easily knocked you out with that sort of stance!”
Valeriana smacked her forehead. “Argh. I'm no good with stances.”
“Anyway, we'll be working on balance today!”
“But, sir!” The same student from a while ago whined. “We've been working on our balance since last week! Can't we even move on?”
“Until you all haven't finished perfecting your balances, we will not move on!”
TChapter Nineteen ♣ Hungry Demon
ime flew by faster after attending Weapon's Art. Valeriana had taken a short break to change back into the regular uniform.
The next few classes were hectic and she barely understood the lessons. She barely made it out of the classroom with her sanity.
Fortunately, Chavi was there. The girl did not hesitate to teach her the things she didn't know. In fact, when they entered alchemy class, she happily demonstrated the sequencing pattern of mixing potions and the right way to put them together. Alchemy resembled chemistry very much with a touch of magic.
Valeriana flipped the book to the next page and sighed, letting her eyes scan over the words printed down on the page. She studied the lessons in advance so that she could catch up and understand what the teacher was talking about. It wouldn't make any sense for her if she listened to something she had no idea of, therefore, she was stuck reading a pile of books she never imagined herself reading.
“Ugh! I want to go home! I can't do this all in one day!” She groaned, shoving her face between the pages of the book she was reading. “They can’t expect me to learn all of these overnight!” Her voice was muffled by the pages.
“Enough with that, you can do it!” Chavi smiled at her encouragingly.
“Back home, this is supposed to be my summer vacation, too! What the hell is up with this world? Aren’t there vacations?”
“We hardly take vacation. There's only the one month long holiday that lets the students celebrate the founding of the kingdom. Other than that . . .”
“But . . . it's crazy! You guys are gonna kill me . . .”
A boy suddenly emerged from the shadow. He brushed his chocolate brown hair back with a long, slow sweep. “There. Fifth-ranker.” He stated in an emotionless tone. His brown eyes lacked the spirit of a person his age—dull and without soul.
Valeriana's brows rose on her forehead. “You mean me?”
“The Gathering. Twenty minutes.” He reminded, making her feel alarmed for almost forgetting. No doubt that Corvan would turn up his nose to know she was late!
“Sorry, with all the work that's supposed to be done, I forgot. Are you . . . that boy from my History class? Brindon, right?”
He nodded. “Can we go?”
“Alright, alright.” She snapped the books close and stood from her seat, giving Chavi an apologetic smile.
Her expression was mirrored by an encouraging nod. “I'll see you later. Go on ahead. I'll fix this first.”
“Sorry for not helping with the cleanup.” She told her, waving her hand to her friend.
The boy turned slowly to head for the door leading out of the library. Valeriana followed suit and sauntered steadily beside her mysterious classmate.
“You know, you can call me Valeriana.” She told him.
“Valeriana . . .”
He was apathetic. He projected the image of a cold and detached individual, having shown indifference with his actions. He possessed round, doe-like eyes with effeminate and androgynous features—flowing, layered locks, long and dark lashes and an unbelievably round face.
“So, how old are you? You look a bit young to be attending the academy.”
“Thirty-six.” He told her.
“What?!” She gasped, before remembering the fact that Valemnians aged differently from humans.
Valeriana mentally slapped herself.
“Oh . . . sorry.” He didn't look angry . . . at least, on the outside. “My name's Valeriana Kerrigan.” She smiled, deciding to introduce herself.
“An honor.” He said indifferently.
“The feeling's mutual.” She replied as they faced the gigantic wooden doors. Valeriana reached her hand out with a smile and pulled them open, which creaked noisily as it was yanked back.
They stepped out of the library and began walking through the corridor, which was almost empty in exception for occasional passers-by. People came and went, heading to the library mostly.
“Where's the Gathering going to be held?” She queried, looking at Brindon from the corner of her eyes.
She spotted the latter shy away from her gaze, as much as an apathetic person could. “The Circle’s residences.” He answered, sighing as though talking so much tired him out.
“I see.” Valeriana murmured. “Anyway, what do you do?” She decided to ask, willing to change the conversation to something more interesting and a bit engaging. No matter how near he was, she felt like he was a million miles away.
“Combat archery.”
Was it just her or he spoke no more than two words every time he would answer?
“Really?”
He nodded.
“That's awesome. Maybe you can teach me sometime.”
He hummed in reply.
Well, this is awkward. Valeriana thought.
“So, what else do you do? Any hobbies aside from . . . uh . . . shooting down . . . things?”
He hesitated. “Painting.”
Thank god something's normal about these people!
Valeriana beamed at him, but as she thought bac
k to her experiences, she realized she never was actually good at it. “I thought I would try it once but I'm totally bad at it.”
“Anybody can do it.”
Four words! What a progress! She never realized she was counting.
“Trust me. I'm hopeless.” She said.
What she admitted was true. She even remembered her teacher mentioning something about her having no talent at all. Her classmates even busted laughing when they saw what she did. Like they said, they preferred the blank canvas.
“I'm afraid I’m inartistic.” She muttered, slouching her back in disappointment.
“I can help you.” He offered.
“That would be awesome.” She almost exclaimed in excitement, but then gave the boy a look the almost resembled pity. “But . . . you’re seriously going to make a harsh commitment there.”
“Don't mind.”
They traveled across a wide, grassy area before reaching their intended destination. The sun had already set and darkness had enveloped the entire school. The only things lighting their way were lanterns that were hung on every corner plausible. Valeriana wrapped her own arms around herself in a failed attempt to shield herself from the chilly night. The long sleeves of her uniform weren't helping at all.
“Are there really demons there?”
“Yes.” Brindon casted a glance at the dark, shadowy forest that surrounded the academy.
“Why would an academy be in a place like this?” She queried, looking at every direction like a paranoid.
“Part of training.” He eyed the forest as a pair of red eyes seemed to blink behind bushes, watching them with scrutiny.
She shivered. “Was there a pair of red eyes just now?”
A growling sound came from a distance, and a red-eyed demon jumped from behind the trees. Valeriana staggered back in shock as the beast fortunately hit an invisible, wall-like structure, preventing it from going a step further than its current location.
Eyes wide, she did not feel Brindon making his way ahead of her. She only came to when she heard a rough, raspy voice.
“Time will come. You cannot hide yourselves beyond this barrier any longer!” The voice said, making Valeriana snap out of her trance and run after her guide in fear.