28 A Grueling Hellish Spartan Training

After my talk with Herma, I head back to the marble courtyard, this also functioned as a sparring arena. It was also the place that I was to meet my brother for our swordplay training. He was pretty keen about teaching me to handle a sword.

I was sure that he was trying to help me figure out a class, and I even had a sneaky suspicion that he wanted me to try and get me to pick his class. However, I had a lot of time to decide just what class I wanted to choose.

Right now, the goal was to pick up some more basic skills and learn to handle a sword. There wasn't too much else that I could do at this moment.

Walking through the night garden, I pass a few servants along the way.

"Young Miss," they say with a small bow and I give them a smile as I hurry along.

The garden was pretty silent in the morning, considering that there wasn't much to be seen. A lot of gardeners were out and about working on all the plants and making sure that they are healthy.

Nodding at them, I quickly arrive at the marble courtyard, and there are a few people standing around and talking. It seems like it wouldn't just be me and Clemente. All of my Brothers are present, minus Grail and Marigold were standing attached to Ambrose.

"Little Sis," Clemente says, as he moves away from Ambrose and towards me. A look of annoyance rest on Ambrose's features as he stares at Clemente.

But my focus was solely on Salem. He was dressed simply in a pair of black pants and a white shirt. His face was impassive as always, and his emerald eyes are boring into mine. Downcasting my head, I look back at Clemente.

He was right in front of me and had a simple blue and white kimono on and his sword strapped to his hip. Without wasting a second, he grabs my hand and pulls me closer to everyone.

"I know, I said that I would teach you swordplay, but I'm sorry that we've got an audience," he tells me with an annoyed glance at the rest of them.

I chuckle and tighten the grip on my sword. Salem's expression on his face sours even further and Ambrose looks like he wants to bludgeon Clemente upside the head. Marigold just smiling and holding Ambrose's arm.

She looks rather amused by everything that's happening.

"I don't mind in the least," I tell him honestly.

"Great then, you came right on time, Clemente says as he releases my hand.

"You said that you'd teach me how to use my sword. How could I possibly be late, when Brother's took time out of his schedule to show me how to handle my sword," I say with a grin.

He puffs out his chest at my words and looks at the rest of them with a smug expression. He was so easy to read, this brother of mine. Simple and straightforward like an eager arrow.

"I can't tell you how proud, I am to have a lil sis like you. I've been stuck with shitty younger brother for as long as I can remember," he says wiping a fake tear from his eyes, as he fakes mock sadness.

"You've got it the wrong way around, we've been stuck with a blockhead older brother," Ambrose comments as he walks towards me.

He pats my head and I smile choosing not to comment on either of their remarks.

"Stingy aren't you Ambrose, you shouldn't act like a petulant child its unbefitting of your age," Clemente grumbles as he and Ambrose shoot daggers at each other.

Watching the two of them you could basically see the sparks flying between them. These two are seriously like oil and water, or cats and dogs. They simply just don't mix and are like polar opposites.

Directing my attention away from the two bickering brothers, I look at Salem. He was still looking at me and I was trying to figure out what was going on in the brain of his.

Just what in the world was he thinking about?

Seeing as just staring at him wasn't going to get him to talk, I look back towards Clemente.

"Brother! Teach me how to use my sword," I say breaking the tension and the bickering between the two of them. Each of them snaps their head in my direction, and I give them a warm smile.

Clemente nodded his head and clears his throat.

"Yes, let's begin, that why we're here, to teach you how to use the sword that I gave you," he says placing a lot emphasis as he shot a glance towards Ambrose.

Turning his nose up at Clemente jab, he and Marigold walk towards some chairs and table that had been set out with a few things on it. Salem also made his way over to the chairs.

"First draw your weapon," he says pulling his own sword from its sheath.

Looking at the glistening sword it was obviously meticulously cared for. The blade hadn't dulled in the least, and I didn't see an ounce of rust anywhere on the sword. A great deal of bloodlust seemed to leak from the blade as I looked at it.

It was obvious that a great many foes had been slain by this weapon. It was almost like it was collecting all the souls, and trapping it inside of the blade, as enteral punishment.

'Yes, Sir," I assented as I drew my own blade.

______

I don't know how much time had passed, but it felt like an eon. My bones felt like they'd become liquid and sweat was endlessly pouring down my face and back.

If I had known that my Brother's sword training was right from the demon manual from hell. I might have reconsidered him teaching me.

This was Spartan training… I would have refused. However, it was too late for that now!

"Have you had enough?" His voice rang out with a soft joking tone to it.

But in my mind, that voice wasn't joking, but the voice of a demon general calling out to a low ranking soldier.

It was like I was being called from the other side.

"Don't you think you've been a little hard on her. Remember that she's only five, you do remember, right?" Ambrose asks with a firm voice from the sideline of the torture show.

My lungs felt like they were on fire as I drew air into them, this was painful!

"I don't think I was that hard on her," Clemente says trying to defend his training.

"She'll thank me when she in the dungeon. Besides she said that she wanted to be the best adventurer, so I'll train her hard," he says with a smile.

Looking up at him through hazy eyes, I don't ever recall saying that I wanted to be the best. However, that didn't have a bad ring to it either.

Forcing my head upwards, I look at my Brother. He didn't even have a single bead of sweat running down his face. I don't think he broke a sweat the whole entire time that he'd been training me.

Well, training was the kind way to put it, it'd been a mild beating.

However, I'd gotten a few skills.

「Evasion」

「Counter」

「Bloodlust Detection」

「Counter Strike」

These are the skills that I'd obtained after having a sword manic swing at me like he was cutting down a monster.

As each of the names implies, they're learned to evade strike that would take one's life. It was simple, to earn skills after you'd been under distress.

Waving a hand in front of my face, I look away from my earnings and at my Brother.

My body was aching all over, he'd been hitting me with the blunt side of his blade for the whole of the training. Although I didn't really sustain any damage, I still hurt all over.

It was good that he wasn't using the sharp edge, but nonetheless it was very unpleasant to have the shit whacked out of my tender five-year-old body.

Scratch that, no matter the age, it wasn't pleasant to have the shit beaten out of you!

Grunting, I pull myself up from the kneeling position on the ground and to a standing position.

My chest hurt and my arms felt like they're ready to fall off my body. But I felt invigorated, as if liquid lighting was running through my veins.

This was the most I'd felt alive, in both of my lives!

Combat… It was amazing!

I'd finally understood why someone would want to learn martial arts or wield a weapon in my old life. There was something about the act of violence that made one's blood run hot in their veins, and their souls to ignite.

"Why you have to go and hit her so hard!" Salem finally chimes in and I look at him. His fists are clenched, and his eyes are blood red.

But I didn't share the same sentiments the blood was roaring in my ears. I wanted to keep going!

"Hollis?" Clemente voice sounded through the roar, and I look at him. A wild grin was on his lips as he looks at me.

"Do you want to continue?" There was a madness in his eyes, but I felt my blood pump faster.

"Yes!"