Chapter 232: Training

After learning that Ned's handle of different weapon types was exceptional. Master Roy could only sigh in defeat and yelp in excitement.

"Where did you learn how to do that?"

"How did you do that?"

"You even know how to use a mace?"

"Enough!" Roy said. "I get it. You're good with melee weapons. But a bow? Even a bow? Who is your Master?"

Ned went silent. They have been training, or perhaps practicing with the weapons for over an hour.

Ned tested blades, maces, and spears with a different kind of handling. Although his body couldn't keep up with his movements. Still, the memory of things and mastery of weapons lingered within his thoughts. Ned wasn't adept with many kinds of weapons, but sure was his mastery of a number of them.

"Looks like we're going in advance with Stances," Roy said in defeat.

He expected Ned to train with the sword for a week or two, but it seems that an hour was enough for him to learn the basics of each weapon.

Roy sighed as he walked past the pile of weapons, and stopped in front of Ned.

"Okay," he said, pointing a finger above. After Ned's show of mastery of weapons, he seemed to be wary of him. And he blurbed things and remarks too fast that he thought Ned couldn't follow.

Ned nodded and thought. Was he training me? Is this his way of training?

"Stances will depend on the weapon you are holding," he continued. "I see you're adept in terms of blades, be it long or short. That's quite impressive for such your age. But listen, now that you've got an advantage against the kids your age, you still got a lot to learn. Do you want to stick to blades? Or you want to choose a new weapon to master? Remember choosing a new weapon will also force you to train with a new Stance. So, choose wisely."

Ned nodded and proceeded to get one of the blades. He remained with the blade as his main weapon of choice.

Roy slightly nodded in agreement with Ned. "You see," he said. "Using blades will give you advantages like reach, weight, stability, and balance. But it seemed that you already knew of these things." He added while he looked at Ned.

"Do you have a much better blade than this?" Ned said, eyeing the blade while it was being brandished.

"Yes," Roy said. "But not now, they're spares so let's work on that. Now, as you have chosen a blade. I will then impart to you Stances that belongs to blades."

Roy walked back to the same spot when they have started. Behind him was the miniature stream, and behind Ned was the wooden door. Ned frowned, does he wish to fight? Ned thought looking at Roy as he unsheathed his sword.

"This Stance is my creation," he said. His free hand freely swinging on his side. The dominant hand angled the tip of the sword toward Ned. "Without mana, all you have to do is rely on your raw strength and your weapon. Now, block my attacks!"

Roy dashed. Dust underneath his boots. His blade was in a weird shape.

As he gets closer to Ned, his blade seemed to move along with his hands. It then blurs and vanished.

Ned focused but Roy didn't use any mana. Ned could feel no changes in the mana surrounding him.

Instead of backing away, he let his combat display play along with the Emulator. But it seemed that even the Emulator couldn't pick where the blade went.

Roy smiled, the angle of his hand remained the same as if he was still holding the hilt of the blade while he dashed to Ned.

But there's nothing there. The blade vanished and appeared as the tip went closer to Ned.

With a quick hand, Ned blocked the tip of Roy's blade with the surface of the blade he was holding.

His blade cracked upon contact with Roy's blade. Ned then tilted his head to evade the blade as it passes through his blade.

The blade he was holding shattered to pieces.

"Wow?" He exclaimed. How did you do it?"

"It's a Stance," Roy said. "Different Stance will have different effects. Like the one, you've been using. Your Stance creates a blast with proper movements."

Ned threw the shattered blade he was using as Roy pulled his own.

"It's called Viper Striking a Moon Under the Shadows."

"Uhm," Ned exclaimed, almost exaggerating. "Really?"

"Well," Roy said, scratching his temple. "I'm not fond of naming things. So, well, if you want to learn it you can name it. I don't care. But that's the appropriate Stance I could think of when using blades. It also works on knives and daggers. But certainly works for long blades. Especially that you wanted to become a Knight. Imagine using a shield, then your blade suddenly disappeared?"

"Surprising, indeed." Ned walked past Roy and pulled a dagger off the pile of weapons. "But I won't take up with the name."

"I know, I get it," Roy agreed. "Training to improve is fine. But you need a rest as well. The Queen is also calling me. So it's good timing indeed. Now we go, grab food, and don't mess with other beasts without me."

Ned agreed. They've been training for half a day so he needed rest. He needed his energy back to continue. And so they did. But messing with beasts wasn't part of his plans now. He could do it later.

Ned wondered if after he left the Hive, will Kon Sas Koron accept him, or consider him her enemy. But no, he agreed to read the Gate. So with that, they might become allies.

Ned wondered if they could maintain pace with what they have right now, he could finish within a month or a month and a half.

Although unwanted, Ned thought that becoming a hunter was necessary od he wanted to venture after he saved his master. He smiled, cause he now took things in advance.

"Becoming a hunter, huh," Ned said, leaving the training chamber. "Not bad after all."