Free Web NovelChapter 131: Learning the basics
The next few days were filled with intense training sessions between Victor and Bel.
After breakfast, they practiced on the outfield, but contrary to Bel’s expectations, Victor didn’t teach him how to use that powerful punch that seemed capable of tearing the air itself apart. Victor only went through the basic drills, scolding Bel about proper stance, foot placement, and breath control.
"The sword is an extension of your body," Victor explained as he demonstrated simple movements with the sword. "You must feel every fiber of your being connected to the blade."
Bel, however, grew increasingly impatient.
Although he now respected Victor immensely, he had already learned and practiced many of these basic movements on his own. He wanted to move on to more advanced techniques, more powerful moves, and most of all, he wanted to replicate the incredible move that Victor had demonstrated on the first day.
"Pay attention to form, Bel," Victor said, seeing that Bel wasn’t paying much attention to what he was saying. "Without a solid foundation, any advanced technique will be useless."
The first few days passed like this, with Bel following Victor’s instructions, but he felt more and more frustrated. He knew that Victor was trying to teach him something important, but he felt that he had already passed those basic stages.
One morning, after another session of basic exercises, Bel finally couldn’t contain his frustration.
"This is useless!" He exclaimed, throwing the wooden sword to the ground. "I already know how to do all this! I want to learn something new, something that will really make a difference and help me grow!"
Victor looked at Bel with a blank expression. He slowly approached, picked up the wooden sword from the ground, and handed it back to Bel.
"Is it really useless? Very well then. Show me what you know in a fight against me." Victor said.
Bel seemed surprised by Victor’s suggestion, but snorted. "With pleasure!"
The two of them stood on opposite sides of the gym.
Bel could feel his heart beating faster than usual. For the first time in a long time, he was nervous about having to fight someone. He assumed a fighting stance and gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, trying to control the trembling in his arms.
Victor, on the other hand, seemed relaxed. He held the wooden sword almost casually. The contrast between the two was striking.
"Come on," Victor said, signaling Bel to attack.
Bel advanced quickly, running with his sword close to his body. He had practiced these movements for a long time alone and his attacks were agile. But when he attacked, Victor blocked so easily that Bel felt like he had hit a brick wall.
Frustrated, Bel stepped back and tried to regain his balance. When he attacked again, Victor blocked like it was nothing, just like the first time.
Then Victor countered, but instead of attacking with his sword, he kicked Bel’s legs, knocking him to the ground.
Bel fell on his butt and said angrily:
"This is no good! You didn’t use your sword!"
"And when did I say we could only use swords?"
Bel looked at Victor with a mixture of indignation and surprise.
"You are too focused on your opponent’s sword, Bel," Victor commented calmly. "A true swordsman sees not only the blade, but the body, the movements, even the breathing of his opponent. It’s a dance, an exchange of energies, sensations and intentions."
Victor’s answer echoed in Bel’s mind as he rose from the floor, shaking the dust from his clothes as if something had opened his eyes. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
"You’re right," Bel murmured, his expression now more focused than angry.
With that, Bel took a few steps back and pulled himself together. He knew that he had to concentrate not only on Victor’s sword, but on all his movements and signals.
"Let’s start again," Victor explained.
The two approached each other again and Bel tried a series of more varied attacks. He swung his sword twice, but when it looked like he would lose his balance, he kicked his leg high, ambitiously trying to land a kick in Victor’s face.
Victor smiled from the corner of his mouth. "I think you got the message." He said after dodging the kick.
Bel’s newfound confidence surged within him as he observed a remarkable transformation in his movements. No longer constrained by a mechanical rigidity, his every gesture radiated an elegant grace.
Minutes passed as Bel tried to find an opening in Victor’s defense. He tested different angles and strategies, sometimes trying to distract Victor’s attention to create an opportunity to attack. However, Victor remained focused the entire time, deflecting all of Bel’s attacks with disconcerting ease.
The sun rose high in the sky before they noticed. Gradually, Bel began to realize the futility of his more impulsive attacks and the importance of staying calm and focused in the heat of battle.
Before Bel knew it, he found himself using techniques that Victor had taught him in recent training sessions. He used to think that swinging the wooden sword hundreds of times in the air was pointless since he wasn’t hitting anything, but it got him more used to the grip of the sword’s hilt. The calluses on his hands seemed to have adapted to the shape of the wooden sword, and all his movements felt more natural than ever.
"You’re getting better," Victor praised during a short break between attacks. "But there’s still much to learn. Control your breathing. If you don’t pant, you’ll be able to attack more often and put pressure on your opponent. Pushing an opponent against the wall will force him to take more risks to get out of the situation. In general, your chances are 50% either way with your opponent pressed, but it can vary greatly if you know how to read your opponent and have a sharp technique. If you’re good, your chances of winning when you corner an opponent are ten to one." Victor taught Bel.
