Chapter Five : Warriors! Ahh!

CLANG!

The sound of metal clashing reverberated in the air as he walked into the training ground.

Both fighters clashed mid air before putting some distance between themselves as they landed on their feet. They kept at it for a minute or two, as more first years trooped in to meet the ongoing battle.

"That's second year Farok against James."

"My money on James, to win"

"No, Farok is a true warrior; he got this."

The students discussed amongst themselves as both fighters continued to stall each other of the victory. The sound of a whistle brought the fight to an end as both competitors sheathed their sword and dropped their shield and slammed their right hand against their chest.

"That's enough for today. Wrap it up second years, it's time for your juniors to learn the...."

He paused just for a moment before screaming:

"THE WAYS OF A TRUE WARRIOR!"

"AHHH!"

All the second year students, joined him in screaming up to the sky, their voice creating a rhythmic echo across the building.

Some juniors looked in fright, as some girls could be seen backing away from the hall, moving towards the door slowly but steady. As the second years picked up their weapon, stored it in their storage bracelet and acted as if they weren't just screaming moments ago. The instructor turned his attention towards the students.

Standing at 8ft with a broad shoulder and heavily built like a tank, he was a walking giant. He gave a wide smile to the student. His faced screamed creepy, like a predator gazing upon his prey, relishing its fear and uneasiness as death awaits it.

He stretched forth his left and swiped it towards his right. Like a general giving out movement orders to his troops, the students all begin to move towards his right in a single file. It goes without saying that some did so out of fright, and others didn't know they were doing so, but just saw their body acting on its own accord.

He raised his right palm forming a stop sign and the last person felt shivers down his spine as he gulped his saliva, wondering if he should go front and join his colleagues or just go back. Immediately, the instructor swiped his right hand towards his left and the other students began to file into the left area of the training ground. After this was done, the boy at the middle was the only one left.

Straighten up! shoulders straight and stiff boys and girls!, cause today is your lucky day!"

'Lucky indeed'

"Call me Master Rango!" and to your fellow colleagues, call them comrades, UNDERSTAND?!"

Instinctively, they all shouted :

"YES SIR!"

"Good. Now this your colleague here is shivering like a fish in a bucket ".

"Now what shall we call him ?"

"Fish in a bucket sir!" A boy with shoulder length grey hair said out loud.

Master Rango smiled widely as he nodded.

"Now fish in the bucket" He stared down at the shaking lad who instinctively cowered in fright.

"You would be my assistant! cause you seem to be the weakest, and from been weak, I shall make you strong".

'Not far from the truth. The kid lacks composure, self confidence and is too skinny' Jake thought.

"Now everybody, Fifty push up reps, start now!".

Immediately some sharp folks got into position and those who were skeptical about obeying the order looked around, waiting for the Master Rongo to repeat himself; a reassurance that what they heard before was correct.

"For every step I take, that's an additional ten reps for those of you standing" He said as he began to walk around.

Swiftly those who were standing got into position and began the work out routine; doing fifty was better than sixty. Surely, there were some students who breezed through it like a walk in the park, and some that Immediately dropped face flat after doing two reps. Fish in the bucket was one of them as he had already worked up a sweat and even under the screaming voice of Master Rango to get up and continue like a warrior, he's scrawny hands couldn't help but shake fervently as he tried with all his might to support himself.

An hour later and they were all paired with the same sex. Numbering twenty nine, with twenty one been boys and eight been girls, one boy was left out. Fish in the bucket sat quietly with his knees up at a corner of the arena, hugging his sword and shield. One could see the gladness in his heart as all the boys and girls got paired, leaving him to be alone without a partner.

"Alright Fish in the bucket, today's your lucky day!" Master Rango said out loud as he beckoned him over.

"Now everyone get into position with your partner prepare your weapons! .....For today, sweat and blood shall spill!" He screamed while whirling his huge broadsword in the air dramatically.

Most of the students shivered at the mention of blood spilling.

"Isn't this a training?" someone asked curiously, but was quickly hushed as a blue magic circle ring began to form outside each of the fighting pairs. It lasted for some seconds before vanishing and with his broadsword up in the air, he brought it down swiftly, striking the ground with force

"Fight!"

BANG!

CLANG!

The sound of metals clashing violently against each other ranged out in the auditorium as the students attacked each other with great enthusiasm and fervor. What must of them lacked in skills and techniques, they made up with spirit and a little spice of courage. The aim was to either knock off your enemy weapon or make them surrender. With almost everyone holding unto two weapons, except for a few, it wasn't going to be a walk in the park. But just like in life where everyone isn't created equal, some students had either made their opponent surrender or their enemy weapons was out of the magic circle.

At this moment, Jake grip on his twin swords was tighter than usual as he braced himself against a tall hunky dude with a huge broadsword.

His aim was to block his incoming strike with one sword and strike him with the other. But deep down he knew that if he's strength was lesser than his opponent, then he might lose a weapon in the process, and might even lose this sparring match. Briefly he did a rethink, should he gamble that he was stronger than this dude, since looks wasn't everything or he should rethink of another way to win this cleanly.

Swoosh!

Pah!

Parrying his opponent strike to his left, Jake swiftly ducked under the incoming left jab. Using the rear end of his sword, he knocked it sharply against his opponent elbow . With his opponent destabilised in the moment of shock and a bit of pain, he pointed his right sword at his nape.

"I surrender!".

He gave Jake a nasty glare while massaging his sore arm.

"Mhmm....a cheeky way to win" Master Rango commented as he saw Jake inspecting his weapon. Looking around, he could see almost everyone's fight was concluded.

'This first year, seem to be more than the previous years' he thought to himself, but deep down, he knew that their number would inevitably decreased. Been a warrior was no easy task and not everyone had what it takes to become one.

"Hey fish in the bucket, come here "

"Yes sir".

"You haven't sparred yet, have you ?".

"No sir" the boy answered timidly.

"Alright then, choose one person from the crowd and spar with them ".

The boy fearfully looked around as some of his bigger classmates stared down at him with wide grins ,calling to be picked.

"Sir, if I may speak"

A young girl with grey and black braided pony tail raised her hand.

Upon getting a nod, she continued.

"Sir, I would suggest he doesn't fight anyone, cause fish isn't cut out to be here.".

"And what do you mean by that?"

Master Jones asked.

"Sir, Fish is weak."

There was silence.

"Fish, is that true?"

Everyone looked at fish, as fish looked back at them. He had no idea on what to say and wondered why the qusstion to the most obvious answer was been thrown to him.

What did they want him to do, pray for a miracle or something?"

"umm, I, I...c..can...han..handle my..self...." Fish stuttered for a brief moment as the words forced itself out of his mouth.

"Ha ha ha ha ha !"

Master Jones laughed out loud. He did so for a minute before waving at every one.

"Gather round folks" He called out as the students all stopped what they were doing and formed a circle around him; with him in the middle.

"Alright, today you all had your first spar. And some of you know the basics, and others don't. So I'm going to teach you some stances, movement and steps when fighting with your sword". He paused briefly, staring at their faces for a moment before continuing.

"Now this focus would be on the basics for all weapon style in the Warrior class. In case you don't know, we have three. Sword with a shield, a broadsword and twin swords. Most warriors go for a sword with a shield. It helps in balancing attack and defense. I would recommend you all to start with that. But for those using the other weapon types, and you feel comfortable with it, goodluck".

"Alright!. Fall into line warriors with ten steps away from your neighbour in all directions!"

With that instruction been given out, the basic training began after another round of warrior scream.

"Ahhh!"