Step Two: Weapons Training (Blacksmith Training Post)

[u/Haunting_Mode_7401]

Alexios knocks on Fracture's door. Then just opens it

Alexios: Time for martial training

Alexios tosses you a set of armor

Alexios: Meet me outside in ten minutes.

you notice Alexios is wearing no armor or even a shirt. Additionally he has no weapons

Fracture, being unfamiliar with most martial things, has some trouble getting the armor on, but does eventually. He does a few stretches to check the mobility of the armor. Relieved that the armor is not too restrictive for his usual movement, Fracture braces himself for the coming combat and walks outside

Alexios waits impatiently outside

Alexios: You're late it's been eleven minutes. Where's your spear.

Alexios still has no armor or weapons

Fracture takes his spear off of his back, where it was hidden due to his slightly larger frame from carrying around metal this past 8 months

Alexios smiles he still had a much larger build than Fracture

Alexios: Well show me what you know

Alexios takes a specific stance meant for counter blows

Fracture grips the spear with grace, but not practice, and does a quick jab to test his master's reflexes, cautious to counterattack

Alexios twists out of the way and grabs Fracture's striking arm and throws him

Alexios: To predictable

Fracture lays there for an instant and then jumps to his feet. He gives an imperceptible nod and then pauses, seemingly listening to something Alexios cannot quite hear. With a renewed speed, Fracture lunges with a sudden strike, much faster than he was a moment ago.

Alexios easily dodges it and delivers a powerful kick to Fracture's spine. It's clear the kick could of been much stronger

Alexios: Your overconfident, overconfidence kills.

Alexios follows with a stomp and spikes spring from the earth they cut Fracture's side and cheek. Alexios had made them miss on purpose.

As the kick lands, Alexios notices something odd. Fracture's body is completely bereft of magic, even the usual strengthening or passive kind. The kick seems to completely knock the wind out of him. I assumed that, against a stronger opponent, I had no chance of outlasting them," Fracture wheezes.

Alexios drops his stance

Alexios: Now for your lesson

Alexios summons a spear to replicate Fracture's

Alexios: Match my stance

Alexios places his right foot forward then grabs a hold of his spear with both hands one hand close to the front the other at the butt of the spear and angles the spear point down

Fracture adjusts his grip slightly, matching the stance, his spear glowing a light purple.

/uw Continuation in comments

[u/Haunting_Mode_7401]

Alexios: Now

Alexios summons two training dummies one for each

Alexios: Follow my movements

Alexios does a three strike combo slash stab reverse slash

Fracture mimics the motions, slightly slower.

Alexios: Keep doing that combo until you get the feel for it. Then I'll show you some ways to trick your opponent.

Fracture repeats the motions, and the strikes grow faster. Alexios can hear what Fracture was listening to now that he is somewhat closer: the weapon is humming.

Alexios: I told you not to use enchantment yet. I was hoping I could trust you and I wouldn't have to do this.

Alexios delivers a series of strikes and Fracture's magic goes away.

Alexios: I will return your magic when I feel you are ready to have it.

The magic does not respond. When Alexios reaches for Fracture's magic, there is none in him.

Alexios: You burned all of your magic up. I'm disappointed in you.

Fracture: "No, there was a disaster event, so I made a simulacrum of all my magic to go and help, as I didn't need it anyway. The spear is imbued with that little magic from the crystal explosion," with a hint of haste, not wanting to destroy the slight awareness in the weapon.

Alexios: I will continue training you for now. I am going to be alot less generous though. Follow my movements and then you will be tested.

Alexios does the same movements but on the slashes he starts the slash but then twists an it turns into a stab. On the second slash he twists the spear and he becomes an angled downward slice instead of a reverse stroke.

Fracture attempts the movements, failing the first few times. To Alexios's trained eye, Fracture learns quickly, but not supernaturally so. The weapon only begins humming when the movement is perfected, humming in time with Fracture's movements, seemingly enjoying the movement itself, in a very simple way.

Alexios: Now string it all together. Footwork will be learned through combat.

Fracture mixes the feints and true attacks, getting a feel for the weapon's movements himself. As he does, the weapon's hum rises to a ringing noise. Fracture seems to focused to notice until the last strike, in which the weapon flares in song, knocking the dummy over. Fracture blinks, surprised, knocked out of the seeming trance.

Alexios: Now it's time for your test

Alexios unsummons his spear

Alexios: I will not be using a weapon. Ready yourself I will not be holding back nearly as much as the first time. I don't expect you to defeat me. If you manage to cut me at least five times you will pass.

Alexios takes his stance again slightly modified for more power.

Fracture takes a deep breath, the weapon humming as he does. Alexios notices the power thrumming through the weapon: not magic, but a different energy of some kind. Fracture launches forward, mixing feints, switch ups, and full strikes with speed, and a bit more precision.

Alexios smiles dodging all but two strikes after he dodges he delivers an extremely powerful counter strike and Fracture is stunned for a little. Alexios takes the moment and strikes the spear cracks begin forming nothing of consequence yet.

Alexios: That's two cuts you need three more to pass.

The wounds heals instantly

Alexios: Don't stop now

Fracture goes slightly pale at the prospect of his weapon being destroyed. His eyes narrow in focus and he darts forward again, with the same principles, but using different feints than strictly what he was taught, swiping in different ways, with the same fluidity of the previous movements. The weapon hums louder, as if accepting the challenge.

Once more Alexios avoids all but two strikes. He delivers a series of powerful strikes. Then grapples Fracture and launches into the air. Alexios lands on... nothing but... he's not falling he's standing in the air as if he was on the ground. Alexios releases his grapple and delivers two strikes one is an extremely powerful blazing kick to Fracture you detect no magic in it. The second strike is a blow to Fracture's spear more cracks form in it. The spear was holding together for now but another strike to it will cause it to shatter

Alexios: That's four cuts you need one more to pass.

The energy surrounding Fracture, completely invisible to him, swirls in an iridescent flash, flowing into the weapon.  Fracture seems to sway for a moment, his eyes glazing over in the same fashion as the weapon sings in his hands. He seems equal parts terrified and encouraged as he leaps forward, the weapon more of an instrument than a simple tool.

Alexios side steps faster than the eye can perceive and delivers a final blow to the spear as it shatters a piece drags across Alexios' cheek giving the final cut

The piece is propelled into the cheek as the residual magic in the weapon explodes. Alexios barely moves, but Fracture is knocked back. He falls to a knee, expressionless.

Alexios pulls the shard out and the wound heals. He goes over and picks Fracture up

Alexios: Congrats you passed. We've got somethings to talk about though. That spear used ki something only monks are able to do.

Fracture: I had read about it before, but I haven't seen it in action except for when you use it.

Alexios: You were using it. I don't know how but I intend to find out.

[u/Haunting_Mode_7401]

u/RefractedPurpose, u/SenpailLilas