Their Training began immediately. Eula moved first, claymore rising and falling in measured arcs. Each shift in her stance carried into the next without pause.
"Control comes first," she said as her blade dropped. "Power follows."
Henry stepped in, matching her rhythm. He swung, claymore moving smoothly, but she intercepted mid-motion, catching the flat of his blade.
"Stop using your wrist. The swing starts at the shoulder."
He adjusted, shifting the force into his shoulder, letting the motion carry the blade straight through.
Before he could repeat it, Eula stepped behind him. Her hand pressed against his arm, adjusting the angle, the other on his shoulder. "Not like that. You're isolating the motion."
She guided his arm again, slower this time, forcing the swing to travel from shoulder to tip. He followed her adjustment, steady, letting the blade move with the motion, aware of her presence close behind—and when she touched his arm, her warm hands confirmed it for him: she wasn't wearing her usual gloves.
Noelle moved beside them, swinging with force drawn from her whole body. Every stance planted, every cut landing exactly as intended.
Eula led them through a sequence of strikes: vertical into diagonal, each motion flowing into the next. They repeated the pattern until it became instinctive. Henry adjusted to her rhythm, moving with the swings, hands and feet responding automatically.
He kept pace while noting Noelle's strength in each strike, her swings carrying weight even when controlled.
After a while, Eula stepped back, folding her arms as she watched them both, her gaze moving between them in quiet assessment before she finally spoke.
"That's enough."
Henry exhaled sweat beading down his forehead, rolling his shoulder once as he reset his grip on the claymore, the motion loosening the tension that had built during repetition. He had just begun to settle when he felt Eula's attention shift back to him.
"Henry," she said, "why don't you spar with Noelle."
Henry held her gaze for a moment longer than necessary, noticing the expression she wasn't bothering to hide completely.
She looked strangely… pleased. Still, he moved toward Noelle without hesitation.
Noelle straightened her posture as she stopped across from him. She bowed politely before raising her claymore. "Please go easy on me, Mr. Henry."
Henry adjusted his grip, lowering his stance slightly as he sharpened his focus. He nodded at her, signalling he was ready.
Noelle's claymore rose smoothly, controlled and precise, and came down in a direct vertical strike with decisive speed and force.
Henry met it cleanly, bringing his blade up in time. The strike collided with his, driving force straight through the blades and into his arms. The pressure travelled along his grip and into his arms, forcing his body to absorb it fully.
His grip gave way, and the claymore slipped from his hands, striking the ground with a solid thud. He stepped back, adjusting his footing to steady himself from falling as he felt his arms and shoulders still carried the shock of the force.
Noelle had already lowered her weapon and moved toward him, concern replacing her focus immediately. "Sir, are you hurt? I'm so sorry—I didn't mean to—"
Henry raised a hand to stop her from bowing. "I'm fine, my lady. That was a solid strike"
"No need to apologize, Miss Noelle. If anything, you can make it up to me by being my friend."
Her concern shifted to something brighter, and she nodded quickly. "I would be honoured, Henry. I've heard about your noodles—and your new vehicle as well. The knights have been talking about it."
Henry let out a quiet breath, amusement flickering across his expression. "Don't call me 'Mr. Henry.' We're friends now, aren't we? You can just call me Henry, and I'll call you Noelle."
Noelle nodded, a shy smile lifting her eyes to meet his. The difference in their heights was noticeable, but it didn't matter.
Henry glanced sideways at Eula, and it clicked. The faint satisfaction in her eyes wasn't casual—she had orchestrated this, using Noelle's skill to challenge him. She knew Noelle's strength as well as talent and had chosen her deliberately, guiding the sparring without the need to step in herself.
[Eula is a sly one, isn't she.]
Henry ignored Orianna and bent to retrieve his claymore, letting his grip settle deliberately as he straightened. His stance lowered, firm, every motion flowing without waste. "Again," he said, ready this time. His grip was firm and steady.
The duel with Noelle proved satisfying. Even she seemed to notice how well he handled the claymore now, matching her movements with precision.
Noelle glanced at her surroundings, realizing it was time to return to her usual duties. "I should get back," she said politely, making her claymore disappear into her vision space. "Thank you both for sparring with me."
Henry offered a small smile. "Thanks to you too, Noelle."
Noelle smiled and nodded, giving a courteous bow before turning to leave, her movements calm but purposeful as she returned to her tasks.
Eula stepped forward, pulling her sword from her inventory. "Are you ready this time?" she asked, a faint curve at the corner of her lips.
Henry nodded, tightening his grip. "I am"
Their duel began. Henry moved with steadier timing, each step and swing cleaner than before.
Eula tilted her head slightly, surprise flickering across her expression. "Not bad," she said, her tone even but carrying a trace of amusement.
He matched her rhythm, forcing himself to anticipate her strikes and react. A grin tugged at his lips. "You'll have to do better than that to catch me off guard."
Her eyes narrowed, a spark of challenge in them. "Oh? Confident, are we?"
Blades clashed, sparks flying as steel met steel. Henry felt the flow of his own movement, and he realized how much the spar with Noelle had sharpened him. Eula's smirk widened, pleased that he could keep pace.
They sparred steadily, each strike met with an equal counter. Their movements were precise, deliberate, and in rhythm with each other. Sweat ran down their brows, and their breathing came heavier, matching the effort of each blow.
Finally, they stepped back, lowering their weapons. Eula's expression carried approval. "I went all out, without using my Vision," she said. "And you still held up."
Henry smirked as he tried to flirt with Eula. "That's only because of my talented and gorgeous instructor."
"Hmph." Eula's cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly tried to hide it. "I will have my vengeance for this kind of sweet talk."
Henry grinned, catching the reaction. "Since it's your free day, would you like to go cycling to Springvale for a meal?"
She nodded almost immediately, but then smoothing her expression to hide the enthusiasm. "Sure, Meet me at the main gates after an hour. Go Freshen up first."
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As promised, here is the chapter.
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