"What are we doing here?"
Jesper had dragged me out of my dorm to one of the guild's many training rooms. It clearly didn't get used often, as it was empty of any equipment. Just reinforced walls and soundproofing.
I wasn't sure how he had found this place, but I was surprised with how easily he had navigated his way here. It was only his second day and he already knew his way around better than I did.
"We're going to spar! Haven't you just been itching to get some action?" Jesper questioned excitedly.
"Not in the slightest," I replied. I would much rather be slumped over on my couch with a couple blankets, eating snacks while watching trashy TV. That was the plan, at least, until Jesper came knocking.
"Seriously? It's only been a few days for me and I've already gotten twitchy." Jesper looked me over, seeming confused. "You really feel nothing?"
"Am I supposed to?"
"Yes, actually. Most everyone starts feeling antsy if they don't exercise their skills often enough, though I once met a guy that got super testy if he rested himself too long. Maybe you're similar to him."
Jesper gave me a cheeky grin and I stuck my tongue out at him. He just laughed at my reaction and moved away before I could take a swipe at him in retaliation.
"Very funny. I assure you though, this is just how I am," I responded. Truly, I didn't feel any different from usual. Maybe Jesper was exaggerating it.
He shook his head at me, making his red hair frizz up. "Super strange."
I rolled my eyes and bumped his shoulder. "Aren't we here to spar? Let's get it over with so I can enjoy the rest of my night."
Jesper perked up, forgetting the matter. Bouncing eagerly over to the back wall, he opened a hidden door I hadn't noticed before and beckoned me to follow him. When I entered, I was greeted by racks holding all sorts of different weapons, a lot of which I had never seen before.
Jesper made a beeline to one of the racks, already knowing what he wanted. I hesitated. Supposedly, I had a sword skill, but that didn't tell me what type of sword I should grab. Why were there so many options?
I pulled a few out to look at, and then put them right back. None were quite right. Too long, too heavy, too curved… I could tell if a sword wasn't the one as soon as I held it, but it would take too long if I did that with every one.
Noticing my struggle, Jesper came over and pulled out a blade, handing it over. I took it reluctantly, expecting for him to just be wasting my time for the hell of it, and was surprised. It felt good in my hands, like it was made for me.
It was an ordinary sword, unassuming in every way. It had a slightly worn handle and the blade lacked the shine of newly polished metal, though it still had that sharp reliable edge. It wasn't a weapon that someone would gravitate towards, which was why I had overlooked it at first.
Jesper had known something that I didn't, though. I wondered how he could tell it would suit me. He didn't even use a sword, I noted.
"How come you don't have your own weapon?" Jesper asked.
"I could ask you the same thing," I diverted, avoiding the question.
"My old guild confiscated it when I left. They really wrung us dry before they let us go," he looked sad as he said this and I could only surmise it was about more than just a weapon.
I felt strange seeing him make that expression. "I lost mine when I got injured in a dungeon."
Or so I guessed. If it wasn't on my person when I woke up in this world, I had no way of knowing what happened to it. It was as good as gone.
"Your foot?" Jesper asked, nodding down at my metal appendage.
"Yep," I replied, popping the p at the end.
Don't ask me for any more details, please. I'm not good at coming up with stuff on the spot.
"Enough about that. C'mon." I led the way, stopping in the middle of the open area. Jesper came after, standing a few feet away and brandishing his own weapon. A lance.
It was then that it became real to me. We were actually doing this. We're about to spar, with real sharp weapons, and I have no clue how to use mine.
It was like the dungeon all over again. I could feel my breaths becoming short as I started to panic. Jesper must have noticed, as he called out to me.
"You good?"
I focused on calming down, reminding myself that this was different. Jesper wasn't out to kill me. "Fine."
He didn't look like he believed me. "Are you sure?"
I paused for a moment before I looked him in the eyes, a pale green containing his worry for me.
"How do you use skills?"
His face scrunched up in confusion. "What do you mean by that?"
"How do you activate a skill?" I tried again.
He clearly didn't understand why I would ask how to do something so intuitive. "I don't know… just visualize using the skill? Why are you asking me this?"
Ignoring his question, I thought about what he said. Visualize it, huh? So I just picture myself becoming a swordmaster and it'll happen? Why does that sound so dumb?
Nevertheless, I was willing to try. Closing my eyes, I lifted the sword and pictured myself launching forward at Jesper. Then, I moved. All my thoughts narrowed down on my movement and I watched as the sword followed my will, swinging down at Jesper's side.
In a quick move, he thrust his lance up to knock aside my sword and simultaneously push me backwards. "What the heck!? You never told me we were starting!"
A grin took over my face. I did it! It actually worked!
I raised the sword again and Jesper was quick to get the memo. He lowered himself slightly into battle formation and his eyes began to gleam with anticipation. He made the first move this time, jabbing the iron tip at my middle in a swift motion.
I jerked away instinctively and he was on me again before I could get my bearings. My eyes fluttered shut as I tried to regain that focus from before, only to snap open when I was shoved off balance. I hit the ground hard and looked up to see Jesper standing over me, pointing his lance at me.
"You can't close your eyes during battle, Grey. That's how you get killed."
I huffed in exasperation at his words, but I knew he was right.
"Again."
The next match ended similarly, me on the ground with Jesper looking down on me. I winced when I got up, rubbing my smarting behind. This was going to leave a bruise.
"How have you lasted this long when you're so terrible at this?" he wasn't mocking me, but it sure felt like it.
"I'm only C rank," I responded sourly. Cut me some slack. I thought I was doing fairly well for my first time, even if I haven't yet managed to land a hit.
"You need more practice. I don't want to see my friend get killed out there."
I know. I've already had a near death experience, I don't wish for a repeat. However, I didn't appreciate him rubbing that in my face, true as it was. Also, when did we become friends?
"It's not that big of a deal. It's not like I'll be going into dungeons, anyways."
Jesper frowned when he heard this. "Grey-"
"Let's be done for today," I interrupted, not wanting to hear the rest of it. "I'm tired."
I put my sword back where I found it, leaving Jesper still standing there. I tried not to look at him, fully knowing I was being a coward. I just… didn't want to have this conversation right now. And, yeah, I'm also starting to notice my tendency to run away from my problems.
I'll have to apologize to Jesper in the morning. He was just trying to help, not make me feel like a loser. I did that part all by myself. I just wished I could celebrate my one victory without the weight of the world coming back to pull me down.