Chapter 19: Knee cutter

Making their way out of the training rooms underneath the Arena and towards the training yard near it, the newcomers met with a rather accelerating view.

They witnessed countless men practicing their individual skills, the root of the differences based on the Iron of their picking, or in this case we can say metal because Iron isn't the only piece of weaponry.

Some men are sparring against each other with either dull weapons or with wooden swords, some even practicing the arts of hand to hand combat. Most however are found bashing their swords against training dummies, learning the moves they were instructed to practice upon.

Most of those men are sticking to their routine, their training so they didn't bother to stop and witness a few ground tappers joining the training yard.

People here are less informed about what happens up there in the castle, which could explain the lack of attention they got.

The Arena training yards as mentioned before are split in 4 pieces since there are 4 teams who basically just want to kill each other, it's a good procedure they took here.

Upon further comprehending this training yard, it became tad noticeable that there are around 50 people here outside in this specific team while in the training rooms there were roughly 30 before the team of 5 went outside.

These men are no doubt lower ranking Arena warriors, most should be ground tappers as no upper rank would linger here considering the coins earned.

This gives a good preview of how many men are fighting in this Arena for fame and glory, 80 ground tappers in one team, originating around the lowest rank is no small number. Those on higher ranks have chances of being less in number considering what it takes to get there, but one way or the other this Arena holds 1,000 warriors.

One man however is paying great attention to the team of 5, fixing an unbreakable stare upon them.

That man of course is the sword master, trying his best to remain patient once immediately noticing a lack of discipline newcomers are portraying.

They chit chatted along the way instead of standing in formation, a straight line as a unit.

Perhaps the sword master's presence here in the black team's training yard explains why these other men aren't breaking their routine to glare upon the newcomers?

It is not yet the time to cause a scene and show these men what's what so the master keeps it together, comprehending the fact that it will take a shit ton of work to set these men straight for the sake of surviving in that Arena.

"Ground tappers!" Grabbed Fin the attention of the 5 away from the shirtless men who were training. "This is sword master Athendurus Mihura and he will be your teacher from today onwards. He is a level 6 swordsman so you're in good hands."

Upon such introduction, the 5 couldn't help but get hit by a wave of uncertainty and doubt.

Such emotions rayed on them because this man doesn't fill the eye, standing 5.6 feet tall and giving that aura of a dried out old with a bad posture man as well. One would think the wind can blow him away, these newcomers aren't really believing that he can be dangerous.

Silence struck strong as the sword master didn't bother to let out a single greeting and instead chose to observe these 5 individuals, we can categorize this as a battle instinct of some sort.

Breaking the obvious awkwardness, Arena master Fin continues with the introduction. "Whatever sword you choose to master, he can help you reach that goal if you try to survive long enough."

"Um, I'm a bit concerned..."

"Me too."

"I think I have like 7 questions."

Bang bang bang!

Athendurus gently banged the edge of his scabbard to the ground, demanding. "Order."

Hearing him finally talk, the team got tad nervous, some goosebumps thrived as well and one even expected for a sword to be swung.

Submerging deeper into the introduction, Fin sees it reasonable to state key facts that might help find fear towards Athendurus. "He is 57 years old but started training at 17, up until this point he has fought many bloody battles which gave the chance to observe many fighting styles regardless of weapon, so he does know how to help you progress."

Upon such introduction, Aaron couldn't help feeling amazed and the teacher spotted that. It's just that he can't understand how someone from this horrible timeline can be this ambitious and passionate towards something.

This teacher surprisingly doesn't even have a hair on his head, no beard either. Perhaps the constant stress of ambition helped reach that point?

Trying to weigh in a fact that demands attention, Fin recites. "Now I need to go, listen to the master and don't piss him off! Do we understand each other Ground tappers?"

"Yes sir!" They all hollered in agreement at the same time, this is the only form of unity these five have.

"I'll take it from here Fin." Spoke the teacher with an assuring tone.

"Have fun." Fin answered rather sarcastically with an itch to point out. "You have a lot of work in front of you."

"I noticed that." Assured the teacher while letting out a gentle sigh.

"How could he even know that? He barely even knows us!" Thought Aaron, feeling perplexed but what can he do about it except for to wait and witnessing it for himself.

"Alright, you there." Pointed Athendurus towards Inigo under a rather calm tone, too tired to be angry.

He continued to demand under that calm loose tone, "Walk forwards and present your sword and tell us why you picked it."

Feeling extremely happy that the teacher picked him first, Inigo skips forward and salutes. "I picked this silver shortsword, teacher."

Seeing this rather odd and unusual choice, Athendurus became eager to know the reason behind Inigo's choosing and thinking. "This man either knows what he is doing very well, or not at all."

With the right eyebrow raised in curiosity and hands behind his back, Athendurus chirps. "And why did you pick that specific sword, Ground tapper?"

Silver Swords aren't exactly durable when it comes to battle. It can bend easily if many hits are struck with it or on it, to the point where it would be rendered below use.

Giving out a cocky smirk in front of Athendurus, Inigo answers. "I do have a bit of experience with swords, tried a lot of them and found silver shortswords to be more effective than Iron, for me at least."

Noticing that the teacher is clearly listening, expecting a deeper explanation instead of a short introduction, Inigo became tad nervous and continues. "This light shortsword allows me to move easier, doesn't weigh me down. I can evade an enemy and strike when the time is right instead of risking deadly wounds fighting head on."

Athendurus Mihura saw this sort of fighting style a few times before, his own fighting style even includes a portion of it. But also found the flaw of this type of fighting. It takes a lot of stamina and lacks efficiency against a bundle of opponents.

"You will evade a lot if you want to climb ranks here, it isn't easy to survive with that sword." Seeing that Inigo wasn't pleased with the answer, Athendurus tries to lighten the mood without showing a lot of emotions to the crowd. "I hope you know what you're doing so you can make me and yourself a lot of gold."

But the teacher still isn't pleased. Evade and attack being Inigo's fighting style, he should at least use an Iron shortsword which is a lot more durable. Maybe Inigo has more tricks up his sleeve, time will tell. "What level of swordsmanship do you qualify with?"

Hearing that question, Inigo felt happy. He can show his skills off again which has become a main goal now. "I currently qualify as a Level 3 swordsman." Answered Inigo no doubt cocky, depending on his skills.

With a schedule already in mind, Athendurus pitches. "You will be slightly easier to teach and I will need to show you advanced moves considering that your prefered fighting skill is evade and attack."

Still trying to show off as if he is some child, Inigo adds. "I know, teacher and may I add that I already know a lot of moves."

Direct, trying to help this man survive, Athendurus queries. "Do you know the knee cutter?"

Trying to sweet coat the fact that he doesn't know the move, Inigo specifies. "In Makemis we strike the upper body, kills faster."

Although Inigo is trying to be wise, the teacher still wants to keep this man alive and therefore explains. "You can easily die against a bundle, cutting a few knees will slow opponents down so you can slaughter them one by one."

Noticing that Inigo is having slight difficulties catching up, Athendurus decided to cut to the important part. "But don't worry, the move is easy and just needs a couple of steps."

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