11-05-2017, 11:34 AM
Metal. Sharp, shiny, reflective metal. It glinted in the sunlight, projecting the bright rays that protruded from the cracks between the curtains. A thin sheen of dust guided the daylight as the sun reached just the right height outside, allowing the beam to remain solid for a few seconds in the near-perfect timing of nature. Once faded, the electrical lighting of the room prevailed.
Ebony flinched.
This was real. He could actually hurt her...
...But a teacher wouldn't do that, would he?
And she did have protective gear, not that she needed it, of course. She was too cool for that... right.
Gripping the wooden handle tightly, Ebony brought the sword, holding it level and ready in front of her, frowning. "This isn't fair! How come you get a proper sword and I don't?"
The teacher paused for a moment, weighing the outcomes, before reaching to a rack behind him and handing a weapon to her. It wasn't straight like his, nor was it as long. It was also missing the crossguard he possessed.
Ebony was about to complain further when the bell rang, signalling it was time for lunch. She blinked, not expecting that much time to have passed. Had this really taken up the full hour? Sensei seemed to react similarly, pacing over towards his chair where he left a watch. It did, indeed, agree that a full hour had passed since the start of class.
Waving his arms vaguely at the students, he spoke. "You may leave. Class dismissed."
After having psyched herself up, Ebony was almost disappointed for a moment, shoulders drooping as she awkwardly looked for a place to put her new sword. Those thoughts were instantly left behind when the instructor issued another command.
"Except you. You're staying."
A faint grin curled up Ebony's face. "What? Haven't had enough of being beaten up by your own students yet?" She threw the practice sword towards the rack, subtly using her telekinesis to guide it in place making the object appear as if it was thrown with precision.
He looked at her, seemingly attempting to muster his authority. "Don't abuse school equipment."
She didn't reach, not having a response without detailing how her magic made it all fine.
On that note, though. Should she use magic now, only he would witness it. And, presumably, the world would just think he was crazy or something. Not that risking it was a good idea. But maybe other mages would find her if she did, like in the manga she'd read. Then they'd teach her how to do more magic. That wasn't to say she wasn't already proficient, but it'd be nice to learn more. Get stronger, and get cooler.
Forgetting about the inconsistencies in her sword compared to his, Ebony held her blade at the ready, waiting for a signal that she could start. She wasn't really sure how this was going to go, however. If something went wrong, she could hurt him, or the other way around - even with armour. Regardless, she steeled her nerves, focusing.
"Fight me, kid."
"Don't call me a kid, old man." She dashed forwards with one quick step, before jumping back in the air like a startled cat, allowing the teacher's sword to cut through her former path.
This wasn't fair. He was old and skilled. She'd never even used an actual katana before - nor the European blade he wielded. It did move faster than the practice swords, but that didn't exactly help - she wasn't used to the speed, and while physically a petite girl, Ebony prefered to put more force into her strikes.
"We talked about this before, don't repeat the same mistakes."
"It's not a mistake if it works!"
Behind the gear, her opponent raised an eyebrow, before swiftly clenching his muscles to bring his sword to deflect one of Ebony's strikes. He skidded, even as her blade bounced off to the side, feet scraping against the wood with a rough noise. She was strong, much stronger than one much expect.
Expertly, he brought up his own blade, this time going on the offensive with multiple calculated strikes. He presumably knew she could dodge or block most, supported by him telegraphing them. But that wasn't the point. The set up was only part of the motion, allowing him to slowly but surely pivot around, pushing her back to the same crooked floorboard he'd tripped over before.
A good plan, and one that actually worked.
As he expected, she dodged right when he swung down, frantically swinging to try and halt his attacks in the small gap he left. Naturally, the heavyhanded swing missed, and in the opening, the teacher stepped forwards, pushing his palm against her solar plexus and digging it in sharply. Reflexively, Ebony stepped back, only to have her foot catch on the wood.
Arms flailed in the air, hoping to keep her upright, clawing at nothing.
Slam.
Victoriously, the man pointed his sword down at her, as if making a point of his win. He was about to make some feedback, but the moment was short-lived.
Somehow, in a way unknown to him, his torso was similarly pushed by a seemingly invisible force, shoving him away from Ebony and sending him crashing into a rack of practice swords.
Ebony flinched, not intending to go that far.
As her opponent pried himself from the wood, Ebony slowly rose to her feet, tentatively smiling under her helm.
Things were about to get interesting.
Ebony flinched.
This was real. He could actually hurt her...
...But a teacher wouldn't do that, would he?
And she did have protective gear, not that she needed it, of course. She was too cool for that... right.
Gripping the wooden handle tightly, Ebony brought the sword, holding it level and ready in front of her, frowning. "This isn't fair! How come you get a proper sword and I don't?"
The teacher paused for a moment, weighing the outcomes, before reaching to a rack behind him and handing a weapon to her. It wasn't straight like his, nor was it as long. It was also missing the crossguard he possessed.
Ebony was about to complain further when the bell rang, signalling it was time for lunch. She blinked, not expecting that much time to have passed. Had this really taken up the full hour? Sensei seemed to react similarly, pacing over towards his chair where he left a watch. It did, indeed, agree that a full hour had passed since the start of class.
Waving his arms vaguely at the students, he spoke. "You may leave. Class dismissed."
After having psyched herself up, Ebony was almost disappointed for a moment, shoulders drooping as she awkwardly looked for a place to put her new sword. Those thoughts were instantly left behind when the instructor issued another command.
"Except you. You're staying."
A faint grin curled up Ebony's face. "What? Haven't had enough of being beaten up by your own students yet?" She threw the practice sword towards the rack, subtly using her telekinesis to guide it in place making the object appear as if it was thrown with precision.
He looked at her, seemingly attempting to muster his authority. "Don't abuse school equipment."
She didn't reach, not having a response without detailing how her magic made it all fine.
On that note, though. Should she use magic now, only he would witness it. And, presumably, the world would just think he was crazy or something. Not that risking it was a good idea. But maybe other mages would find her if she did, like in the manga she'd read. Then they'd teach her how to do more magic. That wasn't to say she wasn't already proficient, but it'd be nice to learn more. Get stronger, and get cooler.
Forgetting about the inconsistencies in her sword compared to his, Ebony held her blade at the ready, waiting for a signal that she could start. She wasn't really sure how this was going to go, however. If something went wrong, she could hurt him, or the other way around - even with armour. Regardless, she steeled her nerves, focusing.
"Fight me, kid."
"Don't call me a kid, old man." She dashed forwards with one quick step, before jumping back in the air like a startled cat, allowing the teacher's sword to cut through her former path.
This wasn't fair. He was old and skilled. She'd never even used an actual katana before - nor the European blade he wielded. It did move faster than the practice swords, but that didn't exactly help - she wasn't used to the speed, and while physically a petite girl, Ebony prefered to put more force into her strikes.
"We talked about this before, don't repeat the same mistakes."
"It's not a mistake if it works!"
Behind the gear, her opponent raised an eyebrow, before swiftly clenching his muscles to bring his sword to deflect one of Ebony's strikes. He skidded, even as her blade bounced off to the side, feet scraping against the wood with a rough noise. She was strong, much stronger than one much expect.
Expertly, he brought up his own blade, this time going on the offensive with multiple calculated strikes. He presumably knew she could dodge or block most, supported by him telegraphing them. But that wasn't the point. The set up was only part of the motion, allowing him to slowly but surely pivot around, pushing her back to the same crooked floorboard he'd tripped over before.
A good plan, and one that actually worked.
As he expected, she dodged right when he swung down, frantically swinging to try and halt his attacks in the small gap he left. Naturally, the heavyhanded swing missed, and in the opening, the teacher stepped forwards, pushing his palm against her solar plexus and digging it in sharply. Reflexively, Ebony stepped back, only to have her foot catch on the wood.
Arms flailed in the air, hoping to keep her upright, clawing at nothing.
Slam.
Victoriously, the man pointed his sword down at her, as if making a point of his win. He was about to make some feedback, but the moment was short-lived.
Somehow, in a way unknown to him, his torso was similarly pushed by a seemingly invisible force, shoving him away from Ebony and sending him crashing into a rack of practice swords.
Ebony flinched, not intending to go that far.
As her opponent pried himself from the wood, Ebony slowly rose to her feet, tentatively smiling under her helm.
Things were about to get interesting.
Quote:Sorry for the delay bro. Better later than never though.