Chapter 8: Training With Sophia

Sophia wiped her face with a towel, looking up at the high windows where the light poured in. She stood and walked to the weapon rack, placing her sword back with a soft clink. Her muscles ached, but the physical pain was a welcome distraction from the heavier weight she carried in her heart.

She resumed her training, each strike and maneuver a reflection of her inner turmoil and determination. She moved with renewed vigor, her sword slicing through the air with fierce resolve. The hall echoed with the sound of her solitary battle, a testament to her unyielding spirit and the weight of her lonely burden.

Sophia finished one routine of her practice and was about to start the next when she heard a loud clapping sound fill the hall. She turned around and saw the face of her brother, the source of much of her frustration.

She gritted her teeth and asked, "What does milord mean by this? Are you here to mock me for not enjoying my youth and wasting my time practicing with swords?"

Adrian's face flushed with embarrassment as he recalled saying such things in the past. "No, big sister, I am not. I have decided to change, really. I am here to ask—no, beg you to train me. I have now realized the severity of our situation."

Sophia's face was full of doubt. She didn't believe him at all, remembering the countless times he had pulled pranks on her and then complained to their mother, gaining sympathy and more freedom to do as he pleased.

Seeing the doubt on her face, Adrian sincerely asked, even proposing that he would bring their mother here and repeat what he had just told her in front of her. "I am really trying to change. Please, give me one last chance. Take it as getting fooled one last time and train me. I will show you my sincerity."

Sophia's skepticism remained, but she saw the earnestness in his eyes. She nodded to his request but stated firmly, "I won't go easy on you at all. You know you are weak, and I won't change my training regime to fit you. If you pull pranks like you did in the past, I will never treat you like my brother again. I will leave this territory, dragging Mother with me, and break all ties with you."

Adrian nodded seriously, reassured her that such things would never come to pass. "We will become even closer than we were as children," he promised.

Sophia watched him carefully for a moment before giving a slight nod. "Very well. Let's see if you can prove it. Start with warming up; I won't begin your formal training until you're properly prepared."

Adrian, filled with determination, began his warm-up exercises. He followed Sophia's instructions precisely, knowing that this was his chance to show her that he was serious about changing. Sophia watched him intently, a mix of hope and doubt in her heart, as her brother embarked on what could be the start of his redemption.

She observed Adrian as he finished his warmup, he began panting like a dog. His face was full of sweat and his head had turned tomato red. He was trying to catch a break. What surprised her was he was not complaining at all.

If it was before then he would be shouting and acting like a baby, screaming how difficult just her warmup was and she was deliberately making it hard so that she could keep scolding him.

Sophia crossed her arms, scrutinizing Adrian still with a skeptical eye. "Alright, Adrian. If you truly want to learn, we'll start with the basics. No shortcuts." She decided to check his attitude and arrange training him accordingly.

Adrian nodded eagerly, his expression determined. Sophia took a deep breath and began her instruction.

"We'll begin with stance training. This is crucial for your balance, strength, and overall combat effectiveness," she explained. "Watch me."

Sophia demonstrated the basic stance, her feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and weight evenly distributed. "This stance is called the Horse Stance. It's foundational in many martial arts for building leg strength and stability. You need to hold this position for extended periods to develop the necessary core muscles and endurance."

She adjusted Adrian's posture, ensuring his back was straight and his core engaged. "Maintain this position. Don't let your knees cave in, and keep your back straight."

Adrian followed her instructions, wincing as he held the position. Sophia continued, "Next, we'll practice shifting your weight from one leg to the other without losing balance. This movement is crucial for dodging and attacking efficiently."

Sophia showed him how to shift his weight smoothly, moving from the Horse Stance to a Forward Stance. "Remember, your footwork is just as important as your swordsmanship. Without proper stances, your attacks will lack power and precision."

Adrian practiced the transitions under Sophia's watchful eye. Despite his initial struggles, he pushed through, his determination evident. Sophia's expression softened slightly as she observed his effort.

"Good. Now, we'll move on to incorporating basic strikes while maintaining your stance," Sophia instructed. She demonstrated a series of strikes, ensuring her form remained perfect. "Your strikes need to be controlled and precise. Wild swings are a waste of energy and leave you open to counterattacks."

Adrian mimicked her movements, and Sophia corrected his form as needed. "Keep practicing these drills. Stance, movement, strikes – they're all interconnected. Mastering these basics is the first step to becoming a competent swordsman."

She stepped back, crossing her arms again. "If you're serious about this, you'll train every day. No excuses, no complaints."

Adrian nodded, his face set in determination. "I'll prove to you that I'm serious, big sister. I won't let you down."

Sophia's gaze softened momentarily before she turned away. "We'll see. For now, continue your stance training. I'll check on your progress later. Also, don't call me big sister, call me teacher when we are at training grounds."

Adrian's eyes widened at her statement. It meant that she had at least acknowledged his efforts for now. He was filled with vigor and gritted his teeth to continue the three-step practice that Sophia had shown him.

After just practicing for 15 minutes, Adrian could no longer hold on, he felt the world spin around him and he fell down, losing his consciousness.

Momentarily flustered, Sophia called the guards and asked them to take him to his room and to bring a doctor to check up on him.