-RESUME-

After, listening to the red-head's reason for training me. I couldn't much blame him. I want to protect Felt & Subaru at all cost. Even if it means my life. Acknowledging the fact that power isn't given to me in this world is relatable to the terms of reality. Those whom desire to become better attempt to work everyday so one could strive for greatness...Is this my Destiny?

Reinhard: Do you want me to teach you the basics of sword-art?

Jiro: (Excited) Yeah. Show me one of the techniques you did on Elsa!

Reinhard: Umm, What?

Jiro: You know. The glowy-blade thing while you went "swoosh-swoosh-cling" on her.

Reinhard: Oh, you meant the secret ability passed down each swordsman. 

Jiro: (Nods) Uh-huh?!

Reinhard: Well, I can't quite teach you that because your body wouldn't be able to handle the intensity. It takes much patience and concentration to master the skill single-handedly.

Jiro: Really? Why?

Reinhard: I already told you. Weren't you paying attention?

Jiro: (Sarcastic) No...sorry I was picking my nose---

Reinhard: Okay. From the beginning then---

Jiro: No. No. I was joking around, Rei. Seriously. I understand what you meant by "intensity". The crushing force from all that energy would consume me inside and out.

Reinhard: Rei? Why did you call me---

Jiro: Because, we're friends. Remember. Also, I thought Rei would be a pretty cool nickname to have. 

Reinhard: I guess so! I appreciate it. But, shall we begin? My schedule is quite busy today with all the important matters of security.

Jiro: Yes. I'm ready to begin.

Reinhard: (Smiles) Good... <tossing me a wooden sword>

Jiro: Wait, we aren't using actual weapons.

Reinhard: Of course, I don't wanna slice you in half like butter. This is much safer than expected. It's a rare chance someone would die from a training sword unless they jabbed at your neck with enough speed.

Jiro: Ouch. That would hurt, huh?

Reinhard: Undoubtedly. Yes.

Jiro: Alright, then. Show me what I need to do.

Reinhard: First, I want you to get into a stance.

-Bending my knees slightly, I held the wooden stick in my right hand facing downwards.-

Reinhard: Umm, I said your---

Jiro: (Interrupts) This is my stance.

Reinhard: Are you sure? I never seen something like that before. Looks like you're trying to throw down your weapon?

Jiro: Don't worry. Only a coward would do such a thing in the middle of a fight. 

Reinhard: But, seriously though. Does that form seem odd to you?

Jiro: Not entirely...but if it bothers you then---

Reinhard: (Apologetic) No! That's quite alright with me, Jiro.

Jiro: If you're not sure about this stance...I'm willing to change it.

Reinhard: Not at all. Keep it the same way. I am going to strike first, okay? I want you to block it.

Jiro: Understood. Hit me.

-Swinging the stick to the side, Reinhard was able to thrash my hip bone. Aching in pain, I didn't expect him to get the-

Jiro: Gosh, I thought you were gonna hit directly.

Reinhard: And why should I? Even though, I have an "angle"...that's the key to sword-fighting. Find the right moment to strike and the best spot to hit your opponent. 

Jiro: Ah! I see <Being lifted off the ground by his teacher>

Reinhard: Ready to try again, Jiro?

Jiro: Yeah, bring it!

-Uses his left hand this time, Reinhard spins quickly and swipes at my shoulder...knowing where he would hit, I clashed the weapons...blocking the attack successfully.

Reinhard: Well done...Impressive performance. That block came in handy didn't it.

Jiro: It sure did. Thanks.

Reinhard: Alright. Let's move onto the next step of training. Attacking.

Jiro: Ooh, I can't wait to see what I can do!

Reinhard: Not so fast, Mr.Ren. We gotta make sure you're in position first.

Jiro: (Recalling) Right! My apologies!

Reinhard: Quite alright, now get ready. You're gonna be the one striking.

-Getting into the weird stance, I noticed multiple people passing behind me...two of the knights seem to snicker whilst they moved on-

Loser #1: Look at the Baka! He's supposed to be facing it at the enemy not to his feet- mwahaha

Loser #2: I don't understand why Reinhard was willing to train the "boy". He's not gonna be a knight or anything special. Probably, some bartender...serving me drinks whilst his sister gives me a rumble.

-After, listening to the two idiots speak...I heard them mention my little sister...what sick bastard would attempt to corrupt a little girl---a 15 year-old. Sick. And they're gonna pay.

Jiro: (Furious) Take that back.

Reinhard: (Worried) Forget about them, J---

Jiro: No. They need to be pay after what that douchebag said....

Loser #2: Me?! Ha. Don't make me laugh. You wouldn't be able to beat a professional knight like myself...All I could see is a little boy swinging his stick as if he knew what to do...Lame. Oh, and as for your sister <elbowing his dorky friend> I'll come visit her tonight for a nice, juicy "tumble" 

-Saying it with a stupid smug look on his face...I threw the wooden sword at his face which hit him-

Jiro: You disgusting bastard, I'm gonna teach you a lesson on respect. Because you knights clearly lack any fond of it.

Loser #2: (Held out his arms in taunt) OK! Come at me then... <picking up the wooden sword> Show me you got the balls to prove it.

Jiro: Reinhard...

Reinhard: You can't be serio---

Jiro: I am---after what he said about Felt. He'll beg for forgiveness...

Reinhard: In that case, here. <Handing over his training sword> Be careful, alright.

Jiro: I know. You did teach me...one thing...

Reinhard: (Curious) Oh, and what's that?

Jiro: Watch and find out...Reinhard van Astrea.

LATER

The battle already begun but the douchebag was winning the fight. I lack control over my anger which became my disadvantage whilst I attempted to strike precisely at him. Miss after miss, the knight began to mock me based on my skill with the sword. Calling me a scrub and demoralizing my spirit...He won't break me. A short while after, I found out Felt was standing alongside Reinhard. Not wanting to embarrass or disappoint my little sister...I rose back up but only to fall.

Jiro: I am---weak

Loser #2: (Grips his hair) Huh, say that again while your pretty sister is here? You hear that...he said I could have you to myself tonight...haha

Loser #1: (Laughing along with his a-hole friend) Show what it means to cross paths with a knight.

Felt: JIRO! GET UP! FIGHT!

-Hearing her call out to me, I wasn't able to stand...on my knees. The guy continues to laugh while he smacked me across the face with the sword...causing a bruise.

Loser #2: What is a piece of shit like you doing on these holy grounds...you're presence sickens me, also your slut of a sister---slum trash. Why can't you both just die?

Reinhard: I can't let this stand any longer <Reaching for his blade>

Felt: No...wait...

Reinhard: Wait? Your brother is out there getting his ass handled to him and you want me to sit back. No...If you won't do anything then...

Felt: He has to do this alone, Reinhard. I love him and care about him as much as you. But, if Jiro doesn't win this battle...what do you think will happen if he verses Elsa again? I won't allow him to remain helpless...and fragile because I know he can do it...on his own. Hmph, you know his one defining quality trait is something other's truly lack...A gentle heart. That's why Jiro can't strike the guy down in hatred because if he does...who knows what he'll turn into?!

-Watching me get beaten badly, I was able to crawl back up before getting pushed down-

Reinhard: Fine...but don't cry to me when your brother is lain dead beneath our feet...

Felt: Wanna bet that he'll win...

Reinhard: No...because I know he will....

-BACK TO THE FIGHT SCENE-

The two young men go at it...while the one stood above the weakened blonde with superiority and over-confidence he forgot to mention how determined Jiro was when he got back into the fight. Arising once again for the final time, Jiro picks up his sword faintly before raising it slightly...pointing it towards the ground...

Loser #2: (Surprised) Got some fight left in you...I see. Don't worry, in due time..You're gonna be my little bitch as well as your sister.

Jiro: Why don't you just shut the fuck up?

Loser #2: Huh, I don't know peasants could talk back to their masters...

Loser #1: Teach him a lesson...He said...I will make him learn respect...He said...What a load of bullshit. That guy is all-talk with nothing to back him up...Finish him already...

Loser #2: That's what I plan on doing...

-Dashing at me in full-speed...I figured he thought I was defenseless...so I got into my stance one last time...this is my trump card-

Jiro: I'm ready....

Loser #2: Ready? I was born ready...from the moment I stepped foot in here. You're mine now. Die! Shitbag!

-This is it the moment I dreamed of waiting for. The obstacle ahead...the exhilarating feeling of battle...and the will to----Never Give Up- 

Loser #2: Ah! Take this!

-Slashing forward, Jiro vanishes quickly from his attack and side-stepped him...leaving out his foot...he trips the bastard whilst he took the opportunity to strike...Perfect Timing-

Loser #2: (Coughs out blood) GAUGH! F-UCK---

-Landing a blow against the back of his neck, I made sure it would leave a enormous bruise on him...Well-deserved after what he said about Felt-

Felt: (Shouting) YES! WOOHOO! JIRO!

-Grunting in anger. The "Self-Proclaimed Knight" tried to swipe at my feet...knowing that he would the very moment he landed...I drew my foot away from him and kicked the sword out of his hands-

Loser #2: Dammit!

-While I planted my right foot on the back of his head...I forced him to eat dirt-

Felt: Woo....Teach that "peasant" who he is messing with--- <swipe>

-Drawing out the line, Reinhard moved his arm to silence the girl...since he noticed a crowd of people surrounding the two fighters-

Felt: What are you so pissed off about? He's about to win...

Reinhard: Yes...but how...

Felt: By...making the guy swear in defeat?!

Reinhard: You still don't get the bigger picture here. He is protecting your honor...as well as "his". IF Jiro should win in dishonorable combat...he would be shamed...By us all...Including me.

Felt: But, that's how you win...Gotta play dirty...That so called knight you guys allowed to onto your castle grounds is nothing more than a bully....You heard what he said about me...

Reinhard: Yes. But, those are just "words". A small benefit to his cause of fighting Jiro. Caught him by surprise once he learned "anger" couldn't solve his problem...or help him win...I wonder what he'll do now since he has the upper-hand

-THE FINAL PART OF THE FIGHTING SCENE-

Jiro continued to keep the sword away before noticing the people watch him fight. Thinking this is truly not himself...Jiro picks up the weapon and threw it right at his head...causing the man to anger. He got up, and began talking...

Loser #2: (Exhausted) WHO-Ha-IN-The-HeLL do you think you are? Showing humility my ass...what has that ever brought me...nothing but losses..

Jiro: <Remain silent>

Loser #2: Not gonna say anything...Fine. Here I go...Prepare to die...

-Getting into my "weird" stance, the guy ran towards me with the intent to "kill" me...seeing as the duel would turn out. I understood the idea of keeping one's mind in check. Unleashing rage won't get you anywhere...I knew this was a serious loss for him...not due to the fight...but honor. The Most important thing to a knight is, the code...-

Loser #2: I can't wait to clown you in front of everyone...AH!

-Swung his sword across my chest but misses...making this the best chance to strike before I notice him going out for an "angle"...the same hip Reinhard hit before...which allowed me to "block" his attack perfectly...Using his own force against him, I pushed momentum of the swing and knocked him down until I clashed the sword against his neck again-

Loser #2: Gah <Releasing spit of pain> Was that supposed to hu--hu--ahhh 

-Collapsing onto the ground in defeat...the guy finally learned his lesson. Never mess with my family ever again-

Jiro: That was the end for you...I must admit, you put up a good fight for a dirty cheater..

Loser #2: (Laughing) The only one who is dirty around here...is...<coughs> your sister...

-Trying his best to move, the man was unable to do anything about it. He lost-

Reinhard: And the winner of this duel is Ren Jiro! 

-Hearing the applause of countless people, especially from the small regime of knights. It seems I gained their respect...walking away the battle scene and towards Reinhard. I was able to see him smile once in pride.-

Reinhard: I am proud to call you my student <bowing> You are truly worthy to learn from a member of the Astrea Family.

Jiro: (Pulls him into a hug) I'm just grateful you were able to teach me the basics...Couldn't have won without your help, Sir Reinhard...

Reinhard: Well, furthermore...starting tomorrow I promise to do everything in my power to train you the best I can...better than me...

Jiro: I would---<smiling> I would enjoy learning from the best swordsman in the world. Truly..

-Gazing at each other in respect...Felt was being ignored by big brother-

Felt: Hey! Aren't you gonna talk about me?

Jiro: Oh. Sorry. I didn't notice you there...you're very short for your age little girl. And why would I be concerned? You'll probably talk me to death...I'm almost about to pass out anyway.

Felt: WHAT DID YOU SAY?

Jiro: You heard me pipsqueak... <ruffles her hair making it messy>

Felt: JIRO! NOW, MY HAIR IS EVERYWHERE. HOOF <blowing her hair strands from her face>

Jiro: Thank you....Felt.

Felt: (Acts Dumb) For what, dork?

Jiro: For...Believing in Me. You never once said during that duel about how I would lose...that means the world to me knowing you placed your faith and trust in me to complete the task on my own without the help of <glances at Reinhard> others.

Felt: (Tearful) Oh, Jiro! <hugging me tightly while she kissed my cheek> I love you, big bro!

Jiro: Yuck...Get off of me...you little pickpocket...I might catch a lawsuit from for stealing candy.

Felt: (Shocked) And why would I do such a thing?! What's the point?!

Jiro: I don't know...maybe the satisfaction of taking something away from the baby... Who could possibly figure out what's going through your small head?

Felt: (Pissed) Grr...YOU'RE SO LUCKY YOUR MY BROTHER OTHERWISE I----

Jiro: Yes...You would "kill" me...Of course, I wouldn't fight back against you...

Felt: (Convinced) Really?

Jiro: (Bluntly) No...

Felt: Awww...

Jiro: Don't worry pipsqueak...I still love you...Forever.---clank

-Collapsing onto the soft grass...my head began to bleed slowly as Felt panics...listening to the knights an uproar of anger at one another...I could hear her shouting-

Felt: JIRO! HANG IN THERE! HELP IS ON THE WAY, BIG BROTHER! 

8/14/20