Members of the Lionkin family are taught the basics of all types of weapons they can manage. After learning the fundamentals, they are to choose their main weapons. Most of them picked two or three weapons to focus on.
Their reason for learning so many types of weapons was that, aside from their natural talent in wielding one, they also believed that by learning the weapons, they would be familiar with battling against weapon users.
Yaria is not just an ordinary member of the family. She is the daughter of the head of the family and the granddaughter of the village head. Ever since she had enough strength to even hold a knife, she was taught how to wield weapons. She was a very talented young girl. From the age of 7, she managed to complete the training of her clan and awakened her ability by the age of 8.
Even before coming to the academy, she was already far ahead of her peers. While kids played, she trained. One would think that a kid like her would have many friends. However, she did not even have one. Most kids are afraid to approach her, mainly because of her status. However, her cold demeanor also shooed away the kids who wanted to get close to her.
It was also the reason why, even though a month passed, she still did not have a partner. Before Aerin came, there were fifteen kids in her class. The professor tried partnering other kids with her, but they refused. Saying that she was too good, too bright, or that they do not deserve her. However, the professor knew the true reason. It was that she was not 'fun' to be with. Of course, the professor did not say that to Yaria.
As the little princess of the Lionkin family, Yaria, of course, knew how to wield daggers. She was skeptical at first when she decided to teach Aerin how to use daggers. But after a while of teaching him, she realized that he was telling the truth. She was flabbergasted. She never knew people like that existed. Aerin has a great reaction time. Though she was not at her fastest since her ability was not activated, she was still somewhat faster than most of her peers. She also considered the fact that Aerin did not activate his ability either.
She knew about the Valewood family. She often heard her father and grandfather talking about them. They apparently are very fast and can fly. They were formidable individuals. She wondered if Aerin could fly too.
"A dagger's greatest strength is its speed. You rely less on strength and more on speed, positioning, precision, and timing. Since daggers are short weapons, you will be at a disadvantage if you fight at a long distance. Get close quickly and strike fast."
They were now standing apart from each other. Aerin listened carefully to anything that Yaria said.
"Grip your daggers firmly, but not tense. Too tight, you will be slow. Too loose, and you will risk losing your daggers. Keep it controlled. Minimum and careful movements only, no unnecessary swinging. As a weapon that prioritizes speed over power, you wouldn't need big swings like swords; instead, you use quick stabs and slashes. Though small, they are harder to see, thus making blocking almost impossible."
Aerin held his daggers in his hands. Though he still looked somewhat awkward, it's a lot better than earlier.
"Now, let's spar again."
Aerin closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He remembered all the things that Yaria said to him. He then opened his eyes.
"Okay!"
They stood still for a while, waiting for an opportunity.
After training with his grandfather, or more like doing his best not to get beaten up by his grandfather, he subconsciously made it a habit to study the whole body of his opponents. Though he can't do it as easily as when his ability is activated, with only a single person as a target, it was manageable.
Compared to his grandfather, Yaria's movements are like an open book. If Yaria moves, he could accurately tell her next move.
Seeing her knees bend a little and putting her other foot backward, he knew that Yaria would dash at him straight on.
Just as he predicted, Yaria did dash forward. She then swung her sword sideways. Aerin just took a step backwards, still looking at her movements.
Yaria pressed, raising her sword and hacking downwards diagonally, prompting Aerin to jump to his right. However, as if predicting his movement, she lunged towards where Aerin was about to land and delivered another sideways slash.
Aerin, not expecting it, hastily put his daggers forward, which turned out to be a terrible move. Blocking an attack from Yaria made his arms vibrate.
"Dodge all attacks if you can. Daggers are light; they're terrible in blocking."
Aerin jumped backwards. They went back to their stalemate, with no one getting an upper hand. All this while, Yaria was talking to Aerin.
"Study my movements, look for an opening. Stab with your straight dagger, slash with your curved one."
As they kept on fighting, Aerin was wracking his brain, trying to find the perfect opportunity to counterattack. However, although he seemed to have seen some openings, he didn't know how to take them or was simply afraid that he was wrong and might get hit.
Seeing this, Yaria frowned. She let out many openings intentionally and made sure that Aerin saw it; however, he still did nothing.
"One thing my father taught me was that, in combat, never hesitate. If you do, you will lose your chance."
Aerin squinted his eyes.
Not hesitate, huh. Easier said than done…
He exhaled a breath of air.
Okay!
Yaria went for his head with a sideways slash, prompting him to take a step backwards. Yaria had a longer reach. Though she may leave an opening, he was not sure if he could take it quickly before Yaria could react.
Same as earlier, Yaria followed up with a downward slash diagonally. Aerin jumped sideways, but this time, to the opposite direction of Yaria's sword. And, as if he had already been using a dagger for many years, he spun the straight dagger in his left hand to a reverse grip, and in one fluid motion, aimed for a stab towards Yaria's open neck.