The first days of training were not about attacking, but about feeling. Morgan told Marie to get her body accustomed to her new power. Marie spent hours just doing basic movements like running, jumping, and punching. Her chest heaved, her muscles screamed in pain, and sweat flowed like a waterfall. Marie was ordered to do this again and again for three full days.
"Run another lap, Marie. How will you master the sword if you can't even master your own body?" Morgan shouted when she paused just to catch her breath.
Come to think of it, Morgan possessed powers related to bodily organs, considering he could transform the corpses of lesser demon dogs into spears and control their blood. So, Marie would try to entrust everything to the expert. The fitness expert, Morgan.
Finally, Marie could sit and calm her racing heart. She greedily drank all the water in the glass Morgan gave her.
Morgan looked at her and pondered; this time he was silent longer than usual.
Marie felt a little nervous under his gaze, remembering the horror she saw when she first connected with him. As a demon with power over flesh and blood, Morgan was evaluating her body's suitability for combat. Surely, both her current level and future potential were clear to him. Was she ready enough to fight?
Morgan nodded. "Okay."
A single word that made Marie beam just because of it. "Does that mean I'm ready to hold a sword?"
"Everyone knows how to hold a sword, but not how to wield it. I will teach you how to use a sword."
A sharp, curved claw extended from the tip of Morgan's index finger. Morgan sliced from his wrist to his elbow. Blood poured out freely, yet Morgan seemed unfazed. He inserted his hand into the gash he had made, as if reaching into a pocket.
From the incision in his flesh, Morgan pulled out two swords and then flicked them. Blood splattered onto the floor, spreading a pungent smell of iron and rotten meat. Marie covered her mouth, nearly vomiting up the water she had just drunk.
Marie had seen bloody scenes many times before. But she would never get used to seeing them. Even when she saw them, she tried hard not to think too much about it. Marie shook her head, trying to forget it.
Marie took the sword Morgan offered and examined it. But it was just an ordinary sword. Marie thought Morgan would pull out some powerful artifact since it came from his own body.
"Before learning to use a sword, you must know the basics. Watch."
Morgan planted his feet on the floor, one foot forward, the other back, knees slightly bent. "Stand balanced. If your stance is wrong, you'll be easily knocked down."
Marie tried to imitate him. Her steps were clumsy and too close together. Morgan tapped her knee lightly. "Like this. Remember, your body must always be ready to advance or retreat at any time."
After that, Morgan picked up his sword. "Next, grip your sword like this. Not too hard, or you'll tire quickly. Not too loose, or it'll easily slip. Imagine you're choking someone for interrogation—strong enough to make them talk, gentle enough so they don't die."
"What?!"
"Umm, I mean, hold it with just the necessary force."
Marie ignored him and tried to adjust her grip. Morgan nodded in satisfaction.
"Now, raise your sword above your head, then bring it straight down in front of you. Use one hand to push, while the hand closer to the blade pulls. That way, the resulting strike will be much stronger."
Marie looked at her sword and tried to swing it as Morgan did. She raised her sword above her head, then swung it down.
Morgan observed her. "Don't just use your arm to strike; use your whole body. Channel power from your feet to your hips, your core, your shoulders, and then to your hands. Like this."
Morgan demonstrated the downward slash again. This time, Marie watched his stance and every movement of his body carefully.
Marie tried to practice it several more times. Each time she made a mistake, Morgan gave her pointers and corrected her. Marie repeatedly performed the downward slashing motion until
Morgan nodded in satisfaction.
"Good. Now do it a hundred times."
Marie's eyes widened. "A hundred times...?"
"Yes. Repeat it until your body remembers the motion on its own. A sword master isn't born from talent, but from endless repetition. Remember, the first movement must be the same as the last."
"Alright." Marie gritted her teeth and raised her sword.
"Call me Master Morgan from now on!" he said firmly.
Who was the master of whom?
Her slender sword whistled as it cut through the air; she raised it again. One time, two times, three times... Marie swung her sword repeatedly. On the twentieth swing, the muscles in her arms began to tremble. Meanwhile, Morgan just sat in a white chair that had appeared from who-knows-where. His face was covered by a book that also came from who-knows-where. The book was titled: "How to Become a Sword Expert. 100% Guaranteed Success!!!" A knight with a shocked expression was plastered on the cover.
Even though his face was covered by the book, an eyeball appeared on the back of his hand. It blinked and stared sharply in her direction. It felt unpleasant to be observed in such a unique way. But Marie kept swinging her sword.
On the fiftieth swing, her shoulders felt like they were burning. On the eightieth swing, her arms felt like they were about to break, and she nearly dropped the sword.
Morgan lowered his book and looked at her with his three eyes. "Don't stop. Would your resolve break that easily?"
With her remaining determination, Marie completed the hundredth swing and collapsed. Her breath came in ragged gasps, sweat soaked her face and dripped onto the floor. Her arms and legs were numb. But those hundred movements were etched into her soul.
Morgan approached and looked down at her. "Good. Tomorrow, do a thousand times."