Chapter Twelve: The Shady Auction
After exhaustion had taken its toll on Edward, Tula provided him with a cup of cold water. Edward drank it all at once as if reclaiming his life, then wiped the sweat from his brow. Tula tossed him the wooden sword and said sternly: "Now... the real training begins."
Tula began teaching Edward the correct stances; how to distribute his weight, and how to grip the hilt without tension. Then, he gave him a strange command: "I want you to swing the sword in one direction only, from top to bottom. Repeat this movement a thousand times."
Edward was surprised and said with a hint of protest: "A thousand times for the same move? Isn't it better to learn various techniques to become a better fighter?" Tula replied coldly: "Mastering one thing is better than knowing many without mastery. When this strike becomes part of your instinct, no one will be able to stop it."
Edward began executing the command, the sound of the wooden sword slicing through the air being the only noise in the courtyard. Meanwhile, the silhouette of a rider approached the mansion gates on a swift horse. Tula prepared to meet him, signaling to Edward to continue his training and not stop no matter what.
The man arrived and handed Tula a letter sealed with Silas's crest. Tula said: "Wait a moment." Tula went inside and wrote a quick reply ordering Silas to send two of the finest horses to the mansion immediately, then gave the letter to the man who sped away.
As soon as the messenger left, Tula opened Silas's letter and began to read, while Edward watched him from a distance, continuing his sword strikes. The letter carried grave news; a mysterious auction was to be held tomorrow evening in the "Black Market," accessible only to nobles and the powerful.
More importantly, the organizers of this auction were the very rival family that had destroyed House Ferguson and seized their business. They had sent an invitation to Silas as the "new owner" of the casino, unaware that behind him stood the sole heir planning to reclaim everything.
Tula looked at Edward, who was completing his hundredth strike, and thought to himself: Tomorrow... the real war begins, Master.