| Starter Town: Lanier, Saki Household |

"Make sure to keep your sword at an angle for quick defensive countermeasures!"

I weave away from sword strike and tilt my claymore,

"Right!"

A stroke of silver comes at me from the air, and I quickly shield with my sword.

"It-It worked!"

Higashi strokes his beard.

"Use the weight of your right foot for strong attacks and your left pivot for fast attacks."

Aiyoma pulls her sword towards her and throws out a flurry of attacks.

Dodging a few, one meets my blade and pushes me back.

"What the hell? You're both too damn strong!"

Aiyoma puts one hand behind her back and raises her rapier.

"That's what being a knight is all about. Now, come at me, Holy Knight!"

I clench my blade, and it shines brightly.

"Don't go crying to daddy once I'm done with you!"

With one month to go, and with my physical training completed, Higashi decided that it's finally time for me to train my sword fighting with an actual opponent.

It's been nearly a month now, and sometimes I feel like I've made progress...

I rush at her and use one hand to thrust my sword at her upper body.

Aiyoma blocks my attack and holds down my sword with the weight of her rapier.

She holds her blade steadily on the tip of my claymore.

"What… the hell… ?"

"You can have the strength in the world. But nothing beats years of technique!"

She unbalances my sword and uses the momentum to cast it out of my hands.

Gazing in awe, I look behind me as my sword lands clean into the ground.

... And sometimes I feel like I still suck major ass.

Higashi chuckles.

"Well, Aiyoma had three years to train. You only have three months, so there's going to be some differences."

Aiyoma holds out her hand and smiles.

"Good match."

I shake her hand.

"Good match."

"Well,"

Higashi claps his hands together.

"That should be enough for today, Aiyoma. Why don't you get washed out for dinner me and Momoko need to have a little chat."

"See you later!"

Aiyoma winks at me and walks to the back door.

"So how did it feel? That fight all you hoped it to be."

Walking over to my dirt-engraved sword, I put my hand on the handle.

"Feels like I'm getting my ass handed to me."

"Well yeah, but as I said, there's a time difference between you two; You'll get there."

I attempt to de-latch my sword from the ground.

"If I'm supposed to be this all-powerful Holy Knight, aren't I suppose to get some power boost or something?"

"That's not entirely how it works,"

Higashi walks over to me and pulls up my blade with ease.

"Magic classes that gain a specialty will usually get something like increased mana control, powerful spells, and yes, a 'power boost. However, this is different for knights, as it's usually just a physical breakthrough. For instance, the day you kept us with us in a race was probably around the time your body got used to its mana flow. It's also the reason you're able to carry this giant claymore despite your small frame."

He throws the sword back to me, and I catch it.

"Is there any way for me to see my current magic proficiency, like…a stats sheet?"

"Stats sheet? Well, there are ways for you to learn your magic proficiency, you could go to the Adventurer's Guild in Phoenia to get it looked at, but that's a far ways from here…."

Yeah, and I don't want any spoilers! I want to go there for the Rite of Passage and nothing more!

Higashi's eyes light up.

"Oh! You know what, Aiyoma has a friend that's a Sage in a nearby town; They're also able to check your magic proficiency you should ask her."

"Thanks, Mr. Saki!"

I run over towards the back door.

"Aiyoma, I need your help!"

Aiyoma rushes downstairs scabbard in hand.

"W-what? Are you in trouble?"

I beamed a wide smile.

"Naw, I just need to hear about this Sage friend of yours!"

Aiyoma sighed.

"Choice of words…Momoko."

. . .

"You think I'm ready for something like that?"

Aiyoma sits walks from the stairs and sits next to me and Higashi in the living room.

"Of course! You've shown some real progress with your sword technique and I think it's time we go out and fight some real monsters!"

Higashi nods.

"It would be good practice, with the Rite of Passage only being a few weeks away it's good to get some practice in with other opponents."

"It's on the way to Adelade, where my friend is currently stationed," Aiyoma noted, "We could leave as soon as tomorrow if you'd like."

"Sounds like I plan!"

I slam my fist into my right palm.

"I'm looking forward to fighting some monsters!"

This is awesome, finally some experience out in the field!

"I'll start making preparations."

Aiyoma stands, making way for the front door.

"Make sure to get some sleep if I'm not home later tonight."

She closes the door behind her and I look over to Higashi.

"I was wondering, how often does Aiyoma come over to visit, with her being a knight and all?"

"Well,"

Higashi looked toward a family picture centered on the wall.

"Knights have the option of either staying in the capitol or defending their hometown. So unless the capital truly needs her, she stays here with us."

"... I see."

"But whenever she does go off to the capital it could be days, weeks, even months before we see her again, but that's a knight's life for ya!"

"Is it hard knowing that your daughter is out there fighting strong monsters and stuff… Do you ever get worried?"

Higashi turned to me and smiled.

"Of course I do! What father wouldn't! But that's why I trained her to the best of my ability, so she knows how to take care of herself."

He nudges me on my shoulder.

"That goes for you too. Me training you means that you better not get ya'self killed. I got a reputation to protect!"

He lets off a hardy laugh.

"You got it, old man!"

I chuckle and look outside the window.

I wonder who my first opponent will be?

Whoever it is, they better watch out—Time to get good!

. . .