Edward was working hard at paperwork in his study at the desk. He heard a knocking at the door. Edward spoke up, “Come in.” Answering the knock a man into the room.

“Master,” A servant said. “I have a man in the waiting room he said his name is “Master” he claims to be here for the teaching position.”

Edward looked up to the servant waited a second to process the information. He then stated back to the servant, “Okay, did he travel far? Have you served him drink and food?”

“He had not stated anything about travel, I have drink and sandwiches being served to him as we speak.” the servant answered

Edward nodded to the servant then stated, “Okay, notify him I will be there to greet him shortly get the library prepped and come back and get me.”

“Yes, sir. It will be done,” the servant commented

Edward nodded and dismissed the servant saying, “Thank you, Henry”

“Very good Sir,” Henry said.

After a period of time Henry returned and notified Edward that library was ready and the guest had finished a cup of tea and had eaten a quick bite. Edward stood up thanked Henry and stepped around the desk and headed to the waiting room to greet his guest. Entering the waiting room he saw a man of similar age to himself with well cared for but definitely worn clothing.

“You are here for the teaching job correct?” Edward asked the guest

“Yes sir I am, my name is Master.” Master stated

“So what all do you know?” Edward asked

“I know how to read, write, martial arts, weaponry, and even know military arts,” Master proudly stated

“I do know my son wishes to be in the military, he wants to be a protector of the people,” Edward smiled

While Edward and Master were just finishing basic information and greetings. Yuki Gia silently walked into the room she spoke saying, “My son just wishes to protect John, who he feels to be his older brother and best friend. I apologize Master Snow for speaking without permission however Henry notified me that you were interviewing a possible teacher.”

“Well well Yuki, please join us. Henry was right in notifying you. Is Friedrick available for this?” Edward smiled. “Master would you mind if we have you try one of our boys out Friedrick has been trained by his parents.” directing Master’s gaze to the Asian woman then stating. “This is Friedrick’s mother Yuki gia head of my servants his father is Khang head of security and information gathering.”

“Is Friedrick here?” Master asked, “If he is available I will test him out and see where he is in his training.”

“Of course, Friedrick show yourself.” Yuki declared.

Friedrick walks out of everyone’s blind spot. “Master Snow, Mother, Sir”

Master smiled, “that was very good but your shadow was still visible.”

Yuki shocked that Master saw through Friedrick’s “hide”

“Do you mind if I take him outside to evaluate him?” asked Master

“Yuki Xaio do you mind?” Master asked.

“Friedrick go ahead and show him,” Yuki Gia

Friedrick nods to his mother and leads the guest outside and shows him what he has learned from his mother and father. Using shadow step, intellect, sleight of hand, and wing chung, with some acupuncture.

“Well you definitely know quite a bit, but what drives you?” Master

“As far back as I can remember, The Young Master’s father who has been really nice to me and my parents, keeps being attacked even though he cares about everyone here in Portsmouth.” Friedrick stated.

“Has John, himself, been attacked?” Master asked.

“Yes sir,” Friedrick stated.

Friedrick guided everyone outside to where his Father Khang & Yuki would train him. Out back of the main house there was a bare patch of land with a slight concave area. Which he was very familiar with having to be out there for 2 hours a day training with both of his parents prior to waking John and going hunting. After lunch he would then assist John with his training at this location.

“Hmm,” Master said. “Let me guess daily training happens here. How often per day do you train?”

Friedrick frowned, “Well, my training is twice per day once with my father and right after my mother for a total of two hours. Then after lunch I assist The Young Master with his training.”

“Hmm, very good so what do you train in?” asked Master.

“Well, my Father is great with sabers bucklers and martial arts, Mother is great with daggers, shadow step, and acupuncture.” Friedrick stated “So, that is what they trained me in.However I would like to switch to the Targe like John it would be easier for having two blades and would like to use the Rondel it is just a bit longer than the dagger.”

“What is Shadow step, is that how you were hiding earlier?” Master asked

“Yes, Shadow step when mastered lets you manipulate the blind spot in people's vision and dull out your own color using ki. The ability allows you to basically be invisible or at least silent and not leave a trace or track behind. Some say true master can even erase themselves from sight, smell, or even erase yourself from history and memories.” Friedrick smiles maniacally.

“Hmm, okay very good. Very good, let’s see where you are at.” Master said, “Show me your proper warm ups and then we can exchange forms.”

Upon hearing about Friedrick’s daily routine with his training. Master was surprised, but happy if this is how the manservant was, he could not wait to see what the Young Master John was like if he was in the same mind set or excessively or doing it. At the comment Friedrick was smiling then for a warm up he squatted putting his knees and toes togethers and heels apart then maneuvered his feet till they were parallel to his shoulders. At which he began doing squats whilst doing alternating arms doing different hand, wrist, and arm flexes. He did this for several sets then continued onto other warm up forms next was saber basic forms. Friedrick continued this for about 45 minutes going over every saber form basic and some advanced forms with and without the buckler, then went onto daggers, followed by each step form he knew. During each and every form Master would observe Friedrick every muscle movement. After Friedrick finished all the forms he was drenched with sweat and every muscle was tired, but Friedrick was still determined to continue. Seeing this Master was proud of this child even though he never trained him yet.

“Good, I barely seen any wasted movement or exaggerated movements.” commented Master, “However, we will need to adjust your muscles. Cool off, drink some water and take this solution, after which we will trade forms.”

Shortly after handing the solution to Friedrick, Master smiled then headed out of the barren circle over to an over sized boulder with a flat top, and leapt on top of it turned around and sat down without touching the boulder with his hands. Friedrick looked up to Master and watched carefully, he did not see any movements. However instead of looking away he kept looking more and more closely then saw that every muscle across Master’s entire body barely visibly twitched but they all did in an almost entirely random pattern.

“Master how are you doing that?” Friedrick was very curious yet anxious seeing what Master was doing.

“Hmm? Doing what? I am not doing anything yet. All I am doing is flexing and meditating.” Master plainly stated, “How about you try watching and do the same?”

Friedrick was studying Master’s body especially close again. Doing this for about 30 minutes Friedrick could not figure out anything. Finally Master decided that Friedrick had cooled off long enough opening his eyes he saw Friedrick was extremely close and watching his arms and legs.

“You realize how close you are correct? This could be considered as you’re trying to court me,” Master joked.

“Sorry Master, but I knew not of another way to try to comprehend how you are capable too,” Friedrick stated.

“Well Friedrick are you ready for this?” Master asked

“Yes, Master I am ready,” Friedrick stated

“Good,” Master said. Master then decided stood up looking over at Frederick smiled, then begin stepping forward into the circle once the circle he waved over at Frederick and said, “Let us begin.”

Friedrick walked into the circle then took a simple Wing Chung stance. “I am ready, I believe please teach me.”

Master was surprised at the fact that Friedrick basically looked like he was just standing there. Thinking to himself well he said he was ready, I myself do not know anything about the martial arts he knows. However, I do know several others this will be interesting most English men mostly only know boxing and weapon arts. They would not be this way if they had any real time with the Asian countries or India.

Master decided and smiled then took on a Thai Boxing stance, “I will not commit a killing blow but I won’t hold back otherwise.”

After Master stated this Friedrick nodded to Master but said nothing. Seeing the nod Master charged at Friedrick closing in as soon as he got within arms reach Master throughout a straight right. Friedrick redirected the punch past his head. As soon as his fist passed Friedrick’s head Master’s hand opened grabbed the back of Friedrick’s head and pulled his arm back with Friedrick’s head straight to his knee. Surprised at this movement Friedrick quickly used the power of Master’s momentum to miss the knee. After which Friedrick tried to use his Dad’s signature move “Ten Thousand Years of Pain,” by reaching out with his left hand and grabbing at Master family jewels. Seeing what Friedrick was reaching for, he then shifted the knee strike to a round-house kick. Which sent Friedrick off to Master’s left, Friedrick did not fall but lost balance for a couple of steps. Friedrick smiled with the fact that he just got caught completely off guard having never seen a move like that instead of his father’s incenant use of slapping him to get around Friedrick’s defense, then trying to flip him with the use of his manhood was extremely great. Friedrick had to hold back a laugh and then reconstructed his defense now knowing that Master’s Martial was a heavy strength base. So all he had to do was keep his movement simple and conservative that way when he created an opening he could make Master take him seriously.

This time when Master charged at him, again Master did a straight however it was with his left arm Friedrick did not deflect it or use the momentum to redirect it instead he used the momentum to twist the arm and end with his partially closed fist to Master’s armpit getting a smile from Master and redden his face too.

“Hmm, that is new,” Master said.

Master and Friedrick went back and forth like this for 20 minutes Friedrick took most of the hits however he gained 4 hits in on Master during this exchange Master used Muay Thai, Tai Chi Chuan, Gung Gi Fook Fu, then after the 20 minutes Master grabbed a stick and began using sword forms. In response Friedrick pulled a saber and buckler. They went back and for for another 20 minutes during which Friedrick failed to land a single hit Master never hit him with the stick he used his finger to land hits but used the stick to defend against every sword swing. Master ended up using about 6 different sticks but he never used one thicker than his middle finger.

Master asked Friedrick, “Do you know why I used a finger to land hits and a stick to defend?”

“I guess to protect me from severe injury.” Friedrick guessed

“Hahaha, no no no I am not that inexperienced. I did because the sticks would have broken if I hit you but metal always cuts flesh without blessings.” Master answered, “the last thing I wanted was to be missing fingers just because I was robbed while napping on my way here. You have done very well Friedrick. Your parents have trained you extremely well. Now I will have to find the boy you call Young Master. That way I can test him and see how good he is at Martial arts and military strategy.”

At that Friedrick smiled and bowed to Master saying, “Thank you for your teachings I appreciate the education.” Then took off to continue his duties for the day.

A couple of hours later John the Young Master finally showed up with a deer on one side and 4 wild rabbits on the other. As John was walking toward the back door toward the kitchen door. He saw a stranger sitting on the gutting boulder that the main chef used to skin and gut the daily catch. John set the catch next to the boulder and was about to say something to the man when he noticed that the man’s eyes were closed so he shrugged and headed to the kitchen door and knocked. “Chef, Chef hey I finally made it back and I got 4 rabbits and a medium deer.” John declared after opening the door to the kitchen.

“Thank you, Young Master by the way I was told to have you go introduce yourself to that man over there after you go get your stuff for training.” the Main Chef stated the message he was asked to pass along from John’s father. “Now I appreciate the catch today however how was the tracks the rabbits left are we doing well for them or do we need to shift for the change of weather?”

“I believe we may have 2 more weeks, I have noticed a greater amount of hog tracks I may end up with one tomorrow so I will be bringing Friedrick along tomorrow on,” John stated flatly.

“Okay I will have the hog traps ready for you tomorrow morning and begin sharpening and re-edging my skinning knives and gutting knives tonight. God I hate hogs more meat but much tougher hides heavier arses fucking pigs,” the Main Chef stated then spat to the side with a disgusted facial expression.

John understood what he meant having to haul the pigs last year with Friedrick and the year before with his father and Friedrick. However it doesn’t seem like they get any lighter and their seem to be more each year too. John turned his head around and saw the man still sitting on the boulder then turned back to the Chef and smiled bowed and stepped back out of the kitchen. John turned and ran around the building toward the front of the building and toward the front door. As he got to the top front door Friedrick was standing there and handed him his Targe and his Zweihänder sword which was a small two handed sword that weighed 6lbs and 5 foot in length, he was 5years old and still struggled to exceed 12 minutes with one hand but with two hands he could make it drastically longer.

“Do your best John I only got 4 hits but none with my saber,” Friedrick stated.

“Hah, well that’s because your just a manservant,” John stated but he knew Friedrick was better than him but that is because John was planning for an extreme style that would be great for getting everyone’s attention on a battlefield and away from his men. After taking his equipment from Friedrick with a smile on his face John turned around and took the steps two at a time.

Friedrick followed John wanting to see this Friedrick lasted 40 minutes straight. Having not told John about this he wanted to see how John does. Knowing that John could not comprehend or stand people kicking in a fair fight as he expected everyone to follow. In John’s mind fair fights be it bare knuckle or sword fighting was all the same rules are meant to be followed no kicking, no biting, and no punching the family jewels. However having fought Master already he knew that all of that was fair game even if Master never took a bite he could tell Master would if it was life or death. So Friedrick followed the Young Master like any boy would knowing what was about to happen with delight.

John couldn’t wait for the chance to train with someone new. Friedrick has always been a challenge but was entirely a different style than himself which was not a bad thing. Friedrick’s style complimented his style completely, however it is difficult to become a walking fort when your training partner was entirely light and fast. John knew that it was normal till he got the strength to handle his sword style. John was dead set on being able to wield the biggest and heaviest two handed sword as though it was a single handed sword.

John running comes back around the house from picking up his equipment. Still smiling John runs up to the boulder with the man sitting on it. The mornings catch still sitting beside the stone. John overly excited decided to just say to the man without waiting; “Um, excuse me sir, my name is John Snow I was told to get my equipment and come to see you. Um, I am ready sir.”

Smirking to himself Master heard John but decided to see how long this John could handle being ignored, a test of patience. Since he is the Young Master it be best to have a large pool of patience, especially since he wanted military arts that should mean he wanted to join the military.

After waiting a couple of minutes and the man did not move John turned walked over to Friedrick and then said, “Well, Friedrick looks like the man is napping will you be willing to join me in a bit of training.”

However unknown to John, Master could hear and was not napping he was just meditating and cultivating. Master was surprised at John’s choice he did not get upset instead was being courteous and letting the man “rest,” but without opening his eyes he was curious what kind of training they would do without “waking” him. So Master decided to open himself to seeing Auras normally a person would still need to have their eyes open to use this ability. However as Master has been around a few years/decades he has been able to do so without opening his eyes. Which in this case is extremely helpful being able to watch those two exchanging any forms would help him to understand them both.

Friedrick nodded to John, “As you wish, Young Master;” Friedrick stated. He then turned toward the circle that was already concave from their constant use for training. Friedrick began warming up using same forms as before. Even though he did not need to do these warm up forms but Friedrick liked this routine plus he knew that John needed to warm up.

John felt a bit of a shiver every time he heard Friedrick say that it was just creepy. He watched Friedrick walk into the circle and begin his usual basic forms. John shook his head, looked back to the stranger saw he still hadn’t moved then followed Friedrick into the concave circle. Since John already had his Targe on and Zweihänder, he decided to go ahead and warm up and practice his sword forms.

John began to practice long sword forms first then move to sword and buckler forms, he decided to begin with high guard which has the high above the head with both hands on the sword. Even though John is trying to gain the ability to one hand a two handed weapon he refuses to break proper form when practicing. Practicing a set of swings he then switches to hanging right which pushed the right arm far the left putting the hilt guard in front of the wielder’s face hanging the rest of the blade down the right side. After practicing a set of guards and counter swings. By swiping and switching to inside left attacking, by bringing blade up over and adjusting his blade into a forward thrust. John after doing the set he swapped to the other side and doing the same.

After going through all of the long sword forms. John dropped his sword and Targe at the edge of the circle. Once he finished setting the tools down he walked back into the middle across from Friedrick and asked Friedrick, “Are you finished?”

Friedrick nodded and walked up to the center, “hand to hand?”

John nodded, “Military rules.”

Hearing this Master was really surprised so he opened up his Ki and magic to look at the boys using his ability Aura he could see the boys, however as outlines filled with color kind of like Ki outline but aura contains everything Ki, magic, and soul it also showed the true shape or form of the object. both the boys are mostly White the shade of innocent, John had the colors bright vibrant orange was the shade of happy, the bright and vibrant part told him that John was excited, white and outlined as Golden silver which is the shade of a blessing. Friedrick had white, the dullness of his aura spoke of the calmness, surprisingly there were two tendrils that reached out of Friedrick and touched John’s aura which surprised Master but spoke volumes Friedrick was becoming possessive bordering obsessed, however what was weird most people’s aura did not just stopped at the outlining shape but slightly bled off ever so slightly however Friedrick’s aura not just ended but seemed to absorb the aura into himself his outline was not only fixed but the aura around him was faded but extremely defined. Master had never seen anything like this before.

The exchange began Master was really curious, but quickly realized John was a boxer straight off the British Royal Naval ship. Master actually flinched when he saw this boxing that was till he saw the almost flawless movements. It was almost gorgeous the cleanly executed the only flaws he could see was the lack of footwork or as he should say the excellent statue mimicry. His movement from his waist up was amazing but the waist down he could cry he could actually swear a tear did escape.

After seeing this horrendous act, of boxing Master turned off the aura and opened his eyes. Friedrick was facing Master and John’s back was toward him. Friedrick was about to step out of his stance and bow. However Master shook his head and waved his hand meaning to continue. So Friedrick did not make a change he did quite the opposite he deflected John’s upper cut followed by a left jab. As soon as the jab was deflected Master slammed his right hand straight down on John’s head.

John stunned for a second looked around then seen the stranger the man looking down at John looked up to the man with pitch black hair going in all directions as though he was struck by lightning pure white face with a scar from the top left of his face down to the right side of his chin. “Probably from a sword,” John thought to himself however it was wider. It couldn’t be from a Zweihänder but it would be too deep, then John realized he was distracting himself. This man definitely a well worn veteran however, John is well versed in military history there weren't any wars in the last 50 years.

Where had this man been John wondered, but most of all he really wanted to know was why this man’s hand is squarely on his head. John finally asked, “why did you hit me sir?”

“Well that was surprising however, what you asked is not the correct question. the question really should be what happened to your feet?” Master countered.

“What do you mean by my feet sir,” John asked “I really don’t know, I watched several Royal Navy practices.”

“How from the waist up?” Master asked sarcastically

“Well the walls are a bit too tall for me. All I could see was punching and blocking,” John flatly stated.

“Hmm, Okay well try moving your feet;” Master stated

Master then steps back out of the Circle and nods to Friedrick. Friedrick nodded back to Master then began to mimic Masters Muay Thai boxing stance. Shocked John had no idea what Friedrick was doing never seeing the stance that Friedrick was taking. Seeing John’s expression Friedrick decided to tell him, “I spent around an hour with Master I watched and studying between coughing up blood.”

John shocked could not believe that Friedrick went against the stranger already. Why, no how did he learn a new art in an hour. Then realized he could not have learned a new art, he could only poorly mimic it. Smiling widely he then charged at Friedrick expecting bad guards since it was only mimicked after only an hour of being watched. However after when he got just outside of arm's reach he tripped on something. As John was falling he saw it that was Friedrick’s foot. Wait what a foot that is not a legal move why. Yet, the stranger was still not saying anything what the hell. John stumbled for a second once he got his balance back looked over toward the stranger and said, “Sir, why haven’t you said anything he cheated.”

“CHEATED!” Master Yelled “how?” Master looked around exaggeratedly then bulged his eyes out as far as they could. “Friedrick you cheated well then I guess I will have to punish you by kicking you out of the battle circle.” Then dropped kicked Friedrick out of the circle. John saw Friedrick get kicked out of the circle and fly 5 feet out of the circle then land like a bag of potatoes and slide another 3 feet. Then the man stepped into the circle as soon as he looked at John. John saw a shimmer in the sky that seemed to encircle them for the entirety of the circle. When John looked back at Master, Master said “Now then, the cheater is out of the circle let us see how you do. Friedrick get me some sticks ready”

“Yes sir,” Friedrick bowed to Master then stepped away. To get the sticks that was requested for the testing.

John became confused and then took a step back and tripped again. After John wakes up from his daze, he realizes he is back on his ass again by tripping within 5 minutes of fall. Looking over to see what he tripped on his Sword, and Targe. “How the fuck did they get in the circle,” John thought to himself.

Master seeing John tripped again had to hold back a laugh, finally seeing John brought himself back finally then looked at what tripped him and the confusion. Master stated, “what I brought them back into the circle, be glad I already seen your crappy martial skills let’s see your sword and targe skills.”

John equipped his Targe and Zweihänder thankfully training against Friedrick father Khang taught him about how to fall without bouncing his head off the ground. With that he learned to keep his balance, putting himself into the proper sword and buckler stances that he learned from his father Edward, and Friedrick’s father Khang.

Master seeing this practiced stance made Master happy. Having these kids already well trained made this so much better however do they know how and why these are created? Definitely need to expand their martial skills, and see how their mental and knowledge skills are currently.

John got himself into a proper short stance and used both hands for a change. seeing those two strange abilities John was not going to take this exchange lightly. Gripping his sword tighter he verified he still had two war hammers on his Targe. A short stance which John chose required his right foot forward and bent at an almost 90 degree angle with the left back and fully straight with his back. The sword was on the left side with the Targe was on left arm in a fully straight position and the right bent in a 45 degree slant. With his body turned slightly to the right the Targe covered most of his major organs.With John’s ability to handle the blade in an unconventional one handed style, this gave him the ability to guard much like a sword and buckler than normal two handed swordsman. Hoping that Friedrick had not told this man of his goal or abilities John prepared himself for a difficult fight. John spent a good while standing there in the stance waiting but the man never did anything curious John finally asked, “Um, what are you waiting for?”

Smiling Master just simply, “sticks.”

John was confused but just accepted. Just as John was about to ask for the explanation Friedrick showed up with a bundle of straight sticks about as big around as John’s thumb.

“Here sir, I hope you have enough sticks,” Friedrick stated

“Good, thank you. Hopefully that is enough but we will see.” Master said excitedly. “Just set them there I will get them as needed.”

Suddenly a stick shot toward Master. Surprisingly John did not flinch or jump back instead he just stood there unshaken. Master was impressed with John’s resolve.

“Okay, you have waited long enough and seeing your sword stance, you must have practiced for a long time. Let us begin!” Stated Master

At that Master walked up to John’s attack range, John attacked stepping forward making his left leg his leading leg, lifting the blade up and swinging his blade down from his left down to the right at Master. No surprise he parried with the stick. Surprising John felt a sharp pain shot through his left leg. John looked down saw nothing. John went to step back for a guard, however, he couldn’t stop his leg was completely weakened and numb. Trying to step but he fell to the ground, dropping his stance it took everything to prevent dropping his sword.

Master was shocked at the lack of actual skill John showed. Master shield, “Is this really all you have for skill?”

John finally getting feeling in his left leg. John shied, “Okay, I am not practicing two-handed I am working on sword and buckler style.”

Dropping his left hand John gets himself into a proper sword and buckler style. John was doing his best to not use his best style like Friedrick was sure did not use Kobudo. Khang made sure he learned it spending more hours learning it then his own martial skill and learning the targe guard. Stating that “the best defense was a good offense” then beat John till he coughed up blood. So John prepared himself for the next attack knowing the attack was coming, the only question was where and when the attack was coming from.