The guild building is ridiculous!

The training dojo they have outside is the size of a school gym!

Ari didn't come with me because she wanted to buy me new clothes. But I'm sure the real reason was she didn’t want to train or mess up her clothes with all the sand everywhere.

First things first is to grab my new spear!

Yep, you heard that right!

I have a spear now!

I had to go and show the guy who runs the dojo my paper.

It was so awkward.

But all he did was look at it and go to the backroom and grab the first spear he saw.

It's all grungy and the wood looks like it's been rotting in decades but it's mine all mine.

My own spear!

I should get around to thinking of a name for my weapon.

But now's not the time for that. Now's the time for training.

Woosh

Woosh

Shing

I just realized something. I have no idea how to train. I mean sure If I keep shadow stabbing and slicing I'll get somewhere in a few years but I only have a week to get ready for the expedition.

I need to learn techniques and styles.

“Hey, you! Are you new here! Do you want to spar with me?”

Woah Woah Woah

Oh god, they're talking to me. Yep, they definitely are looking right at me. It's a guy about my height, he has orange hair and is sporting a white strip resembling a bandage across his nose.

“Hi! I'm Otto! Nice to meet you! I've never seen a spear user here before! You're cool like that I guess. Do you want to practice together? I'm not so good at fighting myself but if we spar together I’m sure we’ll both get better together!”

Why is everyone here obsessed with handshakes. Fine here's my sweaty palm.

Eww, this is sweaty too.

Like way sweatier than mine.

How long has he been here?

Well, I have to say something right? And it'd be hard for me to try making friends by passing up this. No more regrets! A little pain for future gain. Call it a friend investment if you will.

“Ok”

“Awesome! Let’s do this!”

Woah he jumped back way faster than what should be normal.

He's in his fighting stance already?

WHAAAA!

He's attacking me!

Why is he using a real sword!

I thought we were just training?!

We could have taken a second to grab a wooden sword you know!

This is bad. Like, real bad.

I'm barely dodging his attacks but I gotta think of something soon.

He’s not good at attacking, he’s using his sword as some kind of blunt object.

It’s more of I’m just not being agile in any way to avoid them.

Come on Bell you need to get him off of you.

Come on come on!

Oh yeah, the sand!

I can use sand to cover his eyes!

Is that legal?

Who cares all fair in love and war!

Wait right when he’s facing me…

Eyes wide open...

KICK!

AND SCORE!

Ok, he’s distracted now what?

I don’t want to just stab him.

What if they can’t heal him?

I mean though he was attacking me!

Why is it my fault he was using a real weapon and so I use one back?

Ah, fuck he’s coming back up.

Make a decision am I killing him or not?!

What the hell no I’m not!

Fine then next option.

BAAAAAAAA!

Tackling him to the ground and trying to pin him is going to be next to impossible.

Stay right where you are!

He's a fighter all right.

I can’t believe I’m actually overpowering him.

This feels good.

Fighting is kinda fun if you're winning.

Battle maniac Bell here we come!

Bonk

Ahhhhhh!

My nose! My nose!

God, it hurts so much!

Fuck I let him go!

Otto! Your headbutt made my nose bleed!

Ugh, I can feel it rushing out it’s so gross.

I gotta get back up fast.

Now we're both standing ready for anything.

Gotta take initiative!

Take this!

Bam!

…..

Wait…

Why am I on the ground now?

What just happened?

I can barely feel my face.

Everything’s so dizzy…

At any moment I could pass out.

Is this what being knocked out feels like?

Man, this hurts.

Like I’m stunned.

Wha-

Whos that?

Long ears?

Blond hair?

Is that an elf?

Are there really elves in this world?

What other races exist?

He looks pissed though.

Or maybe just gloomy.

Oh, my hands moving.

Oh, the elves helping me up!

What a nice guy!

“Maaaaan what just happened?”

“Your dumbass doesn’t know restraint, that’s what.”

“Come on Sansa don’t be so mean. I just wanted to see if I could finally beat someone.”

“That’s why I’m not helping you up.”

“The floor is comfier anyway.”

Gaining my senses there's only three people who were watching our fight.

The elf, Sansa. And two middle-aged men. One very tall and muscular and the other very fat.

“Bahahaha! Do you see this Nigel? These brats punched each other at the same time! Bahaha!”

“Can’t even handle actual sword fighting. Shameful really.”

They continued laughing for a bit then moved on out of the dojo.

Man, how rude.

Who do they think they are?

“Who are those guys?”

“Oh, that’s Nigel and Sizeof. They've always been dickheads since they got the gold rank a few years ago. Just ignore them.”

Why are you still on the ground? It’s been a bit now and your talking just fine, you’re just getting yourself dirty at this point.

“By the way, sorry what was it? I don’t think I got your name yet.”

Oh, he’s actually bothering to get up agai- God is he even sweatier?!?!?!

Ew ew ew ew ew ew.

“Bell.”

“Bell huh. Righteous name man. Sorry for trying to fight you and all that. Sansa isn't a great teacher and he keeps beating me. Gets frustrating you know?”

Ugh, I just need water.

Just nod to him in agreement and offer him a cup. That should make us at least friendly acquaintances, right?

Sansa too, but he gives off waaay more serious vibes honestly.

I don't know how the two can stand each other being complete opposites.