The air shimmered near each corner of the room solidifying into stacks of sand filled bags. A practice dummy appeared at the center of the room with a small wooden shield and small mace leaning against the legs of the practice dummy. A crystal surrounded by spiked iron bands forms the head of the mace.

"Please pickup the mace and the shield and prepare to practice strikes to the dummy at the center of the room." Nimrod instructed.

Frank did have some limited experience with weapons, a form he leaned with a bow or staff, from his years of Martial Arts training. He picked up the mace with his right hand and the shield with his left. He began to strike the dummy using downward swings, forehand swings from the right, and backhand swings from the left side. Smack, smack, smack ... the consistent rhythm of his strikes become a useful measure of time. Holding the shield up is difficult and does distract him from his attacks spoiling his aim. If he concentrated on his weapon, he quickly lost his balance when he overextended his reach.

"Shorten your swings and keep your balance. Add power from your hips not just your arms."

As soon as Nimrod gave this instruction, Frank remembered how to increase the power of a punch by driving his hips forward. He concentrates on making each strike a solid hit by using his hips on foreword and backhanded strikes and dropping his center of gravity when delivering downward strikes. After twenty minutes of practice, new message notifications flashed at the top left of his HUD.

Congratulations! You have learned new skills.

Club and Mace Skill

Level: Beginner 1 5%

You can actually use a weapon without injuring yourself! You may use clubs or maces without incurring unskilled penalties. As the skill improves, bonuses to hit and to damage will be gained.

Effect: No penalties for use of a club or a mace.

Shield Skill

Level: Beginner 1 2%

You may use a shield without incurring unskilled penalties. As the skill improves, protection bonuses will be earned.

Effect: No penalties for use of a shield.

"Your stamina is very low. Take a 10 minute break and drink some water before we resume your training." Nimrod directed him.

******

"Enough lazing around, Your Majesty! Please step into the circle." Nimrod mentions with a derisive tone. Frank's eyes narrow and his mouth is taught, but he steps into the circle upon the floor. Immediately after Frank complies with his directions. Nimrod continued with a booming voice. "Let's get ready to rumble!"

The practice dummy disappeared from the center of the room. A tall man dressed in black clothing, holding a dikatana in both hands starts running silently toward Frank from the other side of the room. The Ninja's sword slams into the shield Frank frantically raises just before the Ninja's sword would have sliced him from shoulder to navel. The Ninja takes a small step back and slices downward through the outside of Frank's left leg. Blood fountains in an arch, Frank screams while collapsing toward his left, the Ninja continues his attack stabbing the dikatana deep into Frank's gut, and then the Ninja rips the sword across Frank's middle. The following messages are displayed for Frank during the combat.

You received a [CRITICAL HIT] to your left leg for 32 HP of damage! You are bleeding for 5 HP every 10 seconds!

You have been DISEMBOWELED by the Ninja for 60 HP of damage! You are bleeding 15 HP every 10 seconds! You are status has changed to Shocked!

More than Two thirds of Frank's hit points disappear during the sequence of strikes. Frank lyes helplessly on the floor, quickly bleeding to death. He watches unable to respond as the Ninja walked away swaggering with conceit. Frank does not recover from shock before his hit points reached zero.

The level 5 Ninja wins the duel!

A wave of relief passed over Frank's body. He is fully healed as if the combat never occurred.

"You are very fortunate that combat occurred during a dual match. He kicked your butt! I thought you were taking this seriously." The derisive voice comments.

"That opponent was three levels higher than I am, and I just started to learn how to handle a weapon. That was hardly a fair evaluation of my combat skills". Frank replies.

"The Ninja crossed the combat area before you reacted. Your feet were planted and you made no attempt to dodge. The system was expecting a better performance from an individual with prior martial training. Step into the dueling circle to continue your training."

Frank hesitates. He is not sure he can go through another hopeless battle with a superior opponent, but he grits his teeth a prepares to duel. His next opponent appears at the opposite side of the dueling circle. The man holds a tarnished short sword in his right hand, and he begins to cautiously move toward Frank. Frank raises his shield and prepares to swing his mace. He moves forward shuffling his feet while closing the distance to his opponent. The warrior attacks with a predictable overhand swing that Frank blocks with his shield. Frank counters with a forehand swing narrowly missing the dodging warrior. His opponents lack of discipline and Frank's balance from his earlier practice allows Frank to land a backhand strike to his opponents sword arm.

You strike your opponent for 12 HP damage.

Frank follows up his successful strike, taking advantage of his opponents stumbling, by delivering an overpowered jab with his mace to the uncovered face of the swordsman before him. While the blow does minor damage, the swordsman's nose is broken with blood gushing from his nose. Frank resets his feet and delivers an overhand blow that the swordsman parries.

You strike Your opponent for 8 HP of damage. Your opponent is bleeding.

Frank glances at his hit points and stamina discovering that 1/4 of his stamina is gone. The swordsman chooses this moment to unleash a series of overpowered attacks. Frank blocks or parries three of the four attacks before a straight stab sneaks past his guard. Frank grunts from the stab in tremendous pain. He manages counter with a forehand strike to the side of his opponent's head. The swordsman drops to the ground.

You received a stab to your gut for 25 HP of damage. You are bleeding for 5 HP of damage.

You strike your opponents head [CTRITICAL] for 30 HP of damage. Your opponent could not block the strike due to 0 stamina. Your opponent is unconscious.

You win the duel!

Congratulations! You receive 300 XP for skill development and combat training. You have advanced to level 3. You receive +2 strength, +1 dexterity, and +1 vitality. Your realm master stat point may be added to strength, dexterity, or vitality.