The choice of the right weapon was quite important. Reaching a certain degree of proficiency with a weapon of choice was a necessary step for learning aura infusion and, not knowing how long it would take me or how difficult it would be to reach the necessary level of aura control, I didn't want to waste even a single minute. Moreover, although I didn't dislike learning how to use various weapons, I wasn't particularly fond of it either. I just wanted to find the right fit for me and focus on it.

While wandering between the stands, I could see almost every possible type of melee weapons: hunting knives, combat knives, short swords, long swords, spears, javelins, halberds, hatchets, two-headed axes, and more. There were even bows and crossbows. I initially decided to try each one of them.

Every single weapon I touched felt alien in my hand. While I was quickly getting used to my body, it seemed unlikely I would get quickly comfortable using a weapon. Although keeping one in my hand felt slightly "wrong", I still had to choose: in the future, fighting bare-handed wouldn't be an option.

For this reason, before even trying, I immediately discarded ranged weapons: considering I felt uncomfortable holding a weapon in my hand, I doubted I could learn how to properly use a bow.

I started by holding a long sword, which I felt was a fairly common choice. The balance was good and in my hands its weight felt negligible. The blade was dull, probably to avoid incidents during sparring. I started to swing it around to get comfortable with it. Soon enough, I put it back on the stand. The weapon in itself could be considered a solid choice, but I decided against it. The long reach could certainly be an advantage in certain situations, but I prefered to fight in very close range combat, where I could make the most of my fast reflexes and developed agility. Thereby, I decided to give up on using any two-handed, opting instead for one-handed ones.

I took a short sword in my hand. Although I felt more comfortable with it in comparison to the long sword, I nonetheless doubted this could be a good fit for me. A sword required some degree of precision to be employed during the swing: if the correct alignment was not kept, the sword would have more difficulty cutting through the target. Although I could probably make up for the lack of precision with brute strength alone, this would certainly take a toll on the weapon. I didn't want to risk finding myself in a situation in the future in which I could not use my weapon due to the damage accumulated through misuse.

Consequently, my options narrowed even further, with most edged weapons being ruled out. I still gave a chance to hatchets and axes. Hatchets were too small, so they were quickly discarded. Axes were more suitable to me. Although they would need regular maintenance to keep the cutting edge sharp, in an emergency they could still be used as weapons with good impact strengths.

So in summary, I needed a weapon simple enough to get accustomed to, usable in close range and not reliant on periodic maintenance. I felt only blunt weapons would respect all three criteria. Even without being proficient, I could still swing one and inflict significant damage against the opponent. Something like a club would be ideal. Although it could be considered an extremely rudimentary weapon, it didn't mean it wouldn't be effective. After all, if my ancestors could use it, I saw no reason why I couldn't. Moreover, blunt-force trauma would work well even against heavily armoured enemies.

In the end, I made up my mind and started looking for my weapon of choice. I had to search around for a while. It was clearly a not particularly popular option. Anyway, I was able to get my hands on my target: a simple but reliable one-handed mace. There was nothing special about it: it was made of metal, it had a good weight and it featured some flanges. I swung it around for a bit and found myself more comfortable with it compared to the other weapons. I was certain this was the right decision.

But I knew that simply using a single one-handed weapon was not a wise choice. A mace could prove to be a formidable weapon, but it was certainly not designed to intercept attacks. I needed some kind of armour, but actual armour would have been a poor choice. Although it was still possible to move nimbly even while wearing one, I didn't like the idea of donning one. Just thinking about it, I felt incredibly constrained. Moreover, I knew in the future it would prove to be useless.

Nevertheless, for now, I still needed some kind of protection. The solution to this problem was quite simple and readily available: I grasped a shield. Specifically, I chose a metal buckler, because I felt its small size would not hinder my movements too much and I could still use it to punch my opponent.

Content with my choices, I left the armoury and reached Marnie.

“Found everything~?” she asked cheerfully.

I showed her the weapons I had selected. She sent a weird look in my direction.

“I can see you have peculiar tastes. Oh well, if that's your decision, who am I to judge”

I didn't react to her observations. I was confident I had made the right choices.

“Well, anyway, it has gotten late, so let's end it here for today”

Her words caught me off-guard. I turned toward the clock on the wall. Without me noticing, I had spent most of the afternoon trying out all the different weapons, and it was already dinnertime. Marnie took my weapons from me and stored them away inside the armoury.

We got out of the main building. Before parting, Marnie turned toward me.

“OK, so tomorrow there will be no lesson. Day off~”

I frowned in confusion.

“Isn't it Friday tomorrow?” I asked.

Marnie looked at me surprised.

“Yeah, but it's the last Friday of the month. Wait, did no one tell you?”

I shook my head in response. I had no idea what she was talking about. Suddenly, Marnie hit herself on the forehead with the palm of her hand.

“Oh dear, I forgot that for you it's the first time! Then tomorrow is a special occasion!”

My confusion was growing by the minute.

“Then, sweetheart, I expect you to make yourself look good for your better half. After all, tomorrow is Frydate~” said Marnie with a cheerful smile.

The second "hurdle" of my life had presented itself.