Job Title: [Rune Knights] Basic Combat Training
Rank: C
Job Location: Era
Solo Word Count: 1500
Group Word Count: 3000
Additional Requirements: Must be a member of the Rune Knights. Maximum of 4 characters.
Job Description: Every Rune Knight must go through basic combat training to ensure that they know some level of self-defence. You have been selected to demonstrate to your class. In this exercise you will be fighting a fellow Private. Winning or losing does not matter here, but we expect effort from both combatants.
The battle ends once either combatant takes 200HP of damage.
Enemies:
Private (name optional):
HP: 200
One of your new comrades, their attacks and spells deal standard C rank damage and spell damage respectively.
Reward: Regardless of whether you win or lose the duel, you obtain 20k Jewels for your demonstration.
~ Credit to Kyra Forte.
Interesting would be the first thing to come to Salems mind as he listened to the upper Knight explain different tactics one could use to counter an attack and make and advancement with their blade. Rune Knight Lee making sure to do a slow walk through of his counter movement as he spoke of it. Though Salem wasn’t sure if he agreed with the exact technique the combat instructor was suggesting, but he would keep it in mind and add it to his bag of tricks. As he was sure it could come in handy someday. Even though the exact move wasn’t one that tended to fit his style of sword play with Salem tending to prefer a different style of sword completely then the ones that they used in their combat training exercise. With the Magic Council only making sure that all Rune Knights get training in basic sword play which tended to involve basic straight swords. Though Salem knew it wasn’t uncommon for some of the Rune Knights to train in rapiers instead of the normal straight sword. A style of sword he still wasn’t completely interested in, with it being a even harder fit for his fighting style than a regular straight sword.
“Now that you have seen one of my more basic counters what do you guys think of it?” Would be what Salem heard as he managed to snap out of his slight daydream state from watching Major lee gracefully dance with his wooden sword. And luck would have it, another of the Knights in the class would rise to the occasion and answer the question before Major Lee took it upon himself to pick one of the Knights in the class to answer. The Knight that rose to the occasion would be one that Salem wasn’t completely familiar with having only interacted before with him in their advanced combat training class on one or two occasions. And those occasions being so minor to point that Salem wasn’t even sure if he could remember the name of the Knight. “Your basic counter while quite effect in certain situations is not easily usable for every type of sword, especially those of smaller blade sizes like a rapier.”
Major Lee would seem to have a slight smile on his face as he listened to the response of the Knight to his question, leading Salem to believe the Major was satisfied with his fellow classmates’ response. A response Salem himself could agree with. The major would proceed to start making a small clap for the student as looked directly in the eyes of him. “Well, you are quite correct Private Natsu, my counter method won't work for smaller swords with it being made in conjunction with the use of a broadsword. But it could still be used with most forms of straight swords if used correctly and timed properly. So now that that has been said would any of you like to demonstrate what I’ve shown you in a live spar?.”
Once the words Spar left Rune Knight Major Lee’s mouth, it would seem as though the class would go silent as a strange feeling came over all the students, Salem included. Though Salem was sure he wasn’t silent for the same reason as the rest of the class. With most of them probably being scared to have to demonstrate their skills in a live spar in front of not only a higher ranked Knight, but a Major of the combat branch. A branch that many of those in this class were probably interested in considering they were taking an advanced combat class to better their skill and win favor with the higher ups in the branch. Meaning that looking bad in front of Major Lee was something that no one in the class wanted to do if that wanted good standing with the combat branch.
“Ill test my blade Major” would soon be heard cutting the silence that overtook the class just moments ago. And it would come from the same voice that Salem and the rest of the class had heard only moments ago from private Natsu. The only one of the class who had been eager to answer the Majors question earlier. Making it seem to Salem as though Natsu was doing his best to impress the major today and become the favorite of the class, a plan Salem seen know issue with though, he knew the fate of Natsu’s plan was going to come down to how he looked in the spar in front of General Lee. But luck would have it for Natsu none of the other privates in the class would seem to take up the offer of crossing blades in the live spar with him.
“Well it looks as if we have no one wants to take up Private Natsu’ in his spar challenge, then I will have to pick one of you myself it seems.” Finishing his statement Major lee would then proceed to walk up and down the line of privates that stood before him. Taking the time to stop and look over each one of them as he got in front of them. Putting a feeling in the privates that Salem could only describe as intense, with Major Lee having an already intense aura around himself that intimidated even the other officers in the Magic Council Rune Knights. But soon enough the Major would find himself standing once again in front of Salem. “Hm you’re the one of the Pendragon family, a family with a grand history in this kingdom, though I can say I’ve never known those of your family to be fancy with the sword. So you’re up.”
Upon speaking the last words, Salem could see that a small smile had made its way to Major Lee’s face like earlier when he praised Private Natsu for answering his question. The major would soon make his move away from the line of Privates as he proceeded to point for Salem and Natsu to make their way to the center of the training ground to get things underway. Salem quickly making his way to the right side of the training field while private Natsu took stance on the left side. “I’ve heard many things of the great Pendragon family, let's see if you live up to your families name.” The last part coming out of Natsu’s mouth as more of an insult than anything else to Salem, an Insult that he would not take well, even if he could tell that his fellow private was doing his best to bait him to get him out of his head and into his emotions. Something Salem wasn’t going to fall for with him seeing how important it was for Natsu to impress Major Lee today. A task Salem was now going to put a hinder into.
“Spar rules Major Lee” would be all that Salem would proceed to say. In a tone that let the Major and all of the privates present he meant business and was ready to get things underway. As the young Pendragon was already starting to fall slightly into the trap of Private Natsu, with allowing for his emotions to get the better of him and showing it not only to Natsu, but the Major and all of the other Privates in the class. With a grin from ear to ear, Major Lee would proceed to make a graceful walk to the center of the sparing area before proceeding to speak. “ Well since this is an advance training class, I propose we have a little fun and go for live sparring, no wooden swords today, you both shall choose whatever weapon you choose fit, though this spar shall be none lethal so Privates , do try and restrain yourselves as I would hate to have to step in”
Instantly upon finishing his last word, Major Lee would snap his finger and a spark of light would appear and disappear as almost as fast as it came. Though now Major lee would be standing by the other privates, while Salem and Natsu found themselves still standing in the some spots on the training field, but now surrounded by a blue field of magic, Salem and all the other privates where very familiar with. As this as special spell used by the combat instructors to all for more intense duels that allowed for live combat. It would help keep the Major and others safe from Natsu and Salems attacks as well as lessen the damage they did to one another while in combat. Seeing that the field had been activated, Natsu would proceed to smirk and look at Salem and say “May the better Knight win” with a sinister look in his eyes as he proceeded to grab his sheathed rapier at his side.
Bringing the blade up in front of him and holding it so that the blade was horizontal just as his body. “Please do keep up I’d hate to make a noble look bad” would be heard coming out of Natsu’s mouth as he took a step forward, and with a flash of lighting advanced forward with his blade now thrusting at numerous spots on Salems body, seeming to go for an instant win in this duel. With Natsu hoping that that his speed with his families heirloom lighting blade would allow for him to be faster than Salem , and his near perfect sword control with his rapier would allow for him to land numerous strikes to the Pendragon even if he did manage to move in time. But like most overconfidence and underestimating of a Noble from a family that primarily focused in the arcane arts would be Natsu’s down fall. As Salem was not like most Pendgragons.
The advance would be quick and sudden to the point that it had almost managed to take Salem off guard, if it had not already been for him expecting it with his knowledge of rapier users and their most effective sword styles and attacks. Moments after Natsu had taken his first step, Salem would proceed to insert his magical energy into his legs and jump, while also proceeding to leave a slight after image of himself in his spot. All the while Natsu would be proceeding to charge fort with lighting speed leaving Salems fellow private with tunnel vision, and not allowing for him to see the real Salem who has now in the air above him with his hand out producing a magic seal. From the magic seal Salem would proceed to pull out a solid black katana with red rune marks engraved into the blade. “Ragnarök smash” would all that would be heard of Salem proceed to swing the black katana at upper shoulder of Natsu as he fell down. Almost instantly as the words left Salems mouth and his sword connected with the back of Natsu a black flash would proceed.
As the blade the lighting connected with the body of Natsu he would feel an instant pain as he not only did his shoulder start to bleed from getting pierced by Salam’s blade, but his body would be hit with a intense force by the black lighting, slamming him into the ground so hard he ricochet up two or three times before coming to a rest. While Salme proceed to land and take a graceful bow facing Major Lee and the other Privates, while he still firmly grasped the Black Katana in his right hand. “Salem good work, Natsu report to tomorrow’s beginner class, it seems someone needs a refresher.” Major Lee would then proceed to snap his finger causing for the blue magic field around Salem and Natsu to disappear in a fizzle out manner as the Major proceeded to make his exit from the training grounds. Salem and the rest of the privates exiting not to soon after him, but not before Natsu made sure to give Salem some snotty comments.
WC:2,006
