Chapter 19: A Sword Does Not Choose Its Master
899 Words
The morning mist lingered over the forest long after sunrise.
Tiny droplets clung to every blade of grass, sparkling whenever sunlight slipped through the towering trees.
The training ground felt strangely quiet.
Echo tightened the grip on his wooden sword.
His heartbeat was noticeably faster than usual.
"...Today's the day."
Across from him, Mira adjusted the sleeves of her robe before picking up her own practice sword.
She inhaled slowly, trying to calm herself.
Nearby, Kodie leaned lazily against a tree.
His sword rested across his shoulder as though today were nothing more than another peaceful walk.
Echo frowned.
"...Can you look at least a little nervous?"
Kodie yawned.
"...No."
"...You're ruining the atmosphere."
"...You're creating enough for both of us."
Mira couldn't hold back a small laugh.
Echo sighed dramatically.
"I feel so unsupported."
Dorothy arrived moments later, carrying four wooden swords and a small wicker basket.
She placed everything neatly on a flat stone.
"Good."
"You've all arrived early."
Echo blinked.
"...Really?"
Dorothy nodded.
"That tells me you're taking today's lesson seriously."
She looked around the clearing before speaking.
"Today, you will spar."
Echo grinned.
"I knew it!"
Dorothy raised one finger.
"But..."
"...No one is allowed to win."
Echo's smile froze.
"...What?"
"No winners."
"No losers."
"Only students."
The three exchanged confused glances.
---
Dorothy picked up a fallen leaf from the ground.
"What is stronger?"
She held up the leaf.
"Or this sword?"
Echo answered immediately.
"The sword."
Without another word...
Dorothy placed the leaf on top of the wooden sword.
A gentle breeze swept across the clearing.
The leaf drifted away.
The sword remained exactly where it was.
"The sword is stronger."
She nodded.
"Physically."
Then she smiled.
"But tell me..."
"Which one moved?"
Silence.
"The leaf."
"Exactly."
"The stronger object remained still."
"The weaker one adapted."
She gently placed the sword back on the rack.
"Strength is not always found in resisting."
"Sometimes..."
"...It is found in yielding."
Echo stared thoughtfully at the drifting leaf until it disappeared among the trees.
---
"Pair up."
Echo immediately looked toward Mira.
"I'll go easy."
Mira raised an eyebrow.
"You sound confident."
"I am."
"...That worries me."
Dorothy smiled knowingly.
"Very well."
"Echo."
"Mira."
"Kodie."
"...You'll spar with me."
Echo turned so quickly he nearly dropped his sword.
"...Good luck."
Kodie simply nodded.
"...Thank you."
Though no one could tell whether he was thanking Echo...
Or saying goodbye.
---
Echo and Mira stood several steps apart.
The forest became completely silent.
Echo lifted his wooden sword.
"...Ready?"
Mira smiled gently.
"...Ready."
Dorothy lowered her hand.
"Begin."
Echo charged forward.
His first strike came fast—
Too fast.
Mira instinctively stepped aside.
The wooden sword sliced harmlessly through empty air.
Echo stumbled.
"W-Wait!"
Before he could regain his footing...
Tap.
Mira's wooden blade gently rested against his shoulder.
"...Point."
Echo blinked.
"...Already?"
Dorothy chuckled softly.
"Speed without balance."
"...Again."
This time...
Echo slowed down.
He watched Mira's feet instead of her sword.
When she stepped left...
He adjusted.
Their wooden swords met with a satisfying clack!
Both smiled.
For the first time...
They weren't trying to defeat each other.
They were learning together.
---
On the other side of the clearing...
Kodie stood perfectly still.
Dorothy smiled warmly.
"...You're waiting."
"...Yes."
"...Why?"
"...Because you'll move first."
Dorothy laughed.
"A cautious swordsman."
Without warning—
She vanished.
Kodie's eyes widened.
A gentle tap landed on the back of his shoulder.
He turned instantly.
Nothing.
Another tap.
This time behind him.
He spun again.
Still nothing.
Echo paused his own sparring to watch.
"...How is she doing that?"
Dorothy finally appeared several steps away.
"I haven't used magic."
"...Only experience."
Kodie lowered his sword.
For the first time...
His calm expression cracked ever so slightly.
"...I couldn't see you."
Dorothy smiled.
"Exactly."
"You were watching my sword."
"You forgot to watch..."
"...Me."
---
The lesson continued until the afternoon.
Echo's swings became steadier.
Mira stopped hesitating before counterattacking.
Kodie slowly began reading Dorothy's footsteps instead of her weapon.
Little by little...
Each of them improved.
Not because they were stronger.
Because they were paying attention.
---
As the sun dipped lower, Dorothy gathered them beneath the great oak.
"Tell me."
"What did you learn today?"
Echo answered first.
"...Swinging harder doesn't make me better."
Mira smiled softly.
"I shouldn't be afraid to fight someone I trust."
Dorothy nodded approvingly.
Then she looked at Kodie.
He thought quietly before answering.
"...People move before swords do."
A proud smile appeared on Dorothy's face.
"Excellent."
She looked at all three students.
"A sword does not choose its master."
"A mage does."
"And before you can master a weapon..."
"...You must first understand yourself."
The evening breeze rustled the leaves overhead.
For a long moment...
No one spoke.
Some lessons...
Needed silence to settle into the heart.
As they began walking back toward the cottage, Echo suddenly looked at Mira.
"...By the way..."
"...You absolutely cheated."
Mira blinked innocently.
"...How?"
"You smiled."
"I got distracted."
She laughed.
"I'll remember that next time."
Echo groaned dramatically.
"...See?"
"Psychological warfare."
Even Kodie let out the faintest chuckle.
Dorothy heard it.
She didn't say anything.
But the gentle smile on her face lingered all the way home.
---
End of Chapter 19
«A weapon can teach skill...
A battle can teach courage...
But a true teacher shows you the weaknesses you never knew you had.»
- Writer
