Ryker and Tyler were fighting fiercely. The princess and Victory were cheering for them.
I was captivated by Ryker's strength; his sword swung like a powerful wind. I have always been interested in swords and martial arts, and I even practice them.
Tyler's inferiority could be seen against Ryker. Tyler was losing his balance while Ryker advanced.
Soon enough, Tyler was defeated. He looked annoyed.
"Ryker is strong." Maipakpi said, who was standing beside me, " Just a moment ago, while we were practicing, Tyler challenged Ryker for a duel. But Ryker is the real expert." She continue.
Oh, so that's what happened? Why did he even challenge Ryker?
The princess was impressed. She was praising Ryker, and he listened quietly, and a smile played on his face. Some girls asked him to teach them personally.
The General seemed impressed, too. He also praised Ryker and remarked that everyone should be like him if they wanted to defeat the demon lord.
Our practice didn't end there. I decided to take a break.
Ryker approached me and asked, " How are you hanging?"
" Just fine," I answered.
" You look exhausted, though." He said.
" Why are you here?" I said, annoyed.
He answered, " Just checking on you. I have to make sure you are fine, don't I?"
" No," I said.
He continued, " If you want, I can give you a lesson on swordsmanship. You got scolded by the general, right?"
" How did you know?" I said.
" He was saying How come a weak person like you got chosen as the hero?" He said.
" Looks like this world also has no place for the weak, and I think he underestimates me," I said.
He just chuckled.
One of his friends came to him suddenly and said, " Ryker, I heard that Tamphasana only chose to help us defeat the demon lord cause she wanted to stay close to you."
After that, his friend left, and he said, " Isn't that so sweet?" He turned to me.
" Yeah, but having too many sweets is not good for health," I said,
" I don't like sweet things." He said.
I didn't say anything else and left for practice.
Tamphasan was watching from afar, and she felt I was a threat.
When I was about to start practicing, she came to me and said, " I challenge you to a duel."
" What are you saying out of the sudden?" I asked.
" Don't worry, I'll go easy on you, and it is just for practice." She said.
Everyone starts circling us, curious. The general was also there. He didn't say anything.
I accepted and said, " Forgot about going easy on me and give me everything you got."
I was holding back while practicing cause my friends knew little about these things, but she is different. It will be a good practice for me.
I knew she was looking down on me, too.
Ryker was also there, and he looked shocked.
Tamphasana holds her sword just by looking at how she holds her sword. I knew she was no newbie.
She took her form, and I also took my form. She first started attacking from the left. I block her. She was not that fast and agile means everything in a sword fight.
Everything happened in a flash. The next second, I flung her sword, and she was on the ground at the tip of my sword.
She looked shocked, not only she, but everyone looked shocked. They didn't expect it at all.
I helped her get up from the ground. The general asked, " You know swordsmanship well. I thought you were of no use."
Then he sent us to practice again. The sun was setting when we finished.
" Looks like I didn't need to offer to help you learn swordsmanship. When did you learn it?" Ryker said when we were heading for our rooms.
" I learn it as a curriculum activity only. Besides, I took personal training from a sword master. And you?" I said.
" I only learn it to protect myself." He said.
We bid each other farewell and left for our respective rooms.
When I entered the room, Furball was happy to see me. I was thinking about resting, then I remembered the book that my dad gave me.
I took it out and read it. It contains much information about magic, but what's its use if I can't use magic? What captured my attention was using a weapon with magic.
After having dinner, I was returning to my room, and I saw Tamphasana practicing. She is the kind of person who will not accept defeat.
I was thinking why can't I use music, then I remembered about the angel. I decided to visit her.
I reached the prayer room. I checked if anyone was there, but nobody was there. I prayed and when I open my eyes the angel was there.
She asked me, " Dear, why are you here?"
" You said you grant everyone the ability to use magic but not me, why?" I said.
She answered, " It's just that you have not woken it up. You are special, Laija. I have summoned you here not just to defeat the demon lord but for other things. I know what you are capable of. You will know it all slowly. And next time, if you ever want to talk with me, you don't have to come to the prayer room, just sit in a quiet room and think about me."
She continued, " Don't lose hope yet, just keep trying, and your magic will surely be awakened. There are many things I want to tell you, but now is not the time."
I said, " I will only help you cause you said you have saved my life."
" You should head back. He will get tired waiting for you." She said.
Who was she talking about?
I opened my eyes and got up to leave. As I look back, I see Ryker standing near the door.
" What are you doing here?" He said with his heart-melting smile.
" I have my own business, but why are you here?" I said.
He answered, " I saw you coming here, so I followed. I was curious."
I started to walk towards the door, and he said, " I think the king and the pope are up to no good." his face was cold.
" Why are you saying that to me?" I asked.
He said, " I could be wrong, or not, who knows? I was just feeling you might notice it too." his smile was back.
" Let's discuss this topic sometimes later, not now. Instead, let's head back. It's getting late."
We started to leave. What was he thinking? The king and the pope, huh. Although he is right can't trust politics.
I said to him, " Can I ask you for something?"
He looked at me and said, " Yes,"
" Can you become my sparring partner?" I said.
" Ok, no big deal." He answered.
After we left for our room. When I reached my room, Furball was already asleep.