Chapter 137 - 136: Sparring Hearts
Training Yard - Late Afternoon
Dust kicked up underfoot as the two clashed once more, spear against blade. Lumberling’s spear whistled low, but Aurelya slid to the side and flicked her rapier up, grazing his ribs.
"That’s the third time today," she said, smirking. "You’d think a Knight could defend his left flank better."
Lumberling grunted, stepping back to reset his stance. "You’d think a True Knight wouldn’t flaunt it every time she lands a lucky hit."
"Lucky?" Aurelya scoffed. "Please. I’ve seen trees react faster than your hips."
"Maybe if I stopped carrying the emotional weight of your ego," he shot back, "my hips would move better."
She barked a laugh. "Keep talking like that and I’ll make sure your hips don’t move at all."
Their blades clashed again, laughter laced in steel. After several more exchanges, both fell back, breathing heavily. The setting sun bathed the field in gold, casting long shadows between them.
Aurelya wiped sweat from her brow. "That’s enough swordwork. Time for your dose of magical misery."
Lumberling groaned, falling onto a training stump with a thud
He shook his head with a smile, then closed his eyes and slowly began breathing in rhythm, starting the Concordia Cycle.
It had been weeks since Aurelya first offered to help him with the Concordia Cycle. Under her guidance, his progress had accelerated noticeably, each session smoothing out flaws and deepening his control.