Chapter 19: Reluctant Negotiations
"Bernice, focus!" The sword fell to the ground as did I when Sir Xylon struck my hand.
"Bernice, where are you focusing? If this continues, you will never be able to become a knight," he admonished while circling around me.
The pressure intensified, yet I still couldn’t raise my hand, even though the sword lay just a little distance away.
"What? Can’t you pick it up?" he taunted, standing near my fallen sword.
"Bernice! Is this how you intend to become a knight? If so, you might as well give up. Frankly, I’m starting to regret asking the Marquis for permission to train you. It seems you lack the determination," he criticized, his frustration apparent.
His words fueled my determination. With a surge of adrenaline, I managed to grab my sword and charged toward him, catching him off guard. However, in my haste, I received another sharp hit on my shoulder, causing me to collapse to the ground, my body half-conscious.
"You’re slow."
"If you take this long to recover, you might not even see the moment your opponent beheads you," he warned, turning towards me.
The urgency was palpable in his eyes. Despite the pain, I forced myself to stand, clutching the sword. I had opted for a slightly heavier sword than usual, and I was well aware of my weaknesses. Sir Xylon exploited them every day, amplifying my frustration.
"Bernice, try again! This time, pay attention to those vulnerabilities," he directed.
Though my wrist throbbed with pain, I moved forward, attempting to rectify my errors. I advanced cautiously, aiming to close the gap. Just as I was about to strike, I heard that voice.
"Lady Bernice?"