Chapter 212: Lessons In Strength


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    The midday sun hung high in the sky over the White Comet Guild''s training grounds, casting long shadows across the stone arena. Healers gathered in small clusters, some chatting, others sparring under the watchful eye of their leader, Kaida.


    Kaida stood at the center of the training ring, her red hair pulled back in a loose ponytail, catching the sunlight like a me. Her green eyes sparkled as she spun her training sword lightly in one hand.


    She wore the standard White Comet training uniform: a sleeveless, fitted tunic and dark breeches, with sturdy boots that went up to the knees, the white emblem of the guild proudly emzoned on her right chest. Across from her stood L, the newest member of the healer


    team.


    Kaida was the team leader of the healers; it was her responsibility to not only train them in how to be proper healers, but also how to fight.


    L stood facing her leader. Her brown hair, tied back into a neat braid, clung slightly to her forehead as beads of sweat formed from the heat and tension of the spar. She gripped her wooden training sword tightly with both hands, her green eyes fixed nervously on Kaida''s every movement. L''s uniform, though the same as Kaida''s, hung a bit loose on her small frame, giving her a lessmanding aura.


    Beatrice stood on the sidelines, her pink hair swaying gently in the breeze.


    "Come on, L, you''ve got this!" she called out, encouraging her. Her bright blue eyes shimmered with excitement as she watched the spar unfold.


    Kaida had a yful grin on her face as she circled L, sword heldzily at her side. "All right, L, remember what I told you-just because you''re a healer doesn''t mean you have to be defenseless on the battlefield. A healer who can fight is a healer who survives."


    L nodded, gripping her sword tighter. She charged forward, her wooden de aimed at Kaida''s midsection. But Kaida sidestepped easily, her feet moving fluidly across the stone floor.


    "Too predictable," Kaida said, bringing her sword up with a quick flick, parrying L''s strike to the side. "You need to watch my body, not just my sword."


    L stumbled slightly from the force of the parry but quickly regained her footing. She adjusted her grip and moved in again, this time swinging from the side.


    Kaida caught the swing with her sword at an angle, absorbing the impact with a slight bend in her knees. She leaned in close. "Good try, but don''t let your feet give away your intentions. You''re telegraphing your moves."


    Sweat ran down L''s face, but she didn''t give up. She took a step back, resetting her stance, and tried again. This time, she aimed low, feinting toward Kaida''s legs. For a moment, it looked like Kaida would block high, but at thest second, she adjusted, her sword sweeping down in a smooth arc to meet L''s de just before it connected.


    "Better," Kaida said, nodding with approval. "But you''re still hesitating. Commit to your strike!"


    L''s breath came in quick, shallow bursts as she moved backward, trying to catch her breath. Kaida, on the other hand, remained bnced, her feet light on the ground as she closed the distance once more. "Come on, don''t back away from me. The enemy won''t give you space. You need to press forward!"


    With that, Kaida advanced, her yful demeanor bing serious. She swung her sword at L in a rapid arc aimed at her shoulder. L raised her sword to block, but the force of Kaida''s strike made her arms tremble. The impact sent a shock through her body, but she held firm.


    "Good block!" Kaida acknowledged with a grin, but without pausing, she brought her sword down in a quick overhead strike.


    L barely managed to shift her de in time, catching the downward blow at an awkward angle. The wooden swords cked loudly as they connected, the force pushing L''s legs into a slight bend.


    Kaida didn''t let up. She pivoted on her back foot, bringing her sword around in a low sweep. L jumped back, barely avoiding the strike. "You''re getting better at dodging," Kaida said, "but you need to anticipate where the next strike wille from."


    Beatrice cheered from the sidelines. "You''re doing great, L! Keep going!"


    L''s chest heaved, her breathing in short bursts, but there was an intense look in her eyes. She wiped the sweat from her brow with her sleeve, her hands trembling slightly from the constant parries. She charged again, this time with more confidence. Her sword swung in a tight arc aimed for Kaida''s side.


    Kaida grinned, but this time she didn''t step aside. Instead, she met L''s de head-on, locking their wooden swords together. Their eyes met briefly, and Kaida''s grip tightened. With a swift movement, Kaida twisted her wrist, knocking L''s sword out of alignment and sending it flying from her hands.


    The sword ttered to the ground, and L stumbled, falling backward onto the hard stone floor. Her breath was knocked out of her lungs as she hit the ground, the sun ring down on her from above.


    Kaida stood over her, offering a hand with a smile. "And that''s why you never let your guard down, even when you think you''ve found an opening."


    L took her hand, pulling herself up, her face flushed. She was a bit embarrassed. "I-I''ll do better next time," she said.


    Kaidaughed lightly, patting her on the shoulder. "You''re doing great, L. It takes time, but you''re learning. And remember-out there on the battlefield, it''s not just about healing. You need to be able to stand your ground and fight. Keep that in mind."


    Beatrice jogged over, pping L on the back. "You did amazing! Don''t worry, team leader Kaida always makes it look easy. You''ll get there."


    Kaida nced at the other healers, all of them watching the match with curiosity. "All right, who''s next?" she called, spinning her sword with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "We''ve got plenty more training to do!"


    Before anyone else could step forward to spar with Kaida, a figure approached from the edge of the training grounds. Lady Aiko walked by, her blue hair catching the light as it swayed gently with her steps.


    She adjusted her sses, causing them to glint in the sunlight, her sharp eyes scanning the healers. The moment her presence was noticed, the gathered group stiffened slightly. "Morning, Vice Guildmaster," they greeted her all together, heads nodding respectfully. Aiko gave a small nod in return. She walked around a bit, finally pausing when her sharp gazended on L, who was still catching her breath after the spar.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "L," Aiko called out.


    L straightened, surprised to be addressed so directly. "Y-Yes, Vice Guildmaster?"


    "Are you fairly familiar with Alister?"


    "Y-Yes, I am."


    "Good. I need you to go fetch him," Aiko said, adjusting her sses slightly.


    L blinked, still somewhat disoriented from the sparring. "Fetch him?"


    Aiko nodded. "Yes. He needs to get what he''ll wear to the meeting with the Union and the


    other guilds. He''ll be going shopping."


    "Shopping?" L repeated, confused.


    Aiko turned, already walking away. "Yes. Now, get to it."