"Kunikuzushi"

Caution

There he was.

The backstabbing sixth fatui harbinger.

There he was, climbing down a staircase and approaching the soldiers within the base with his chin held high, his face scrunching and those eyes narrowing to scour every corner. As delightful the idea of leaving the room would be right now, there was no doubt in your mind that the harbinger would request your presence by his side immediately. Scaramouche's knitted brows told you more than enough - he was furious. It wouldn't be a surprise to anybody if he left the odd few recruits alone and stranded, lost in the middle of Mondstadt.

The recruits looked as though their energy had been severely drained. Their bodies looked thin, heavy, as if they were in dire need of food and water. Although Scaramouche was walking ahead of them, the others already seemed like they had received their own orders and sluggishly walked to wherever they were required. You, on the other hand, simply waited for the harbinger to approach you instead.

"I've relayed the message onto the others. If they refuse to listen to me, then you're next in line to lead." You paid him minimal attention, mentally acknowledging his words but continuing with your beverage. With a tinge of venom on his tongue, Scaramouche continued to speak. "If you can stand, you're fine to start training, correct?" The harbinger waited for your response, glaring holes into your back as he watched you take a step away from the mug and stand up. "Good. I'd prefer not to waste any more time."

The harbinger lead you to a hall full of echoes, once occupied by a large number of soldiers now emptied for your personal use. There wasn't a window in sight, only stone walls caving in your surroundings and a large pool of water to your right. The only path you could walk on was a direct one leading straight to another room. To your left were airborne targets stuck and pummelled to the walls, but beneath them was no land. Beneath them was a pitfall of danger which only gave you goosebumps.

"This room was cleared so I could train you personally," Scaramouche made a pause as he turned to face the artificial waterfall and awaited for your focus to follow his own, "Now then," he swivelled his head to face you, looking your body up and down before smiling mischievously, "Strip."

"..."

For a moment your mouth was agape as you stared in confusion. Just what kind of training did he mean...? Nonetheless, you stood exactly where you were, not moving a muscle.

"It's not like I haven't seen you nude before," Scaramouche sighed, shaking his head and smiling even more, "I've ordered the others not to intrude this area until I say otherwise. You're pretty much free to do whatever in here."

There was a catch, you knew it, but you couldn't pinpoint what it could be. You exchanged nothing but silence with the harbinger, hoping that it was a simple joke to test if you were under the influence of alcohol or not.

"What are you waiting for?"
"...What?"
"Fine, leave them on for now, I'll test something else for the time being." Defeated, he folded his arms and quickly tried to suggest an alternative method to his madness. "Summon a weapon. I want to spar with you."

With zero hesitation, you summoned a sword to your dominant hand. Scaramouche whistled with amusement. He had yet to see you wield a sword. Additionally, he was complimenting your urgency to fight. Surprisingly, Scaramouche summoned a sword almost - if not, identical to your own. His stance was abstract; loosely wavering his arms about as if he were taunting you. His head tilted to analyse you further, noting down everything he could about you before speaking again.

"The sword is to make it a fair battle. You wouldn't last against my normal powers."
"What exactly are you assessing here?" You ask with a raised brow and cautious eyes as you stand in not particularly in any kind of offensive or defensive posture. You're simply standing there ready and waiting.
"Your reaction time, of course."