Summoner of all Trades

Chapter 13: Strategy

I laid in my bed, still sore and hurting all over. Anastasia had my left half trapped underneath her, so there was no chance of getting out for at least another hour unless I dared wake her.

I'm getting better and better at fighting Isabelle, but I'm still being easily outmatched. I'm able to land a few lucky shots here and there with the crossbow, but I still can't hit her with the sword.

I've tried changing tactics, fighting more aggressive, fighting more passive... nothing.

She has a way to combat everything I've tried. I heavily sighed and Anastasia grumbled something in her sleep. I've thought about summoning someone who could teach me instead of fighting me, but I've experienced myself getting better.

She is just difficult to hit. I still think I need something different than the toy I'm using. It's more like a broadsword.

"Ha." I involuntarily let out. Anastasia grumbled again and rolled over onto her back, releasing me. "Ah? Oh..." I gulped and slowly pushed myself away. I rolled off the bed and snuck into the restroom.

I think a sword is a good idea. The issue is that I don't feel fast enough with the sword I have. I need a smaller sword. I flipped through the magic mirror and finally settled on a toy sword that I figured would do the job.

I summoned the toy and nodded to myself, looking at myself in the mirror on the wall. It would be good enough for practice. I exited the restroom and turned to see Anastasia stretching out on the bed.

"Mm..." she drowsily moaned, glancing over at me. "Playing with toys in the bathroom?"

I frowned at her and she flashed a mischievous smirk, sitting up. "I'm guessing you had a breakthrough." She said, looking at the toy short sword.

"I hope so. Even though the sword I'd been using up to the point is just a toy, I just felt off." I explained, swinging the toy sword around. "I'm hoping this feels a bit more natural."

"I guess we will see. Justin is getting tired of seeing you so often. You also look exhausted. Did you sleep alright?"

"I'm just making sure he's doing his job." I sarcastically replied, throwing on my button up shirt. "And don't worry about the sleep thing. Come on. Isabelle is probably waiting for me."

Anastasia transformed into her hellhound form and we made our way to the training ground. When we arrived, Isabelle was already swinging the sword around. A little while ago she got tired of wearing her armor and has stuck to just wearing casual clothing.

I haven't been able to reliably hit her, so what's the point of armor then?

"About time you got here." She said, letting the toy sword down. "Are you ready?"

"I think so." I replied, swinging the toy short sword around myself.

"Hm." She looked at my new weapon. "Trying something different I see. Let's see if that helps you."

Isabelle began closing the distance between us and Anastasia left for the sidelines. I raised my short sword and Isabelle swung for my right side. I pressed my hand to the flat of the blade and pushed back against her.

She jumped back and thrusted, striking me in the chest. I stumbled backward and grunted, pain spreading across my upper body. "Again." Isabelle raised her sword.

This time I made the first move. I swung for her legs and she parried the attack, pushing me back. I spun around and swung for her side. She quickly ducked and swung down on my sword arm.

She knocked the blade out of my hand and I stumbled backwards. She kicked the sword over to me and casually toyed with her sword. "Come on. A couple weeks worth of training and you still can't hit me without a cheap trick." She sighed.

I ran for the sword and scooped it up, leading with my left hand as a fist. She casually stepped to her left and I smirked. It was too late for her to realize it.

I jabbed the toy sword forward and connected with her stomach. "Ah? What?" She stumbled backwards.

"Maybe cheap tricks are how I win this." I chuckled, jumping backwards.

"I let my guard down. That won't happen again." She glared at me, closing the distance once more.

She easily swept my legs out from underneath me and I fell onto my back. She rose the sword above her head and brought it down. I rolled out of the way and quickly returned to my feet. I felt faster, but I still was incredibly unskilled when compared to Isabelle.

Isabelle, like a video game boss, slowly walked toward me and I used her fear tactic to quickly summon a toy mini crossbow into my other hand.

"Here you go again with your cheap tricks! It's annoying!" She spat as lunged at me.

"That's the plan!" I smirked. She thrusted her sword at my stomach and instead of trying to dodge out of the way, I fell backwards and she stumbled over my body.

I jumped up to my feet and shot at her. She barrel rolled on the ground and the dart just barely missed her. Before getting to her own feet, she swung at my legs and I just barely jumped over the sword. As she was getting up, I loaded another dart into the toy mini crossbow.

"I'm gonna beat the living hell out of you for embarrassing me." Isabelle growled.

"You're gonna have to hit me first." I taunted her. Like a moth to a flame, she came running at me. I've already fallen backwards, so I needed something craftier. I fire a dart and quickly reload. She blocks it with the flat of her blade, the dart sticking to it in turn. She swung down at my head and I stepped backwards with the left foot, the blade barely grazing my shirt.

I jabbed her with the short sword and she jumped back. "And so the student outclasses the master." I jeered.

"Like hell!" She rushed again. If she had a real weapon, which to be fair she's already dangerous with this toy, I'd be worried. Instead, I took a deep breath and reloaded my crossbow.

She swung for my legs and I jumped the sword. She quickly released the sword from her left hand and proceeded to punch me in the stomach. I fell to my right knee and she swung down once more.

I blocked the blade with my sword in my right hand, shooting the crossbow up at her. With a 'pop!' it stuck to her forehead again. "Are you..." She angrily hissed. "Hmph. Not bad. You still need to learn to properly fight. You're more cunning than I expected." She pulled the dart off her forehead and offered me a hand.

"Tha...nks..." I tried to catch my breath. She'd give some professional boxers a run for their money. Isabelle pulled me up and I hand my hands on my knees.

"You do seem more comfortable with the short sword. I'm thinking that we might be going for this the wrong way. I think you need a different tutor. Someone that can work to that cunning side of yours." Isabelle explained to me.

"You... uh, sure?" I asked, looking up. "I feel like I'm learning."

"You're getting your ass kicked and a few sneaky attacks in. Not everyone is going to fall for your tricks. Playing off of my embarrassment though, smart move."

"Thanks?" I shrugged, unsure how to answer. "I guess I can try summoning a different tutor."

"That would be for the best. In the meantime, get some rest. I'm going to look into getting you a better weapon." She said, walking away.

I stood on the battlefield and Anastasia came trotting up to myself, rubbing her head against my right leg. "Good work. I figured you'd eventually be able to get a win under your belt."

"Yeah, it doesn't really feel like it though." I heavily breathed, scratching behind her left ear. Anastasia contently sighed. I need to do some research on my next move I guess.