Strings of hope

Chapter two: The training ground

Evelyn walked next to Cyril across the garden to the training ground, where the other boys were about to start their training for the day. As they got closer, the girl started to question her decision. She stopped in her track, completely frozen, as a million thoughts crossed her mind.

Before she could fall deeper into her train of thoughts, she felt a hand on her shoulder that pulled her back to reality. Cyril, the boy she viewed as an older brother, was now softly smiling at her. A smile that was meant to reassure her that everything would be fine. But before she could thank him, the boy said in a teasing tone:

"You got cold feet, huh?" he showed his signature cocky smile. As the girl was about to give him a piece of her mind, he quickly started ruffling her hair, before turning around and starting walking "Everything will be fine Lyn, now let's go, I want to see the others get their asses beaten by you."

The girl chuckled and started running, trying to catch up to the older boy, now being more confident in herself and her abilities.

...

Dressed in brown leather pants, a white-greyish oversized tunic, a leather belt, one rather uncomfortable, that was meant for holding the heavy sword and the pointy combat boots, Evelyn stood in front of the middle-aged knight, in charge of the boy's training.

The tall man stared down at her with a harsh stone face. His cold eyes prised right through her, making the girl feel unease, nervous sweat running down her forehead as she tried keeping eye contact with the scary man in front of her. After a few moments, the man looked away from her and to her left where Cyril stood with a serious face.

"So... this is the girl you told me about? The so-called prodigy?" he asked skeptical, his tone rather harsh and unsatisfied. He has his arms crossed, giving the impression of a dominant appearance, slightly frightening the girl.

"Yes, she is really an excellent girl, the way she moves the sword is actually incredible" Cyril said in a pound and convincing voice, standing up for the girl he viewed as a little sister.

After another few seconds of silence, the knight shrugged and turned back to face the girl, handing her a wooden sword, confusing bought the girl and the boy. Evelyn slowly took the sword and looked back at Cyril who shared the same confused expression as hers.

"If you want a place in my training ground, then you will have to earn it." He stated, startling both of the kids, but before they could say anything, he turned around and started walking towards the other boys, only saying a simple "Be ready" before completely ignoring the two of them and leaving them alone to prepare.

Evelyn remained frozen in place, thinking of the knight's words. She was about to fight one of the older boys that was for sure, but could she beat them? She had no life experience, only the sleepless nights she spent training by herself. But that wasn't near enough, this boys were trained by a real knight, while she only mimicked their moves. This was a bad idea, wasn't it?

But yet again, Cyril intervened and pulled her out of her thoughts for the second time that day.

"Lyn, don't you understand? This is your chance! All you have to do is go there, show them your great moves, and win, and then you will be one of us, you will train with us! Simple isn't it?" He said happily, not understanding why the girl worried so much. "Haha... what's with the long face?" A small chuckle escaped his mouth, but his smile slowly faded as a look of confusion took over his face.

The girl, a little shaken, looked up at him and began to talk "Cyril... I don't think you understand. I'm about to be put against one of your sparing mates... they have experience, they know what they are doing... I- I'm seven! I can't win against them, I'll only make a fool of myself!" she said trembling.

Then, Cyril put a hand on her shoulder and crouched down to her level, to look her in the eyes. He smiled at her, a genuine smile, not a cocky grin as she expected. He then started speaking gently.

"Evelyn, listen to me. You have to be confident in your powers, so what if they are older than you, what if they are more experienced? You are here for a reason, you are here to prove yourself, to show all of them what you can do. And even if you do lose, I'll make sure you won't have to face any of those losers. All right? Now cheer up, everything will be fine." And with that, he wiped the tears from her eyes and took her hand, guiding her.

Evelyn was still very much frightened, but Cyril's honest words helped her gain a bit of confidence. She wasn't ready, on the contrary, but she wanted to try to prove herself now that she got the chance. She wasn't gonna run away with her tail between her legs, she was going to prove them wrong.

...

The little girl stood nervously clutching her wooden sword. Her heart raced with anticipation and fear. She had watched the older kids spar countless times and today was her chance. Her chance to change something, for once to step out of the dark and embrace the light, earning her place among the future knights. But as she glanced across the field, her eyes met those of her opponent, an eleven year old boy, whom she had seen sparing many times, his gaze steely and determined.

Sure, he wasn't the best, there were a lot of talented boys whom could win against him, but she wasn't sure how could she beat him. Evelyn's grip tightened on her weapon as doubt started to fill her mind, but she couldn't back down now, not when she already come this far.

Taking a deep breath, Evelyn stepped forward, her movements hesitant at first. The boy, on the other hand, wasted no time, lunging forward with a swift strike aimed at her side. Instinct kicked in, and Evelyn managed to deflect the blow just in time, her arms trembling under the force of the impact.

"Is that all you got?" he jeered, pressing his attack relentlessly. With each clash of their wooden swords, the girl felt her confidence disappear. She stumbled backward, her feet slipping on the uneven ground. Doubt crept in, but deep down, a fire burned within her, a determination to prove herself despite her fears.

Summoning all her courage, Evelyn pushed herself forward, meeting the boy's strikes with newfound resolve. She blocked, dodged, and countered with every ounce of strength she could muster. Each strike fueled her determination, driving her to fight harder, to prove that she was just as capable as any boy twice her age, that she despised the fact that she looked weak, could actually fight and protect her loved ones.

Despite her exhaustion, Evelyn refused to yield. She ducked under the boy's final strike, her heart pounding in her chest as she lunged forward with a bold counterattack. Their swords met with a resounding crack, sending splinters flying through the air.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still, the girl could feel the color drain from her face, as she watched half of her sword fall to the ground. Now, with her sword broken, Evelyn trembled in fear as her negative thoughts of the worst outcome possible came true. She closed her eyes, waiting for the final blow to come, to show her that she had lost, but it never came, instead, she heard clapping.

As she opened her eyes she saw the middle-aged guy, the knight, clapping for her as he slowly approached her. He crouched down to her level and extended his hand to her. She extended her hand as well, unsure of what to think, shaking his hand skeptical.

"You fought well." These were the first words to come out of this mouth, and they immediately made the girl blush in embarrassment, but before she could say anything, the knight continued. "You didn't win but you still are one good of a fighter for a girl... Welcome to the training grounds. Cyril will tell you everything you need to know." And with that, he got up, ruffled her hair, messing up, even more, her already messy-up braids, and left without another word.

Evelyn stood there, frozen in place, unable to utter a word. And just then, she was picked up and spun around by none other than Cyril himself, who was now cheering at the top of his lungs, hugging his beloved 'little sister'.

"I knew you could do it! Gough, you are amazing sis!" With that, the girl blushed once again in embarrassment, as a big bright smile creped onto her face and the two of them started laughing with joy. "Let's go tell Barbara and Aria about the good news." Cyril said as he took Evelyn's hand and started running, dragging the already out-of-breath girl to the main building of the orphanage.

She was proud of herself really, not only did she get herself a place in the training ground, but she even got the chance to actually fight. But not all this happiness lasts long really, cause the uncertainty of tomorrow, always comes around with new challenges in the end.