(𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉) 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒄𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒊𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝑴𝒐𝒐𝒏🩶🌙

☽ 𝐒 𝐡 𝐚 𝐝 𝐨 𝐰 𝐚 𝐧 𝐝 𝐋 𝐢 𝐠 𝐡 𝐭 ☾

Raven’s Perspective

The morning begins with a slight chill that streams through the open windows of the training room. As I enter, I’m greeted by the scent of wood and leather mingled with the sweat of exertion. The room is spacious and sparsely furnished, with various training equipment, including sword racks, punching bags, and some mats scattered across the floor.

Cassian is already ready, radiating calm and authority. He’s dressed in light training clothes and holds a folder with notes and instructions. “Good morning, Raven,” he says as I walk in. His voice is calm and firm. “Today, we’ll go over the basics of self-defense. Are you ready?”

I take a deep breath and nod. “Yes, I’m ready.”

Cassian leads me to a corner of the room where a punching bag hangs quietly against the wall. The structure of the bag looks robust and ready for any challenge. “We’ll start with the basic techniques,” he explains. “We’ll begin with simple stances and strikes. It’s important that you get a feel for the movements and work your muscles.”

At first, I feel clumsy, as if my movements are working against my muscles. The stances feel foreign and unfamiliar, and I struggle to execute them precisely.

Cassian watches me attentively, offering targeted corrections. “Plant your feet firmly and keep your upper body straight,” he says patiently, helping me improve my posture. “Breathe steadily and focus on the movement.”

After a while, I start to execute the techniques better. I feel my movements becoming smoother and my confidence growing. It’s a strenuous process, but I can see my skills gradually improving.

Suddenly, something catches my eye – a wall of the room lined with neatly arranged arrows and bows. Cassian notices my gaze, and his smile reveals that he’s been waiting for this moment. “Do you see the bows over there?”

“Yes,” I reply, intrigued.

“Let’s mix things up a bit,” he suggests. “We’ll try a different kind of training. You mentioned that you’ve never worked with a bow before, right?”

“That’s right,” I confirm, “but I’ve heard that it’s a very precise and demanding skill.”

Cassian retrieves one of the bows and hands it to me. “I’d like to see how you handle this bow. Sometimes people have talents they don’t recognize until they try.”

As I take the bow in my hands, I feel its weight and balance. It feels unfamiliar at first, but there’s a sense of familiarity, as if I’m rediscovering a lost skill. A slight thrill runs through me, and I wonder if I can achieve the precision and control required. Cassian demonstrates the basic handling of the bow and the technique for drawing and firing an arrow.

With some uncertainty, I position myself in front of the target, which stands some distance away. My first attempt is shaky, and the arrow misses the target. Cassian observes me calmly and then offers targeted tips. “Pay attention to your stance and focus. The bow should be an extension of your arm.”

I take a deep breath, concentrate on the target, and try again. This time, the arrow hits the target, though not in the center. Cassian’s eyes widen slightly in surprise. “That was good,” he praises. “You have a natural talent for this. With some practice, you could really excel.”

I feel a sense of relief and pride. “I didn’t think I’d be this good at it.”

Cassian smiles. “Sometimes we find our strengths where we least expect them. This could be a valuable skill for you. Let’s work on refining your technique.”