A Saniwa's Duty

Training Woes

After the last couple incidents, it was unaninously decided that Chiaki would resume her training. Even her mother had left a message for Hasebe, requesting them to resume and supervise her training.

"But I'm enrolled in a combat school," the sage whined, as she parried a hit from Yagen with her wooden practice tantou.

"Well," the medic replied as he broke free from the parry and quickly thrusted forward, causing the redhead to yelp as she narrowly dodged it. "I'm sorry to say, but though you might've been taught how to fight, it seems like you haven't been taught how to fight efficiently."

"Are you sure you're not whining about actually being forced to train, even during the summer?" Tetsuo scoffed as he entered the training room.

"Why would you think that?," the girl glanced briefly toward her brother, then blocked another hit from the tantou with her right forearm, causing her sparring partner to click his tongue.

"Aruji, your limbs are not meant for blocking," Yagen said scornfully as he adjusted his glasses. "I would've thought your so-called 'combat school' taught you this on your first day or something."

"It's just a dagger, Yaggy," Ia shrugged as she lowered her arm. "It won't kill me."

"You say that, but wait until an enemy slices your arm off. Then we'll see if it 'won't kill you'."

She gave him a look, which he sighed at and added, "Besides, you should also remember that there are other swords besides daggers. I think we're done for this morning's practice. I'll be in the library if you need me. I'm going to study up on these new plants Souza's party brought in the other day."

He put away his practice dagger on its rack on the wall, then left hurriedly. The sage let out a groan as she put away her own practice dagger as well, slumping beside her brother and pouting.

"Stop being such a distraction."

"It's not a distraction if my question is legitimate and valid."

"Why would you think that?" Ia echoed as she turned to face her brother, brows furrowed.

"Well obviously, summer's the only time you don't have training on your mind," he replied matter-of-factly. "Obviously, being made to go back to train outside of your perceived 'training hours' is a bother for you, right?"

"You sure you're not projecting? 'Cause it sounds like you are."

"Everyone's right though," Tetsuo said as he shook his head. "You can't expect to be able to fight well if you practice only when you're told to, instead of when you're not."

"And your point is...?"

"Have a little initiative, dingus," he said as he lightly delivered a chop to the top of her head. "Would've thought three years in combat school must've done something for you."

"We both started at the same time, dummy. I could say the same for you," Chiaki replied as she lightly rubbed the spot where he'd 'hit' her.

At this, Tetsuo stiffened, then relaxed a little, chuckling as he did. "Then... I guess this is a lesson for both of us."

Silence fell between them, as the sounds of nature enveloped them in a pleasant morning buzz.

"You know, I really want to try those new upgrades we got," Chiaki said after a while. "I haven't exactly seen how well my boots respond to different Fractals..."

★★★

Later that afternoon, the siblings decided to go head-to-head against each other in the open field next to the citadel, the sharp clangs of metal on metal ringing in the air. The saniwa was nothing but a flurry of red and white as she landed kicks in quick succession, plenty of which her brother blocked with ease.