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"Learn to block an attack, Jellal," Natsu threw his sword on the ground, and wiped his fringe back from his forehead, "You're not getting anywhere by just attacking."
"You're one to talk," Lucy hissed, earning a glare from Natsu, he opened his mouth to retaliate but was beaten by Erza.
"Can you guys just shut it?" her eyes were seething, as she picked the sword up from where Natsu had thrown it. Gray had been ordered to pack-up the tents, so there was enough space for training. Erza hadn't been kidding when she said that we'd train at six.
The bloody sun rose at six, so she didn't have any trouble throwing away our excuses and dragging us outside.
"As much as I hate to admit it," she grinned drily, turning to face me, "Natsu's right. This isn't about wildly attacking the enemy - it's a matter of life and death. And if you need to defend, you defend."
I nodded, more afraid that Erza was just moments away from chopping me than agreeing. I believed that emotions made you stronger since it added a passion to what you were doing.
Maybe Erza would say differently, if she were allowed to attack Acnologia, on the day her Mother died... maybe, just maybe, she might have even killed him.
The hilt of a sword struck me, winding me, and I gasped, glaring back at Erza. She seemed unimpressed, "You need to pay attention, Jellal!"
"Well, it's not my fault that none of your training is useful! You're a Vampire, how're you supposed to teach humans?!"
I realized too late that I had properly struck a nerve, and Lucy tried hesitantly to intervene as a vein popped in Erza's forehead, "E-Erza, I'm sor-"
"Save it," she snarled, "Let's see just how 'good' I am at teaching puny humans," I gulped, at her words, and held my sword up once again, "Just remember one thing, Fernandes-"
I nodded weakly, and she continued, "If you ever, ever, question me again for no evident reason - I will cut you."
"Yes, Ma'am,"
We began circling each other, and I was aware of Natsu's eyes trained on my back; suddenly, the sky turned black, stars being able to be seen.
"What the-" Erza seemed startled, but her hesitation didn't allow my strike to reach her, she simply blocked with her blade, and stepped closer to me, "Doesn't matter."
I expected the sky to turn back to normal - perhaps it was just a trick to our eyes; we were in a forest, for Mavis's sake! If anything, the ink-blue turned to a midnight-black, filled with tiny crystal-like dots.
"Stop being a wuss and attack me, Fernandes," Erza's voice was low and hostile, "Or do I have to baby you and help you myself? Can't even use a sword, damn it, what use are you to a Vampire prophecy?"
