NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 7: Spar
The sun hung high in the sky, its warmth beating down on the training field as the students gathered for their next session.
Wooden swords had been lined up neatly on a rack near the edge of the field, their polished surfaces gleaming. Aaron stood among the others, adjusting his glasses as he listened to Sir Gideon.
The knight stood before them, arms crossed, his tone firm but patient. "Today, we begin your weapon training. For now, you'll use wooden swords to learn proper technique and build strength. Remember, this is about control, not brute force."
Aaron glanced at the rack of swords, his stomach tightening. He'd never so much as picked up a baseball bat back home, let alone a weapon.
"Pick a partner and grab your swords," Sir Gideon instructed.
Aaron hesitated as the others paired up. Darius quickly grabbed Ethan, and the two started swinging their swords with an air of competitive enthusiasm.
Naomi walked over to Aaron, offering a small smile.
"Looks like it's you and me," she said.
"Great," Aaron muttered, scratching the back of his neck.
They picked up their wooden swords, the weight of the weapon surprising Aaron. It wasn't heavy, but it felt awkward in his hands, like an extension of his arm that didn't quite belong.
Naomi gave her sword a few experimental swings. "Don't overthink it," she said, noticing his hesitation. "Just try to get a feel for it."
Aaron nodded, gripping the hilt tightly.
Sir Gideon began walking among the pairs, offering tips and corrections. When he reached Aaron and Naomi, he stopped, observing Aaron's stance with a critical eye.
"Too stiff," Sir Gideon said. "Relax your shoulders. You're not wrestling it — you're guiding it."
Aaron adjusted his posture, but the sword still felt foreign in his hands. Naomi waited patiently, giving him space to figure it out.
"Alright, try a few swings," Sir Gideon said.
Aaron took a deep breath and swung the sword clumsily. The tip wavered, and the blade didn't land anywhere near its intended target.
"Not bad for a first attempt," Naomi offered, though her tone was more encouraging than truthful.
"Not good, either," Darius called out from a few paces away, snickering.
Aaron's face heated, but he ignored the comment, focusing on Sir Gideon's instructions.
The sparring began in earnest a few minutes later. Naomi took a defensive stance, her movements fluid and controlled. Aaron tried to mimic her, but his feet felt like they were made of lead.
"Ready?" Naomi asked.
"Not really," Aaron admitted.
Naomi smiled. "Let's take it slow."
She stepped forward, swinging her sword lightly.
Aaron raised his weapon to block, but the impact jarred his arms, and he stumbled back a step.
"Keep your balance," Naomi said gently.
"I'm trying," Aaron grumbled, adjusting his footing.
They went through the motions again, and again Aaron stumbled, his awkward movements drawing chuckles from Darius and a few others nearby.
"Maybe he should've brought a cane instead of a sword," Darius called out, grinning.
Aaron's grip tightened on the hilt of his sword.
Naomi ignored the taunts, her focus remaining on Aaron. "It's okay," she said quietly. "This takes time. Just focus on your footing."
Aaron nodded, trying to steady his breathing. He was grateful for her patience, even if he felt like he didn't deserve it.
They resumed sparring, and this time Aaron managed to block her strike without falling over. It wasn't graceful, but it was progress.
"Better," Naomi said, giving him an encouraging nod.
Sir Gideon approached, his expression unreadable. "Your footing is still weak," he said, gesturing to Aaron's legs. "You need to plant yourself firmly. Think of your feet as your roots. If they're not stable, everything else falls apart."
Aaron nodded, adjusting his stance again.
The session continued, and though Aaron stumbled several more times, he noticed small improvements with each attempt.
Naomi never laughed or mocked him. Instead, she offered quiet advice, pointing out where he could adjust.
Darius, however, wasn't as kind.
"Careful, Holt," he said, leaning on his sword as he watched from the sidelines. "Wouldn't want to trip over your own feet again."
Aaron felt the frustration bubbling inside him but forced himself to focus on Naomi's voice instead.
"Just ignore him," she said softly. "He's not worth it."
Aaron exhaled slowly, letting her words ground him.
By the end of the session, Aaron's arms felt like jelly, and his legs ached from all the stumbling and corrections.
Sir Gideon finally called for a break, and Aaron collapsed onto the grass, his sword resting beside him.
Naomi sat down next to him, handing him a water flask. "You did better than you think," she said.
Aaron gave a half-hearted chuckle. "If that was better, I'd hate to see worse."
Naomi nudged his arm lightly. "Everyone starts somewhere. Even Darius wasn't perfect."
Aaron raised an eyebrow. "You're giving him way too much credit."
Naomi laughed, and for the first time that day, Aaron felt a bit lighter.
As the group dispersed, Sir Gideon approached Aaron. The knight crouched down, his expression softer than before.
"You have potential," he said.
Aaron looked at him skeptically. "I don't feel very 'potential.'"
"Potential isn't about where you start," Sir Gideon said. "It's about where you're willing to go. Keep showing up. Keep trying. That's what matters."
Aaron nodded, the knight's words settling in his mind.
Later that evening, as Aaron sat alone in the common area, he replayed the day's events in his mind. He still felt like an outsider among the group, but Naomi's support and Sir Gideon's advice had given him a glimmer of hope and he wasn't trying to help them down.