The morning light was soft and new. It spilled through the trees, painting everything in gold and green. Alex and Saeko were in their usual clearing behind the waterfall.
The roar of the water was their morning music.
They faced each other. No armor. Just simple clothes. No magic swords. Just wooden practice blades.
They bowed.
And they began.
It was a slow dance at first. A testing of balance. A tapping of wood on wood. Tap. Tap. Slide. Tap.
Saeko moved first. A quick step, a low swing at his legs. Alex blocked it easily, his movement smooth like flowing water. He didn't push back. He redirected her force, sending her blade sliding past him.
She recovered. Came at him again. A thrust. A high slash. Her movements were sharp and clean. The wind wasn't a weapon today. It was just a helper. It whispered around her, making her footwork lighter, her turns faster.
