The wind was kind that morning.
Not calm — the wind was never calm — but steady, useful. The kind of breeze that filled sails like a full belly and whistled low between the ropes. The Leviathan rode it smoothly, slicing eastward across the open sea. The crew was busy as ever, shouting, scrubbing, tying down crates, and pretending they didn't notice their quartermaster glaring at slack knots.
Arthur Will, navigator and level 4 warrior, stood on the ship's weathered training deck near the stern. His eyes narrowed. Salt and wind bit at the exposed skin of his neck. His fingers, wrapped in leather, gripped the hilt of his cutlass — not drawn, but close enough.
Lewis approached, barefoot, sword in hand, no coat despite the wind.
That was new.
For three years now, Arthur had sparred with the boy at least once a week. Mostly to humor the captain. The boy was talented — sure — but he was entitled, sloppy, arrogant. Hardworking but lacking passion. The passion that made warriors awaken. The obsession of the weapon that was seen in true warriors was lacking in him.
Arthur had knocked him flat more times than he could count.
But today…
There was something else in his eyes.
They circled each other slowly, boots tapping softly on the salt-rubbed wood.
"You're early," Arthur said.
"Couldn't sleep."
Arthur raised a brow. "Nightmares? Or excitement?"
"Both."
That one word had teeth. The boy's tone wasn't joking anymore.
Arthur drew his cutlass, the steel whispering against the sheath.
"Then show me what that fear taught you", Arthur spoke
"I am about to see what it taught you", Lewis exclaimed upon charging
'If his swordsmanship was as sharp as his tongue, he would be better than me already...', Arthur thought
*CLANG*
The clash of blades rang out like bells.
Lewis came in fast — faster than usual. The first strike was a textbook high slash, clean and decisive. Arthur parried it with ease, though the weight behind it was… sharper than before.
He's not hesitating.
No pause between strikes. Lewis followed with a twist, blade low, aiming for Arthur's hip. Arthur stepped back and flicked the boy's wrist with the flat of his blade.
"Too eager. Timing over speed"
Lewis gritted his teeth and nodded, stepping back into guard.
The next flurry was tighter — deliberate. A feint, followed by a half-step pivot and a stab. Arthur smiled faintly as he blocked. The boy had always been dextrous, agile. Not so strong, but he made up with his speed.
Lewis didn't reply. He pressed forward again.
For the next ten minutes, the ship vanished beneath their feet. There was no Leviathan, no crew, no raid looming. Only two blades singing through the morning air. Occasionally, Lewis would score a hit, and Arthur's pride would make him more pressing, resulting in Lewis getting bashed, battered. But he continued nevertheless.
Arthur spun, ducked a wide slash, and swept Lewis's legs out with a swift kick. The boy hit the deck with a thud — but rolled instantly to avoid a follow-up and got back to his feet.
That was new, too.
[Dirty fighting] at its finest
"Good. Use your environment and mobility to its fullest. Dignity? When you count your tales, you can always add some glory to your fighting. But in reality? Focus on surviving", Arthur said
Lewis tried to stand up, but his legs and arms were shaking from the strain
"That's enough for today", Arthur nodded, "You lasted much longer than the previous times. Continue like that. You improved a lot"
Lewis smiled: "Thanks, you did not improve much though. At this rate, I will catch up to you in no time"
Arthur felt like hitting the boy, but sighed. Giving in his provocations would only give him more reasons to continue.
'Damn that little silver devil...', he thought
[Skill Proficiency Increased: Basic Swordsmanship +2 → 37][Deck Agility +1 → 29]
Later that day, Arthur wrote in his cabin
[Training Notes — Arthur Will's Personal Log]
Crew member: Lewis Steel, alias Little Steel Devil or Leviathan's heir.Observation: Rapid growth in form and aggression. Confidence replaced with cold focus.Potential: High. If his body catches up to his mind, he may become captain in more than name.