[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/tyNzX3U.png[/img][/center] [center] [color=b18f71][b][i][u]Interactions[/u][/i][/b][/color] 🌑 [i]None.[/i] [color=b18f71][b][i][u]Mentions[/u][/i][/b][/color] 🌑 [i]None.[/i] [color=b18f71][b][i][u]Location[/u][/i][/b][/color] 🌑 [i]Nox Tenebrae.[/i] 🌑 [i]Fencing Hall.[/i] [/center][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/yHBmNge.png[/img][/center] A clash of steel echoed with the cacophony of lingering tunes, each a repeated succession of metallic impact, adding to another layer of singing blades. Onlookers would have perhaps considered the scene one worthy of a second viewing, a beautifully choreographed display akin to a dance with swordsmanship coloring those who would take a moment to view it unfold, a shade of impressed awe. Of course, it was reasonable to consider this display a one-sided exchange, as the young agent christened Nello, by a mother now passed, met the ground with each initiated bout. Small, slender fingers wrapped their way around a hilt, black as night, as Calamity's edge rose, yet again. A dangerous weapon, to be sure, something no one would be prepared to deny. Had Lady Blackstone's skin been layered in a blanket of impenetrable flesh, the impressively golden blade of Calamity's shape would have ignored the barrier, as if a mere afterthought. However, whether this had been the case, it rang hollow. Nello had not managed to count a single strike which would have damaged Lady Blackstone's otherwise perfect, pale skin. Her strength, her speed, and her reflexes were beyond anyone the boy had ever encountered, an unchanged truth, as it would likely remain.  Few knew the woman's heritage, and her age maintained its status as a mystery. Whispers were prevalent, theories circling Nox Tenebrae in regards to its fencing instructor, the ancient vampire known only by the title she had accumulated. As any good teacher would likely condone, Lady Blackstone tailored her classes in regards to who found themselves at the edge of her saber. This time, it was Nello, the boy whom Blackstone had stated did not need care, nor comfort in the face of adversity. Perhaps this was what dictated her motion, as the woman's blade parried her student's, before a vicious swing severed his arm from place, followed by a kick which sent him to the cold, stone floor.  Though Nello yelped in painful exclamation, his slight frame meeting a hard foundation, one would be able to see the black, almost oil-like substance extend from his stump where it manifested itself as a new appendage. Unharmed, and untouched. The boy's arm which had been parted from his body vanished into little more than dust, as if a supernatural breeze crept its way through stone springs, and carried the remnants on a bed of wind. Heavy breaths escaped the young agent's maw, his chest rising and sinking in rapid succession. Had his reptilian nature allowed for him to sweat, the liquid would have drenched his now warm body, a temperature which clearly set him apart from those others would consider his kin. Rolling to his side, the boy managed to cough, strength leaving his legs before fatigue overcame. Never before had cold, unforgiving stone been so comfortable, where it harbored an exhausted boy's tired shape. "Well done," came a statement from the woman, a pair of silver eyes meeting Nello's impressively large rubies. "You have made wonderful progress."  Attempting to speak through breaths forcing themselves past razor-sharp teeth, Nello eventually managed to utter his words. [color=b18f71]"Doesn't feel like I'm improving..,"[/color] he tried, seeing how a hand extended itself towards him, and pulled the boy back to his feet as if his admittedly laughable weight was little more than that of a falling feather. "Progress is rarely seen by those who achieve it," Lady Blackstone continued. True to her nature, the woman's voice was soft but stern. It was something most would recognize as regal, noble, and demanding authority. This followed along the woman's presence, as well, where her silver eyes were enough to stare down even a prince of hell. Or, at least, such were the assumptions.  Managing a small, if tired smile, Nello allowed for his sword, Calamity, to vanish in a dim, black mist. Beside him, the boy's reflection made itself known, a creature none could see other than Nello himself, and those attuned to powerful magic. [color=b18f71]"One day,"[/color] the young swordsman spoke, moving his thick bangs from covering his eyes, as he continued to speak. [color=b18f71]"One day I'll be a master, too."[/color] Bridging itself across Lady Blackstone's perfectly shaped lips, the woman's smile made itself known, as her hand moved to Nello's cheek, where their eyes locked in a shared exchange. "A master is merely someone who has made far more mistakes, than you have ever made attempts, Nello." She combed her fingers, long and perfect for the keys of a piano, through the boy's hair. "Go and get some rest, if you faint in my class again, your father will be breathing down my neck."  [i][color=b18f71]"Eh, Nafir needs to chill the fuck out,"[/color][/i] a ghostly voice trickled into Nello's ear, courtesy of Nocturne, the demonic spirit sharing existence with the boy. The two shared more than simply that, one might add, as best friends, worst enemies, and literal soul mates. [i][color=b18f71]"Dude should get his face outta' those books, once in a while."[/color][/i] With a soft sigh, Nello managed a small smirk, his shark-like teeth making themselves known within his small maw. [color=b18f71]"He can usually fill in the blanks when I fall asleep at three in the afternoon."[/color] With Nello's regeneration being among the strongest versions of the ability, dangerous wounds drained him of energy which would eventually warrant a lack of consciousness. The thought brought him a chill, without fault. If this was the outcome at the hands of an enemy, he dreaded to imagine a scenario which soon followed, with him tied to a chair, or worse. Monstrous beings tended to be crueler than even the most vicious of humans. [color=b18f71]"I should go and get a drink,"[/color] Nello continued, stumbling back before starting towards the exit.  "You should stay away from that filth, Nello," Lady Blackstone commented, knowing full well what the boy was about to imbibe.  [color=b18f71]"We can't all live on blood,"[/color] a wide grin presented itself on Nello's features as he turned with a playful wave. An interesting statement, unbeknownst to him, a statement which offered more than Nello could possibly imagine. He was, after all, a demon, and so far, he did not know how addicting blood could actually be. A truth which hopefully did not lurk in the darkness, ready to pounce at him like a hungry tiger.  [i][color=b18f71]"We have to be the only freaks in this fucking school who do this for fun,"[/color][/i] Nocturne rolled his eyes, following Nello with every step. A creature beyond the boundaries of life and death, one directly linked to the boy in a demon's embrace, their relationship was one of symbiotic oddities, for sure. [i][color=b18f71]"Ugh, let's just grab a drink and pass out, I'm fucking beat."[/color][/i] With small fingers tenderly moving towards his arm, Nello rubbed the appendage, thoughts cycling back towards his training session. Was he getting better? Hopefully, Lady Blackstone was right. An arm he could regenerate, but his head was another story.Â