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[color=#736AFF][b][h1]Ranbu no Izayoi[/h1][/b][/color]
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Arton's armor was catered for fighting blight-beasts so beyond some bruising and superficial cuts, he came out of the battle fairly well. The party had really come together taking them down but more importantly it showed the young swordsman he still had a long way to go. There was something about the way Izayoi fought that resonated with him, more than the techniques themselves. As they broke for camp, Arton was set on figuring it out. 

He had worked hard helping to set up camp and had an appetite to match his efforts. Arton ate with a smile and overall seemd to be in a cheerful mood. It was like a victory feast amidst comrades, meager as it might be. Arton approached Izayoi shortly after they had finished eating and the details of the watch had been decided. There was a slight nervousness in his eyes, unsure how to bring up his request [color=537DAE][b]"I don't think I've seen anyone move like that before."[/b][/color]

[color=#736AFF][b]"Hm?"[/b][/color] Izayoi looked up where she was sitting, her blade on her lap as she tended to it. From the nervous glint in his eyes, she mentally resigned herself to listening to something most likely foolish again for the second time that day. 

[color=#736AFF][b]"In what manner? You have not seen the effects of a Haste spell before?"[/b][/color] She poured a small measure of oil onto a cloth and began running it over her sword. 

[color=537DAE][b]"No, uh, I have seen it a couple times but..."[/b][/color] The look in her eyes reminded him of earlier. Izayoi did not seem fond of wasted time and frivolous words. His chances would fare better if he were direct. Arton lowered himself onto his knees and sat on the heels of his feet, hands resting above his knees [color=537DAE][b]"I wish for you to train me.[/b]"[/color]

Of all the things Izayoi had been expecting Arton to say, this hadn't been one of them. The last time she'd even considered taking on a student of her own had been years and years ago, long before the war. And that had been cut short when others realized exactly what training entailed to her.

[color=#736AFF][b]"An odd decision. We do not use similar armament, and from what I have seen, our preferred styles of fighting are practically opposite. Are you certain you have thought this through?"[/b][/color]

Arton nodded once [color=537DAE][b]"I'm certain! I know if I can learn from you I can grow stronger."[/b][/color] His motivation for which he'd leave unsaid for now. It was uncomfortable to speak so plainly, without some twist of truth in his words. He fought the way he did because up until now he had no other option. His stoic face betrayed the steady increasing of his heartbeat. 

Izayoi only regarded Arton silently in response, a single brow lifted. Her own misgivings about her training methods aside, there wasn't exactly any reason for her to say no. If they were to continue to travel together for extended periods of time, making Arton stronger would only benefit her own goals. That, and it wasn't as if she'd had anything better to do during periods of downtime.

[color=#736AFF][b]"Very well. I have no objections to this, though I am obligated to give you a warning: I can only train you as I have been taught. There is a reason why I have never had a student last beyond a month. As I have been told, my methods are 'insane and reckless'. "[/b][/color] She lifted her hands from maintaining her katana to deliver the last three words in air quotes before returning to cleaning her weapon. 

Arton's went wide as he was hit with a bit of shock, expecting more resistance to his request. The warning did manage to put a brief twist in his stomach but not enough to sway his determination. This training was cleary not for the faint of heart. All Arton had to do was to think of that day and he immediately found his resolve. A day that controls his dreams, steers his choices, and forever altered his fate.

[color=537DAE][b]"A month? It seems I have my first goal then."[/b][/color] He enthusiastically declared. Everything he had come to understand about Izayoi made it clear that month would be one of the hardest of his life. He was ready to walk through hell if it meant that he could protect those closest to him. That he would not fail them because he was too weak to do anything.

One side of Izayoi's mouth curved up briefly in seeming amusement. The man's eagerness was akin to watching a puppy. It remained to be see whether his enthusiasm remained after even a week of training.

[color=#736AFF][b]"We will begin when we camp in more secure environs, then. Running you ragged now would be akin to signing your death warrant in the event of another Blightbeast attack tonight. The majority of my techniques are unsuited to the cut and thrust of southron swords, but you will benefit from the conditioning nonetheless. I trust this is acceptable?"[/b][/color]

[color=537DAE][b]"Of course!"[/b][/color] He said with a bright smile [color=537DAE][b]"I suppose resting is the practical thing to do tonight. It has been awhile since I've camped without keeping one eye open."[/b][/color] His gaze turned idly to the night sky and the stars that had woken from their slumber. Izayoi's training would bring him a step closer to being worthy of his family name. It was only then he could return home.

[color=#736AFF][b]"Very good."[/b][/color] Izayoi nodded curtly, before deciding to give voice to a thought that was still in the back of her mind. [color=#736AFF][b]"Though why come to me to be trained? Any of our number outside of the mages could have done the same. The gunbladers would likely have swordplay more suited for yourself as well."[/b][/color] She removed the rag from her blade, inspecting it briefly before nodding to herself in satisfaction as she returned it to its scabbard.

The question gave Arton pause, and the light expression faded slowly faded form himself [color=537DAE][b][b]"The easy answer would be [i]because[/i] it is so different from mine."[/b][/b][/color] He stopped for a brief moment before continuing. [color=537DAE][b]"Truthfully, I feel there is more to learn than just techniques from you. I guess you might call it a state of mind or...philosophy. I don't know."[/b][/color] He shifted off his knees to sit more comfortably.

Philosophy? How quaint. Arton might have fit in well in some samurai circles, as introspective as he seemed to be. Probably better than she had, among some of the more spiritual ones. Her master had never had any use for such thinking, and had never imparted anything resembling such aside from "kill your enemy before it kills you". 

[color=#736AFF][b]"You'll find I have little to offer in that regard."[/b][/color] Izayoi stood, hooking her sheathed sword back into her sash. [color=#736AFF][b]"Derive what answers you will from me, though I have nothing to teach in terms of philosophy outside of aggression and how best to hunt prey. But the hour grows late. Rest. I have the first watch."[/b][/color]

That was where Arton had to disagree with his new master. The killer instinct that possesed Izayoi was something he hoped to acquire if not understand. Doubt regarding his methods had planted itself deep in his mind, unable to be dislodged. That may have been why he had been so furious when she exexcuted that man during the castle siege. Clarity on such thoughts would not be gained tonight.

[color=537DAE][b]"I'll try to get some sleep before I come relieve you."[/b][/color] He stood up as well, fighting back a yawn as his body stretched. [color=537DAE][b]"May your eyes remain sharp as your blade."[/b][/color] Arton smiled towards Izayoi before he headed off in the direction of one of the tents. He wondered if tomorrow would be as much excitement. Their quest was sure to only get more difficult the closer they got to the answers.