Aziel found a clearing in the forest, a relatively flat, open space bathed in the soft glow of the moon.
Perfect for practice.
He focused his mind, and visualized the Samurai arm.
With a thought, the familiar sensation of Miasma shifting and coalescing manifested. The samurai arm materialized on the ground before him.
He picked it up with his left hand, gripped it by the upper arm.
Aziel then mentally directed the Samurai to retrieve the toy sword he had brought.
It was a katana, no doubt, but any semblance of intimidation was utterly ruined by its appearance. The blade was a garish pink, adorned with floral patterns. And, as if that weren't enough, the plastic blade was embedded with blinking, multicolored lights.
Aziel had stumbled upon it in the village market. It is a child's plaything. Right now, he did not have much money to buy a real sword, let alone a Samurai sword, which was indeed difficult to find ready for sale. One had to order it first, and it took time to be made.
For now, the toy would have to do.
The first time Aziel had struck a dramatic pose, the very picture of a serious samurai warrior, but with the ridiculous pink, blinking sword in hand, Blackie had erupted in laughter.
But tonight, just like any other night after that, Blackie was all business.
"Alright, Aziel," Blackie's voice echoed in Aziel's mind, "tonight, we delve into the theory and foundational concepts of Samurai swordsmanship."
"Understood, sensei!" Aziel replied, striking a pose that, while earnest, still looked a little silly with the pink sword.
Blackie began the session with a detailed explanation.
"The very core of Samurai swordsmanship," Blackie intoned, "lies in kamae. Posture. Stance. It's not just about how you hold your sword; it's the foundation upon which all movement, all attacks, all defenses are built."
As Blackie spoke, the Samurai arm shifted, demonstrating the various basic kamae.
"This," Blackie said, as the arm positioned the toy sword in front of it, blade pointed forward, "is chudan-no-kamae. The middle stance. It was balanced, adaptable, and ready for both offense and defense—a versatile starting point. From here, one could pivot smoothly into an attack or stand firm against an oncoming assault."
Aziel watched, eyes intensely focused, memorizing every detail.
The arm then moved, raising the sword above its head.
"This is jodan-no-kamae. The upper stance. It was aggressive, intimidating, and focused on powerful downward strikes, a stance clearly meant to overwhelm and dominate. The raised sword was not just to intimidate the enemy; it was like an incoming of crushing force, designed to break through any defense with sheer power."
Next, the arm lowered the sword, pointing it towards the ground.
"Gedan-no-kamae. The lower stance. It was defensive and deceptive, a stance that bided its time, patiently waiting for the perfect opening to present itself."
Blackie continued, expounding on the strengths and weaknesses of each kamae. How they affected balance, movement, and the ability to attack or defend. How a slight shift in foot position, a subtle change in the angle of the blade, could mean the difference between victory and defeat.
"Now, you try," Blackie instructed.
Aziel took the toy sword with his right hand and placed the Samurai arm on the floor.
Aziel mimicked the stances he had just seen. As best as he could, he held the posture, a determined frown etched on his face.
He started with chudan-no-kamae, trying to replicate the arm's posture.
"Feet shoulder-width apart," Blackie corrected, "slightly wider, actually. Good. Now, bend your knees a little... yes, like that. Keep your back straight, yeah, but not like a stiff board. You gotta be relaxed, but ready to act, you get me?"
Aziel adjusted his posture, feeling a bit awkward at first.
"Now, jodan-no-kamae."
Aziel raised the sword above his head.
"Higher," Blackie instructed, "and angle the blade slightly forward. Imagine you're about to deliver a devastating blow."
Aziel made the adjustment, following Blackie's instructions.
He continued practicing, moving between the stances, with Blackie offering constant feedback. The ring corrected his posture minutely, refining his movements, a process that continued for a good while.
Aziel focused, trying to internalize every tiny adjustment, his muscles slowly learning the unfamiliar forms.
He shifted from chudan-no-kamae to jodan-no-kamae, then back again, each transition a little smoother than the last, spurred on by Blackie's detailed instructions.
After several hours of practice, Blackie finally called a halt to the training. "Okay, that's enough for today. We're done."
"Phew, finally," Aziel sighed inwardly, although really grateful for the training. It was time to head back, anyway.
He dispelled the Samurai arm. He then hopped back over the wall, and without being noticed by the guards, he returned to his room.
**********
The meticulously tended garden beside the Glenwood Clinic, while lush and fragrant with medicinal herbs, didn't contain every single plant and ingredient Dr. Hana required for her practice.
Some vital components simply weren't available within the village's cultivated spaces.
Sometimes, Aziel's duties involved trips to the bustling Glenwood market. There, amidst the clamor of vendors and the vibrant array of goods, he would purchase herbs and ingredients that were not grown in the clinic's garden.
He bartered for dried roots, carefully selected bundles of leaves, and occasionally, even small, live specimens that needed careful transplanting.
However, there were also ingredients that stubbornly defied cultivation altogether. These were the wild ones, plants that thrived only in the untamed embrace of the forest, drawing sustenance from the rich, undisturbed soil and the interplay of sunlight and shadow.
For these, a trip beyond the village walls was essential.
Usually, Dr. Hana would venture out with Jonas, her childhood friend. Jonas, with his imposing physique, provided both protection and assistance in gathering the ingredients.
But this time, the list was quiet long.
The required herbs and, for Dr. Hana, specific types of mushrooms, were numerous and scattered on different parts of the Elysian Forest. A single trip with just Jonas wouldn't suffice.
So, Dr. Hana decided to ask for Aziel's help as well. She wanted him to follow along and assist with collecting the various ingredients from the list together in the forest.