The morning air buzzed with anticipation as Rynhara made her way to the castle's grand armory. Tiamora had summoned her with little explanation, leaving her curious and slightly nervous about what new ordeal awaited her.
As she entered the massive room, lined with rows of gleaming weapons and magical artifacts, Tiamora and her instructors were already waiting. Astraea stood with her arms crossed, while Selara sharpened her own blades on a whetstone. Kaelira hovered nearby, still clutching her training tray, her face a mix of curiosity and mischief.
"You're late," Tiamora said, her tone teasing but her gaze sharp.
"Couldn't sleep," Rynhara grumbled. "Too busy wondering what kind of torture you've got planned for me today."
Tiamora smiled faintly. "Today is special. You've made significant progress, so it's time to reward you—with new tools to complement your growing skills."
"Tools?" Rynhara's ears perked up.
Tiamora gestured toward a pedestal at the center of the room. Resting on it was a sleek ebony katana, a shimmering scythe adorned with dragon motifs, and her now-evolved fans.
"You've already begun bonding with your fans," Tiamora said, "but a warrior should never limit herself to one weapon. These are yours to master."
Rynhara stepped forward, her eyes scanning the weapons on display. The katana gleamed in the dim light, its blade engraved with intricate patterns that seemed to pulse faintly with energy. The scythe was equally mesmerizing, its massive blade curved like a crescent moon, its handle wrapped in black leather.
"Do I really need to master all of these at once?" she asked hesitantly.
Selara snorted. "Need? No. But you'll want to mastermthem. A versatile fighter is a dangerous fighter."
"And besides," Astraea added, "each of these weapons can channel your magic in unique ways. The katana enhances precision and speed, the scythe amplifies destructive power as well as severence, and your fans excel at versatility and defense."
Rynhara sighed, picking up the katana first. The moment her fingers wrapped around the hilt, she felt a surge of energy flow through her, as though the weapon recognized her. She gave it an experimental swing, the blade cutting through the air with a faint hum.
"Nice," she murmured, before moving to the scythe. This one felt heavier, more imposing, but equally thrilling.
"You've got your work cut out for you," Kaelira commented, leaning against the wall. "Hope you like juggling."
Tiamora led Rynhara to a newly constructed training arena just outside the castle. The floor was marked with glowing runes, and dummies enchanted with elemental resistance stood at various intervals.
"Today, we'll see how well you can wield these weapons in combination with your magic," Tiamora explained.
"Of course," Rynhara muttered. " Thats wonderful even more multitasking."
Selara handed her the katana first. "Let's start simple. Try infusing it with lightning and wind."
Rynhara frowned, concentrating on her mana. The katana's blade began to crackle with electricity, and a faint gust of wind swirled around it. She struck at one of the dummies, the combination of elements sending it flying backward in a spectacular burst.
"Good," Astraea said. "Now, try the scythe with destruction magic."
Switching weapons, Rynhara hefted the scythe and channeled her mana into it. The blade glowed ominously, and when she swung it, a wave of pure destructive energy tore through a row of dummies, leaving scorch marks in its wake.
"That... was satisfying," Rynhara admitted.
As the training continued, Kaelira was brought into the mix.
"Wait, why is she here?" Rynhara asked, watching as Kaelira strapped on an array of concealed daggers and vials.
"Part of her combat maid training," Tiamora explained. "She'll be assisting you—and testing you."
Kaelira smirked, tossing a dagger into the air and catching it effortlessly. "Don't worry, Princess. I'll go easy on you."
"What's the catch?"
"No catch," Selara said, stepping back with a smug grin. "But you'd better be ready. Combat maids don't pull punches."
What followed was a chaotic, comedic skirmish. Kaelira darted around like a shadow, hurling harmless training daggers at Rynhara, who scrambled to block them with her fans.
"Stop moving so fast!" Rynhara shouted, spinning wildly to deflect an incoming attack.
"Maybe if you kept up, Princess!" Kaelira teased, flipping over a low strike and landing gracefully behind Rynhara.
Astraea watched with a hand over her mouth, trying not to laugh. "Well, at least her reflexes are improving."
By the end of the day, Rynhara was exhausted but exhilarated. She'd begun to grasp the basics of switching between her weapons and infusing them with magic, though it was far from perfect.
As she sat on the ground, catching her breath, a notification from the Voice of the World echoed in her mind.
[Skill Acquired: Weapon Shift (Rank E)]
Rynhara blinked. "Weapon Shift? What's that?"
"It's a skill that allows you to seamlessly switch between bonded weapons in combat," Astraea explained. "A promising sign of your progress."
Tiamora stepped forward, her expression proud but serious. "You've done well today, Rynhara. But this is only the beginning. Your weapons, your magic, and your skills will continue to evolve. Trust in yourself—and your instructors."
For once, Rynhara didn't have a sarcastic reply. She looked at her mother, then at her weapons, and nodded.
"I'll do my best," she said.
Kaelira clapped her on the back, nearly knocking her over. "Don't get all sappy now, Princess. You've got a long way to go."
Rynhara smirked. "You'd better keep up, Maid."
The two laughed as the sun set, their friendship a bright spot in the whirlwind of challenges ahead.