Divine Enmity (Catnipz)

XIII. Archery is not my strong suit, but neither is Danielle's.

"Why do I have to go?"

"Because you promised me!"

Haerin was dragging Danielle by the arm, who was putting up strong resistance.

Seriously, how does this girl have so much strength?

It's just that you are very weak.

"I promised to help you train!"

"And where are we going then? Huh?"

"I meant archery!" She broke free from Haerin's grip. "Not this!"

They were at the close combat training field, a flat slope filled with campers sparring with actual swords or sticks simulating them.

"If I pick up a bow, I'll end up sticking it to a camper."

Danielle huffed. "Let's see if that's true and you stick it to Choi San."

Haerin gave her a playful punch on the arm. "Shut up and grab one of the swords."

She gestured towards the small storage shed next to the training field, the same place where she had taken her sword and dagger on the first day.

"Even you can't hold yours properly, what makes you think I can?"

Haerin shrugged. "You've been here for a while, you know? Like three years. It's impossible that it's the first time you're picking up a sword."

"It's not, but I can't, that's why I switched to the bow."

"And you're not the best with that either. You should try other weapons."

"What do you mean by that?" Danielle got angry.

"Nothing, nothing," Haerin raised her hands innocently.

Danielle squinted and started heading towards the armory. Reluctantly, she chose a short sword that felt light in her hand.

"This is going to be a disaster," she thought.

When she exited the storage shed, Haerin was trying to twist her wrist the way she had seen other campers do with her sword. Danielle couldn't help but laugh as she saw Haerin drop her sword or almost bend her wrist.

Her friend frowned, clearly frustrated.

"Don't laugh, we're here to train," Haerin scolded her. "Come on, grab your sword and get into a stance."

Danielle nodded, still with a teasing smile on her lips. She assumed a defensive posture, just as she remembered Heeseung teaching her. But she had to admit that later her brother gave up and decided not to teach her anymore. She held the short sword with both hands, pointing the tip toward Haerin.

On the other hand, the daughter of Aphrodite had been practicing a bit so she wouldn't need nectar or ambrosia to hold it firmly. Heeseung hadn't given up on her the way he did with Danielle, because unlike his sister, Haerin did seem genuinely interested.

Her friend charged at her, wielding the sword with more enthusiasm than skill. Danielle managed to block the strike, and the clash of steel resonated on the training field. She didn't even know herself how she had managed to block Haerin's attack.

"Not bad," Haerin said.

"Oh, please," Danielle rolled her eyes.

"But I need you to do something too!"

Danielle raised an eyebrow. "What? Aren't you used to being the active one?"

Haerin gave her a stern look and charged at her again, causing Danielle to widen her eyes and start moving away from her.