Three Spheres

Chapter 6 - Prudence

_ One, two, three, four... _ Johan counts the steps, murmuring _ One, two, three, four...

Dijana, with a high ponytail, claps at the same pace. She carefully analyzes his movements. With each step, he outlines a long gesture with his arms. He dances alone across the room, under the watchful eye of the Paladin.

A more intense palm interrupts the dance. Johan stops and waits for Dijana to approach with two pairs of huge bracelets. Without saying anything, he takes the first one and ties it in his wrists; the second he puts on his ankles. Dijana smiles and finally offers him a long, thin, round sword. She draws a similar one and assumes the septime parry position. Johan makes a quick reverence and they start a "dancing fight". Johan finds it difficult to keep his movements clean and continuous, due to the weights. Dijana moves gracefully. They spin, strike, and stop. Their breaths synchronize. Dijana smiles; Johan seems happy.

After many dodges and attacks, finally, the tip of each sword touches the opponents' chest. Dijana claps her hands, extremely satisfied. Nayla, who was watching, says:

_ Congratulations, champion! Linda's happy with your progress! _ She puts her arm around his shoulder with a leap, hanging in the air.

Dijana nods "yes". Johan asks:

_ "Champion"?

_ I like giving nicknames! _ She replies _ Dijana is "Linda", Emília is the "Queen", and so on... In your case, I'm sure I'd bet all my money on you in a fight to the death, so I'll call you "champion" from now on! Sounds appropriate.

He responds with a half-laugh, turning his face away. However, the conversation is interrupted by Amadeo's tantrum:

_ Please, someone! I'll die if I keep playing that pebble thing with Deodoro!! Please, let me do something fun! I can't stand being stiiiill! _ He hangs on Nayla's shoulders, who laughs.

_ Ask Johan if he wants to fight with you. I'm tooo busy! _ She answers.

Amadeo approaches Johan, laying both hands on his forearm. His eyes sparkle with a cry for help. Johan replies with disdain:

_ No.

_ Ahh! _ Amadeo covers his face _ Why don't you like me?! What did I do to you!!

_ Ha?! _ Johan frowns his whole face _ All you've done since we met was teasing me! Be more aware, annoying kid.

_ E-Excuse me?! You started it! _ He pulls him by the shirt.

_ I started? Ha...! Are you still a child by any chance? _ He sighs; everyone agrees.

_ Come on... Nobody supports me...! I just wanted to be your friend and help you out, but FINE! I'll find someone else to train with me. _ He makes a dramatic pose.

Nayla laughs. Johan rolls his eyes and thinks "I just don't get him...". Moments later, a woman in armor enters the room, saying:

_ Did I heard someone wanting to train? I need help to practice an attack.

Amadeo's eyes twinkle and he raises one arm:

_ Me! I'm Amadeo! Prima-Parvus Paragon! I'm counting on you!

_ Oh! You're the prodigy everyone talks about! I'm Irma Martan, from the Border Unit in the Alkatar province of Nigrum. I'm just passing through.

They greet each other. Then, proceed to the external field, while establishing the rules of the combat: 1) Victory is defined when the opponent surrender or lose consciousness; 2) It's forbidden to cause damage to buildings and trees nearby; 3) It's forbidden to use lethal blows or any attack that may cause serious injuries; 4) Any type of spiritual or physical ability is allowed.