The swordsman lowered his voice as he stood before the group in front of a worn out mat. "Hmmmph, we shall see if you're still willing to seek exit from this world as your stay elongates. But first, before you learn proper technique, you must learn proper stance." The blademaster sheathed his saber to the side, and grabbed a cardboard tube. "Spread your legs outward, and attempt to avoid my blows." He gestured at Propman, who tried to stand in such a was as to bend his knee outward, cautiously holding out his dress sword. [15] [18-4 (improficient with weapon)] Propman banged the flat of his sword against the tube, but it slid and poked him in the chest. "Too inflexible; parrying is not about catching the foe's weapon, it is about deflecting the sword so that you might counter it. Again."
Propman reorganized his stance, this time placing his legs a bit closer to give himself a slightly larger center of gravity. [20] [18-4 (proficient with weapon)] the swordsman swiped his leg with the tube, causing the pirate to topple onto the floor. "You were again focusing on trying to catch my blade; you did not notice that you left yourself open to an attack from the sides. Again!"
[9] [10-4] Propman spotted an opening in which he could thrust his blade. Jumping out of his boots, the pirate attempted a lunge, but stopped. The blademaster's tube came down on his head, knocking his hat off. "You hesitated! Do not give the enemy a chance to strike when you have the initiative!"
"But, sir, I didn't want to injure-"
"So long as I hold this tube in my hands, there is nothing you can do to injure me! Now, again!"
Propman was panting. Sweat beat down his brows as he focused, this time spreading his legs apart as he did earlier, but not so much as to hold him in place. He let fourth a deep breath. [3] [14-4] Propman saw the master swinging his blade and immediately leaped to the side, dodging it. [18] [9-4] He saw the master momentary raise his tube and prepared to dart, but instead of attempting to swing it he jabbed the pirate in the arm, causing him to drop his sword. "Better. You are unskilled, but you are not the worse example to have been brought to my training area, though you lack the fundamentals. Once more!"
[1] [10-4] The swordsman stood stoically, anticipating the mariner's next move. Propman took the initiative and made a brief swipe, prompting the bladesman to try and parry it. [7] [20-4] Instead, Propman cut off his swipe mid-swing and drove his blade into the master's gut, only stopped when the massive man reclined his tube into the blade's tip, catching it and leaving a hole inside of it. "A feint. The fact that you could catch onto my technique shows that you are capable of learning. Do not assume that wining a fencing match is equivalent to victory in a battle however, as your opponent would have had the opportunity to counter regardless on whether you pierced him. Many fencers today forget that!"
He shifted his glance at Kyle, his eyes glowing through the darkness of his box-helmet. "You. You shall be my next subject! I hope you were studding your friend."