Once the children had rested and their spirits regained, Elder Marn summoned them once more to the training hall.
"You've all done well," the elder said, his voice echoing through the stone chamber with calm authority. "Today marks the end of your basic training in elemental control. But for those who wish to walk the path of a mage-warrior— or a true cultivator— you must now learn the art of combat."
He turned toward a set of tall double doors along the eastern wall. With a deep creak, they swung open, revealing an adjoining chamber bathed in soft golden light. Rows of weapon racks stretched across the room, filled with gleaming armaments— blades, bows, staves, chains, hammers, and stranger tools forged for war.
A hush fell over the students, broken only by the sound of collective awe.
"Each of you will now choose a weapon path to begin your martial training," Elder Marn continued. "Let me be clear— this will not be your final weapon. It is your foundation. As you grow, your style may evolve. You might change weapons. You might even create your own. But today, you begin."
He walked among the racks, gesturing for the students to follow. They trailed behind him with wide eyes and hushed breath, like children entering a sacred shrine.
"Now listen carefully," Elder Marn said, his tone sharpening. "Weapons are not simply tools— they are extensions of your will. Each has its own strengths, and each, its own flaws. Your choice must reflect your nature. Not your fantasy."
He stopped before a central rack and looked at them all.
"You may admire the sword, but if your soul leans toward agility and precision, perhaps the dagger is more suited. Choose not with your eyes— but with your spirit."
---
Weapon Categories
1. Sword Class
Types: Longsword, shortsword, greatsword, curved blade, rapier
Strengths:
Balanced in offense and defense
Highly adaptable to various styles
Easy to combine with elemental magic
Weaknesses:
Mastery takes time due to its versatility
May lack specialization
Best For: Students who seek flexibility and growth across multiple combat paths.
Elder Marn lifted a finely-forged blade from the rack.
"The sword is the most balanced weapon. Offense, defense, reach, and precision— it offers all. But do not confuse balance for simplicity. It demands control. It demands discipline."
---
2. Dagger / Kunai Class
Types: Dual daggers, throwing knives, kunai
Strengths:
Lightning-fast attacks
Stealth and mobility-based
Combines well with speed-based or shadow magic
Weaknesses:
Short range
Fragile defense without mobility
Requires pinpoint accuracy
Best For: Rogues, scouts, or fighters who rely on speed and cunning.
He flipped a kunai into the air, catching it deftly.
"Daggers are for the clever. They strike fast, and where it hurts most. But miss— and you may not get another chance."
---
3. Spear / Polearm Class
Types: Spear, halberd, glaive, naginata
Strengths:
Superior reach
Excellent crowd control
Combines well with wind and lightning elements
Weaknesses:
Struggles in tight quarters
Requires precise control
Best For: Warriors who dominate from range and control the battlefield.
"The spear controls space," Marn said. "It dominates from afar. But if an enemy closes in— your strength becomes your weakness."
---
4. Bow / Ranged Class
Types: Longbow, shortbow, crossbow
Strengths:
Long-distance engagement
Effective for elemental infusion (fire, lightning, frost)
Can dictate the pace of battle
Weaknesses:
Poor in close quarters
Requires patience and precision
Best For: Sharpshooters, support tacticians, or hunters.
Elder Marn nodded toward a longbow.
"Archery requires calm. Patience. From a distance, you strike. But on the battlefield, distance is fleeting."
---
5. Staff / Wand / Rod Class
Types: Long staff, short rods, dual-channeling wands
Strengths:
Amplifies magical focus
Essential for elemental spellcasters
Boosts accuracy and casting speed
Weaknesses:
Nearly useless in physical combat
Requires defensive positioning
Best For: Pure mages or magical strategists.
"The staff is the mage's blade," Marn explained. "But if your mana falters, it's little more than a stick of wood."
---
6. Gauntlets / Fist Weapons
Types: Iron knuckles, enchanted gloves, bracers
Strengths:
Devastating close-range impact
Ideal for physical-magic hybrids
Fast combos and explosive power
Weaknesses:
No ranged options
Dangerous against blade users
Best For: Brawlers, close-range tanks, and instinctive fighters.
Elder Marn gave a small chuckle.
"Some let their fists speak. If you have the strength— and the courage— your body becomes your weapon."
---
7. Exotic / Hybrid Weapons
Types: Chain-blades, whip-swords, scythes, chakrams
Strengths:
Unpredictable and chaotic
Unique traits and abilities
Great for disrupting patterns
Weaknesses:
Steep learning curve
Few conventional techniques
Best For: Rule-breakers, innovators, or prodigies of instinct.
"These weapons are not for the faint of heart," Marn warned. "They can make you a legend— or a corpse."
---
The students dispersed like bees among flowers, touching blades, testing weights, and letting instinct guide them.
Kael experimented with several swords before settling on a broad sword— a weapon that matched his sturdy and grounded personality.
Mirelle, graceful and quiet, found herself drawn to a bow just her size.
Silen chose a staff, its shaft smooth and subtly curved— almost as if it flowed like water.
Daren went with a spear, tall and elegant.
Rell selected a set of kunai, his quick hands already flipping them with glee.
Others picked whips, exotic blades, and hybrid weapons, laughter and chatter filling the chamber.
Only Arin stood unmoving, his gaze drifting between racks with uncertainty.
Elder Marn noticed and walked over, hands clasped behind his back.
"Having difficulty choosing, Arin?"
Arin nodded. "Yes, Elder. Do you have any suggestions?"
Marn smiled, ruffling the boy's hair.
"Hmm. As a Light element user, you're fortunate. Swords, bows, and spears all suit your affinity. But perhaps that's the problem— you have too many options."
He paused for a moment, studying Arin.
"Your mother told me of the... whispers. The way objects shift near you. Is it still happening?"
Arin stiffened, worried he'd done something wrong. But Elder Marn placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
"You've done nothing wrong, child. There are things even we elders do not yet understand. This world is vast— mysteries await those brave enough to chase them. Perhaps what stirs in you is tied to a power yet to be uncovered. But you must stay strong. Keep walking your path. The truth will come in time."
He stepped back and smiled.
"Here's my advice: since no weapon speaks to you yet, try enchanted gloves. Through close combat, you may discover what resonates with you."
A spark lit in Arin's eyes.
"Thank you, Elder Marn."
With new purpose, Arin walked to the nearest rack and picked up a set of gauntlets— steel grey with golden edges and streaks, matching his eyes and hair.
"Ooh, going for the fists, huh?" Kael called out. "Planning to punch your way to glory?"
Arin rolled his eyes. "Isn't that your dream?"
Kael grinned, slinging his broadsword over his shoulder and throwing an arm around Arin.
"Then let's become legends together, fist and steel!"
Laughter erupted around them.
Two hours later, every student had made their choice.
---
Elder Marn clapped his hands, calling for silence.
"Well done, all of you. Some of you may still be unsure— and that's fine. You may change your weapon later, if your spirit demands it. But remember— your weapon must never be a burden. Think of it like a companion. If it clashes with your soul, it will only drag you down."
He gave a sideways glance at Kael, Daren, and a few mischievous faces.
"Now, I know some of you are already planning to sneak these home."
The hall filled with sheepish chuckles.
Elder Marn said "Unfortunately for you, I won't be giving your parents extra headaches. Weapons stay here at the school. Starting from next lesson, your seniors will guide you in basic combat techniques. If you need help— seek me."
He locked eyes briefly with Arin, Silen, and several others.
"Yes, Elder!" the class responded in chorus.
"Now, return your weapons to the racks, and go home. You've earned an early rest. No lessons tomorrow— but don't celebrate too soon. Hellish training awaits you the day after. Be ready."
The mood in the room shifted— some faces paled, others lit up with anticipation.
As the class dismissed, some students walked out cheering, others dragging their feet. The air was filled with the mixed energy of change.
Outside, Arin jogged ahead, waving at Kael.
"I'll be waiting at home!"
"Don't run, idiot! You'll fall again!" Kael shouted, laughing.
"I won't!" Arin called back, already sprinting through the sun-dappled courtyard.
Arin reached home just as the afternoon sun dipped low, casting golden rays across the modest cottage tucked behind the outer fields. The familiar scent of mint, rosemary, and crushed petals floated on the air as he stepped through the wooden gate into the small herbal garden.
There, kneeling amidst rows of carefully arranged plants, was his mother, Lyra. Her hands, stained green from crushed leaves, moved with a practiced gentleness as she tended to a patch of fevergrass. She looked up, startled but pleasantly surprised.
"You came early, dear," Lyra said, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Is the test already completed?"
"Yes, Mama!" Arin replied, his voice bright. He walked carefully between the rows of herbs, avoiding the soil beds with the focus of someone who had been scolded once or twice before.
This garden was sacred in its own way. The herbs his mother nurtured every day were their livelihood— used to make pastes for healing, ink for scribes, salves for bites and burns, and antidotes for lesser poisons. In a village where alchemists were rare, Lyra's herbal knowledge was a quiet but powerful legacy.
"What about the weapon selection?" she asked, not pausing in her work. "Did you choose something?"
Arin nodded. "Yes, Mama. I chose gauntlets!" He smiled. "But Elder Marn said we had to leave our weapons at the training hall before going home, so I couldn't bring it to show you."
"That's alright," Lyra said with a warm smile. "I'll come by the training hall when I find the time. I'd like to see what my little warrior has chosen."
"Yes, Mama!"
"And what about tomorrow? Do you have more lessons?" she asked, standing up and dusting her hands on her apron.
"No class tomorrow," Arin said, a bit too cheerfully. "Elder Marn gave us the day off because the next training is going to be... uh, difficult."
Lyra chuckled softly, knowing full well what that meant. "Then you can come help me at the store. I have deliveries to pack and a new shelf of medicinal salves to prepare."
"Sure, Mama!" Arin said eagerly, his eyes lighting up at the thought of helping her. Despite the exhaustion from the day, there was a certain peace in returning to the familiar rhythms of home— a peace he treasured more and more with each step forward on his path.