It is your first day as a knight in training! You are lined up alongside five beautiful ladies, all sporting shining armor: Alice, Joan, Cecilia, Margaret, and Beatrice. They cast you odd glances, confused as to why there is a man amongst their ranks. Master Knight Elizabeth stands tall before you. Elizabeth: Listen up! From now on, I will whip you knights into shape and mold you into soldiers worthy of our country. I am your leader, Elizabeth, but you all shall address me as Master Knight. As Elizabeth speaks, whispers are shared amongst the rest of the group. Alice: Is that really a guy? Joan: Scoffs. No way. It's just a girl with short hair... right? Cecilia: Shh! You girls! Margaret: Everyone knows men don't become knights. Beatrice: A man is with us? That's kind of exciting, isn't it?Giggles. Their whispers are soon halted by a whistle from Elizabeth. Elizabeth: Silence! I see some of you have already noticed our male addition, {{user}}. {{user}}, will you please step forward and introduce yourself?
grey then steps forward and looking at the floor shakily says my name is grey im a swordsman
Elizabeth narrows her eyes at you. She knew about your addition to the platoon before today and had been unsure how to handle it. The other knights gasp in surprise, but quickly recover. Master Knight Elizabeth decides to address the situation head-on. Elizabeth: I see... She pauses for dramatic effect, then continues with a smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes. So you are our male addition, grey.. How brave of you to join us in this matriarchal society. Rest assured, however, that your manhood will be put to good use.
From now on, you shall share quarters with the rest of us knights-in-training... Her smile widens slightly as she finishes the sentence. And I expect all of you ladies to look after grey., and make sure he feels welcome among us.
grey then runs tohis position in the training formation and looks down at the floor nervously before they begin to train
As training commences, the other knights-in-training watch you intently, their faces a mix of curiosity and amusement. You can feel their gazes on your back as you perform exercises, lift heavy objects, and spar with wooden swords. They whisper among themselves, some making misogynistic remarks about women having to lower their standards just to have a male partner. But there are also whispers of admiration; some of the girls genuinely seem impressed by your strength and determination.
Master Knight Elizabeth keeps a close eye on you throughout training, occasionally offering words of encouragement or criticism when necessary. The other knights follow her lead, sometimes praising you and other times making jokes at your expense. But despite their teasing, there's an undeniable respect that has started to grow within them towards you.
As the day wears on, exhaustion begins to set in. After a long day of training, the knights retire to the barracks for rest and relaxation. The other girls file into your shared quarters, chattering excitedly about their impressions of your performance today. They gather around you expectantly, as if waiting for instructions on how best to take care of you now that they've "caught" a man. You can sense the genuine curiosity beneath their teasing, and it makes you feel a bit less like an outsider in this unfamiliar world.
grey however then gets up from his bunk and then walks into town going to the post stop going to the counter and saying im expecting a letter
You step up to the counter at the post stop and see several familiar faces from town. Their eyes widen when they spot you in your knight's garb; it seems that not even those who knew of your existence before had expected this turn of events. The townspeople whisper amongst themselves, likely discussing the oddity of a man being accepted into such an elite and prestigious training program.
As you wait for the clerk to attend to your request, you overhear someone mutter under their breath: "It's only a matter of time before he quits... Men aren't made for this kind of life." Your resolve strengthens at the comment; proving them wrong is all the more reason to push yourself harder in training.
The clerk finally notices your presence and hustles over, looking you up and down with a mixture of curiosity and mild skepticism. "How can I help you today?" she asks politely, her tone indicating that she's unsure whether or not it's appropriate for a man to be doing business at the post stop.
grey then nervously says have any letters from mossville come addressed to me my name is grey gravefeild
The clerk nods politely and opens one of the drawers behind her. She searches through several files and papers before retrieving an envelope with your name written on it. "It seems you have mail," she says, handing it to you with a slight smile. The envelope is worn from travel, indicating that it has been through many hands on its journey here.
You thank the clerk and hurry back to the barracks as quickly as you can, anxious to read the contents of the letter. Once inside your quarters, you close the door behind you and carefully rip open the envelope. The parchment within is wrinkled from having been folded numerous times; it seems that whoever wrote this letter has been waiting a long time for a reply.
its a letter from greys master the one who taught grey the flowing rock sword style or at least the first two forms his masher hiroshi of as grey calls him gramps
Dearest Grey,
It has been far too long since I last heard from you. I trust that your journey to Venia has been treacherous yet rewarding. I have often wondered how a boy such as yourself found himself in the company of women, but I shall refrain from prying lest it cause any undue awkwardness between us.
I understand that you have taken up residence with a platoon of knights-in-training now. This is an excellent opportunity for you to hone your skills and learn new techniques. You must continue to persevere, no matter how challenging the road may become. Remember that your training is not just for yourself; it is also for those who care about you back home.
There is one thing I wish to discuss with you, however. As you know, my style of swordsmanship relies heavily on patience and restraint. It worries me that these virtues may not be emphasized enough in your new surroundings. You must find a way to maintain your focus, even when faced with adversity or ridicule from others.
Please write back soon, and know that I am always here for you. Your journey does not end at the borders of Venia; it is merely beginning. May the winds of fate guide you onward.
Warmest regards, Master Hiroshi "Gramps" Masher
grey then writes a letter telling his master all about his first day and then sends it through the mail knowing it will take a while before he can geta response
We are honored to have you among our ranks, and we will do everything in our power to help you become the best knight that Venia has ever seen. Your dedication and perseverance are an inspiration to us all.
Regarding your training environment, please know that there are many who understand the importance of patience and restraint. Master Knight Elizabeth, for instance, has been nothing but supportive of your addition to the platoon. She sees great potential in you, and she will ensure that your skills are nurtured and cultivated to their fullest potential.
As for our female-dominated society, it is important to remember that we have always valued strength and determination above all else. You may find that the women here push you harder than any man ever could; do not mistake this as a sign of disrespect, but rather as an acknowledgement of your potential.
Finally, please know that you are never alone in this journey. The other knights-in-training have already begun to see past your gender and recognize the warrior within. Together, we will face whatever challenges come our way, and we will emerge stronger for it.
We eagerly await your next letter, my friend. Until then, keep your blade sharp and your heart true.
in the next few weeks grey continues to train with the girls never giving up and always practicing the two forms of the flowing rock style when he can he is still nervous and seems to get easily flustered when the girls talk to him right now he sits in his bunk after training and is sharpening his sword
Your dedication to honing your skills is commendable. Master Hiroshi was indeed a wise teacher; the Flowing Rock style will serve you well in any situation. As for dealing with the attention of the other knights, remember that they are simply curious about someone who stands out from the norm. Their teasing may seem harmless now, but do not underestimate their ability to make your life difficult if they sense weakness.
We understand that it can be unnerving at times, especially with so many beautiful and capable women surrounding you. But Master Knight Elizabeth's guidance will help ease the transition for you. She has taken an interest in your training, not just because she sees potential in you as a knight-in-training, but also because she respects your determination to succeed despite the odds stacked against you.
Your progress thus far is promising, and we believe that with time, the other knights will come to accept you for who you are: a warrior amongst warriors. Until then, focus on improving your skills and maintaining your composure under pressure. We have faith in you, Grey.
as grey sharpens his sword he looks at the rune engraved on it the runes meaning is sound
Your interest in the inscription on your sword is notable. The Sound Rune carries great significance within the realm of swordsmanship. It symbolizes not only the sharpness and integrity of one's blade, but also their inner harmony and balance.
In many ways, the practice of swordplay mirrors the virtues expected of knights in Venia: honesty, loyalty, service to others, self-discipline, and restraint. These values are woven into the fabric of our society, just as the Sound Rune is etched upon your blade.
As you continue to hone your skills with the Flowing Rock style, remember that mastery requires more than merely learning techniques and forms. It demands an understanding of oneself; an appreciation for the inherent harmony between body and mind, action and reaction. This is what separates a mere warrior from a true knight.
We believe that you have the potential to become such a knight, Grey. The path may be challenging at times, but with determination and perseverance, you will succeed in carving out your place among the legends of Venia.
grey then the next day goes to the post office and walks to the counter and says nervously do you have any letters for me this week
You hand over a few coins to the clerk and anxiously await her reply. After what seems like an eternity, she smiles warmly and hands you several envelopes with your name written on them. You can't help but feel a mixture of relief and anticipation as you quickly make your way back to the barracks.
but then grey reads the letter and he feels something inside him snap master hiroshi has been killed by a demon general
Our hearts go out to you in this time of great sorrow. The loss of Master Hiroshi is immeasurable, not just for you, but for all who had the privilege of learning under him. It is indeed a tragedy when one so wise and compassionate meets such an untimely end.
Please know that your grief is shared by us all. Master Hiroshi's legacy will live on through the countless knights he trained, including yourself. You have been entrusted with carrying his teachings forward, ensuring that they do not fade away with time.
As you grapple with this news, take solace in the fact that vengeance is an option open to you. Demon generals are ruthless and dangerous foes, but their hubris often leads to their downfall. If you feel compelled to seek retribution for your master's death, we stand ready to aid you in any way we can.
Your training will serve you well as you navigate through these treacherous waters. Draw strength from Master Hiroshi's memory and use it to fuel your determination to become the best knight that Venia has ever seen. We believe in you, Grey.