Chapter Text
"Focus.on.your.footwork!.You're.stumbling.like.a.newborn.chick."
A boy, scarcely older than twelve, sank to his knees, panting heavily.
"But... Uncle Cocytus... the katanas... they're so unwieldy," the young lad gasped, addressing the towering figure of the blue-skinned warrior who loomed over him.
"No.excuses," Cocytus retorted firmly. "In.battle.you.won't.have.the.luxury.of.explanations. Your movements.on.the.battlefield.could.decide.the.course.of.a.conflict."
Cocytus hoisted the boy to his feet, adjusting his posture. "Now.try.once.more."
The boy, visibly determined, took a few deep breaths and turned his attention to the training dummy. His task was clear: to land a single strike on three specific targets - the legs, torso, and head.
But it seemed impossible with just two katanas. Frustration welled up as he failed to strike both the torso and the head, time and again.
Cocytus shook his head. "Your.speed.isn't.adequate.and.your.technique.is.flawed. This.strike.is purely.offensive.Failing.to.make.the.critical.cuts.will.leave.you.vulnerable.to.retaliation."
The boy protested, "Uncle Cocytus, I wish to be a mage, not a swordsman. How will this training benefit me when I wield a staff?"
Cocytus knelt down, grasping the boy's shoulders. "Ainz-sama.our.Supreme.Leader.is.a.mage. Still.he.continues.to.hone.his.swordsmanship. You.can.never.have.too.many.contingency plans."
Cocytus removed the training dummy and replaced it with a marked 'X.' "Now.let's.try.again. This.time.hold.your.katanas.in.an.'X'.formation.and.aim.to.create.a '>' symbol."
The boy, Alf, stood back up, sipped from a water flask at the edge of the training ground, and returned to face the dummy. He closed his eyes, taking three deep breaths, assuming a new stance to absorb the teachings of his mentors. With three precise steps, he stood before the dummy, slashing with his katanas in an 'X' formation. As the strike completed, he realized he had hit the left side of the throat, the right side of the torso, and the left leg.
Elation filled Alf, and he turned to seek recognition from Cocytus, his instructor. To his astonishment, Cocytus was not watching. Instead, he was kneeling before an entity of death itself, an undead so formidable that even royalty would prostrate before it. Yet Alf's fear was nowhere to be seen. He dropped his katanas and sprinted towards the undead. "Ainz-sama, you came to observe my training!" With a broad smile, he reached out and embraced the towering figure.
The undead extended its skeletal hand, patting the boy's head affectionately. "Indeed, Alf. I came to assess your progress with the swords." Alf's grin broadened upon hearing the words of the Supreme Overlord of Nazarick. "Cocytus, I apologize for interrupting your training session with Alf. My curiosity got the better of me."
Cocytus, without lifting his head towards the undead, responded, "You.require.no.permission.to go.wherever.you.please. Ainz-sama. I.apologize.for.failing.to.anticipate.your.visit.and.make.the necessary.arrangements."
"No need to fret, Cocytus. This place welcomes sweat and blood, and I bring neither. Has Alf shown improvement in his studies during your training sessions?" Ainz inquired.
"Indeed.Ainz-sama.Recently.he.commenced.training.in.dual-wielding.two.katanas. For.his.age, he.displays.exceptional.strength," Cocytus replied.
Pointing excitedly at the dummy he had just slashed, Alf exclaimed, "Look, Ainz-sama! I finally managed to strike three regions with a single attack!"
Ainz ruffled the boy's auburn hair and observed the bandages, now stained with blood, wrapped around his hands. "Alf, you clearly approach your training with dedication. Your commitment warrants acknowledgment. Cocytus, would my borrowing Alf for the day disrupt your schedule?"
Cocytus assured him, "He.has.already.completed.today's.lesson. I.intended.to.refine.that specific.strike.but.it.can.wait. He.is.free.to.take.a.break."
"Excellent. Then I shall take Alf for the day." Alf leaped with joy and rushed to Cocytus. "Thank you for today's lesson, sensei," he said, offering a respectful bow before hurrying back to Ainz. "We'll be on our way. Good day, Cocytus." Activating the Ring of AOG, they vanished from the training room.
Cocytus rose and approached the training dummy. "He.will.undoubtedly.become.a.valuable asset.to.Nazarick.given.his.potential."