Two figure on the grassy horizen, spinning and twirling, clash staves together in an elegant duel. The one in the official Hyrulean Army uniform fights more aggressively. His swings are fast, short, and percise, his parries enough to throw off any good swordsman's balance.

The other, the one in the black robe, is different in almost every way. He is slower, or so it appears, than the Army official. The staff moves through the air with ghostly elusiveness. The excellent parries his opposition throws are useless, for they hardly meet the staff of the cloaked man. He anticipates, and he is already on to the next attack when the other is throwing a useless block. Not many clashes can be heard, because they are not happening.

When the man in black seems to take the upper hand, pressing the other backwards, he is stops when the heavy end of a Deku staff swings and halts at his neck. There he drops to his knees in surrender.

--------------------------

Major Torron Sorcus looks down at the face of the Nobel's son, who is smiling up at him. He frowns back. "Your anticipation astounds me, Darilan. While you may stay steps ahead, you still leave yourself open to attack."

Darilan dons his serious face as he listens to the Major's lecture. He recalled several stupid mistakes on his part. They were so many his rejoice of Major Sorcus not taking advantage of them let him lose his focus. That was why he was kneeling there like he was. "I understand sir. I will do what I can to fix it."

He was proud of his intuition. His ability to study an opponent and adapt himself to their fighting style was his best. The Major had all kinds of styles from which to choose, and he would change them when Darilan gained control over him.

Sorcus was proud of him too. Partial jealousy was what kept him from showing that. Darilan stuck with one style, while he changed his many times. Often he considered Darilan's capabilties paranormal. The way his staff and body evaded the Major's own staff was astounding. He would attack one way, and instead of blocking, Darilan would be on to his next attack. Sorcus felt that the quick style he was using was the only way to stay ahead of Darilan. If Darilan had one weakness, it would be his slow speed. The contrast between their styles was what kept Sorcus ahead of Darilan in their practice duels.

The Major gestures for Darilan to stand up. Darilan's full height does not quite reach that of the two meter major. "Did I do well, sir?" asks Darilan, "How was my fighting?"

Torron raises his voice, but not as much as he firms it. "That is your problem, Somstren." He sees Darilan flinch backwards and he places a crushing hand on his shoulder. Looking into Darilan's fiery and determined eyes he says, "You don't fight. Fighting is not a contest. Fighting is more than winning. You fight to survive, to save, never to show your power is greater than your opponent's."

"I understand, Major."

"Will you? Your first real battle? What will you do, slay to show your strength? Push ahead of the group and get caught up in your head, think you are better than you are? And only to die by the spear of an enemy so vile and so treacherous, it will have laid down its life in the sole purpose of crushing and terrorizing our kind."

Darilan stands taller, gaining height and confidence. "I promise I will not fail. Not you, not myself, and not Hyrule."

"Quite a noble vow. Hello, Darilan."

Victor was at the Sheikah's side, smiling at the pledge he had just made. It made him proud that the others in his home kingdom had patriotism as well. But then, Victor saw the man in uniform; from the training he had just witnessed, Victor assumed that he was Darilan's master. Deciding to introduce himself rather than wait for Darilan, Victor outstretched a hand in the Major's direction.

"Hello, sir! I don't believe we've met before. My name is Victor."