novelraw Chapter 32: Training
Chapter 32: Training
"Sir."
Walking towards Soshyan was Pul Armin, the newly appointed Tactical Squad Sergeant.
Because their numbers were truly too few, not even enough to form a complete company, Soshyan could only organize these recruits into three tactical squads and promote three squad leaders. Once the Chapter's numbers recovered somewhat in the future, they would also be reserve candidates for Company Commanders.
However, from the looks of it now, they still appeared too immature, just like Soshyan himself.
"Interested in observing the results of our training?"
Armin wiped the sweat from his face and offered Soshyan a very bright smile.
Due to Soshyan's approachable personality, strict hierarchical barriers hadn't formed quickly within the Chapter. The recruits were no longer as nervous when seeing him as they had been in the past.
Occasionally, they would even crack a small joke.
"Forget it, you're as clumsy as a bloated beast of burden! Armin."
At that moment, another person walked out from the crowd and called out loudly to Armin,"The stuff you practice is too simple and relaxed. I don't think the Chapter Master would want to see it."
The speaker was Bakhsh Farzad, also a newly promoted squad leader. He had entered service roughly ten years later than Soshyan. He was a warrior full of zeal, but one who sometimes appeared too impetuous.
But Soshyan also had to admit that his combat skills were the best among this group of recruits. Perhaps it was also for this reason that it bred some pride in him.
Pride and vanity are the archenemies of a Space Marine's mind. Soshyan felt he had to teach them this.
"Farzad, do you want to spar with me?"
Armin immediately turned to face the other. His tone and gaze were equally tough.
"It's been a while since I last defeated you."
Farzad cracked his knuckles, then looked at Soshyan.
"Chapter Master, may I demonstrate the results of our training for you?"
"Of course."
Soshyan nodded calmly. Finding their weapons, the two squad leaders then stepped onto the metal arena in the center of the training room.
Armin wielded a short sword and a shield, while Farzad used dual battle axes.
Because of the Great Rebellion, battle axes were not popular among the Astartes Chapters, but the Astral Knights still preserved the ancient art of the battle axe. However, this martial art was extremely difficult, and what Soshyan valued was Farzad's mastery of it.
Although he wasn't yet proficient, at least his attacking desire and spirit were rare.
After the two warriors faced off in the arena for a few seconds, it was no surprise when Farzad struck first.
He closed the distance with his opponent at extreme speeds, then swung his right arm holding the battle axe over Armin's shield, before yanking it back violently.
This was an ancient tactic—using the sharp blade to hook onto the opponent's shield, forcing their center wide open before delivering a lethal strike. Many tribal warriors born on primitive worlds still maintained such tactics.
Farzad was precisely a warrior hailing from a primitive tribe. That recruitment world had excellent sources of manpower. It hadn't even been twenty years since the Chapter first explored it, and he was part of the first batch of recruits.
But now, his world had become the recruitment world of another Chapter.
Armin was already prepared for Farzad's tactic. He tilted his shield backward at a 45-degree angle, causing the battle axe to strike a shower of sparks off the surface of the shield. Then, bending his knees, he forcefully thrust forward, knocking the other away from him, before thrusting his longsword forward like a venomous wasp extending its stinger.
But he thrust at empty air.
"You're too slow!"
Farzad mocked, and suddenly launched another attack.
He swung his battle axe, hurling it viciously towards his enemy's shoulder.
Armin leapt out of the way of the menacing weapon.
"At least dealing with you is fast enough!"
Armin panted heavily, retreating first, and coldly watching his opponent's movements.
The next second, the screeching of grinding metal and the sparks of collision echoed throughout the training room.
The tactical marines were all watching, and some were even cheering.
Soshyan was a calm man. He knew very well how depressed his brothers felt about being driven from their home. They could only try their hardest to ensure they had enough things to do to dispel the confusion and indignation in their hearts.
The training room seemed to have become a place for them to vent their inner feelings. This kind of power was exactly what Soshyan needed.
In the arena, Farzad continued his relentless stream of attacks, maintaining his agile footwork.
His shorn hair, a dirty brown color, seemed to still retain the barbaric energy of a primitive tribe, always carrying an air of confidence, even a swaggering intimidation.
"No."
Farzad grinned.
"You're just too fucking slow."
"Shut your mouth, and keep fighting!"
At that moment, Farzad suddenly rushed to the left, then abruptly turned back, raising the blade of his axe and aiming for Armin's torso.
Subsequently, the two weapons clashed together amid a rain of sparks, locked in a deadly grapple.
Grasping the opening, Farzad pushed viciously with all the strength of both hands, pouring his entire body's power into the thrust.
Armin only managed to hold on for a moment before stumbling backward, losing his balance.
"Yah-ha!"
Farzad cried out as he charged forward fiercely.
Axe blade and sword blade clashed incessantly. Every collision released terrifying shockwaves towards the defender. However, Farzad was undoubtedly faster; his exposed arm even appeared somewhat blurry because his movements were too fast.
"I'm coming."
Farzad gritted his teeth tightly and roared, his face wearing an expression of absolute focus.
Despite the low temperature in the training room, his temples were still covered in sweat.
Armin did not respond, instead keeping busy blocking his comrade's fierce and berserk attacks.
Neither warrior wore armor. Instead, they wore leather tunics and greaves stitched with metal plates. This was the standard training attire often used by the Astral Knights.
Similarly, although the cutting edges of the weapons had been deliberately blunted for training safety, they were still enough to shatter bone and pierce flesh.
This was also specifically arranged by the Chapter's seniors to instill mastery over bladed weapons in the recruits, and to reduce their reliance on battle armor.
"Urgh!"
Soon, Armin was forced to violently crash into the fencing, feeling as if the hard steel had pressed into his back. However, before Farzad's battle axe could carve across his chest, he rolled out of the way.
"Slower, slower, slower..."
Striding proudly behind him, Farzad panted heavily, his face covered in a mist of sweat.
"If you weren't constantly chattering non-stop, perhaps you'd fight better."
Armin grumbled, trying to regain his balance and retake the initiative.
"Think whatever you want, if you can draw a little bit of pitiful comfort from it."
Carrying his battle axe, Farzad paced proudly, speaking triumphantly.
Wearing a pretentious smile of victory on his face, step by step, he once again forced his comrade into the attack range of his battle axe.
"Exactly!"
After catching a glimpse out of the corner of his eye, Armin suddenly roared, adopting the posture of a body curling up before a leap.
"That is exactly the case!"
He forcefully surged upwards, charging fiercely towards Farzad's defenseless torso and slamming his opponent backward violently.
Farzad was genuinely too close, too confident, so much so that he couldn't lower his battle axe in time at all.
Armin threw aside his sword and shield, tightly pinning him with his arms, pushing him backward until he crashed into the fencing at the far end of the arena with a loud clang.
"Desp... Despicable!"
Even though he had lost his grip on his battle axe, Farzad still clenched his fists, preparing to deal his opponent a heavy blow.
However, Armin was more agile. He slammed his head directly into Farzad's face.
In an instant, the sound of colliding metal mixed with the crunch of fracturing bone as the two fell out of the arena simultaneously. A pungent smell of blood permeated the air.
The audience outside the arena was also stunned.