A Review On Failure [Albrecht - Nameless]

Albrecht was going to follow through his day as usual, gather his belongings and then return to the church so he could keep on training. Until he received a message, he expected it to be Patty or Maria but when he picked up the phone it was someone else. Nameless, she requested his presence to aid with the Squire Program. He was initially taken back by such message, honestly he didn't expect her to want him anywhere near her vicinity. Then he felt bothered, he'd have take off time from his day to fulfill her request, the knight couldn't really deny it when it came from the Queen's personal body guard.

The cadet would make his way to the spot where the Squire Program was being held, he had his weapon case on his back. His coat was currently absent, wearing instead a dark gray tank top with his other usual attire. With his arms and shoulders exposed one could see he had a couple of scars on his body.

"Albrecht Frost, reporting to duty." He spoke, serious and formal, while approaching nameless.

Albrecht would only take one side glance at the students, there was no compassion or sympathy for them. Only indifference in his eyes. After all, how could he care? His training was harsher and he came out stronger from it. If you are to try something, you should give your best at it. Anything bellow that is insulting. They seemed relieved for a moment, he doubted their training was over. His sights would quickly set back on nameless, imposing and impressive as always.

"Very well. I'm thinking of passing down the basics, stances and basic swings, let them try out for a bit. Then put to the test through duels with me, see if they learned anything." He spoke while his attention diverted to the scrambling students for a moment, there was a brief moment of silence before he returned his eyes to nameless. "...Of course, if you believe it would be better to demonstrate it, i am willing to be subject to it."

The Knight would nod before his eyes looked down at the practice weapons, he eyed them one by one, searching for the two-handed sword or at least something that approximated one. He picked it up with one hand, gave it a couple of swings before his attention turned back to the students. He wouldn't need a model for his demonstration.

"Everyone get a two handed practice sword and pay attention. I'm going to teach some sword techniques and guards." And with that Albrecht would begin his lesson, he'd first go through the stances. He'd demonstrate them and explain their purpose, such as how the middle and long guard are safe but don't allow for many attacks other than thrusts, high guard allows for powerful blows but leaves your torso open to attacks. He'd also demonstrate a few attacks you can perform from each stance. The knight didn't waste much time on it of course. After he was done he'd tap the sword on the ground, causing a loud echo across the gym to call attention to himself.

"Now, pick a partner and try to duel each other for a bit. I'll be observing." The cadet spoke loudly, he'd give them a moment to organize themselves. If they didn't, there would be another one, telling them to hurry up. Albrecht would check each of the students dueling each other, he'd correct their stance whenever he saw mistake, he'd answer any questions about the stances should they have any. If any of them were half-assing it he'd give them a cold stare, and if even then they didn't work hard... He'd simply remember their faces for later.

Yet again there was a another loud tap on the ground.

"Form a line, each one of you is gonna duel me one by one. Show me that you have learned something." Albrecht would stand a couple of meters away from where the line would be formed, training sword by his side.

They were doing about as well as Albrecht had expected, which is to say not very, Nameless was also overseeing their spar, he was going easy on them compared to her training regiment. Civilians, they are soft and not prepared for combat, made him wonder why they signed up at all if they were not up to the task. No matter, they would be taught not to slack off soon enough. He'd get his training weapon in position, Albrecht would hit as if he dueling one of his fellow knights, not to break or incapacitate but to cause pain and leave marks for a while so they would be reminded. He wouldn't go easy or hold back in terms of technique however, those who were sloppy would suffer the most simply as a consequence of their lack of technique.

"Keep slacking off and it will get worse. Take time to analyze how i was able to overcome you. Its not just speed or strength, technique is key." Albrecht seemed to sigh in disappointed, though if any of them somehow had performed well. He'd give them acknowledgement in the form of a nod. "Find your previous partner and start dueling again, see if you have learned anything. Defeat and pain are as much of a teacher as practice."

There was some result, albeit minimal and barely noticeable. Everybody starts somewhere, if they keep pushing hard they might get somewhere, maybe even be able to stand up for themselves in the times of need. Albrecht was surprised he was taking any satisfaction from this at all, it was odd as he never saw himself as the leader or teacher type. Still on that subject, Nameless had approached him with a question on the nature of rank and teaching.


"Glad to be of aid, Ma'am."The cadet needed some time to think, about a minute or so before his mouth opened.

"I'm just out to perform my job. If the burden of leadership or high rank falls onto me, so be it. I'll perform it to the best of my abilities. Same goes for teaching." People think of leading as a benefit, a privilege, and it certainly has those aspects but its first and foremost a duty, you have a duty with those you are leading. " And if i am to ascend through the ranks of the cadets its merely a result of my efforts, and admittedly i won't deny its benefits or the recognition. They allow me to perform my task more effectively after all. But status is hardly my goal."

He gave her a nod, he didn't particularly enjoy this but if it is the will of his superiors, then so be it. He will perform it a thousand times if necessary. Though his style, or at the very least his ideal, was of one master and one student. It was how it happened in Helsreach, neophytes were taken by full fledged knights who would personally train them. It was violent and extraneous but each knight came out stronger out of it.

The lion's attention was then draw to the students after her question. He already had his answer of course, but he felt like pondering for a bit longer.

"It is all a matter of opportunity and will. They have the opportunity right now, if they have the will to achieve new heights then yes." He pauses for a moment, his attention returning to the impressive woman. "Though there's only so good you can get and still maintain a normal civilian life. I doubt they want too, and don't think they should. The path of war is for a few... At the very least they can stay healthy and manage to not be utterly helplessly in combat."