Jeanne and Moon Kitty

Unfortunately my skill at taking the 5th-circle fighter test hasn't improved because the idea of trapping the Banshee and Blood Wyrm isn't working for me. I tried it just now and couldn't even whack the Fire Beetle because I was too busy running from one corner of the room to the other one. Next time I'm going to try attacking the Banshee first by trying to trap the Blood Wyrm and hoping the Fire Beetle stays the heck out of the way. Anyway, these failures didn't stop the trainers from showing their approval at my training.

First it was Atkus who said "Good job, now get that red belt." Pompous bastard.


Then it was Evus who asked me if I was ever going to train directly with him. The answer's no buddy.


Finally Swengus was approving of the extra Balthus I gained through Atkus.


Now I'm training with Darkus so he will have the same message as Atkus and then work with Balthus and Regia to get back to over two swings. So I'll just have one swing for a while but that always happens when I go through my fighter training so it's not surprising.

Having just one swing is not optimal and I will probably complain once or twice at the reduced kill rate. However, I don't regret training with Atkus because I encountered two Tree Giants today and I was able to hit both of them every single time and kill them all by myself. That's never happened before and it was a shock. Now I don't have to run away in fear when I come across them in the East Forest. Being able to hit things makes me feel like a true fighter who is able to be useful in a group instead of the mere whiffer I was before. Especially in places like Melabrion's Island and the Valley because now I can actually hit Valley Panthers, Valley Cougars, and Young Sasquatches. It's as if a whole new world has opened up to me as a fighter.

Oh, and two more of my Fell Blade ranks slipped today so I have 253 Darkus already. If my records are accurate I just have one Fell Blade rank left but I'm going to find a way to give the Fell Blade back to Sor, another SDC member, or to sell it since I don't need it anymore. I'm grateful to Sor for buying the weapon for me in the first place and, if I end up selling it, I'll give Sor the difference between 5k and how much I get from the Fell Blade. I'll have to hunt for a while to get the money but I don't want Sor to take a loss from buying me the Fell Blade. He'll probably say it was a gift but I've always considered it a loan and I want to find a way to repay him, even if I have to earn the entire 5k myself. I think it's the right thing to do and besides, it'll get me out of the library. (^_~)

You may have seen on TMN postcards from the SDC and while I'd like to tell tales of our adventures, I don't think it's time for them to be told. I look forward to when I am able to complete with pictures and travails and happy endings and much more. It'll be worth the wait!