My (Monster?) Hero Life

Chapter 116: Instructor Dao

As they stepped inside the hall, a womanly figure was blown into the wall beside them before slumping to the ground. She was severely beaten and unconscious. Kace pitied the poor woman until he realised who it was. 'Sophia?'

When he noticed that it was, in fact, Sophia he began to fear what was in store for himself. Casting his glance towards where she had come from he found a solitary vampire standing in the centre of the hall. For a vampire, he was strangely muscular. However, his bald head also made him look quite distinguished and humble at the same time.

"Dao! Meet your new student. This is Kace." Sonja called out startling Kace in the process.

"Wait! I thought you were going to train me?" Kace asked with obvious disappointment as the vampire named Dao made his way over.

"Your foundation is basically non-existent. Until Dao remedies that there will be no point in me teaching you personally." Sonja replied with a warm smile. "Don't worry, I assure you that Dao is the very best instructor that you could wish for."

Kace took a second look at the vampire now standing before him. He was head and shoulders taller than himself. Wearing a pair of black pants that were slightly baggy and a loose white shirt. The one thing that struck Kace as strange was that this vampire did not wear any footwear. As he mused over the possible reasons for this, it dawned on him that he was not carrying a weapon either!

Kace took another look at the unconscious Sophia slumped against the wall. He made an audible gulping noise as he realised that Dao had made the feat possible with nothing but his bare hands! Usually, the momentum of swinging a weapon would help to make such a thing possible as the strength of the weapon would be added to its wielders.

"It's a pleasure to instruct your disciple in the basics, Your Majesty," Dao said respectfully while performing a small bow. Surprisingly to Kace, he also received one. "May I ask? From where should I begin his instruction?"

Sonja looked into Dao's eyes before looking at Kace. She seemed to be seriously considering what answer to give him. This was new for her after all. Having no experience of actually teaching others herself, it was hard to gauge what someone else would benefit from the most when it came to the basics. Teaching her own skills or style? That would be no problem. However, the subject would need a firm grasp of the basics first.

Her eyes finally landed on Sophia's pathetic state. Taking in the sight of her laying there, a playful smile crept over her face. 'I think it would be best to throw him in the deep end. He'd probably learn faster that way.' Sonja thought, clearly never having heard the saying of learning to walk before you run.

"Let's go with a crash course. Take it as he has absolutely no previous experience at all. If you find any bad habits, beat it out of him. You have two weeks to drill everything from the basics of hand to hand right up to basic weapon combat." Sonja said as her smile turned sadistic.

Dao's eyes widened in surprised as he listened to his queen's request. 'That's a tall order.' He thought as he returned the queen's smile. 'Even if does not learn it all in that time he'll certainly remember the feeling of pain.'

"Very well, Your Majesty. Please return in two weeks to collect your disciple. Does it matter if he is still in one piece?" Dao asked as though it were the most simple thing to chat about.

"His body, yes. However, you may break his mind as much as you need to." Sonja replied while turning her smile on Kace.

Kace knew that this was her way of telling him to work hard. Because, if he did not. It would only be him that would suffer for it. 'God damn, you're an evil one.' Kace inwardly swore while slightly admiring her. He was beginning to wonder if this could really still be considered training. It was either that or a masterful form of torture.

Bidding the pair of them farewell, Sonja walked over to Sophia's limp body. Using a single hand, she picked her up by the waist of her trousers. Treating her as though she were merely inconvenient luggage, she swiftly left the hall. At the same time, Sophia swung steadily by her side.

When the mother, daughter pair were away from prying eyes, Dao beamed at Kace. Kace was taken aback. This was the second time today that a vampire was showing friendliness towards him. After how the queen reacted to the last one, Kace was unsure as to whether to play his hand closer to his chest.

Instead, Dao quickly covered the small distance between them and grasped Kace by the hand. Shaking it vigorously while smiling at him all the while. 'Maybe this guy has a screw loose?"

"It really is a pleasure to finally meet you in person. Unfortunately, I was unable to witness your battle in the arena." Dao said enthusiastically. "Don't worry, I heard all about it from Lady Sophia."

Kace finally felt as though he understood the type of person that Dao truly was. 'Battle maniac.' It was the only thing that made sense to him right now. Based on the way, Dao was reacting to his presence. 'I think I might actually be able to like this guy.' Kace thought as noticed that Dao was indeed sincere with him.

"Now, don't worry about training too much. I'm sure I can bring you up to scratch in the timeframe as long as you're willing to work for it?" Dao asked Kace in a kind voice.

Kace was touched that his new instructor actually seemed to care. 'Finally! Somebody reasonable around here!' Kace thought with a smile as he followed Dao towards the centre of the hall. Just as he was about to open his mouth to reply to what Dao had said, he suddenly found a fist planting itself on his jaw...