In that brief moment, Lucy seized the advantage. She spun behind Mia, locking her arms around her waist, and lifted her off the ground, slamming her into the dirt with a quick takedown. Mia gasped as the air was knocked out of her, but even then, she rolled out from under Lucy, flipping back onto her feet with catlike agility.
They both stood there, panting, sweat dripping down their faces, but grinning nonetheless. Lucy, despite having the edge, felt the thrill of the fight in every fiber of her being. Mia, despite the challenges, never backed down—every movement she made, every counter, was a testament to her adaptability and resilience.
And Ada, watching with wide eyes and a radiant smile, made it all worth it. Every punch, kick, and dodge was for her—their precious daughter, who looked at them as if they were invincible.
"Looks like I'm still ahead," Lucy said between breaths, her grin teasing.
"Sigh… I admit defeat…" Mia chuckled, taking Lucy's hand to help get up.
As Lucy and Mia caught their breath, Ada, who had been watching the entire match with gleaming eyes, couldn't contain her excitement any longer. She bolted across the training room, her feet kicking up small clouds of dust as she sprinted towards her mothers.
"That was amazing!" Ada squealed, her voice full of joy as she threw her arms around Lucy in a tight hug. Lucy's smile widened, her heart swelling with pride and affection. She gently ruffled Ada's hair, her silver eyes soft as she looked down at her daughter.
"You liked it, huh?" Lucy said with a chuckle, wrapping her arms around Ada in return.
Ada nodded enthusiastically, her wide smile matching the excitement in her eyes. She looked from Lucy to Mia, her admiration for both women evident in her gaze. Mia, standing nearby, couldn't help but grin at the sight of her overjoyed daughter. Without a word, she strode over to the weapon rack, grabbed a wooden training sword, and tossed it to Ada, who barely caught it in her excitement.
"Think you can handle this?" Mia teased lightly, watching as Ada's eyes instantly lit up at the sight of the sword.
Ada's smile grew even brighter, and she jumped up and down with excitement, the wooden sword clutched tightly in her hands. "Can I really?!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with energy.
Mia laughed softly. "Of course. I know you've been interested in swordsmanship for a while now, so why not start today?"
Lucy stepped beside Mia, folding her arms and giving Ada a playful grin. "You've been watching long enough, Ada. Time to show us what you've got."
Ada's eyes sparkled with joy as she eagerly positioned herself, holding the sword a bit awkwardly in front of her. Her grip was enthusiastic but untrained, and her form was far from perfect. Mia and Lucy exchanged a knowing glance, both proud of Ada's eagerness.
"Let's start with your stance," Lucy said gently, moving behind Ada to help guide her feet. "You want to spread your legs a bit more, like this. It'll help you keep your balance."
Mia nodded and knelt down beside Ada, placing her hands on the sword. "And grip the sword like this. You need control, but don't hold it too tight, or you'll tire yourself out quickly."
Ada's concentration deepened as she listened carefully, adjusting her stance and grip under their guidance. Her small frame stood a bit taller, her focus intensifying as she took the advice to heart. She swung the sword once, the motion clumsy but full of effort.
"Not bad, but try again," Mia encouraged, stepping back slightly to give Ada space. "Remember, it's all in the motion. Let the sword flow with your body."
Ada nodded vigorously and swung again, this time more fluidly, though still far from perfect. Lucy stepped in to correct her posture, gently guiding Ada's shoulders while Mia adjusted the angle of the sword.
"There you go! Much better," Lucy said with a proud smile.
With each swing, Ada's form improved. Her excitement was palpable, and every time she made progress, her eyes lit up even more. The way she looked between her two mothers, seeking approval, made both Lucy and Mia's hearts swell with pride.
"Keep practicing like this, and you'll be as strong as us one day," Mia teased, watching as Ada's face brightened at the compliment.
"I'm going to be even stronger!" Ada declared, her voice filled with determination. She swung the sword once more, this time with more confidence. Both Lucy and Mia shared a knowing smile—Ada's spirit was unshakable, and they could already tell she had a natural affinity for swordsmanship.
They spent the next hour training together, with Lucy and Mia guiding every step, every swing, until Ada's movements began to flow more naturally.
Mia grabbed a second wooden training sword from the rack, her eyes gleaming with playfulness. She twirled it in her hand before turning to Ada, her smile soft yet challenging. "How about a little spar, Ada? Let's see what you've learned."
Ada's face lit up with excitement. "Yes! Yes, I want to!" she exclaimed, almost bouncing on the balls of her feet. She clutched her sword even tighter, her enthusiasm overflowing.
Lucy, watching the exchange with a smile, moved to the edge of the dirt ring. "Alright, I'll referee this match," she said, her tone light and teasing. "Don't go easy on each other." She winked at Ada, who responded with an eager nod.
Mia and Ada moved to the center of the training ring, the packed dirt beneath their feet feeling familiar yet electric with new energy. Ada took a deep breath, her eyes narrowing in focus as she faced her mother, determined to prove what she had just learned. Mia, in contrast, stood relaxed, her stance casual but poised, a gentle smile on her face as she watched Ada's every move.
"You ready?" Mia asked, her voice calm and reassuring.
"Ready!" Ada replied, her face scrunched in concentration.
Lucy raised her hand. "Begin!"
With the signal, Ada charged forward, sword raised high above her head. The seriousness in her expression was adorable, but Mia couldn't help but notice how quickly her daughter had forgotten the fundamentals. Ada's wild swing came crashing down toward Mia, but it was telegraphed from a mile away. Mia simply sidestepped, letting the blow pass by without breaking a sweat.
"Careful, Ada," Mia said, her voice gentle but instructional. "Don't just swing wildly. You need control."
Ada, undeterred by the miss, spun around and lunged forward again, this time with an even bigger, more forceful attack. The wooden sword cut through the air, but once again, Mia effortlessly dodged the strike, her movements smooth and graceful. Ada's attacks, while filled with determination, were wild and unrefined, large sweeping swings and lunges that left her wide open.
"Focus on your footing," Mia coached as she dodged another swing. "Keep your balance—if you're off balance, you'll always miss."
Ada grunted in frustration but nodded, attempting to listen. She swung again, and once more Mia easily dodged, her motherly smile never fading. Ada's face flushed with determination, and she lunged once more, but this time Mia gently parried the strike, deflecting the sword away with ease.
"You're too focused on power," Mia continued as she dodged another overzealous lunge. "Remember what we taught you—control your movements. Power comes with practice."
Ada tried to adjust, but her excitement kept getting the better of her. Her next attack was another wild swing, her feet scrambling to keep up with her arms. Mia stepped back, avoiding the blow while watching her daughter closely, never losing her calm demeanor.
"Take a breath," Mia said softly, holding up her sword to block the next swing. Ada's wooden blade clashed against Mia's, and though the sound was loud, Mia barely budged from the impact. "Don't rush. Stay calm."
Ada paused, her chest heaving from the effort. She blinked up at Mia, her serious expression faltering just a bit as she realized how fast she had been going. "Oh… right," she murmured, glancing down at her feet and then back up at Mia.
Mia gave her a soft, encouraging smile. "You've got the spirit, Ada. Now let's see that focus."
Ada took a step back, visibly trying to compose herself. She adjusted her stance, planting her feet more firmly in the dirt. Then, with a deep breath, she attacked again, this time with a bit more control. Her swing was still wild, but it had less frenzy behind it, and Mia nodded approvingly as she parried it once more.
"Better!" Mia praised, stepping back to give Ada space. "Now keep going—remember your training."
The two continued sparring, with Mia dodging and parrying with ease while offering gentle guidance with each move. Ada's swings slowly grew less wild, and though she was still far from mastering the sword, her efforts were clear. Lucy, standing on the sidelines, watched with a proud smile, her heart warming at the sight of her daughter learning, growing, and pushing herself.
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