Talk:Lizardman/@comment-24692561-20151002070623/@comment-26492770-20151128131535

Since in this scenario I'm an average guy with little combat skill, which is basically me IRL, I'll do the smart thing and decline, or at least try to decline.

"While I appreciate the fact that you think I'm a capable fighter, I'm afraid you're mistaken," I begin to explain. "First, I don't know a thing about swordsmanship other than some mixed knowledge." I point a thumb behind me, gesturing further up the path I'm currently walking. "At the moment, I'm heading to a school where I can learn how to use a sword. Second, I'm only carrying one on me because I think it's a good idea to bring one of your own, and it helped that I bought this katana relatively cheap."

Rather than lower her weapon, the lizardman rushed towards me and went to attack. As a reflex, I immediately unsheathe my sword and block her blade; however, the force of her attack pushes me back. We lock eyes. "In that case, show me this mixed knowledge of yours," she demanded. Running wasn't an option, so I complied and battled her.

The fight, as expected, did not last long and it was only a couple of minutes before I was disarmed; however, the lizardman did compliment me on the few things I did know. I knew to stay alert, knew how to quickly draw a sword and block, I had an above average stance, and I knew how to properly move my wrists and shoulders for a smoother flow between attacks. Concerning my own abilities, I had great speed, agility, strength, and will-power for a human. Even my aggressive expression made me seem like a fighter, and would certainly intimidate those weaker than me; I took that as a compliment... On the flip side, my defense skills were poor, my stamina suffered because I put too much force into my attacks, I'm too stubborn, I tend to be predictable, and those are just some of my flaws.

Out of kindness, she offers to train me in swordsmanship so I wouldn't have to pay for lessons at some school. I showed promise, and she believed that she could make a better swordsman out of me than some random school. I accepted and thus I became her pupil. The training is hellish and her teaching methods can certainly be harsh, but the huge results make all the training worth it.