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

Since in this scenario I'm an average guy with little combat skill, which i 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 was heading to a school where I could 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 iron sword relatively cheap."

Rather than lower her weapon, the lizardman rushed towards me and went to attack. As a reflex, I immediately unsheathe my iron 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 things bearable and all the training worth it.