Practice makes perfect
The training grounds is empty, save for a pair of students practicing in a separate area. You can see the sun rising in the horizon and peeking over the clouds. It is early, and most of Kamar-Taj's inhabitants would still be sleeping. You woke up this early to get some training in before you meet Kaecilius today. You want to practice some of the skills you learned and hopefully impress your teacher.
Despite learning curves, you had always been ambitious and eager to learn, which was something Kaecilius could not have fault with. You'd often remember him saying things like "Ambition is a gift for students" or something like that. Could it be considered wise advice? Not really, you didn't think he was that old.
In fact, he did look young. He towers over you, even if he leaned in and- Why were you thinking about that? It's not like you to daydream. You dismiss the thought and go back to what you were doing. You can feel your cheeks heat up and take a second to calm yourself down.
Deep breaths, (Y/N). Deep breaths.
You conjure a practice dummy. It looks lifelike, and is partially see through. It falls into some sort of stance, it's fist raised.
Not wanting to let a practice dummy get the better of you, you punch first.
You had to admit that you weren't that good at fighting. Need something fixed? Sure. Conjuring stuff? Definitely. But fighting? Absolutely not. If someone picked a fight with you, the most likely scenario would be you getting beat up.
The dummy dodges your punch and steps to the right, as if saying, hehe, can't get me!
Feeling annoyed, you were barely able to avoid the training dummy's (non existent) wrath, which makes you land backwards on the floor. The stone ground wasn't helping and you think there's going to be a bruise on your back there later.
You'd been beaten by a training dummy, damn it.
"Practicing hard, I see."
A figure obstructs your view of the morning sky as you lie there on the ground. Kaecilius looks amused, with a faint smile on his face and holds out a hand for you to stand up. As he pulls you back up, you can feel his hands. They are rough but surprisingly smooth, and is gentle yet firm. You would have noticed more details but the sound of his voice snaps you out of your little daydream.
"Perhaps you need a few pointers."