Office Hours [Open/Shin'o Academy]

Another day came and another day went, well, for the most part. The day of studying and learning in classes may be over, but there was a lot of day light left. That only meant one thing. More time to train and improve! Tento Zefa walked with his usual enthusiasm as he walked about. He had time and energy to do some exercises, but what exactly would he do this time? Doing a mental note of things he practiced recently he began to try to cross out his options. Practiced my Hoho step yesterday...the day before that was...Kido? Let's see so that leaves Hakuda or Zanjutsu. Ahhhh...yea..I really need to practice Zanjustu. They put me in the class with the upper class students so the stuff is going to be a lot harder than my other classes...

Tento was only a freshman but somehow found himself placed into the 5th year Zanjutsu class. Apparently, he had an aptitude with the sword, a fact that surprised him since his experience from when he was alive was hand to hand combat due to his many years of studying martial arts and fighting in tournaments. He was actually saddened that that was not the class that pushed him into a different year. He could not understand how he got here. But, he would work. And he would try to keep up with the regular students as best as he could...even though it was obvious they were better than him with the accumulated knowledge they had. And who knows, if Tento worked hard enough and showed enough results, he could get pushed forward with his Hakuda classes???

Nevertheless, simply bettering himself was something that he was passionate about. He was taking on the duty of guarding the Soul Society, the living world, and all the souls within them and between. That was a large task to take on, and even more so to do well. And as Tento began to walk from the courtyard to one of the Zanjutsu class rooms, he could only learn as much as he could, one day at a time.

Tento had been in the middle of he thinking again. Distracted at first he had almost did not hear a person speaking out to him as he moved into the courtyard. A person was greeting him, a wave and a smile. A teacher from the uniform. And they knew Tento's name? Not even just his first name but his full name. That was something he could suppose meant the fellow speaking to him was a teacher or staff? Tento had not seen him before, or at least did not have any memory or feeling that he had met or knew of this person so far.

"Ah, yes sir my name is Tento Zefa,", being his normal self Tento gave a short bow towards the man. "Thank you, I was afraid for a second that I was bothering something. I did not see anyone in here but was not sure if someone was coming in a bit".

The person seemed to not be busy and even more so welcoming to the first year that was Tento. "Thank you, Mr....", Tento waited for his name. It was nice to know who someone was speaking to and even more so someone who was helping or offering to help. Specially if they knew your name. Tento gave him a chance to give his name, and would continue speaking once or if he did. "To be frank I do not know where to start in asking for tips of advice", Tento let out a little chuckle. "Everything is so new and I'm am just trying to do my best in pushing the lessons into my muscle's memories. I'm happy to take any advice or tips you can give".

Tento nodded as Henrex told him his name. He would do his best to remember this instructor's name. After doing his bow Tento would return to his normal posture to hear Henrex's rebuttal and his actions. It seemed that level of serious formality was needed. Just general respect and kindness would likely be enough probably.

Tento listend to the first comments given to him. One that he did not think he needed to hear. He knew that things took time and that one could push oneself, but there was a thing of trying to do too much too soon. Although, even if Tento thought it did not fit his situation, it was still a good piece of advice to a heed to. And so, he nodded his head, showing that he took this comment from Henrex with open ears.

"Well...one thing I am mostly not getting and struggling with it just the basics. I never held a sword in my time being alive, I did martial arts...and I think that helps with the footwork? But holding a sword in my hands feels so...wrong when I've been doing it with just my hands and legs growing up. The footwork and features of the styles just keep alluding me. It feels stiff". I hope this is making sense.

Tento knew that he had his limitation, and being his style. He wanted to push beyond them. To train his skills and improve to his capabilities, and then find ways to be beyond them. That mindset served him well. It was something did instinctively...and was something he had to do. He did not know anything else.

This was something new and completely different though. Beyond moving from hand to hand combat with only ones body to shifting to one where the sword or any other melee weapon was used. Tento also had the phenomenon of...the spiritual world and its higher implications to deal with. He was aware of these type of things when he was alive, but he was a skeptic. And even more so, did not see an influence of Reiastu and spiritual pressure in the human world to the extent that the after life had. The level present in the Shino Academy.

He was eager and mentally ready to improve. By his own efforts and by the aid of the ones around him. And so, when Henrex drew his own sword and settled into a stance. Tento did his best to mimic it. His feet spread apart, it felt common with the general other horse stances he has seen. So, he went to about shoulder length, his left food behind his right but they were both pressed flatly against the ground. Tento would draw his sword and position it in front of himself. "Like this?".

He would look at Henrex and himself a bit back and forth. Making further slight corrections in the differences he saw that were subtle but never getting it exactly as he thought it should be. He nodded along to Henrex's words as he did so. And continued to hold this stance when Henrex left his stance. Tento eyed Henrex as he talked and move. Letting the details fall into his brain being placed into yet anther folder labeled about the teachings at this school. This stance was a default, one that balanced offense and defense. It was simple. It was different from the one that Tento had started developing, pushing more attention towards offense, mobility, and evasion.

He listened attentively to Henrex's words. The information being given to him was very helpful. It gave him stuff to remember and think about. "No no you are fine, great even. I'm finding all this helpful".

Learning and growing was something that does not happen over night. At least when it comes to growth, growth worthy of notice. It was not something to be rushed, unless under the most tedious necessary conditions. And even then not for a long period of time, less wanted to acquire poor habits and hurt themselves in the long run. It was a good thing Tento had the focus and wisdom to think about this at times. That did not stopped the determined man to want to grow though. He wished he had an easier time at it, but at the same time he enjoyed the process. Learning more about a new style, a new mindset, it was all so thrilling. And thus, he was extremely appreciate to anyone who was experience and willing to give him advice. Heck, Tento would be happy for someone at his own level or below just giving him a different perspective to think about.

Watching Henrex's response, Tento's eyes watch the instructor's sword point to his feet. An indicator that something was off and needed correction. Following the advice, Tento attempt to make some adjustments, lifting up the heel of his left foot lightly while trying to maintain the same amount of pressure on his right. "I see I see, thank you. I''ll try to do my best to keep this in mind". After doing this action, Tento would down at his position piece by piece. Trying to remember the ways the posture and feet positions were. Trying to make sure he got a full feel and look at how his body look before looking at Henrex again. Trying to commit everything to his memory bank.

He would then follow Henrex again, titling his sword in his hand in a downward movement. Doing his best to go at the same tempo as Henrex, one that was smooth and calm for a practice attempt. Natural. As this transpired Henrex spoke more. This man was very knowledgable, holding much wisdom that should be heeded. Oh how Tento wished he had any knowledge of this, it was a concept from the Living world that he had no barrings on. Even a basic experience before would have likely to be beneficial. Alas, there was nothing he could do about the past, just the present and his future.

He listened, trying to understand the concept and ideology of what was being told to him. Chudan, an interesting one that seemed to be about balance. Being able to start an offense or react and go into a defense. A very useful style Tento would expect. "I see, it sounds like something that can be very adaptable. Now...since we raised a heel to allow movement to switch between offense and defense. I suppose maybe planting both feet down, keeping on back as a leverage so I can withstand and block blows while having the posture to also move. Perhaps lowering my center of gravity slightly as well? I also suppose moving into a sideways stance could limit target areas, but would also possibly making reacting to other areas harder to do or take more time". These were all guesses, mainly from his experience in hand to hand combat. One needed to be strong and balanced, while still able to move. Having a strong base always helped with that from his knowledge.