Darius Antonius frowned at his sparring partner's lack of force in his swings, easily batting them aside with his shield and striking him in the chest with his dulled practice sword, eliciting a gasp as the recruit felt the breath knocked out of him. He didn't bat an eyelash when he fell down in pain, "Do not hesitate. Do you think a demon or a Demois would show the same hesitation when battling you? No. A Vampire or Lycan would not hesitate to consume you. An Oneiroi or Arch Demon would do worse. And you would be better off dead than face a Demois."
"You would know," the man muttered angrily, pulling himself to his feet.
"Yes. I do know. I've watched men like you wither in agony. Now fight or go home," the Captain ordered, causing the man to charge at him recklessly, only for his head to meet his shield. He frowned, "Never let anger dictate your actions. Many demons feed on this and will use it against you if you let them."
"What am I supposed to do? Not get angry?"
"No. Master it. Make it your own. Like this," he said, charging forward and hacking at the recruit, who managed to block a few strikes with his shield before Darius' sword met his and, with a twist, caused it to fly out of his hand. Darius held it at the recruit's neck for a moment before lowering it, "Not bad. With some training, you would make a fine soldier on the front lines. With some thinking, you could survive."
He turned around, nodding at his men who were wrapping up their own practices. They were good men. They fought harder and longer than most men since he has become their Captain and there was no one he'd rather bleed with. His Seargent, an older man with greying hair and beard, approached him as he placed his practice sword aside with the rest of the unused equipment.
"You are still angry after this morning, I see," the man told him with a frown, "I am surprised that you did not sear through his armor with your element."
"Kid's not ready for flames just yet, Aldric. And of course I'm angry. The Third Company has fought more battles, went on more assignments, and succeeded at more of them than any of the glory-seeking fools His Majesty has deemed fit to lead their men to their deaths," he stated.
"I'm sure he appreciated being told that, sir."
"I do not butter up my words for fools, Aldric and I'd," he began, before catching sight of a woman and child in the training grounds. He frowned, "What are those two doing here? I do not like civilians in my training lot."
"She has clearance for it," Aldric began but Darius waved his hand.
"I do not care," he stated, marching over to the woman, "My men are not here to satisfy anyone's curiosity, not matter who she thinks she is."