Hershel swung the shinai around, deep in thought. It was strange, not quite right but a sword was sword and it didn't feel so foreign that he was completely out of his comfort zone. He tested it a few more times- less flexibility, definitely, more rigid, he'd have to be careful with his thrusts because it didn't have the give a foil did and could hurt Heiji.

He glanced over at Heiji when he spoke, smiling and nodding before backing up, trying to give them a good amount of room to start. He put his free arm behind his back and held the shinai up, tone amused when he spoke. "Of course, good luck."

And with that he was starting off with a quick jab. Testing Heiji's strong and weak points were probably for the best, while figuring out his own. Was Heij fast and evasive or did he prefer to be more aggressive than defensive? Maybe kendo leaned towards one or the other?

Yeah, he was already having fun and it barely started.