Once in a while, I would spend time in the practice fields on my own. I wielded my sword according to what the wraith knows. I am someone knocking on heaven's door.
It won't be long until I reach the sixth level of martial prowess. Hadeon Ortiz might need the power right now to threaten the red dragon. I held up my sword and let the flat of the blade block the sun on the sky.
This level of power was beyond me.
My natural body strength and stamina had gotten me this far. Some had called it a waste that such a herculean body was on me. Even with my bloated body, I was able to take care of some of the people who were after me.
And because of this, I was able to even defeat some of the knights that were after me to take me to the square. It was only because she was in that place in the first place that I was captured.
So imagine that. I got this refined and perpetually healthy body.
At the same time, I know that my desires are acting up. I could control myself in regards to my desires. But when it comes to the red dragon. There was no compromise that my heart could find in my heart.
I thought to myself that I would be better.
But I couldn't let go of that damn dragon.
Thinking about it. My chances of winning against a creature that took almost the whole vassals were beyond nil. But I would like to take chances against the great beast just in case.
I swung my first sword to the strange kata that the wraith practiced. It looked like some pirouette that involved something. But from what I can gather from my memories. It looked like the wraith used this to fight otherworldly creatures.
Unable to sleep.
Unable to rest.
There was a man who fought until his last breath.
Even at the end of his life.
He did not rest until he fought.
Even when the sky burned down.
Even when the whole world clad him in iron.
He did not give up on the fight against the otherworldly creatures.
Even though I'm about to risk my life fighting a goddamn red dragon.
I fear nothing but the thought of losing this life given to me. Hadeon Ortiz and Kiran Irvin don't fear death.
The wraith does not fear.
I practiced the kata and the forms until my limbs were heavy. Before I knew I was awake to witness the afternoon sun. I lowered my practice sword and met eyes with Shanie who wore a white and blade uniform.
"I thought there was someone familiar. Kiran, I remember that you wanted to become an expert on prana control, no?"
"I still am. It's just that circumstances right now are forcing me to take on sharpening my sword skills."
"Really? It feels like you're fighting your last duel with that."
"Maybe I am? I am trying to face something that I should have not removed from my mind."
"Are you serious?"
It was not fear that came to me.
It was the pit of despair that made me unable to get out.
Although I've been repeating the idea that I would be able to move. Now that I have this body, I thought that I should take revenge. I suddenly swung my sword in the other direction, creating a scar on the ground.
"Holy shit, your swings are monstrous!"
"Is it? I think it's not enough."
I swung another and then stopped since dust was blowing. Shanie covered her mouth and looked at him with a rather irritated gaze.
"Can you not do that?"
"I sure can," I made a fake swing and she covered her mouth. Shanie gave me the holy middle finger and then placed her thumb down in disapproval. I looked at the practice sword that had fallen ill-repair because of how I was swinging it.
"Wow, you can swing a sword like that? Must be a beast."
"Do you not have work?"
"I have. It's usually teaching the brats here how to knock an arrow to their bows. The art of pulling the bow and then putting more weight on each shot is something that they have no interest in other than the few girls who like it."
"May I try?"
"Sure."
She threw her curved bow and a practice quiver. I checked on the string, pulled on it, and placed my spirit on the bow, and let out a shot. The dummy that was not far from us had its head shattered by the shot of my arrow.
"Are you kidding me?"
"I'm good at this."
"Damn, I thought you were only good at swinging that sword?"
"I didn't say I was bad."
"Fuck, it makes me wonder why you even bother to learn prana control if you're good at martial arts."
"It's not that I'm good. It's just my body's experience in handling this."
"Sure, sure, brag all you want, Kiran. Still, you do like your prana control, eh?"
"I do, but I am quite awful at it. I can do the basic things, but fail to do the most complex of spells."
"Brag, and brag, you sure like your braggings, eh?"
"I was bragging"?"
I threw the bow and arrows back at her. She caught it and holstered it back. The afternoon sun shone on Shanie, leaves passing by the side profile of her face.
"What?"
"Reminds me that it's windy here."
"Bah, I thought you were charmed by me for a moment."
"Who does that?"
"Anyway, what do you do after this? Sleep? Play around with the students?"
"You think...so lightly of me."
"I don't. It's just weird that you're young but you're this abstinent."
"If you want this body then just ask, don't be so hesitant, friend."
"Bah, who'd want you? Seriously though, you are still going to practice? Did you even leave the Academy?"
"Nope. But I might do it later."
"Okay then, see you later."
Shanie left. I molded a sword made of the earth using my prana and redid my practice. I needed to relearn the last two katas before I could be satisfied.