As I turn eleven, finally ready to start the cultivation journey from it's rock bottom,well more of training to become a royal guard. I look my mother in the eye as she gives me a warm and encouraging hug knowing that I will be the one who will liberate them from this life, someday. I walk out the door feeling the cold morning breeze flush against my skin making my long and unkept hair dance in the wind. A few steps forward, I see my father, he looks at me hesitantly, with a stare that tells me to see what I'm getting myself into. He's been to the warfront and knows how many get killed over a piece of land being fought over royal families, or as Cannon fodder used to protect the strong during their assaults. But I will never be like that, No matter how powerful, I won't be used as a piece of refuse to be easily thrashed, even by these royals. I make my way to the courtyard meeting a smiling Alexander waiting for me.
With a huge smirk he asks" you ready kid". "As always" I answer with no hesitation as he leads me to an underground hall right below the courtyard. Again I am stunned by it's size as it is even bigger than the courtyard itself. It's walls might extend to even below mansions.
I see children my age, wielding different weapons as they glare at me. There eyes shine with different colors as they show how their training to manipulate Qi is slightly progressing. I look like dirt in their eyes, but something seed like they were jealous. Perhaps it's because I was being trained by Alexander. I noticed that many of the girls looking weirdly at him, some slightly blushing. They all stare at me, wondering what a peasant is doing in a royal training room. Though there eyes beam with power, trying to show me that they're above me it doesn't bother me. The cultivation journey isn't all about lifestyle. Through struggles and torment, I'll eventually be stronger than they could ever be. Alexander leads me to a large room that seems like his personal training room. It was also extremely large, occupying a tenth of the large underground training hall." From here on, it won't be all fun and games". he said looking stern.
On the wall, I noticed dozens of weapons hanging from long, embroidered holsters.
" pick one", Alexander eventually asked noticing my enthusiasm. I looked left and right, looking for the perfect weapon. My eyes eventually fall on a pair of katanas. They hilts were completely black and so was the sheath. It didn't stand out like the other weapons but I didn't care. In my past life, I didn't use a weapon mostly because I was a master of the martial arts. But I won't be so naive, I take a step forward picking the katanas from the rack." This'll do" . "You sure, your still a kid, can you master a twin blade". " Don't underestimate me". I said looking very serious. Alexander just laughed as he broke a mop stick in half and pointed it in front of me." Show me what you got kid". Alexander grins. 'I saw my father once during training, and I've been practicing what I could remember of the martial arts world since then. I should be able to hold my own against him'. And with that I lunge forward.
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Kneeling on the floor, I sweat profusely as I see a smiling Alexander waiting with his half-mop stick in his hands. We've probably been training for over an hour, but there was no trace of sweat on his forehead. Truth be told he looked quite stunned for some reason. He was amazed at my movements, and although I didn't even scratch the sleeves of his jacket he looked quite impressed. 'Pathetic, I didn't even lay a finger on either him or the mop stick. I wielded two swords, but with one hand and a mop stick he could kill me if he wanted'. Alexander was very fast, he moved so elegantly that it seemed like as if he was gliding through the air. I knew I had no way of defeating him, but I wasn't going to give up until I wiped that grin off his face. Even with all the bruised and blisters I stand on my two feet crossing my swords against my arms and gently bending my knees forward for a sprint. I reflect on my past life remembering the martial arts and techniques I used. With so much concentration, I finally feel a thin thread of Qi in the environment. my eyes dimly shine bright red as charge forward. Alexander looks stunned and makes a swift move so fast my blades slice mid-air. But I didn't give up I turn preparing for another slash but Alexander is all ready on my toes as he throws his half mop stick with barely any strength, the mop stick breaks on my left arm and tosses the blade in that one into the air, but before I could loose balance I throw the other with all the force that I could gather. Alexander dodged it just time as my blade crashes on the wall. I fall on my back feeling nothing but pain on all areas of my body. Feeling so weak I can barely stand. Alexander suddenly stands Infront of me and before I know it I'm on my feet being supported by his shoulder
. " Don't be disappointed, you performed excellently. Not many would be able to reach your extent of determination". Alexander says slightly giggling but I don't join in his jokes, not because of the bruises or the pain, but the thought that constantly ran through my mind. ' He didn't use any techniques, no skills, no abilities nor even a glow in his eyes. And by the looks of it he barely used any martial arts or combat skills, he only relied on his intuition and combat sense to win against me'. I practically fought against an average non-cultivator, he held back so much but yet, I wasn't even able to lay a finger on him. For how long has it been since I've felt,this weak. After my reincarnation, I couldn't properly remember all that had happened in my past life. I lost some memories, but I guess that was only the price for my reincarnation. Alexander drifted me away from my thoughts as he began speaking. "You were able to sense the faint strand of energy in the environment, although most people can feel it , it's so abundant some can mistake it for a light breeze. Nobody I've seen has been able to do that. It took me two whole months after I started my training to even notice. You're potential might be boundless, You'll be one of the greatest cultivators if you work hard. Let's just wait for your dantian". And with that he took me to an old cottage with an old woman sitting on a seat. she seemed to be mixing what seemed like potions on the table. "Agatha, I got one more client, think you can patch him up real quick". Agatha gave Alexander a deadly glare that I actually shook. But on seeing my wounds, she just snorted and stood up to touch them. She caressed them feeling smug. "How could you have done this to this little boy, you're as reckless as always Alex". The old woman scolded and Alexander felt slightly embarrassed. She then focused on my arms and before I knew it, the unbearable bruises disappeared without a trace. Though the blisters remain to remind of my loss today.They'll heal, but the thought of today's defeat won't. Alexander eventually drops me at the guards quarters and let's out a deep sigh." You did well, but tomorrow's training will be even harder so don't expect me to go easy on you all the time". Feeling exhausted I could only nod. I could barely hold out at training today and tomorrow will be worse. " So this is the start of my hellish training I guess". I say with a wide smirk.