"So, my old rival wants you to sense life force? Sadly, that's not going to happen"
Three days had now passed since Arisa's and Merrah's reconciliation, alongside my nightmare. I hadn't had the chance to speak to either of them, as both had been busy with their own problems, but it seemed like they were on talking terms again.
Arisa had an important choice to make, so she spent her time either making plans or lost within herself, when I passed her aptly named; 'Threaded Room Of Theories', I could see her, crossed legged, motionless on a small pillow, which always meant the same thing.
She was communicating with her 'benefactor'.
So now I stood in front of Sister Naji, Blue Daemon of the cloth and a dear friend, as she addressed me bluntly.
She still wore gray robes, however, they resembled real monk robes, not tattered rags, complete with white trimming and waist brace while also now made of a far thicker fabric. With bandages wrapped around her hands and left leg, she never stopped working or getting into trouble.
If she knew any of the orphans were in danger, it was fists first, questions after, injuries be damned.
However, now we were in Dragons Mort, she kept getting into trouble and it was beyond me how she kept at it.
"Huh, what do you mean, rival?"
"Do you remember that duel you had when you were fourteen?"
"Yeah, sort of. Mainly because you told me 'I can't grow like this'"
"When you chose to fight, you lashed out in anger because she left. It clouded your mind, and as soon as I noticed that, I had to stop the fight. When you strike out in anger, you build a habit associating anger with violence"
It didn't make any sense, she always acted with purpose, why would she tell me to do something I had no chance of achieving?
"So you can't help me?"
"However, in that fight, I saw something... something I didn't not expect I would ever see from a young trainee. You turned that anger into resolve. When you thrust, feinted and parried, that resolve turned to focus, and through that focus, I knew I couldn't teach you"
"..."
"Perhaps you did something similar with her?"
I did.
When she attacked Ota, smashing her arm and sending her flying, I felt fear. Then, after I checked she was alright, that fear turned to anger, from that I knew I had to stand up, figure out a way to win. And, through that realization, I broke through what I thought possible.
Those emotions I felt when talking to Rose, and that resulted in leaving a cracked pillar in my wake.
I hadn't just done it once, but twice, and barely noticed until later or forgotten entirely.
"I don't believe in talent. I don't. But what you did *heh* You're a natural"
She stroked her chin and looked incredibly proud of me as we walked, shoulder to shoulder towards the training hall.
"So then, like, what's the problem?"
"The core you used is fundamental to a style I never learned, that of the 'Myth'"
"Wha-"
"I guess she didn't tell you then? Hmm, interesting. Basically, most Masters will only teach a single core and their relevant techniques. What you displayed was 'Myth' style, I was taught 'Legend', and so, I can't help you"
"So are there only two?"
"If there were only two, that would certainly make things easier. There are seven, and only one isn't taught, that style which comes from the heart, that of myth. Legend is from the third eye or mind. However, once a style is awakened, another style cannot be learned without mastery of that chakra"
"This is... a lot to take in at once"
"Which is no doubt why she didn't bother telling you anything, because there's no point. Everyone's heart acts differently, what they care for, what makes them frustrated and only through understanding yourself, can you master your first steep"
"Oh, so it's personal, and I have to teach myself"
"It's relatively uncommon for someone to unlock the heart as a starting point. For most monks, discipline is the first step, that of the 'Crown' or head. When she left, you must of taken it harder than you realized, sparking life into that chakra"
"Ok, that's, yeah, information overload"
"Sorry, I don't often get to talk about my past or what I learned at Mana-fist Temple. For now, try to recall those feelings, those actions and find your drive. Trust me, you'll know when you've mastered it"
I need to write this down, she told me so much it feels like my head is going to explode.
"Alright, I get it. I don't think I've ever seen you speak so much before, also,uh, rival?"
"The half dragon, whatever she chose to name herself this time. We trained together, although, I only arrived near the end of her training"
I could only assume she was referring to her many names, from V to Rider and Strife. Even then, I assumed none of these were her original name. Who names their child 'Strife' or 'Conquest'?
"So what did she learn?"
"E-everything? Wait, does that mean I beat-"
"I'll stop you right there. If she wanted to beat you, she could. Think back to that fight, what weapon did she use, what actions she took and most importantly, what the result was"
"But Calegriss worked really well..."
"Ah, that spell, the one that changes temperature? I remember that night, you couldn't sleep because you were so excited, do you remember that? I wish she let me step in instead of running away 'too much trouble' *tsk*. Either way, we have a technique to warm ourselves with Aura, so she chose to give you the win and well..."
"What?"
"I know High-Drakes tend to adapt to the environment they're born in, but it's a double edged sword. I don't know where she was born, but it must of been somewhere hotter than fire"
"Why do you say that?"
"She can melt ice, not into water, but steam, just through touch. Not normal for a red-scale half-dragon, especially with those darker scales. *sigh* After all this time I still barely know her! I should invite her to drinks some time"
"I'll be sure to let her know then... well, whenever she comes back from Nala. I guess it's been a few weeks now, I thought she'd be back by now..."
"Never mind her, she'll be fine. Now, as for you, do you need anything else?"
"Could I ask you to spar with me? In hand to hand combat, that is"
"Oh? Do you think you can master it in a day?"
"I did something similar awhile back when I fought Rider, then I did it again, cracking a pillar where Ota lives-"
"I'd love to hear the story around that fufu. Alright, I have some time, in return, you'll tell me about this 'Ota' afterwards. Just answer me this, do you think you can do it?"
It surprised me to hear about her interest in Ota, although she might also try to pick a fight with her as well.
Ota would welcome the challenge, if she hadn't been so occupied with weapon training as of late and I only see Aoife and Adelard twice a week, I'd been training alone.
This was no time for hesitation, the delayed tournament would arrive shortly after new years, with a bigger turnout than expected thanks to trade routes starting up as the snow slowly melted, day by day.
It was for that reason I'd been focusing on learning anything related to what I currently know and is why I recently managed to master the spell 'Windless' last night, rather easily thanks to the familiarity of manipulating 'Vortex'.
During these past three days, I'd been practicing that strike, and now I think Naji had given me the last piece of the puzzle.
"I know I can"
"If you do, it'll be that spell all over again"
"Uhh, why?"
"Because that's an advanced spell most can't be bothered as it can take many years to learn, and, because only those with a strong connection to the world can even pull it off. How you did it is beyond me... By Athena what I would give to know whoever your parents are"
We entered the training hall and equipped padded gear on our arms and legs off a nearby stand built to hold such things.
"When you fought me almost three years ago, it was to learn how to use a quarter-staff. Have you ever fought hand to hand?"
"Not really, just normal drills with daggers I think? At least that's the closest to that"
"Well, Touji, this might just end up testing your willpower as much as your body and ability. From now on you will call me Master Fadel, or Champion Kickboxer of the Craftsmen District. We'll begin now"
"Huh?!"
She did not hesitate as she struck me in the stomach with an open palm strike at frightening speed before dashing back, leaving me wheezing.
This wasn't going to be easy.
"Come on! Don't go down in one cheap shot!"
"*cough* You didn't even let me as- *cough* if I pull this o*cough* just don't tell the others"
"Keeping secrets are we? I thought I taught you better. Very well, I guess we all have our pride"
If she wanted to call it that, I'd be fine with it, but for me, I planned to use whatever I learned in the upcoming tournament.
Now was the time to test what I could really do without magic, and push my body like never before.