Chapter 16 - The Gift

A week later.

While going for my morning training, I came across my grandpa waiting for me. As soon as I went ahead, I saw him coming towards me, and he said, "Kiddo, from today onwards, you will start your sword training with me. I know your father told you that he would train you, but he thought that it would be better if I were the one teaching you. So, are you ready?"

He said with a huge grin.

Oh, so this was the gift that father said he prepared for me. It was better if grandpa were to teach me as he was both stronger and more talented than father.

"Sure, grandpa. I am excited to train."

"Well then, show me the basics that you have polished."

I nodded and then started to show my sword moves. Beginning with the simple stabs and slashes and slowly integrating footwork with them.

After I finished the display, he approached me and said, "Good. Your basics are clear, and you have trained your body well.

Now, I am going to teach you the Zephyr Family training method. It can only be practised by someone with a wind affinity. It is only passed down to the direct descendants of the family."

He then started to show a sword dance. It made me remember the basic body training method of Zephyr knights. I could clearly see the movement of mana inside and outside the body with my newly increased talent. The wind mana was increasing the speed of the sword moves as well as the sharpness of the swords.

I could see the wind mana twirling behind the sword and pushing it forward. The moves were very silent, and it seemed they suited more to an assassin rather than a swordsman.

Slowly, the demonstration came to an end.

"So kiddo, did you learn anything?"

"A little grandpa."

I could see the shocked face of grandpa as I said it. I could understand that understanding a little of this dance just by seeing it once was only possible for a once in a millennia genius or an experienced swordsman.

Honestly, I understood all of it perfectly and could even point out a few mistakes and make it more powerful. Still, if I did that right now, then I would be considered the best genius to have ever existed since the beginning of time, and I didn't want that kind of attention.

I looked at my grandpa, contemplating something before saying, "Ok then. Show me what you have learnt."

I nodded and then started to replicate the moves. I did make some deliberate mistakes. But overall, it was thirty percent identical.

Grandpa was now more shocked than before.

He then quickly grabbed me and brought me to my father's room at full speed.

"Edward, I have something to talk to you about. But before that, Ethan, can you do what you did before me again."

I nodded and moved to the larger part of the room, and started to practice the moves again.

I could see the same shocked look appear on my father's face.

"Did you see that?" grandpa asked father.

"Yes, dad. But didn't you teach him this just today? He learnt that much in just a little time."

"No, I taught him only once. Hell, I did not even teach him, I just showed him once, and he did that."

I just stood there watching my grandpa and my father crazily exchange some plans for me. They sometimes became serious and sometimes excited.

After quite a while, father approached me and said, "Ethan, you have a peerless talent and must not let anyone know of this, at least until you are strong enough to protect yourself. Do you understand, my son?"

"Yes, father."

"Good. From now on, you will train in my private training area with grandfather."

I nodded in understanding.

After that, we decided on a schedule for my training. Later, we had breakfast, and then I decided to spend some time with my little sister.

We were walking in our family garden. She wore a cute floral dress, and her hair was tied in a ponytail.

She looked at me and said, "Brother, I have started to learn magic from mother. After I become powerful, I will protect you."

She said with a proud look with her fist up. I couldn't contain my laugh and giggled a little.

"Sure, little Sophia. Become very powerful, okay?"

After that, we played chase and hide & seek, and then I went back to my room to practice my mana.