Chapter 90: The Speed of the River
Scene: The peaceful village of Mula, where the heroes have been training under the guidance of the village masters. After mastering strength, they are now summoned by Master Zen, the master of speed, for their next challenge.
Narrator: With their strength training behind them, the heroes now face a new challenge. Master Zen, the master of speed, has called them to the village's river, where they will learn to harness the power of speed.
The heroes gather at the riverbank, the water flowing gently under the early morning sun. The air is fresh and cool, filled with the sounds of the flowing river and the chirping of birds.
Zen: (calmly) Welcome, heroes. Today, you will train to increase your speed. This training is not just about running fast—it's about controlling your mana and using it to enhance your agility and swiftness.
Zen gestures to the flowing river before them, its surface glistening in the sunlight.
Zen: (firmly) Your task is simple: you must run across the surface of this river without falling in. To do this, you will need to focus your mana into your feet and legs, making them faster and lighter.
The heroes exchange curious glances, excited by the challenge but also aware of the difficulty involved.
Aria: (excitedly) Running on water? That sounds amazing!
Eren: (nodding) But how do we do it?
Zen smiles and steps forward, removing his shoes and placing them neatly on the ground.
Zen: (instructing) First, remove your shoes. This training requires you to be barefoot so that you can better connect with the ground—and the water—beneath you.
The heroes quickly follow suit, removing their shoes and feeling the cool earth beneath their feet.
Rylan: (curiously) What's next?
Zen begins to explain, his voice calm and measured.
Zen: (explaining) The key to running on water is to focus a compressed amount of mana into your feet and legs. This will make your steps faster and lighter, allowing you to move across the water's surface without sinking.
To demonstrate, Zen focuses his mana, his body glowing with a faint blue aura. With a single, graceful motion, he steps onto the river, his feet barely touching the surface as he races across the water with incredible speed. In the blink of an eye, he reaches the other side of the river, turning back to face the heroes.
Narrator: The heroes watch in awe as Master Zen effortlessly crosses the river, his speed and control over mana a testament to his mastery. The challenge before them suddenly feels much more daunting.
Zen gestures for the heroes to try it themselves.
Zen: (encouragingly) Now it's your turn. Focus your mana, let it flow freely to your feet, and attempt to cross the river.
Eager to take on the challenge, the heroes step up to the edge of the river, their minds focused on the task at hand. Eren is the first to try, his face set with determination.
Eren: (confidently) I'll give it a shot.
Eren channels his mana into his feet, feeling the energy gather and compress. He takes a deep breath and steps onto the river, but as soon as he takes his second step, his foot sinks into the water, and he splashes down into the river with a surprised yelp.
Eren: (laughing) Okay, that didn't go as planned!
The others laugh as Eren climbs out of the river, shaking the water from his clothes. Rylan steps up next, his eyes focused and determined.
Rylan: (grinning) My turn.
Rylan focuses his mana, feeling it flow through his legs. He takes a step onto the river, but like Eren, he also sinks and splashes into the water. The others follow suit, each one trying to cross but failing to maintain their balance on the water's surface.
Narrator: The heroes try again and again, each time struggling to maintain their balance on the water. The challenge proves to be more difficult than they anticipated.
Zen watches their efforts, a faint smile on his lips. After several attempts, he steps forward to offer guidance.
Zen: (calmly) You're focusing too much on the speed itself. Allow your mana to flow freely, guiding your steps. Don't force it—let it happen naturally.
Taking Zen's advice to heart, the heroes try again. Eren steps up first, closing his eyes and focusing on letting his mana flow naturally into his feet. He feels the energy surge, light and controlled, and steps onto the river once more.
Eren: (focused) Let's try this again…
This time, Eren's steps are lighter, his movements more controlled. He manages to take several steps across the water, his feet skimming the surface before he finally sinks in again.
Eren: (surprised) I did it! Almost, anyway.
Encouraged by Eren's progress, Rylan steps up next, following the same advice. He focuses his mana, feeling it flow through him, and steps onto the river. To his surprise, he manages to make it halfway across before losing his balance and falling in.
Rylan: (laughing) This is harder than it looks, but it's working!
Aria and Asher continue to practice, each time getting a little further across the river. By the end of the day, Eren and Rylan both manage to cross the river completely, their faces lighting up with pride and excitement.
Aria: (smiling) You guys did it!
Eren: (grinning) It just clicked! I felt the mana guiding my steps.
Rylan: (nodding) It's all about letting the mana flow naturally. We'll get there, Aria.
The heroes gather near the fire that night, discussing the day's training and what they've learned. The fire crackles softly, casting a warm glow over their faces.
Aria: (thoughtfully) The key was letting the mana guide us, not forcing it. It's like finding the right balance.
Asher: (nodding) Tomorrow, we'll get it. We're so close.
The next day, Aria and Asher return to the river with renewed determination. They focus their mana, letting it flow freely through their bodies. This time, Aria steps onto the river, her movements light and graceful. She glides across the water's surface, her feet barely touching the waves.
Aria: (excitedly) I'm doing it!
Aria crosses the river completely, her heart swelling with pride. Asher follows shortly after, his steps quick and precise as he crosses the river with ease.
Asher: (cheerfully) We've all got it now!
The heroes celebrate their success, each one having mastered the ability to flow mana through their feet and legs. Master Zen watches from a distance, a satisfied smile on his face.
Narrator: The heroes have mastered the technique of running on water, a testament to their growing control over mana. Their next challenge will test how well they can apply this newfound speed.
Zen approaches the heroes, his expression calm but pleased.
Zen: (approvingly) Well done, all of you. You've learned to harness your mana to enhance your speed and agility. Now, it's time to put your new skills to the test.
The heroes listen intently as Zen explains their next task.
Zen: (explaining) You will race across the village, starting at the top of the mountain and ending at the village center. Use the techniques you've learned to increase your speed and navigate the terrain quickly and efficiently.
The heroes nod, eager to take on the challenge. They climb to the top of the mountain, their hearts pounding with excitement as they prepare for the race.
Rylan: (grinning) Ready to see who's the fastest?
Eren: (smirking) Bring it on, Rylan.
Zen gives the signal, and the heroes take off, their feet barely touching the ground as they race down the mountain. The village blurs past them as they push their speed to the limit, each one determined to win.
Narrator: The race across the village is fierce. The heroes move with incredible speed, their newfound skills pushing them forward with a sense of freedom and exhilaration.
Eren and Rylan quickly pull ahead, their rivalry driving them to go faster and faster. They weave through the village streets, their feet barely touching the ground as they race neck and neck.
Eren: (laughing) I'm not letting you win, Rylan!
Rylan: (grinning) We'll see about that!
But in their intense rivalry, they forget to stay fully focused on the race. Aria, on the other hand, maintains her focus and glides smoothly through the village, her steps light and precise.
Aria: (laughing) You boys need to pay more attention!
With a final burst of speed, Aria crosses the finish line first, her face lighting up with joy as she realizes she's won the race.
Aria: (cheerfully) First place! You boys owe me a meal!
Eren and Rylan skid to a stop behind her, panting and laughing as they realize they've been outdone.
Eren: (grinning) You got us, Aria. Well done!
Rylan: (laughing) Looks like we need to focus more next time.
Asher crosses the finish line shortly after, smiling at the friendly banter between his friends.
Asher: (smiling) That was a close one, but Aria's right—we owe her a meal.
Master Zen watches the race with a pleased expression, impressed by the progress the heroes have made.
Zen: (approvingly) You've all done well. Speed is not just about moving fast—it's about control, focus, and precision. You've shown that you can master all three.
With the race complete, Zen allows the heroes to enjoy a well-deserved break. The village hosts a mini-feast in their honor, a celebration of their achievements and growth.
Narrator: The heroes have proven their speed and agility, and now they celebrate their success with a feast. The bonds between them grow stronger as they enjoy the fruits of their hard work.
The chapter ends with the heroes sitting around a large table, enjoying a meal together. Laughter and conversation fill the air, their spirits lifted by the day's accomplishments.
Eren: (smiling) This is what it's all about—growing stronger together.
Aria: (laughing) And don't forget, you boys still owe me that meal!
Rylan: (grinning) We'll make sure to pay up, don't worry.
Asher: (raising a glass) To friendship, strength, and the journey ahead.
The heroes raise their glasses in a toast, their hearts filled with joy and determination as they continue their journey towards mastery.
Narrator: With their training in speed complete, the heroes look forward to the challenges ahead, knowing that they are stronger, faster, and more united than ever before.