"Today we will start with hand-to-hand combat training. It is as much, if not more, important than your magic and sword training."
Hikari had mentioned this before, and that morning, Kuroha had brought Kazuki a special training outfit he had received from him in preparation.
Kazuki listened intently, not interrupting.
"I want you to first master close-quarters combat without using mana, then with mana, and finally, I'll teach you how to use those techniques in real situations, maximizing the benefits of your surroundings."
Up until now, it seemed like Hikari was merely preparing Kazuki to be able to protect himself, but that illusion was quickly shattered by his next words.
"Of course, you have no say in this matter. Even if you don't want to learn, I'll just beat it into you until these techniques become second nature," Hikari said with a demonic grin, leaving Kazuki to sigh in resignation.
'So he's really going to ingrain those techniques in me' this thought made him shudder but there was no way out of this.
He truly was unfortunate to have fallen into this man's clutches.
"The most important aspect of maximizing your efforts is regulating your breathing. Panicking during close-quarters combat is a sure way to an early grave," Hikari added, as if there was no other possible outcome.
Kazuki decided to ignore his baffling notions and focus on what he was trying to convey.
"It would be easier to demonstrate rather than dump all this information on you," Hikari stated, taking a battle stance.
"As I said before, you are not to use mana in this spar, but you can use the terrain to your advantage," Hikari said, smirking. "If you can, that is."
Kazuki was growing tired of the constant provocations, though he had to admit they were often true. By now, he realized there was no way to defeat Hikari in anything.
Seeing that Kazuki remained unfazed by the taunt, Hikari dejectedly gave up and began the lesson.
"Begin!"
Kazuki thought he was ready for Hikari's moves, but as soon as he heard the command, Hikari vanished from sight.
*hup*
Kazuki quickly leaped into the air to get a better view of his surroundings, but he immediately regretted the reckless move.
*ahhkkk*
Hikari's leg slammed into his back, sending him crashing down.
*thud*
Kazuki scrambled to his feet, but before he could take a step,
*crack*
Hikari's fist landed squarely on his chest, breaking two ribs and sending him flying toward the house. Before he could collide with the wall,
[Stone Bulwark]
(Stone Bulwark is an earth affinity spell that conjures a sturdy earthen wall to defend against enemy attacks. Upon casting, the ground surges upwards, forming a thick, imposing barrier of rock and soil. This wall serves as a formidable defense, capable of withstanding physical assaults and providing protection against a variety of offensive spells. The Stone Bulwark can be shaped and reinforced based on the caster's skill, allowing for greater adaptability in battle scenarios. The spell is particularly effective in fortifying positions and shielding allies from harm.)
*slam* *bluerghhh*
Kazuki crashed into the newly formed earthen wall, coughing up blood, but he was determined not to give up.
*tak*
He propelled himself forward using the wall to his advantage, swiftly closing the distance between them. Twisting his body midair, he aimed a powerful kick at Hikari.
Instead of dodging, Hikari braced his right elbow against the attack, supporting it with his left hand. Kazuki was momentarily confused by the odd move but soon understood.
*creak* *break*
"AAARGH!!!"
Kazuki all but screamed as his leg broke upon impact with Hikari's elbow.
"It was a valiant effort to attack me even after being injured, but you should know when to give up on a frontal assault when you're outmatched,"
Hikari chided, sounding like a doting grandfather, though the grandson was lying on the ground, writhing in pain.
[Divine Heal]
(Divine Heal is a high-level light affinity spell that channels pure, radiant energy to heal the wounds of the targeted individuals. The spell not only mends physical injuries but also restores the individual's mana reserves, accelerating their internal healing processes. By replenishing mana, Divine Heal enhances the body's natural ability to recover, allowing for faster regeneration of tissues and overall recovery from fatigue or magical exertion. The spell is often used in critical situations where both physical and magical endurance are needed for survival.)
{If used by a high mage, Divine Heal also possesses the ability to cure diseases and dispel curses afflicting the target. However, the spell's effectiveness is contingent upon the strength of the curse or disease. If the curse was placed by a mage stronger than the caster, or if the curse or disease inherently exceeds Divine Heal's purifying capabilities, the spell will fail. Additionally, dispelling particularly potent curses or curing severe diseases requires a significant amount of mana.}
"You'll feel better now. We'll resume in two minutes. In the next spar, I'll focus on defending against your attacks. You can use any tactic you want, but no use of mana."
Hikari told before restoring the training grounds to its previous state. Kazuki didn't say anything and just observed Hikari's posture, now that he had been training with him, It was becoming clear just how strong he was in not only magic or swordsmanship but combat in general.
"Your break is over, now don't waste any more time and give me your best."
'It's going to be a long day ahead.....' was Kazuki's only fleeting thought.