As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the training grounds, Alex felt like he had stepped into a dream—or perhaps a particularly vivid episode of a fantasy series. He was surrounded by warriors clad in elaborate robes and armor, each one executing fluid movements that made sword fighting look like an elegant dance.
"Okay, Alex, just breathe," he muttered to himself. "You're a normal kid. You can do this. Sort of."
Lianhua stood beside him, her arms crossed, watching him with an amused expression. "Are you ready to begin your training?"
"Ready as I'll ever be!" he declared, his voice a little louder than intended. He shot her a sheepish grin, which she returned with an eye roll.
"First, you must learn the basics of Qi," she explained. "It is the energy that flows through all living things. You will need to harness it to become a true warrior."
"Qi, huh?" Alex nodded, trying to sound serious. "So, it's like yoga for superheroes?"
"Something like that," Lianhua said, a hint of laughter in her voice. "But first, we need to find your center. Close your eyes and focus on your breath."
"Sure! Easy peasy!" He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to relax. But instead of calmness, his mind began racing with thoughts.
What if I can't do this? What if I trip and fall? What if I accidentally break something important?
"Focus, Alex," Lianhua urged gently, her tone more encouraging than commanding. "Breathe in... and out. Let go of your doubts."
Taking another deep breath, he felt his body relax slightly. For a moment, he imagined himself as a fearless warrior, leaping into action against dark forces, saving the day with dazzling moves.
"Now, visualize your Qi," she instructed. "Feel it flow through you. Where do you feel the strongest connection?"
Alex frowned in concentration. Do I even have Qi? He tried to visualize it as a glowing ball of energy inside him, but all he could think about was how hungry he was. "Um, I think I feel it in my stomach," he said, attempting to sound confident.
Lianhua opened her eyes, trying to suppress a laugh. "That's not quite what I meant. But you're on the right track."
Suddenly, a loud clanging sound interrupted them. A tall figure with messy hair and a cheeky grin appeared, swinging a wooden sword like it was a toy.
"Hey, are you guys just standing around or what?" Wei, the crafty thief and self-proclaimed master of sarcasm, shouted. He wore a colorful ensemble that looked like it had been thrown together in the dark. "If you want to be a warrior, you need to train!"
"Thanks for the pep talk, Wei," Alex replied dryly, rolling his eyes.
"Don't worry, I'll make you a fighting machine," Wei said, throwing an arm around Alex's shoulder. "Just follow my lead, and we'll have you slashing through enemies in no time. Or at least, tripping over them."
"Sounds reassuring," Alex muttered, shooting Lianhua a look.
"Don't let him get to you," Lianhua advised, a smile dancing on her lips. "Let's start with some basic movements."
With that, the trio set off to join the other trainees. As they moved, Alex watched the warriors practice their forms, their movements precise and fluid.
"Okay, just focus on what they're doing," he told himself. "You can do this."
Lianhua demonstrated a series of stances and strikes, her movements graceful and powerful. Alex tried to imitate her, but he felt like a fish out of water. Every swing of his wooden sword felt awkward, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he looked ridiculous.
"Like this!" Wei said, dramatically rolling to the ground and popping up with an exaggerated flourish. "You've got to add flair!"
"Flair? What am I, a musical?" Alex grumbled, trying to stay serious as he clumsily swung his sword.
"Absolutely!" Wei winked. "Now, let's see some jazz hands while you swing!"
"Jazz hands? This isn't a dance recital!" Alex snapped, trying not to laugh.
After what felt like an eternity of awkward swordplay, Lianhua called a break. "Good effort, Alex. Remember, it's not just about strength. You need to find your rhythm and balance."
"Rhythm and balance. Got it," he said, wiping the sweat from his brow. "But could we also add 'finding cookies' to the curriculum?"
Wei laughed loudly. "You really are serious about those cookies, aren't you? Maybe we should have a cookie quest next!"
"Cookie quest? Now that's an idea I can get behind!" Alex grinned, the thought of cookies providing a much-needed boost to his spirits.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting warm hues across the training ground, Alex felt a flicker of excitement. Maybe he could get the hang of this after all. As long as they didn't mind his humor and love for snacks, he might just fit in.