After a heavy day where he tried to stress his stamina limits, Palim awoke with a rumbling stomach. Despite breakfast having come and gone, he was still hungry. Then he got a new idea. Today, he wanted to experiment with recycling air into sustenance. If he could convert the very energy around him into nourishment, it would be a remarkable breakthrough.
He gathered some leftover food from the previous night's meal—a small piece of bread, a few berries, and a small slice of cheese. Placing them in front of him, he sat cross-legged on the ground. The sun glinted through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the grass.
Palim closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He could sense the mana around him, rich and abundant. With each inhale, he imagined pulling in the life-giving energy of the air.
"Recycle," he whispered, focusing on the bread first.
He pictured the molecular structure of the food, willing his mana to break it down, converting it into pure energy. As he concentrated, he felt the warmth in his hands as they glowed faintly. The bread began to dissolve, transforming into a shimmering light that swirled around him.
But it wasn't enough. He needed to combine the air with the food for it to become real sustenance. Palim expanded his vision, visualizing the air blending with the remnants of the bread. Slowly, he wove the two together, merging the elements until they formed a glowing orb of energy.
[Skill Gained: Air Recycling into Sustenance (Level 1)]
"Come on," he muttered, eyes wide with excitement.
With a final push, he directed the energy into himself. His stomach tingled as the essence flowed into him, filling the void.
"Yes! It worked!" he exclaimed, his eyes bright.
…
Palim sat cross-legged on the soft grass, his eyes tracking Becca's every movement. The sun hung high in the sky, casting warmth over the garden.
Becca stood a few feet away, her wooden sword held tightly in both hands, her posture tense with focus. She had no idea that Palim was using their games to sharpen his reflexes and train his senses. He narrowed his eyes, scanning the way she shifted her weight—she was about to strike.
"Catch me if you can, Palim!" Becca shouted, her laughter spilling out as she twirled, completely immersed in their little game. Her carefree joy was contagious, but Palim's mind was focused, calculating. He noticed how her grip loosened just slightly when she turned—an opening.
"I catch you! I catch!" Palim shouted back, feigning the wide-eyed enthusiasm of a toddler. He stood, a little wobbly on purpose, his small body moving in clumsy motions. It was all an act, of course. He couldn't let her see how sharp his reflexes really were.
Becca darted forward, her wooden sword swinging in a playful arc. "Too slow, brother! Gotta be quicker!" she teased.
Palim grinned, the smile reaching only his lips while his mind worked at full speed. She was predictable with her swings, always favoring her right side. He could use that. But not yet. He let her swipe at him, dodging just enough to make it look like luck, letting the sword miss by inches.
"I… get sword!" he said, stumbling back with exaggerated clumsiness. His hands flailed as though he had no coordination, but really, he was timing her movements, learning the rhythm of her strikes.
Becca stopped for a second, her face lighting up with pride. "You're getting better, Palim! You'll be a knight someday, just like me!"
Palim puffed out his chest, giving her the reaction she wanted. "Best knight!" he shouted, his tone filled with childlike glee. In truth, he had no interest in knights or the games of childhood anymore. He'd lived a full life before this. But Becca didn't need to know that. She just needed the encouragement.
"That's right!" Becca said, lifting her wooden sword high. "But you still have to catch me!"
As she moved to strike again, Palim's thoughts turned sharp. His reflexes kicked in, timing her attack just right. He reached out, trying to deflect the sword, but made it look like a near miss, his small hands barely grazing the padded blade.
"Missed again!" Becca taunted, laughing brightly.
"Becca too fast!" Palim exclaimed, the words childish but his mind coldly assessing. She had too much momentum in her swings, losing balance with each strike. A weak point.
Becca lunged forward again, and this time Palim allowed her to brush him with the blade, stumbling back dramatically, falling onto the grass. He let out a fake huff, "I get you next time!"
Becca's laughter rang through the garden. She loved being in control, loved teaching her little brother. "You have to be clever, Palim! Knights use their brains, not just their swords."
Clever, huh? If only she knew.
"Me smart knight!" Palim cheered, pushing himself back to his feet. He was careful to let his steps remain clumsy, even though he could read her movements as easily as an open book. "I catch you!"
"Not if I can help it!" Becca twirled, her sword swooshing through the air. Palim watched her carefully. She was getting tired—her swings were becoming more erratic. This was his chance.
"Catch!" he shouted, lunging forward just as Becca swung again. This time, he deflected her sword gently with his hand, making it look like an accident. She froze, eyes wide with surprise.
"Whoa! You touched it!" she exclaimed, beaming with pride.
Palim gave her a sheepish grin, hiding the satisfaction brewing inside. "Lucky!" he said.
Becca lowered her sword, wiping sweat from her brow. "You're getting so much better, Palim. Soon, you'll be as fast as me!"
Palim nodded. "Me fast! Just like Becca!" His voice was full of excitement. His thoughts, however, were elsewhere—on how much his reflexes had improved from just these sparring sessions alone.
As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, he knew their playful training had more than paid off. Each game with Becca was a careful exercise in controlling his strength and instincts while honing his skills under the guise of fun.