Chapter 6: Training in the Mountains
The day had been long and tiring, but as the sun began to dip beneath the horizon, Kai and Sakura returned to their apartment. The exhaustion from training with Yuji earlier was palpable, yet the excitement about tomorrow's training filled the air. It was strange to think that such a small Frame Knight like Sakura could undergo such rigorous training, but that's exactly what was in store.
After they arrived, Kai collapsed onto the couch. His phone buzzed, a call from Yuji. With a deep breath, Kai answered.
"You're ready for tomorrow, right?" Yuji's voice came through, casual yet filled with purpose. "You and Sakura are heading up the mountain."
"The mountain? What for?" Kai asked, not expecting another training day so soon.
"There's a spot there I used to train in the past. It's a special place, and it'll help you with the next step in your training. Get some rest tonight; we start early," Yuji instructed.
Kai nodded, even though Yuji couldn't see him. "Alright, we'll be ready."
Sakura, resting in her usual place in Kai's chest pocket, spoke softly. "We will be ready, Kai. Let's do this."
---
The next morning, the cool mountain air greeted them as they started their journey up the winding paths. The sun had barely risen, and a faint mist hung in the air. They didn't need to speak much—Kai and Sakura were ready, even though they didn't yet know exactly what awaited them.
They met up with Yuji near the base of the mountain. With a few words of greeting, they started their ascent. The trek was steep, but it didn't take long before they reached a secluded clearing. This was the spot Yuji had mentioned.
The first thing Kai noticed was a large wooden circular platform, about the size of a table, sitting in the center of the clearing. The platform was solid and well-worn, showing signs of use. But what caught Kai's attention wasn't the platform—it was the fact that it was surrounded by trees, and the ground beneath them was softer than expected.
"Looks like you've been here before," Kai commented, examining the area.
Yuji nodded. "I trained here a lot when I was younger. It's not about fancy techniques or strength. It's about precision and focus."
Sakura, nestled in Kai's pocket, piped up, "I'm ready, Kai. Let's see what we can do."
"Yeah, we're ready," Kai said, lifting Sakura gently from his pocket.
Yuji smiled and gestured to the platform. "Alright, here's the deal. You'll both work on your speed, focus, and precision. The platform will test your ability to move quickly and accurately."
Kai looked down at Sakura, who seemed to understand exactly what was required of her. "So, what exactly are we doing here?"
"Cutting leaves," Yuji replied simply. "There's nothing complicated about it, but it's a test of skill. Sakura will need to cut as many of the fallen leaves around her as she can, and you'll focus on helping her get the timing right. This isn't just about cutting—it's about how fast you can react and how well Sakura adapts to your commands."
Kai furrowed his brow, but Sakura's voice soothed his nerves. "I understand, Kai. I will do my best."
---
The training session was well underway, and the clearing was filled with the sound of Sakura's katana slicing through the air as she cut through the leaves that fell around her. Despite her size, she moved with incredible precision, but there was still room for improvement.
Just as they were starting to get into the rhythm of the training, a voice interrupted them.
"Young ones seem to be working hard," the voice said. It was a raspy voice, old but with a hint of amusement.
Kai turned, spotting an elderly man sitting cross-legged by a nearby tree. He wore a simple, weathered outfit, his hair thin and graying, with a long white beard that reached down to his chest. He had a presence about him that was hard to ignore, even though his appearance was unassuming.
Yuji grinned as he turned to face the old man. "Ah, you've found us. This is the old man I was telling you about."
The old man smiled faintly. "You can just call me 'Old Man.' That's all I am now."
Kai, slightly surprised, stepped forward. "What brings you here?"
The old man's gaze shifted to Sakura, who was finishing another quick-draw cut. "I've seen many knights, but your one here—she's fascinating." His voice was soft but filled with a certain wisdom that made Kai pause. "She's got potential. You're teaching her well."
Kai blinked, not expecting the compliment. "I'm just learning, too. I'm not sure how well I'm teaching her."
"You're doing fine. She responds well to you," the old man said with a knowing look. "That's what matters most." He paused, then added, "But remember, true strength isn't just in your knight's abilities. It's in how well you understand each other."
Sakura, hearing the words, spoke up from Kai's pocket. "I understand, Old Man. We will continue to improve, together."
The old man nodded, his eyes twinkling. "Good. You've got the right spirit."
With that, the old man rose slowly and started to walk toward the trees. "You'll find your true training here, in the heart of the mountain. Don't rush it. Let the mountain teach you."
Before Kai could ask him more, the old man was already gone, disappearing into the forest like a shadow. All that remained was the lingering sense of his presence, and a few scattered leaves that fluttered down to the ground.
Kai turned to Yuji, who was watching the scene with a slight smile. "Who is he, Yuji? He seems like he knows a lot."
Yuji only shrugged. "A local. He's been around for years. You'll get to know him more in time."
"Really? He seems like... he's someone important."
Yuji just grinned and said nothing more.
The training resumed, and for the next several hours, Kai and Sakura continued to practice, honing their quick-draw technique. The old man's words lingered in the back of Kai's mind as he watched Sakura become more precise with each move.
With the sun starting to set, marking the end of their day, Kai turned to Sakura, who was silently reflecting on their progress. "We've come a long way, haven't we?" he whispered.
Sakura nodded, her voice soft. "We still have much to learn, but we will improve together, Kai."
As they prepared to head back, the quiet wisdom of the old man stayed with them. Tomorrow would bring more challenges, but for now, the journey was already beginning to feel like it was shaping them into something more than just master and knight.
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End of Chapter 6