"The basic techniques of magical combat include footwork, hand gestures, defensive stances, and energy projection," Emma explained, sitting cross-legged in the living room. She wore a white tank top and shorts, addressing the two young apprentices seated before her.
"Since you're both still young, your magical cores aren't fully developed yet. So currently, the most practical approach is learning how to channel your limited magical energy for maximum effect."
"We'll start by practicing some fundamental magical movements," she continued.
Standing up, her athletic figure was accentuated by the room's magical lighting. Her high ponytail swayed as she turned to Lucas.
"Lucas, try to cast a spell at me with all your strength."
"Go Lucas!" Sophia cheered enthusiastically from the side, clapping her hands.
Lucas stood up, focusing his magical energy. His current power level was "First Circle Mage."
He cast a basic spell, which Emma easily deflected.
Emma gently held his casting hand, speaking softly, "Hold this position. Widen your stance a bit, and raise your shoulders."
"Yes, exactly like that."
A subtle scent of magical herbs lingered in the air as Emma patiently adjusted Lucas's form and stance.
Lucas was genuinely impressed by Emma's expertise. He had learned some basic magic in his past life during college electives, and her teaching methods were just as professional as his former instructors'.
However, her perfect figure was somewhat distracting during the close contact training. Thankfully, his mental fortitude was strong enough to maintain his composure.
Watching her sister's "hands-on" instruction with Lucas, Sophia's eyes widened with envy. She quickly raised her hand, calling out anxiously, "Sister, sister, I want that too!"
After finishing adjusting Lucas's stance, Emma patted her sister's head. "Alright, don't be impatient. Come on, stand up, and I'll teach you."
Sophia giggled, but instead of going to her sister, she ran straight to Lucas and started trying to "adjust" his stance herself.
Lucas: ?
Emma quickly realized what Sophia meant by "that too" and hurriedly pulled her sister back, sighing.
"Sophia, young ladies should be more reserved."
Sophia bit her lip, playing innocent.
Since Emma had work to handle later that night, they agreed to practice for two hours each day.
Today's training session ended.
Lucas left Sophia's house.
Behind him, Sophia bounced up and down, waving, "Bye-bye Lucas, see you tomorrow!"
Lucas waved back.
[Today you received instruction from a master, gaining insight: Magical Combat +2. This world's combat arts have unique properties, focusing more on magical enhancement.]
[Seed of Destiny activated: Due to Holy Maiden Sophia's diligent practice, you received feedback: Magical Combat +2]
Remarkably, Lucas could feel his understanding of magical combat techniques deepening naturally, as if he had been practicing for months.
Over the next period of time.
Lucas settled into a three-point routine.
School, Sophia's house, his home.
Emma was extremely patient and detailed in teaching the two young ones.
Lucas made exceptional progress. Within about a month, he had mastered almost all the basic techniques.
Emma was quite amazed by his talent.
At first, Sophia could hold her own during practice duels with him.
But gradually, she found herself completely overwhelmed by his growing power.
However, this silly girl would always beam with joy after being defeated, chirping: "Lucas is amazing! Lucas is the best! Sophia admits defeat!"
Her emotional support was truly maxed out.
Actually, Sophia seemed to have inherited her sister's talent, progressing quite well herself. Among their peers, few could probably match her in a magical duel.
Moreover, under Lucas's month-long guidance... no, teaching, she had learned to speak up and express her feelings of unhappiness or dissatisfaction.
For instance, when playing games with classmates, if someone performed poorly, she would follow Lucas's example and boldly declare, "If you're bad, practice more!"
Or when a mischievous boy in class kept pulling her ponytail, she would bare her little fangs under Lucas's coaching and warn him fiercely, "Pull it again, and I'll break your hand!"
Though most times, her threats came across more like adorable pouting.
Of course, Sophia continued faithfully paying her daily friendship tribute of milk.
However, the regular milk no longer had any effect on Lucas's "Dragon Constitution."
After a month passed, summer vacation would begin, and Lucas would officially graduate from third grade to become a "Fourth Grade Champion."
"Lucas, what are you planning to do this summer?" Sophia asked curiously today after training, resting her chin on her hands while offering him a peeled orange.
Lucas popped an orange segment into his mouth, enjoying the burst of juice. "Haven't thought about it yet. Might try to earn some money when I have time."
"Earn money?" Sophia froze completely. "But we'd be considered child labor, wouldn't we? No one would hire us, right?"
Lucas indeed didn't know what to do.
He was too young now, didn't even have an ID card. He couldn't even hang out at internet cafes without getting kicked out by the owner, let alone do anything else.
Plus, this world wasn't different from his past life, so there weren't any opportunities to get rich quick by copying novels, songs, or betting on sports.
"Lucas."
Sophia suddenly furrowed her little brows, sighing weakly with worry, "My grandmother says she misses me, so I have to spend half of summer vacation at her place."
"Oh." Lucas sat on the couch, staring at the ceiling. "Then you should go."
"But..."
Sophia sniffled. "But that means I won't see you for half the summer vacation."
She looked at Lucas pitifully, counting on her little fingers: "Do you know how long half a summer vacation is?"
"30 days, which is 720 hours, equal to 43,200 minutes, 2,592,000 seconds!"
Lucas: ...
If Sophia hadn't mentioned it, he wouldn't have realized 30 days had so many seconds.
He reached out and pinched her cheek. "Why not think about how you still have half a vacation to come back to?"
"Also..."
He said seriously, "Sophia, you're always trying to stick close to me. Do you have any intentions beyond friendship?"
He suspected this silly girl had developed ulterior motives, but he had no proof.
This could be a dangerous situation.
He might end up in trouble for this.
Sophia's eyes went blank immediately, and she shook her head frantically, "No, I'm just silly, I only want to be good friends with Lucas. I don't understand anything beyond friendship!"
"This is just following you, like you said!"
Thinking of the piggy bank hidden under her bed, filled with the small bills Lucas had given her, which she had already discussed with her sister - though Lucas knew nothing about it -
her expression became even more vacant as she insisted: "Lucas, you know I'm not smart at all, and you're so clever, I definitely couldn't fool you!"
Lucas was suspicious, but seeing her silly expression, he released her cheek, "I'll believe you for now. I doubt you'd have the courage anyway."
"Mm-hmm."
Sophia nodded vigorously, relieved inside. Patting her little chest, she fidgeted with her hands and asked, "Lucas, when I'm at grandmother's place, can I call you?"
Lucas waved dismissively, "Whatever you want."
"Video calls too?"
Sophia asked carefully.
Lucas glanced at her, "Why are you such a handful, kid? Fine, whatever, but I'm warning you - I might not always answer."
"Oh, that's good then."
Sophia's big eyes sparkled as she giggled foolishly.
...