Julian Hale
I was born into the noble family Hales, my family has one of the biggest influence in the country as we contribute to the government and big academies or so I heard.
On top of that my father is someone who has high control over his boundless ki and my mother has control over vita on top of her vast ki pool.
Which is why I was highly expected to be a heir capable of what they can do or beyond. Unfortunately I was born with almost no ki at all, I can barely use it to run for a few seconds.
Though I only stay at the mansion because I was said that I was a shame to the Hale family. Which I don't really hate because it's comfortable here in this big building.
Since I haven't really seen anyone else augment their body with ki, I don't know how much incapable I am.
The maid Mara is kind and caring towards me. From what she's taught me ki is an inner energy someone's born with. Like blood, ki has its small tunnels all around the body, but the difference is that while someone can die from blood loss, it won't happen with ki. And once someone is born with a certain amount of ki they can't exceed that amount at all, it's like the maximum amount of ki they can manage.
Ki is replenished naturally over time after the usage. One can train to make the refilling faster and how precise they can use the inner energy.
People would use ki in their everyday life. Sprinting, jumping, carrying heavy objects and it's most useful in martial arts since it strengthens body and enhances combat skill.
Mother has control over vita, vita isn't something people would be born with, it's the very essence of life itself, found in all natural things such as trees and grass. It is pure and not as easily controlled as ki.
Vita heals wounds, extends lifespans, purifies corruption, and enhances vitality. Unlike ki, which strengthens the body for combat, Vita restores and sustains life itself.
People who can influence vita are called restorers. And restorers with precise control over vita can take appropriate amount of vita themselves and fuse it with their ki. That phenomenon is called a vital convergence. After converging those two, people can save it to heal their's and other's wounds in case where vita isn't to be found.
Mother is a restorer who can converge with high amount of ki, which means she can save up more vita than most.
"And I had to be a weakling born from two strong people" I muttered to myself as I walked out through the front door.
"You don't have to be so hard on yourself, sir Julian. You might not have natural talent but you parents haven't given up on you. Or they wouldn't be bothering to teach you swordsmanship, arithmetic, and all those things such as strategizing." Fiora the maid said. She's a bit cold but she's been working for my family the longest.
I have grown up to be eight year old and started learning multiple things focusing mainly on sword-wielding, strategizing, arithmetic and nobility. I especially like reading about history, how humanity has evolved, war between countries and more on how you meditate and train your ki or vita.
I nodded to Fiora and continued my walk towards the training grounds. A man with a long wheat blonde hair, and lavender eyes dressed in a normal white training suit with a thick black stripe in the middle was waiting for me, lost in thoughts. "Goodmorning, master." I greeted with a soft tone.
His deeply focused eyes instantly became cheerful when he noticed my presence "Hey there, kiddo. Not very energetic today, huh?" Aldric, my master asked with a cheerful tone matching his expression.
Aldric has been teaching me the way of swords since I was five year old. He's a friendly man always listening to me and giving advice not only on swords eventhough he's harsh during practice.
"I feel tired." I said softly again.
"Hah! Sure you are." Aldric said as he tossed a wooden training sword at me. His sudden loud voice jumped me.
I instantly rushed towards Aldric after receiving my weapon, I leaned forward and thrust the blade at Aldric throat. He leaned to his right, grabbed my wrist and pulled it then kicked me in the butt after I was suddenly facing the opposite way and showed him my back. I managed to stay balanced and swung my blade to his knees using my momentum as I spinned. His wooden sword was pulled up, intercepting and blocking my weapon. After my blade completely stopped and I couldn't push it forward, I pulled it back and spun the other way, aiming my blade higher to his head. He crouched down dodging my blade and kicked my knees after I was again, facing the wrong way making me fall on my knees. "Maybe I was wrong about you being drowsy, seeing how you were just hell bent on injuring me. Hah!" Aldric said energetic as always.
"No enemy would wait for you in real battles, right?" I said with my cockiness leaking in my tone.
I steadied myself, gripping the wooden sword tighter as I shifted my footing. Aldric's grin widened as he twirled his own weapon, waiting for my next move. He's always this relaxed, playful even, but never careless.
I feinted a downward slash, then quickly changed my angle, aiming for his ribs. He twisted his body, effortlessly sidestepping my strike. In an instant, he countered with a quick jab towards my shoulder. I barely managed to block, my arms trembling slightly from the impact. My lack of Ki control made every strike take more effort than it should.
Aldric didn't give me a moment to breathe. He pivoted and swung his sword in a wide arc. I ducked just in time, feeling the rush of air as the wooden blade passed overhead. My heart pounded. I had to think faster. I kicked forward, closing the gap between us, and lashed out with a diagonal slash.
A loud crack echoed through the training grounds as our weapons clashed. The force of his parry sent a sharp vibration up my arms. I bit back the frustration. My body was slower, my stamina weaker. I needed to use what I had smarter.
I adjusted my stance and lunged again, attacking relentlessly. Slash, feint, thrust—each move was met with precise counters. Aldric was testing me, guiding me through the rhythm of battle. I caught a glimpse of approval in his lavender eyes before he suddenly swept my legs out from under me.
I hit the ground with a grunt, dust flying around me. Aldric laughed, resting the tip of his training sword on my chest.
"You got heart, kiddo. But heart alone won't win a fight." He extended a hand, pulling me up effortlessly.
I sighed, brushing off the dirt. "Then what will?"
He smirked, tapping his temple. "Your mind. Your body may be weak, but your wits? Those can be sharper than any blade."
I looked at him, considering his words. My lack of ki was a weakness which couldn't be replaced. I just thought of his words as pity.
The sun hung high in the sky, its warmth pressing down on us. My muscles ached and my breath was uneven.
Aldric clapped a hand on my shoulder. "Tomorrow, we start again. And maybe, just maybe, you'll land a hit on me."
I smirked, determination settling in. "We'll see about that."
With that, I turned away, feeling the weight of my sword in my hand—not as a burden, but as a challenge.