Kizua
The morning air carried the faint smell of damp soil and iron as I stood in the Zoldyck training grounds, my heartbeat is beating beyond I can't count. The past few months was not easy, pushing my body beyond what I once thought possible. But today was different. Gotoh had warned me yesterday that my training was about to change.
"Young master Kizua, from today onwards, your training will take a step forward," Gotoh announced, his usual composed and dull expression.
"You've built a solid foundation, but strength alone is meaningless without technique. From now on, you'll be sparring with young master Killua." I swallowed unconsciously by hearing it. I had been expecting this. I just didn't think it would come so soon. Well, what do you expect from this family of assassins.
A few meters away, Killua stood with his arms crossed with his signature smirk playing on his lips. Acting already cool which I found amusing with his age. Despite that I could feel a heavy weight settle in my chest.
Killua had been trained from a very young age unlike me that I only started my training 3 months ago. Molded by Zoldyck traditions into a natural-born assassin, Killua's training is hellish. Even though I also experience hellish training it was still a while experience of once being an ordinary person in my past life, a man who had never even thrown a proper punch before. Imagine the mentality that is hard to change.
"You ready?" Killua asked, cracking his knuckles. "I'll go easy on you" he added, provoking me. Well, he has the capital to be like that but my older self cannot accept being provoked by a 3 year old kid.
"Don't hold back," I muttered, shifting into a fighting stance. I needed to see the gap for myself. Gotoh stepped forward.
"Rules are simple. The match ends if one of you is knocked down or gives up. Begin!" The moment the words had said, Killua instantly disappeared. Being not outdone, I focuses on my senses. Meditating for over two years is not for nothing.
A fraction of a seconds, I feel the movement exploded behind my back as Killua's foot aiming at my neck. I use my movement to dodge but still to late a bit of second to dodge. The force sent me backward a meter away, barely keeping my footing.
"Too slow," Killua said, watching me with a mixture of boredom and curiosity. "Not as weak as before dear brother" a sly smile curved at Killua's lips. I wiped my mouth and forced myself to focus. If I can't see him move, I need to predict him.
Killua dashed in again. This time, I braced myself, predicting a direct attact but he just gave me feints attack. He vanished from my sight again, reappearing to my right. A sharp pain shot up my ribs as his elbow struck me with pinpoint precision. I slightly dodge and make my counter attack until we both distance ourselves. I staggered but didn't fall. In terms of physical fitness, I am in a disadvantage.Killua narrowed his eyes. "You're stubborn. Let's do that again." He chimed happily.
I didn't respond. Talking would only waste my focus. He's faster, more skilled, and stronger. I can't beat him with brute force alone.
I glanced down at my own stance. I'm used to being hit now. That means I should be able to endure… just enough but it's still painful.
I adjusted my footing, raising my arms just slightly. Killua noticed the shift.
"Oh?" He grinned. "You're planning something." I mentally rolled my eyes. I didn't deny it. This time, I charged at him. What I have learnt from this past few months are the basic footwork and claw technique but I am still getting started.
Killua blinked in surprise before his smirk returned. "Finally taking the initiative huh? Let's see what you got."
I use my extended nails and aim it at Killua's neck but just deflected by him. Killua, as expected, dodged with it with ease. But that was what I wanted. I mentally smirked.
The first attack missed, I twisted my body, using the momentum to throw my left elbow in a wild arc. Killua's eyes widened not expecting what I am about to do.
A solid sound echoed as my elbow struck his forearm. He barely flinched, but I saw it—the briefest flicker of acknowledgment in his eyes.
"Not bad," Killua admitted. "But—"
His foot hooked behind my ankle, and I felt my balance vanish. I lost my focus as I crashed onto the ground, my back slamming against the cold stone. Before I could react, Killua's foot lightly tapped my chest with his smug smile.
"The match is over, young master Killua wins" Gotoh declared. Which made my eyes roll from Goto's declaration. 'Yeah right' I mentally muttered. Killua offered me his hand. I stared at it before taking his hands.
"That was fun," he said, pulling me up. "You're still a hundred years too early to beat me, my dear little brother." He teased. I sighed, brushing the dirt off my clothes.
"But…" Killua tilted his head. "You're improving fast. Maybe I should stop going easy to you soon." He added. I didn't know whether to feel honored or something.
Gotoh approached, nodding approvingly. "You lasted longer than I expected. You're adapting well, young master Kizua. But don't get complacent. If you want to be on equal footing with young master Killua, you'll need to train twice as hard." Which made me irk. I already knew that who made Killua the second protagonist of this world.
If I sum up my experience from sparring Killua, strength alone wouldn't be enough. I needed speed, reflexes, and technique mastery. I needed to close the gap before it widened further. You know, there's still 9 years before the plot begins.
"Let's spar again tomorrow." I met Killua's gaze.I just nodded, despite the dull ache in my body.
This is just the beginning. It is far from what I have wanted. If I wanted freedom in this world, I needed power. With that, I had to catch up to my brother. I thought as a transmigrator I would have a golden finger, but the reality is harsh. I only have the plot advantages to be used upon.
Like this sparring, no matter how many times I got knocked down I would stand up again.