Learning about the 1st Families

Her movement was flawless and her hair moved elegantly. She had perfect form and unshakeable composure. It was all done in an instant. "It is not impossible for you can do the same thing, It will become muscle memory the more you do it."

The lesson was simple for him, but she made it seem easy. She then said "Use your spear, and give it a try, This can be your move you use to shock everyone. You have to finish the first fight in one round. Go for the kill. If someone is important he will naturally have people who will save him from the sidelines, so no need to worry."

Joey wasn't confident but he did as she said. His first try was awkward, his spear carried him away from the force it carried. His form was weak and his spear stuck in the tree. It didn't cause any kind of explosive power.

"Are you even trying, kid? What is with your half-assed attitude? The children there have all learned at least 3 martial arts. Not to mention them having world-class teachers from the Sky Military. What do you have"

"Jeez way to rub it in"

"Stop acting like this kid, you really have to put in the extra effort. If you face a kid from one of the 1st Families I reckon they could beat you easily. Not to mention some probably have passed the awakening stages and reached Early Stage Rank 1" Mila didn't want him thinking she was being hard on him, "Maybe If you actually knew about the families you would understand I'm not joking. C'mon, we have a theory for today."

She leads him over to two conveniently placed rocks."Now where should I begin"."Start with why the Military exists" Joey quickly suggested, he wanted to know what Mila would say.

She looked at him slightly shocked. Then explained "The military is made to explore 9 Skies, there isn't much known about the planet so it is more of a precautionary measure. If something happened they would be the first line of defence."

So you guys use so much Military for something that might not happen?" Joey was not buying it, he wanted Mila to know he suspected something, but she never bought into it.

"9 Skies is also incomparably huge and is very close to us, you can even see it take up most of the sky. It's always there, so we need to explore it extensively to make sure that it's safe. We provide scientists with information to find out why it's there, it's not a waste to have Sky Military." As Mila was saying this, in her head she was thinking "Does this kid know something that he shouldn't? but it's impossible, someone can't leak that kind of information."

Joey thought she was sticking close to her story and gave up. Then he said, "I want to learn more about the 1st families, why are they such a big deal". "It's like this. There are many families from all four of the cardinal sky bases. South Sky Military Base has two, are Janores and Deoxys. They are treated with utmost respect and courtesy because they are the strongest and are usually the ones on the frontlines at 9 skies. Their family has produced many Masters, it is said anyone from the family is bored to greatness and their powers are unique so they have preference over anyone in the military.

There are five 1st Families, the rest are normally at their respective bases occupying their own islands. Janroes, Deoxys, Emris, Hermes and Zeus. If you ever hear those names you should raise an eye because they are people of high status. They all have different powers they specialize in. You also need to know that in the Sky military respect is everything, so you should show respect to all your superiors no matter what. Especially 1st Family members."

Joey understood why they were so highly respected perfectly. Even at Sky fall Midpoint, he met children who were of first family descent and they were arrogant. Even Ueno was arrogant at first. "I have met a lot of these guys, I hope they don't make my life hell in the future" Joey didn't know what kind of impression he left on them.

"Why are they called 1st families?"

"Because if anything with 9 skies went south, they would be the first to die on the front lines. There are also 2nd families. They are families that have a lot more power and some own large corporations or won mines. They tend to create trash; all talk and no bark, but not all of them. Some of them are scientists, doctors or weaponsmiths. They will b strong but they will normally use their family name to try and intimidate you."

"I don't underestimate anyone, I will treat them all the same"

"Hahaha, good! I'm teaching you well. It will be just as easy for someone to make you lower your god, so take everyone who wants to take your life the same. Never take them for granted" Mila was glad he seemed to have his head in the right place. "Let's get back to practice now, you can ask me any question you have while training."

They both got up to leave but Joey actually had a question. "Mila, how strong are you?".

She never expected his question but said "I'm strong enough to fight a Military Lieutenant". She said proudly, then said, "Don't worry about that for now, retry what I showed you earlier and blow a hole through the tree. Remember to seem harmless, that's how you get them. The key to victory is to undersell yourself as an opponent."

She repeated the motion slowly and described them as she went on, then it was Joey's turn. He did it the same way she did, a single-handed strike from a normal position but this time he failed even harder. He made the dumbest mistake he could. He lost his weapon.

He knew he messed up, he hesitantly looked at Mila who had a looming smile.