Combat Training

A warm cup of tea was served, along with the birds chirping on a cool morning. Pages after another, Ashnard took a sip of his rose tea.

The second edition of Roc the Star Knight's adventure book has a travel theme that is quite deep and full of meaning. Therefore, Ashnard chose the right time and atmosphere so he might understand the intricacies of the conflict and the message of the story. Like this morning.

The tea gets cold, but the book has not yet reached the end of the story. The chirping of the birds perched in the trees distracted the boy's focus. On the street in front of his residence, a blonde-haired girl who seemed to be the same age made Ashnard put down his book and go to the railing.

Ashnard was fascinated by the girl who observing the flowers in the flower shop. As the girl tucked her hair behind her ear, Ashnard was increasingly unable to take his attention away from her. Even the beauty of the flowers, can not beat the girl. Her floral dress made her like a flower itself. Her blonde hair was blowing by the wind, revealing a blush on the girl's sweet cheeks, making Ashnard's heart beat wildly.

The girl doesn't realize that she is also being watched by Ashnard from behind the fence wall.

Ashnard tried to sneak his eyes through the gap in the fence. "I think she is the girl from the Nerefelon family, right? She's beautiful too. There's no way I can get close to her," he muttered.

Suddenly, darkness covered Ashnard's vision. He pulled away and looked up. The familiar old face smiled, "Good morning Mr. Ashnard. Isn't it still too early to spy on a girl?"

"Shut up, old man. You're disturbing my bright morning," Ashnard said. "Besides, I'm not spying on anyone."

Ozark entered through the gate and approached Ashnard. "Oh, so I was wrong, I'm sorry then." Ozarks chuckled mockingly.

"By the way, you know my mother, don't you? You must know my father too," said Ashnard changing the subject.

"Yes, I know Mr. Ebert. He is a great Elemagnia Knight. I have fought him several times, and in my opinion, he is an opponent who cannot be underestimated."

"Before his death, my father left a gift for me. A sword hilt without a blade. Do you know why my father gave me such a gift? A sword without a sharp blade can't be used properly, can it?"

Ozark watched the boy for a moment, then ruffled his hair. "You'll understand later, boy." Ozark then walked past him. "But now it's time to training."

Training is carried out every day without a day off. Moreover, the two elements that Ashnard has made this training more strenuous and more complicated than the training the man used to give to others.

In his first practice, Ashnard was required to be able to change the size of the water ball freely. In a month, the large size he reached is the size of a horse-drawn carriage, and for the smallest size is the grain of wheat. And his achievement was also due to his helpful Astral Elements.

His second exercise was how long Ashnard could hold his water ball before it exploded. Mastery of the elements requires all of the necessary energy, concentration, breath, and physical condition.

If the concentration is dispersed, the water ball will explode. If the breath is uncontrollable, not only the water ball, the body might also receive the impact. Blood flow can be torn, causing internal bleeding. Just like a punch or swinging a sword, elemental strength also requires muscle strength. In other words, a physical condition also is considered.

These are three things Ashnard must pay attention to maintain his water ball. At first, it was difficult. Ashnard couldn't even hold it in for more than three minutes. Blood dripped from his nose when he forced it. However, as the training progressed, he now can hold it for 10 minutes. For Ozark, who is an experience Elemagnia, he can withstand it for up to an hour.

The next training is utilization. Ashnard had to harness the power of his element in his daily life. From pouring water in a bathtub to creating simple furniture shapes. That way, his body would get used to the continuous energy in his body. Until there was no limit to creating any form.

No training is complete without delicious food. After the training, Ashnard, Ozark, and Edda gathered at the dining table. Edda most excited than anyone to see his son's progress, then she asked Ozark, "How is Ash's progress? Was the result satisfactory? Does he always listen to you?"

"Ash's progress is quite good, although he sometimes has strange hobbies," Ozark replied with a grin at Ashnard.

"Strange hobby?" she asked curiously.

Ashnard gave Ozark a sharp look that implied that he shouldn't tell his mother. However, Ozark replied with a mischievous grin, "I think, Mr. Ashnard is about time to get his natural needs."

"You mean a girl? I thought so too. Is there a girl you like, Ash?"

While Ashnard bowed his head in shame, his face became red like a freshly ripe apple. Ashnard trying not to want to answer, but still the two grown humans continued to embarrass him.

The woman stomped her hand on the table, "If there's still no girl you like, tomorrow I'll help you find it. I know a lot of girls your age, you know."

"Good idea, Mrs. Edda, but the visit must be postponed. Tomorrow is Mr. Ashnard's main training. This training is very important for his development," said Ozark after taking a sip of his wine.

"Oh, I see. Maybe next time, Ash. Tomorrow I want to see your practice too."

In front of the excited mother's eyes, the two men stared at each other. They are standing in the backyard, where the wind blows courage for them.

"The rules are simple. I'll stay here, just moving my hands. If you can make me move or shift just a little. You win. You allowed to use all of your strength," Ozark reiterated his combat training rules.

"I understand."

"You can start any time."

Ashnard started by pointing his index finger forward, shooting a small water ball at Ozark. Ozark smiled casually. A layer of wind erodes the water ball into pieces.

A second water ball the size of a head was released quickly to be held back by Ozark's wind. The splashed water ball suddenly twisted and tried to shoot at Ozark's head. And again, the wind erodes it to nothing.

Ashnard continues to attack Ozarks blindly, without stopping. From the large water balls to small water balls with large quantities. From ranged attacks to melee combat, Ashnard had already done it, but Ozark responded casually.

Ashnard ran with all his might and aimed his punch covered in water, but the wind moved downwards and picked up Ashnard, then spun him through the air. Ashnard fell to the ground hard. the water in his fist spilled onto the ground.

"Sorry, was I being too hard on you?" sneered Ozark.

Ashnard got up and jumped back. He held his breath for a moment before making his next attack.

"Remember everything I taught you. Don't let your concentration waver," said Ozark warned.

"I know. I'm just thinking of a way to make your old face kiss the ground."

Edda, who was observing, was angry when she heard the words that came out of his son's mouth, "Don't be rude to your teacher, Ash!"

The puddle that slipped from Ashnard's fist slowly moved under Ozark. Ashnard kept talking to him to distract Ozark. Then, Ashnard fired his water bullets repeatedly while running to the side, trying to reduce his distance.

Ashnard knew all of his attacks were nothing but just dust for Ozark, but that wasn't Ashnard's real goal. After the distance was close enough, Ashnard shot out a large water ball to Ozark. While keeping the Ozark busy with the water ball, Ashnard created a water rope that connected to the puddle beneath Ozark's feet. The puddle slowly bound Ozark's legs like chains. Ashnard pulled the water rope with all his strength, which made Ozark's legs lift.

The plan he prepared did not go successfully. Ozark's legs were lifted in the air and his face was down, but he was only inches above the ground. The wind made the Ozark's entire body float in the air. Since the rules only apply if Ozark is on the ground, Ashnard's plan doesn't work.

Then, a strong wind blew from Ozark's body, pushing Ashnard backward. Although his mother continued to cheer him up, Ashnard's strength had reached the limit. He couldn't go on anymore.

"Damn it!" Ashnard staggered limply. He collapsed on the ground. "I give up."

***

In the empty room, there was nothing he could do but see and hear what Ashnard was going through. All of the boy's memories were also stored in his memory as if he and Ashnard were one.

He lifted his right leg and pulled it tightly until it touched his chest, then switched to his left. After that, he turned his waist left and right in a number of counts.

"I give up," said Ashnard, which was conveyed through the information.

"You suck, kid. Next time you have to work out like me to have a strong body." He bent his arms in the air to show his muscles. "Well, but exercise won't make your body white."

Then, he stared in question. "Why is my soul so white?"