True Beginning (5)

Anyone could have guessed I'd come to regret those words.

Training with Damien was more than just difficult. It was life-threatening.

Every day, he would wake me up at the crack of dawn, and we'd find our way to the knight's practice field. I made sure to reserve a section of it for Damien and me specifically. One, so no one would get in our way. And two, so no one would get hurt.

Luckily, Isani's body was already hardened from years of training with the sword, so the physical aspect of learning magic wasn't the problem. It was the mental aspect.

Not only did I struggle with the concept of moving magic throughout my body until it manifested into a solid form, but I couldn't keep up with Damien's skill in the martial arts. It was like learning to read while playing basketball simultaneously. But I had to do it.

I couldn't afford to be lazy.

One particularly trying morning, about a month into our training, Damien asked me if I was really alright to continue.

"Master, we can take a break if you need one," Damien pleaded with me.

"No, we don't have time for breaks."

Damien didn't say it aloud, but I could tell he was worried about how much I could handle. I cringed. I couldn't be this incapable.

"Let's start again," I signaled.

Damien nodded, and we both took up position.

He had been teaching me a type of martial arts specific to his clan. They called it Gen Ro. It was an ancient art, passed down from the time their clan was just forming. Damien reassured me that I was learning fast, and it was understandable if I needed more than three months. He had been learning it from birth, and he had the physical advantage of being a wolf demi-human. But even still, I couldn't take longer than the allotted time.

I didn't know why, really, but I was determined to do this.

Our hands were raised in front of us, the left open and ready to parry, while the right remained balled into a fist. Our feet were held at a similar angle, and torsos bent diagonally.

I took a breath. In through the nose, out through the mouth. Just like Damien had taught.

Then I took my move. Lunging forward, I aimed my right fist for Damien's face. He quickly avoided the strike, using his left hand to push my attack away. He then followed up with his own fist, aimed at my ribcage. I dodged, angling my body far to the right and nearly losing my balance. I took the opportunity to swing my right leg back around and swept Damien off his feet. His left foot moved like lighting, snaking around my striking leg, and making me lose balance all together. I fell to the ground with a thud, hitting my head on solid dirt. I cried out in frustration.

Damien looked apologetic as he reached his hand out to help me up.

"You are very good, master, but too hasty with your attacks. You completely ignore all defense, and leave too many openings for your enemy."

I laughed, "Ironic, isn't it? My superpower is supposed to be defense."

Damien scoffed, "Maybe in magic, but when it comes to martial arts, it's as if the word has vanished from your vocabulary."

"Oh? Getting cheeky now, are we?" my mischievous side couldn't help but notice when Damien acted less stiff and loyal dog, and more friendly and playful cat.

"That wasn't my intention!" He immediately got defensive.

"Yes, yes, I know. You're no fun," I scolded, "But seriously, I still can't wrap my head around why you're teaching me this. Shouldn't I be learning how to make use of your elements?"

"We've been over this, master," Damien whined, "The source of my power comes from nature, and Gen Ro is a tool to access that power. With it, you are meant to feel the flow of energy moving from the surface of the world, into your body, and out again as magic. Soon, you will be able to fire lighting as you strike me, and turn the ground beneath me to ice."

"You say that, but I'm beginning to think I'll never get this down."

"I did not lie when I said you were a quick learner, master. Most students a month into training would never even be able to come close to me. They last two seconds. You lasted nearly ten."

"That is very reassuring, Damien," I looked at him and smiled somewhat depressingly.

"Is it?" he perked up.

I just laughed and said, "Again!"

And so that's how we spent out days, until finally…

"I think you're ready," Damien said.

"What?" I panted, laying in the grass a few feet away from him, not able to move a muscle. Our duel this time had ended in a draw.

"Yes, it's only been two months, but I think it is time."

"You mean… you want to try using magic now?" I asked hopefully.

"Yes," Damien smiled.

I pumped my fist triumphantly. The only movement I could manage, and grinned like a school boy who just got his first confession of love.

Accomplishment like this was one of the sweetest tasting feelings in the world.

I would soon take my place as Duke, and no one would be able to stand against me. Not with this power.

Maybe I'd gotten even luckier than just a golden spoon…