Chapter 37: Christian's Training Begins

Madeline brings both Christian and Jimmy to her training ground by their ears. As she is dragging them she tells them both something, "So you two will now be brother-disciples under my leadership!"

Once they reach their destination she lets them both go. Christian is holding his ear in pain and then starts complaining to Madeline, "Why do I have to work with this snot-nosed brat?"

Jimmy is also holding his ear in pain and responds to Christian's insult, "And why do I have to work with a brainless idiot?"

At that moment both Christian and Jimmy start arguing again. Then Christian says something with a smirk on his face that gets Jimmy kind of agitated. "Little kids should respect their elders, you booger-eating baby."

Jimmy turned that anger to a smirk of his own, "Well in this situation I would be the older disciple-brother so I'm the elder!"

While this is going on Madeline is rubbing her temples and then yells at both of them, "SHUT UP!"

The moment she said this both Christian and Jimmy freeze up and behave.

Madeline proceeds to finally introduce Jimmy to Christian.

"He's quite the prodigy and knows how to control his ability much better than you do." As she says this Jimmy sticks his tongue out towards Christian.

Christian rolls his eyes and snickers.

Madeline continues, "As you can tell he's a prime elemental and he can control water. From here on out I want you to learn side by side."

Christian still pouting responds, "Whatever..."

After the bratty response, Madeline starts popping a vein on her head, walks up to Christian, and gives him a death stare," Listen here brat! I'm not as nice as Harrison, so next time you say something you better think twice, do I make myself clear!"

Christian becomes extremely terrified after the threat, "Uhh yes mam!"

Madeline smiles afterward and walks back to her original spot. 

"Listen, Christian, controlling your ability will take time so we will start slow for now. To start, Jimmy I want you to teach him the body training you have to do at the start of every day."

Jimmy shakes his head in agreement and Madeline leaves both of them alone to train.

Once they're alone Christian asks, "What now brat."

Jimmy with a smirk on his face tells Christian he should call him older brother but Christian refuses. 

Jimmy unsatisfied with the answer turns around and begins walking away.

Christian starts getting annoyed but ends up giving in, "Fine! So what now older brother..." He says this in a very irritated tone.

Jimmy smiles with delight, "Excellent! Well, the training method we have to do is five days out of the week. It's not too difficult. We will be doing 1000 pushups, 1000 situps, running 10 miles, 1000 squats, and 1000 calf raises."

Christian hears this and automatically regrets coming here.

Jimmy adds, "We also have tons of other exercises but I wanted to start with the basics."

Christian starts moping around, "This is going to suck."

We transition to Harrison and Madeline.

Harrison starts the conversation while drinking a cup of water, "So you're training his body first?"

Madeline responds while drinking a bottle of beer, "Yeah, his power is ridiculous, and having a strong body that equates to a prime elemental makes the most sense."

Harrison agrees that is valid logic, in which Madeline follows up saying, "Once his body can handle that crazy power of his then we will begin the next steps."

Three days have passed since Christian and the rest of the group arrived in the village. 

Jimmy and Christian are in the middle of a run in the morning, Jimmy ends up patronizing Christian as they run. "Seems you're tired younger brother."

Christian is breathing much heavier and is much more exhausted, "Don't call me that, I'm older than you. Dammit!" He thinks to himself "How's this kid beating me."

Jimmy responds with a smirk, "Well it's obvious who's superior." He thinks to himself "I have to admit he's handling this workout much better than I thought." He continues saying, "Well, we haven't got to the hardest parts just yet younger brother."

Christian again yells, "I SAID DON'T CALL ME THAT!"

We transition back to Madeline and Harrison talking. They are both watching them train while they sit down drinking.

Madeline laughs a bit, "The future king is quite impressive even a grown man takes a few weeks before he can handle this training regime, it seems you trained him well."

Harrison chuckles, "Thanks, but I only taught him basic combat skills. He's been running for his entire life working hard to become stronger, if I'm being honest everything he's done until now has been all him."

Madeline continues to watch Christian and smiles while taking another sip of her drink.

Two weeks have passed since Christain and the group have been in Kirin Village. In that span, Christian and Jimmy have been training hard together.

They both are in the middle of one of their training sessions and as they are running it looks like they are matching pace for pace. Jimmy thinks to himself, "It's been only two weeks and he's able to keep up with me already."

Christian has a smile on his face, "What's wrong, it looks like I'm catching up to you."

Jimmy gets a bit frustrated, "Don't get cocky!" Jimmy increases his speed.

Christian increases his speed as well.

After their workout is done, Madeline shows up while Christian and Jimmy are catching their breath.

"Looks like you two are getting along nicely."

Both Christian and Jimmy respond at the same time, "NO WAY."

Madeline laughs loudly, "Well it's about time we start onto the next phase right Jimmy."

Jimmy agrees and Christian asks what's next. 

"Right now we need to figure out your fighting style, Christian."

Christian looks a bit confused, "Fighting style?"

Madeline responds, "That's right. Everyone has a unique way they like to fight no matter what special ability you have."

Christian starts thinking of how he fought all this time, "I never really thought about that I just fought honestly. What is your fighting style?"

Madeline holds out her hand and her spear arrives in her hand. "I am a close combat fighter naturally but I'm able to do long-ranged attacks with this spear."

Christian's eyes start glittering, "OHHHH... that's so cool!"

Madeline smiles, "Why thank you. To be more specific, compared to you I don't have an unlimited supply of energy. When I'm fighting anyone in close combat for the most part I use my general combat knowledge, however, sometimes that is not enough. That's when I use my control of electricity to give me an extra amount of power to empower one of my body parts. Makes sense so far?"

Christian is listening but is completely confused.

While they are talking Teddy shows up dressed in basic handwoven clothing that is much more primitive compared to the stuff he usually wears.

Christian looks at him weirdly, "Teddy, what are you wearing?"

Teddy responds, "Oh you like it, the villagers made it for me."

Christian responds with a slight hesitation, "yeah..."

Teddy rolls his eyes, "Anyway Eve asked me to come to help you cause she could sense that you are confused."

Christian screamed out, "HEY! WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN!"

Teddy says with a smirk, "Don't worry about it Christian you're not much of a thinker, uh Miss Madeline do you mind if I explain it to him?"

Madeline let Teddy explain to Christian to see what he comes up with.

"Thank you, so Christian like Miss Madeline says her special ability works very differently from yours and requires a lot more control. She's basically able to control the electric pulses in her body to help her increase her combat capability. Does that sound about right?"

Madeline was impressed, "Not bad kid."

Teddy bows to Madeline and then faces Christian, "Thank you. Does that help Christian?"

"A little bit." It seems like Christian was getting a better understanding of how to use his power. 

Madeline continues her prior explanation, "Well it's nothing to worry about it will take time for you to grasp everything. So let's talk about my spear here. With my spear I'm able to accumulate much more lightning into it because of this metal piece here (a metal ring under the spearhead) it's a special metal that can store a large amount of electricity. The spear can also store my own electricity and it draws natural electricity as well. So through my connection with the spear, I have complete control to launch it where I like, plus fire long-ranged lightning attacks."

After that explanation Christian started thinking to himself.

A couple of minutes pass by and Madeline asks Christian, "Are you confused?"

Christian responds, "No not exactly. I was just thinking due to the spear storing electricity wouldn't you be able to use that electricity on the spear to enhance your combat abilities as well?"

Madeline was shocked and she opens her eyes a bit, "I'm impressed Christian it seems like you're getting the hang of this, and yes that would also be the case."

Teddy thinks to himself and smiles, "Christian is not as dumb as he seems, sometimes he has his moments."

Jimmy, is a bit surprised himself, "I thought you were an idiot?"

Christian responds, "Hey I'm not an idiot. I can somewhat understand what you're saying but like you said Miss Madeline the way we use our abilities is different, so what should I do?"

"I can't tell you that. That's something you must figure out on your own." She says as she begins to leave.

Christian thinks for a second as he looks at his hand and then clenches it, "My own fighting style."

Madeline then goes towards Jimmy, "While he thinks of that Jimmy you continue on your own fighting style as well. Maybe you will get ideas from each other."

Jimmy responds with a serious face, "Yes mam."

Both the boys go off to figure out their own fighting style.