A Hidden Master

Lowell stood amidst the ancient trees of the dense forest, their towering forms casting dappled shadows across the ground.

The air was filled with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant birdsong. His master, Gabriel, stood calmly at the edge of the clearing, his expression emotionless, as always.

Gabriel gripped his wooden sword tightly, feeling the rough texture of the hilt against his palm.

Taking a deep breath, he activated his eye ability, "Temporal Sight." His vision shifted, and the world around him slowed to a standstill.

Time froze within a 25-meter radius—the leaves caught mid-fall, the birds suspended in mid-flight, and the gentle breeze halted in its tracks.

Lowell felt a surge of confidence. This was his moment. He launched himself forward with lightning speed, aiming a precise strike at Gabriel. But in an instant, Gabriel was gone from his sight. Gabriel's eyes darted around, trying to locate his master within the frozen world.

Suddenly, a blur of motion caught Lowell's peripheral vision. He turned just in time to see Gabriel's fist heading towards him.

Lowell barely managed to raise his wooden sword to block the blow, but the impact sent him stumbling back. His Temporal Sight began to falter as the world around him started to resume its natural flow.

With gritted teeth, Lowell focused and reactivated his Temporal Sight, freezing time once more.

He lunged at Lowell again, swinging his wooden sword in a series of rapid, calculated strikes. Each swing met with empty air as Gabriel effortlessly dodged and countered with bare-handed precision.

In a desperate move, Lowell unleashed a powerful overhead slash, aiming to catch Gabriel off guard. But Gabriel moved with such a dangerous speed and accuracy that he was already behind Lowell before the strike had fully formed.

A swift, controlled strike landed on Lowell's back, and he fell to the ground, the force of the blow breaking his concentration. Time resumed its natural flow, and the forest sprang back to life.

Gasping for breath, Lowell deactivated his Temporal Sight. He looked up at Gabriel, who stood there silently, his face a mask of indifference.

"How... How did you do that?" Lowell's voice was filled with a mixture of awe and frustration.

Gabriel remained silent, his expression unchanged. But in his eyes, Lowell saw a flicker of understanding.

No words were needed. The lesson was clear: Speed, pure and unadulterated, could surpass even the most powerful abilities.

Lowell's shoulders slumped in defeat, but Gabriel's presence was a silent reassurance. Gabriel placed a steady hand on Lowell's shoulder, a gesture of support and encouragement. Lowell nodded, determination reigniting in his eyes. "I'll continue to train hard."

With a slight nod, Gabriel stepped back, ready for another round. The sounds of the forest embraced them once more, as master and student prepared for another round of training, the lessons of the day etching themselves into the fabric of Lowell's journey.

...

Looking back at it Lowell couldn't help but reminisce how much he had grown. Before he was a wimpy kid just swinging aimlessly with a sword, but know he managed to defend against his master even if it was for a short period of time.

Though there was one thing he still could not get used to was his master's change of demeanor.

His master's already pale eyes, dulled even more every time they practiced. His master did not speak to him that much, he did not tell him what to fix in his attacks.

Instead his master hammered every technique into him, he made him do the same move over and over again till his hands bled. 

...

Lowell stood in the midst of the dense forest, surrounded by towering trees and the soft sounds of nature. The afternoon sun filtered through the leaves, casting dappled light on the ground.

His wooden sword felt heavier with each swing, but he couldn't afford to stop. He had to perfect this move.

He swung the sword again, his muscles straining with the effort. Sweat poured down his face, mixing with the dirt and grime.

His hands, already raw from hours of practice, began to bleed. The wooden hilt of the sword was stained with his blood, but he ignored the pain. He had to get it right.

Over and over, he repeated the same move, his body aching and his mind weary. Each time he swung the sword, he felt a flicker of hope that this would be the perfect strike. But each time, he fell short of his expectations.

Lowell's breath came in ragged gasps, his vision blurring from exhaustion. His hands trembled, but he tightened his grip on the sword and continued. He had to understand the technique. He had to master it.

In the distance, Gabriel stood silently, watching him with an emotionless expression. He made no move to intervene, offering no words of encouragement or criticism.

Lowell glanced at Gabriel, searching for any sign of approval or disapproval, but found none. Gabriel's blank gaze was both a comfort and a challenge. Lowell understood that the path to mastery was one he had to walk alone.

With renewed determination, Lowell swung the sword once more. The pain in his hands was sharp and unrelenting, but he welcomed it. Pain was a reminder that he was pushing his limits, that he was growing stronger.

As the hours passed, the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the forest floor. Lowell's movements grew slower, his body on the verge of collapse. But he refused to give up. 

Finally, as darkness settled over the forest, Lowell fell to his knees, the wooden sword slipping from his grasp. His hands were bloody and battered, his body trembling with exhaustion.

But in that moment, he felt a sense of accomplishment. He had given everything he had, and he knew he was one step closer to mastering the technique.

Gabriel approached silently, his face still devoid of emotion. He looked down at Lowell, who met his gaze with determination and resolve.