RIN TRAINING

Chapter 9

Rin glared at Ren, wordlessly. Ren felt a prickle of fear but mustered his courage. "Princess, if you keep trying to learn dance like this, you'll never succeed. You need to loosen your body, and your mind too. Forget that you're a princess, forget that you're a genius. Just let your body flow with the music."

Rin continued to stare, making Ren feel a bit more intimidated. "Princess, I'm telling you the truth. I learned this way too. In my past life..." Ren's voice trailed off.

"Your past life?" Rin asked, her eyes widening slightly.

Ren realized what he had almost said. "Oh, uh, I meant... that I also had a lot of trouble with dancing at first. I thought I'd never learn, but I did."

Rin was quiet for a moment, then something flickered in her eyes—perhaps a glimmer of hope. She slowly extended her hand towards Ren.

Ren smiled and took her hand. Rin's hand was cool, but her grip was firm. Ren gently began to lead her to the rhythm of the music. At first, Rin was a little uncomfortable, her body stiff, but Ren slowly guided her, positioning her feet correctly, supporting her hands.

After a while, Rin's body began to loosen up. She started to synchronize with Ren. For the first time, she smiled, a small, uncertain smile. Ren looked at her and returned the smile.

"Yes! Exactly like that, Princess!" Ren said with enthusiasm. "Just like that, let your body flow! Excellent!"

Rin gradually gained confidence. They learned one dance step after another. Rin was learning rapidly, after all, she was a genius. She just needed the right method and patience.

An hour later, Rin had almost learned the entire dance. She was tired, but satisfaction and happiness bloomed on her face.

"That's enough!" Rin said, panting slightly. "That's enough for today."

Ren smiled. "Alright, Princess. You did very well."

Rin looked at Ren, her eyes now free of anger or arrogance. "So, it's your turn now," she said.

Ren was a little surprised. "My turn? For what?"

"Earth magic," Rin said, a faint smile playing on her lips. "You said I'd teach you. So, let's go to the training ground."

Ren's eyes lit up. "Alright! Let's go!"

Both arrived at the palace's training ground. It was large and open.

"So, you want to learn Earth magic," Rin said. "Do you know how to cast it?"

Ren shook his head. "I tried with books, but I couldn't understand anything. I just know that I need to see someone casting it."

Rin smiled. "Alright. Watch closely."

Rin closed her eyes, her palms facing upwards. Slowly, a glowing, brown energy began to rise from the ground. The energy focused in her palms, and then, as her eyes opened, a sharp stone pillar rapidly shot up from the ground in front of her.

Ren's eyes were wide with amazement. He carefully observed every detail of the magic. He felt how the energy flowed, how Rin controlled it.

"Did you see that?" Rin asked. "Now it's your turn."

Ren closed his eyes, attempting to mimic Rin. He raised his palms, focusing on his breath. He tried to feel the energy flowing through him, and then, moving towards the ground.

After a moment, a faint glow appeared in Ren's hands, and a small pebble on the ground shifted.

Rin's eyes widened slightly. "Wow! You did it on your first try? You really are a genius!"

Ren smiled. "Yes! I did it! I just needed to see it!"

They practiced Earth magic for hours. Rin taught Ren various spells, and Ren learned them quickly, just as he had learned Fire, Water, and Ice magic. Rin taught him how to feel the energy of the earth, how to guide it through his body, and how to shape it.

As the sun began to set, Ren was now able to create small stone pillars and walls. He wasn't as powerful as Rin yet, but he was making progress.

"That's enough for today," Rin said, her voice now showing fatigue, but also satisfaction.

Ren nodded. "Yes, that was a lot of fun! Thank you, Princess! You taught me so much."

Rin smiled, a genuine, warm smile this time. "And you taught me too. I never thought I'd be able to dance. I thought I'd just keep disappointing my mother."

Ren looked at her, sympathy in his eyes. "I know how it feels when someone expects you to do something you can't. But now you've learned, and you're very good."

A slight glimmer appeared in Rin's eyes. "Yes, you're right."

Both stood silently, watching the sun set. The walls between them, once built of anger and pride, were now crumbling. They were simply two children, helping and learning from each other.