“This technique requires three things to work properly,” Dreiki explained to Tadios, “The first is timing, the window for the technique is only a fraction of a second, but as we know a second is a long time in a fight. The second is confidence, you have to believe your prediction is correct with your entire being. In this respect, the technique is almost like a counter. Finally, the last thing which is required for this technique to work is a willingness to accept double damage if you get it wrong.”
“I see, and what does this technique do if I succeed?” Tadios asked.
“I’ll show you. Lob a couple fireballs at me. I’ll fail the first one and succeed the second. Just pause between the two so I don’t accidentally fail both.”
Tadios nodded, charging a flame in his palm and pitching it to him.
Dreiki put his arms up and delayed his timing for the Ux technique. Normally, a fireball like this would not leave a mark for a fire user like him, but after failing the technique, the flames seared into his skin in a terrifying explosion. He grit his teeth, clutching the arm he used to block the spell.
“Whoa, sorry! I think I overdid it, are you okay?”
“I’m fine, and you didn’t overdo it, that’s just what happens when you fail the technique. This is why I had you cast because it’s easier to see with magic. The technique will double its power without any cost to you as the caster. If you had punched me, you probably would’ve broken my bones by accident.” Dreiki winced, the burns hurt like hell. He raised his arms, “Now do it again, I won’t fail this time.”
“Are you sure? You might get hurt even more.”
“Like I said, confidence is key to pulling it off successfully. I’m going to do it right this time. Don’t hold back.”
“If you say so. I’ll trust you.” Tadios said, summoning another flame in his palm.
The truth was, Dreiki did not know if he could do it or not, but much like acrobatic training, he had to commit to the technique no matter how dangerous it might have been if he failed. If he did a flip in the air and tried to bail out at the last second, he could break his neck. This was no different. He would get it right because he had no other option.
He would accept the hardship knowing that it brought meaning to his success. His body moved on its own as the bolt of flame came close. A sharp tone rang out as he parried it with his palm and absorbed its magic. Steam gushed from his body as his burns healed instantly. Power filled his muscles as he launched towards Tadios at high speed. He stepped in and pivoted at the last minute to pitch an even stronger fire spell into a nearby tree.
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FWOOOM!
“Holy-!” Tadios shouted, “That’s a technique and a half!”
Dreiki breathed, showing Tadios his shaking hands, “Yeah, but it’s definitely a risky one. It’s easier to pull off when I know you’re going to attack me, but in the heat of battle it’s a lot more risky.”
“Seems like the reward is worth it. You healed instantly from that.”
Dreiki nodded, “When you pull it off, you can redirect the energy into things like healing, bolstering your strength, or magnifying the power of your next spell.”
“But you did all three there. Never seen you move that fast before.”
“That’s because I put an order of priority into it. Your spell is pretty strong on its own, and the power I absorb is more than double the original, so I didn’t need that much to heal from it. Once I healed I filled my body with power, and let the remainder bleed over into my spells. Tradeoff is that you gotta use the energy quick or it’s gone.”
“I see, so not only do you have to have good timing, but you gotta make the best use of the energy you get or it goes to waste.”
“Yes, so it’s more of a comeback technique. It can change the momentum of a fight in a pinch if you get it right.”
Tadios crouched in the snow, rubbing his chin, “It’s a pretty cruel technique. Just when someone thinks they’re winning- BAM!” He grinned, “What do we call this thing?”
“The name of the technique you mean?”
Tadios nodded.
Dreiki had not thought about the name, but much like any other information gathered from reading the scrolls, it came to him as if he had always known the answer, “It’s called a Straffaka Parry.”
“Straffaka Parry? Guessing it’s one of those techniques named after the one who invented it or something.”
“Maybe, I don’t really know where the name comes from.”
“Well it sounds cool enough. Alright, let's practice.”
Dreiki nodded, summoning his magic, “I’ll start small and slow just so you can understand how it feels when you get it right.”
Tadios raised his guard, “Ready!”
The two of them practiced for the next couple hours. They had secluded themselves deep in the Ingen forest. A place Tadios had led Dreiki knowing that no one would bother them or eavesdrop. Just in case, Ezo was patrolling nearby to warn them if anyone was coming close to their training ground.
Dreiki appreciated that Tadios did not ask too many questions. He accepted things as they were, and seemed to trust Dreiki to tell him whatever he was comfortable with.
With confidence and trust like that, it was not a surprise Tadios picked up the technique in record time. When they decided to take a break, Dreiki felt the xio had already surpassed him. He expected that, though. This technique was perfect for someone like Tadios who accepted whoever and whatever came to him with open arms regardless of potential consequences.
It had been like this for the past few days. Dreiki would learn something new through the scrolls and teach those techniques to Tadios who picked them up faster than he ever could. Maybe it was a result of having a more developed version of Ux? Tadios was older than him. Perhaps it was time for him to ask?