Thump Thump
Her heartbeat pounded in her ears as the blazing afternoon sun beat down on her back. It was Mei's first full day with her newly forged tantos, and she already felt a growing connection to the blades. The weapons felt like an extension of her, almost as if they were another part of her own limbs. She twisted and turned, evading the rapid strikes of her master, Umi Nagisa, who gave her no room to breathe. Each attack was relentless, pressing her to her limits.
The rigorous training kept her mind occupied, a much-needed distraction from the heavy sorrow she carried since her mother had abruptly left Sinsan. Even though they had grown distant after the death of her father, Mei did not resent her mother. Perhaps the training was her way of processing the pain, of transforming grief into strength. Each intense session left her muscles aching, but she welcomed the pain, the focus, the purpose. It was better than drowning in the past.
In a swift move, Mei aimed a slash at her master, only for Nagisa to sidestep effortlessly. In the blink of an eye, Mei felt three sharp jabs to her chest, knocking her back and forcing her to her knees. Her arms trembled with exhaustion, and the tantos slipped from her grip, clattering to the ground.
Nagisa stood over her, arms crossed. "Too slow, Seito Mei. And why are you not channeling your Ki into your weapons? Remember, your weapons are an extension of your body. Your Ki should flow into them naturally, as if they were your own limbs. You must learn to use every part of yourself when fighting, including your equipment. Only then will you surpass the expectations set upon you."
Breathing heavily, Mei nodded, unable to muster a response as she gulped down air. Her master’s words cut deeper than her strikes, a reminder of the high expectations she bore as the disciple of the youngest master in Phoenix Academy’s history.
Nagisa turned away with a flick of her wrist. "Rest for today. Go to the springs and cultivate your Ki. Tomorrow, you will train with a friend of mine and her students. Do not disappoint me."
Mei remained on the ground, staring up at the clear sky, wanting nothing more than to stay there forever. But she knew better; she had to keep moving. She forced herself up, stumbling towards the springs, hoping to wash away the soreness and fatigue.
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Mei approached the steaming spring and immediately dove in, sighing as the warm waters embraced her. The spiritual energies surged into her, replenishing her drained reserves. Floating on her back, she stared at the sky, letting only her face break the surface. For a moment, it was just her and the soothing embrace of the spring.
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She closed her eyes and entered her Ki Island. The serene landscape within her mind had grown slightly larger since she began her rigorous training under Nagisa. The Ki flowed more freely now, a testament to the progress she had made over the past few days. The students of the inner court were bound to have high expectations of her, especially since she had been chosen by such a renowned master. Mei knew that proving herself was the only way to silence their whispers and doubts.
After a moment of meditation, she felt a pulse of energy radiate from her core, filling her with renewed strength. Her Ki Island shimmered with vitality; the effort of the past days was paying off. She opened her eyes, feeling the surge of power within her.
As she emerged from the spring, droplets cascading down her slender frame, she took a moment to observe the intricate serpent tattoo coiled across her back, partially hidden by her long black hair. She had grown fond of the mark, a symbol of her journey and growth. Despite her rigorous training, she had not grown much over the past year, remaining shorter and more petite than many of the other female disciples. A part of her wished for a sudden growth spurt, if only to match the imposing figures around her.
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The next morning, Mei stood in the courtyard as the first rays of dawn cast a purple haze across the sky. She was ready to meet her master’s friend, bracing herself for another harsh taskmaster.
"Seito Mei?" a cheerful voice rang out from behind her. Mei turned to see a woman striding towards her. The contrast was immediate and jarring; unlike her stern and disciplined master, this woman radiated an air of carefree energy. She was taller than average, with long legs and a curvaceous figure, her dark brown hair styled in an old-fashioned, elaborate manner. She carried a large quarterstaff with metal bearings at both ends, and behind her were three youths—two boys slightly older than Mei, and a girl around her own age.
If Nagisa was a tigress, then this woman was a playful, yet formidable, bear.
Mei bowed politely. “This student greets you.”
The woman beamed at her, her smile almost too wide. "Oh, aren't you just adorable! Nagisa didn’t tell you, did she? My name is Master Myong Yeo-Jung! But you can just call me Yeo-Jung, okay?” She winked. “I'm one of the three youngest masters at Phoenix Academy, though technically the second youngest to that stern friend of mine. I became an Elder just last year!"
Mei blinked, processing the whirlwind of energy before her. The woman was nothing like the stoic masters she was used to, and her bubbly demeanor left Mei uncertain of how to respond.
“Today’s going to be a blast! We’re not training here,” Yeo-Jung declared, clapping her hands together. “We’re going to explore the city and visit the arena! How exciting is that?”
Mei, caught off guard by the sudden shift in tone, simply nodded, unsure of what to expect from this new, eccentric master. This was clearly going to be a very different kind of training.