...
After almost two full months of being bullied, kidnapped by King Morey and Minho, hanging out with friends, training with his pet, and studying Si-Woo felt a strange sense of anticipation as the day of the pre-mid-term placement test approached. It was as if the constant challenges had honed him into a finely tuned blade, ready to be tested. He had grown stronger, not just physically, but in the control of his serein, which was the essence of his very being. The lessons with Minho and the bond with his Whiteblood baby wyvern had forged a new confidence within him that was undeniable.
The night before the test, Si-Woo and Ha-Yoon sat in their shared room, surrounded by textbooks and scrolls. Ha-Yoon studied with a furrowed brow, her book open in front of her, the pages fluttering with a gentle touch of her small hands. The room was a mess of half-eaten snacks and discarded study materials, but it was their mess, a testament to their shared journey.
Si-Woo, on the other hand, was sprawled on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. His mind raced with the countless lessons and combat strategies he'd learned. The anticipation of the upcoming test was like a pot of water threatening to boil over, his thoughts bubbling and frothing with excitement and nerves. He knew that this test could determine not just their standing in the academy, but their futures.
As they entered the academy, the siblings parted ways with a silent nod. Si-Woo felt a strange mix of anxiety and elation as he stepped into his Level Two classroom. Minho's piercing gaze scanned the room, his arms folded behind his back as he announced the structure of the pre-mid-term placement test.
"The test will span four days," he said, his voice carrying an air of authority and excitement, "Each day, you will have a test that will push you to the limits, testing your mind, knowledge, and beyond. Since you all aren't old enough to take the more physical part of the test, it will be written tests until you reach level five."
The classroom buzzed with a mix of nervous whispers and determined murmurs. Si-Woo glanced around, his eyes settling on the faces of his classmates. Some looked confident, others nervously tapped their feet on the ground. He felt a gentle nudge at his side and looked to his right to see Mai smiling. Her sky-blue eyes searched his, and she gave him a small, reassuring smile.
"Ready?" she asked again, her voice barely above a whisper.
Si-Woo took a deep breath, his eyes focusing on the ceiling. "Yeah," he replied, trying to sound more confident than he felt.
The first two days of the tests were a grueling mental marathon, with questions that delved into the very core of serein theory and history. By the third day, the students were mentally drained, their eyes bloodshot and their heads pounding. Yet, Si-Woo remained steadfast, fueled by the thought of facing Minho's challenges.
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
On the fourth day, as the final bell rang, Si-Woo and Ha-Yoon gathered their things and hurried to the Royal Palace training grounds. Their legs felt like lead, their minds foggy from the barrage of knowledge they'd been forced to cram into their heads and the daily training, with Minho However, the sight of him standing tall and unyielding in his usual spot was enough to jolt them back to reality.
Minho reflects silently, observing the kids who appear as though they've been engulfed in darkness, isolated with only their thoughts for company. After two months of rigorous training, their bodies are now primed for the aerial martial arts that we fae are adept in.
"Today, we're going to switch things up," Minho declares, his eyes gleaming with excitement. Si-woo and Ha-Yoon, already weary from their mental exertions, looks at him with a mix of curiosity and fear. "In your introductory martial arts class, you've been mastering basic defensive techniques, but that's not sufficient for you two, is it?" He gives Si-Woo and Ha-Yoon a knowing smile, "That's why I'm going to instruct you in the initial stage of Toeju."
Si-Woo's heart races as he remembers the ancient texts he read in the library. Toeju was the ultimate fae martial art. Toeju primarily utilizes two different breathing styles: Total Concentration Breathing and Immortal Combat Breathing. Total Concentration Breathing heightens the speed of brain processing and sensory perception, a technique favored by the Knowledge family, and the Immortal Combat Breathing which boosts cellular respiration in muscles, preparing the body for combat, a method revered by the Military family.
But then Minho mentions the third technique, "Divine Breathing which combines elements of both former breathing styles to achieve great balance." It's like a myth that has come to life. Ha-Yoon's eyes widen in disbelief as she hears the words. She glances over at Si-Woo, who seems eerily calm as if he had been expecting it all along.
Minho explains that to achieve such a feat, one's serein must be of the purest kind, and it's usually found only in the most ancient of fae or in those with royal lineage. The outside goes quiet as the implication sinks in - Si-Woo, with his unparalleled serein purity, might just be destined for such greatness.
Ha-Yoon's eyes are glued to her brother, a mix of pride and fear swirling within her. Divine Breathing is not just a technique; it's a path fraught with danger and the possibility of great power. She knows that her journey will be different, that she'll tread the path of knowledge and strategy.
"But why can't we just master both total concentration and immortal breathing techniques?" she asks Minho, her curiosity piqued despite her exhaustion.
Minho chuckles. "The human body, even one enhanced by serein, has limits, Ha-Yoon," he explains. " Mastering both Immortal and Total Concentration Breathing is impossible due to their conflicting effects on the body, leading to internal destruction. The two styles of breathing are like two rivers flowing in opposite directions. If you try to merge them while mastering the latter, you will tear yourself apart from the inside out." His eyes drift to Si-Woo. "But for someone like your brother, with a serein purity that mirrors the ancients, the possibility of mastering the divine art is... intriguing."