Chapter 6 First training session
Kai marveled at Jarak's abode and the battle trophies that adorned the walls, each telling the story of a victory won, of a fight for survival. He turned to Jarak, his eyes reflecting the admiration he felt for the older warrior.
“What will the first class be like?” Kai asked with a curious tone, eager to begin his journey.
Jarak sat down, a gesture that invited Kai to do the same. “The first class,” he began, “is not just about combat techniques. It’s about understanding the flow of battle, feeling your opponent’s rhythm and anticipating their movements.”
He stood up and grabbed one of the great axes from the wall, its blade giving off a soft glow in the moonlight that filtered through the window. “Tomorrow, at dawn, we will start with the basics of posture and movement. Afterwards, you will learn how to handle this axe,” he said, offering the weapon to Kai.
Kai took the axe, feeling the balance and weight of the blade in his hands. "And then?" he asked, already imagining himself in the middle of a duel.
“Afterwards,” Jarak smiled, “you will learn to fight multiple opponents. This will teach you to stay calm under pressure and use the environment to your advantage.”
Kai nodded, understanding the importance of these skills. He knew the road ahead would be challenging, but Jarak's confidence and wisdom reassured him.
Jarak placed a hand on Kai's shoulder. “Rest well tonight, Kai. The warrior’s journey begins with a firm step and a courageous heart.”
With those words, Kai retreated to his own hut, his mind filled with dreams of glory and the determination to become a warrior as respected as Jarak.
---
The next day, Kai was already in front of Jarak's house, waiting to be attended to by him. The sun had barely risen over the horizon, but Kai felt each ray as a call to begin his journey. After a while, the door opened and Jarak appeared, his imposing silhouette silhouetted against the morning light.
"Are you here yet, kid?" Jarak spoke in a voice that carried the weight of experience.
Kai gave an awkward smile and said, "I couldn't sleep last night I was so anxious!"
Jarak looked at Kai with a lingering gaze, as if he were seeing a reflection of himself in times past. "Come on, come in. There's a space in my house where we can train."
They headed to a large hall, where the dirt floor and walls adorned with weapons told stories of past training and fights. Jarak took the great ax from the wall and handed it to Kai.
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"First, let's start with posture," Jarak said, demonstrating a firm and balanced stance. "The foundation of every good warrior is stability."
Kai imitated the posture, feeling the earth beneath his feet and the weight of the ax in his hands.
"Good," Jarak approved. "Now, move with the axe. Feel how it moves with you, as if it were an extension of your own body."
Kai swung the axe, initially clumsily, but with each movement, he began to understand the flow that Jarak had mentioned.
"It's not just about strength," Jarak explained as he corrected the angle of Kai's arm. "It's about control, precision. Every strike must have a purpose."
They practiced swinging in the air, Jarak teaching Kai to channel his energy through the axe, to turn his anxiety into focus.
"When you attack," Jarak said, "don't think of the ax hitting the target. Imagine the ax already on the target. The rest is just the path."
Hours passed, and sweat ran down Kai's face, but his eyes shone with the satisfaction of progress. Jarak, watching, nodded in acknowledgement.
"You learn quickly, Kai. That's good. But remember, skill comes with practice, and practice takes patience and time."
Kai, breathless but determined, replied, "I'm ready to learn, to become strong like you, Jarak."
Jarak placed the ax back on the wall and looked at the young gorilla. "Strength is important, but true strength comes from within. It comes from the heart, the mind, the spirit. And that, Kai, is what truly makes a warrior."
With the day's training over, Kai left Jarak's residence, not only physically stronger, but also with a new understanding of the path he had chosen to follow.
---
As Kai walked away, he felt a vibration in his chest. It was the Cultivation System, a mystical entity that had accompanied him for as long as he could remember. The System buzzed with a new message:
[Mission: Warrior's First Step]
Objective: Complete a combat training session with Jarak.
Reward: Access to the System Store Tab.
Kai smiled, feeling the promise of power and progress. He knew that each mission he completed would take him one step further on his path of cultivation. With renewed determination, he prepared for the challenge that would come with the dawn.
The System Store Tab functioned as a virtual market where Kai could purchase items that would help him on his journey. The store offered a variety of pills that accelerated cultivation, armor that offered superior protection, weapons that increased attack power, and skills that granted new combat techniques. However, to make any purchases, Kai would need system coins, which were earned by completing missions and overcoming challenges.
Kai explored the store curiously, noticing that each item had a price and a detailed description of its benefits. Some pills promised to increase the speed of Qi condensation, while others offered quick recovery from injuries. Armor ranged from light sets that did not restrict movement to heavy armor that could withstand the strongest blows. Weapons included sharp swords, heavy axes, and even enchanted staffs. And the skills... oh, the skills were what caught Kai's attention the most. They ranged from basic combat techniques to powerful elemental spells.
Kai knew that to get what he wanted, he would have to dedicate himself to missions and training. Every item in the store was a promise of power, and every coin earned was another step on your journey to becoming a legendary warrior.
After exploring the system store, Kai found a skill that immediately caught his attention: the “Dragon Deep Breathing Technique”. This technique was known to be extremely beneficial during the Mortal period, as it not only strengthened the body and opened the meridians, but also increased Qi storage capacity, preparing the cultivator for future advancements.
The technique promised more than just physical improvements; it also offered unprecedented mental clarity, allowing the cultivator to remain calm and focused even in the most stressful situations. Furthermore, regular practice of the technique could lead to enhanced perception, making the cultivator more in tune with the environment around them and the slightest changes in spiritual energy.
Kai remembered Jarak's words: "To enter the Qi Condensation realm, just start practicing the breathing technique given by the clan." With this technique in hand, Kai felt he was one step closer to reaching the next stage on his cultivation path. He was eager to start practicing and unlock the potential that the breathing technique could bring.