The girl's name was Relia, and she was a sweetheart. She took care of the monks, teaching them about martial arts principles that the elder preached of. She was an all round good person that you couldn't say anything bad about. She was hard-working, smart and kind.
The monks themselves treated her like a sister, as none of them had any romantic intentions at all. I don't even think they have a sexual preference...
"Adam, I've brought you lunch," her mellow voice sounds through the empty hallway of the temple.
"Ah, thanks, leave it here."
I've been given a task to master the first step of the
This was a great motivator, as I'd learn much more from fights than his teachings. I've never been good with following other's commands, rather learning things my own way.
This was especially true with Lucidel, as I've learned much more by fighting and observing him than listening to his orders.
During my current 3rd life, I've had a much easier time expanding my magic and manapool than in my previous life.
As it stands now, I've reached more than half a barrel's worth of mana, enough to seriously challenge Lucidel at his full power and even win against a Sword Saint.
Maybe I'll try and become a Sword Saint when I deal with the Dreamer situation.
Concerning swords, my weapon rested neatly against the statue ruins that sat in the middle of the temple.
I've decided to give up sword wielding for the time being, focusing on training my hand to hand combat skills. I've already made a plan to assimilate my sword prowess with the learnt martial arts, creating a fusion fighting style.
I had to learn whatever I can before facing the Dreamer again. With my accelerated learning skills, I hope to achieve it as soon as humanly possible.
Relia watched my training, raising an eyebrow at the first signs of using the
"I don't plan on staying here for long," I comment, creating a loud boom by releasing magic with my strikes.
"That's a shame, I enjoy your presence here," she smiles warmly.
"Even though my rude attitude doesn't befit a monk?" I ask, lifting my foot up in the air.
She chuckles innocently. "None of your attributes befit a monk, that's what makes you interesting."
I stop my training, deciding it was enough for now. Proper rest is part of a good training plan. I wipe away the sweat from my forehead and upper body, sitting down beside Relia.
"Why don't you go into one of the cities of Emperia? Why stay here?" I ask.
"Just because you're interesting to me doesn't mean I don't enjoy being the temple's big sister," she responds in her calming tone.
"You're interested in me, eh? Many have been let down like that," I joke.
"You're too young for me," she puts in my place. Being in her early twenties, she also got enlightened at a young age, just like myself.
"I know, I'm joking. I hope no man ever hurts you," I express, wanting the best for Relia.
"You know, when I talk to you I feel like I'm conversing with an adult. What made you so mature?" she asks.
"I've had my fair share of trauma that I won't touch upon, but it mostly comes from hanging around adults a lot."
The truth is more complicated than that. My trusty butler Rache definitely helped me grow both emotionally and in wisdom. My mother always treated me like I was older, having an open and normal communication. At least, as open as she allowed, since there were still many mysteries about here. Mainly, I wonder how that demon got there... It is a question I often ask myself.
My maturity always followed me, ever since I formed my first thoughts. During the parts of my childhood that I remember, I've always felt like I've lived a life before this one, even if it sounds absurd. The feeling of deja vu would creep inside at the most random moment, disappearing as abruptly as it appeared.
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"I never asked you since I didn't want to pry into your privacy, but what is that mark on your chest?" Relia quires after staring at it for a while.
"It's something I've been... given at a young age. I don't exactly know what it does, but it might be the secret to my wisdom," I quip, tapping my temple.
"Such a wise soul took its knowledge from a blue mark?" Relia plays along, enjoying the foolery.
When she realized I didn't want to talk about my mark, she changed the subject, asking about my interests.
I talked to her for hours, explaining the game Evil Antagonist and how I played it against Rache for years. She listened and nodded her head, asking questions about my life and the subjects I touched upon. I told her of Obiwon, creating a story that encompasses every one of my experiences in a believable narrative.
"So, who did Evy like more, you or Dorian?" she asks.
"I don't think she liked either one of us in a romantic sense, but I couldn't tell you who she adored more. They were in Obiwon before me, but didn't hang out until I showed up," I respond, reminiscing of that old life that I wish for.
I wish to be a kid again, even though I physically am—more so than before. Remembering the good times made my heart ache, knowing that Evy and Dorian don't even know who I am. They still aren't enlightened, but will be in a few months time. I track the days, calculating where they currently are with their life.
Relia noticed my withering attention, asking if I miss them. To her, I justified my excursion to Emperia as a few month trip that Lucidel arranged.
"I do, I miss her morbid outlook on life, and Dorian's competitive yet leisurely nature. I'll get to see them again, but I've already grown distant to them during this time."
"Grown distant? You're 12 for God's sake, don't worry about a few months that pass by. When you see them again, they'll still be your friends," Relia reasons.
"I guess you're right..." I feign peace of mind, knowing that they won't remember me.
It's not just them, Rache doesn't remember me either, along with the general I've spent so much time with. The only thing keeping me from crumbling under the loneliness is the future I'll achieve after I defeat my murderer.
When the subject changed from my story to hers, I could relax again. It was time to listen to her tales, even if she had less of them. As her life was mostly uneventful, except the fact she grew up as an orphan, she liked to listen to my tales.
-
In the next week, I would train during the day and night, using different learning tactics. Through trial and error, I replicated the feeling that the elder gave off while using his magic.
During daytime, I would train physically, using magic to enhance my body's natural strength. The monks would spar with me since we both had benefit from it, even if they didn't like my uncompliant persona.
During the night, I would meditate until I found the right magic structure, which I would use for training. I polished the imperfect
This also had the beneficial factor of expanding my manapool, as I had to strain myself in order to keep the magic structure I wanted to achieve.
When everyone fell asleep, I would train the more complicated techniques. I would dive into slumber when dawn struck, sleeping for only a few hours or so. It was enough for my body, as I learned to enter deep sleep immediately upon closing my eyes and laying down.
Relia would watch me train when she finished training with the monks and doing chores around the temple. The monks were helpful though, so she didn't have to do all the work herself. I guess they still good natured, those bald heads.
She would offer me with food after my training finished, as she knew exactly when I would stop.
"Care for bananas and kiwi?" she nudges me, showing the plate of cut fruits.
The whole temple only ate a diet consisting of raw fruits and vegetables, which was a pain in the ass. I missed the savory taste of meaty dishes, and my sweet tooth craved the fine desserts that I would normally eat almost everyday.
"Thanks," I nod, eating the fruits.
"You said you like sugary sweets, but this is the only thing I can offer, since the elder preaches of a raw diet," she explains while looking at me like I'm some sort of hurt puppy.
"It's fine, don't worry," I assure her while my stomach growls for real food. At least the diet is motivating me to get out of this place as soon as I can.
I had to call the elder out tomorrow, as I'm sure I've reached enough understanding and control over the newly discovered martial arts.
Relia grabs my hair and pulls on it.
"What are you so lost in thought about? Do you miss 'real food' that much?"
"Ouch! You don't have to pull my hair," I grouse.
"Oh sorry, you're the only one with hair here, so I have to use it," she giggles, rustling my hair. "I must say, your hairstyle is always perfect. I'm jealous of your quality hair."
"You deem this greasy hair high quality?" I raise an eyebrow.
"Your hair will adjust to not being washed by shampoo every day," she comments, running her fingers through her hair.
Her hair was in a pristine condition, looking like she shampooed it regularly. It didn't smell bad either, probably because she used the flowery oils extracted from the blue orchids growing around the temple.
Relia looked at me curiously, asking about my progress. "I've seen you train only physically during these last few days. You've shown the first signs of using the elder's martial arts a few days ago, but gave up on them after that..."
"Don't worry, everything will fall into its place. I've been meditating to reach it," I answer, not telling her about the rigorous training I've been going through while she slept.
She tilts her head sideways, disapproving the meditating method. "I've never seen someone progress in the
I could see that. Meditating was used to reach a peace of mind, devoid of thoughts. When you have that mentality, it is easier to train. What I was doing was the complete opposite, boggling my mind with the complex structures of the elder's magic.
I stand up, ready to continue my training.
"Leave my methods to myself, I'll show you their products afterwards.”