Spring, age 8.

``When you are ready.'' [Jessica]

I take a step forwards, put mana into my left boot, and jump into the air. At the top of the trajectory I do a half spin and use my right boot to push against the air to propel me downwards, using the momentum to twist my body around to do a roundhouse kick.

Mom takes a slight step backwards to dodge my attack, then lowers her body and sweep my leg away a moment after I land. As I'm falling, she does a spin midair and kicks me downwards.

``Umph!'' [Nathan]

I hit the ground hard.

``Do not over commit. Kick with the intent to hit, but be ready to shift your movement when you miss. If you stagger when you land, you will be completely open.'' [Jessica]

``..Yes.'' [Nathan]

``Now get up and try again.'' [Jessica]

I get up and try the same move, this time trying to hit her with a more sideways kick. She blocks with her left arm, and I use the force between us to push away from her.

``Better, keep going.'' [Jessica]

I land six feet from her and jump at her again. This time I spin my body around and swipe at her with my blades.

She dodge beneath them and sidesteps my body.

I land behind her and roll forwards, barely avoiding the kick she pulls from her low crouched position.

``Good, now re-engage fast.'' [Jessica]

I turn around and throw my left dagger at her before putting mana into both of my boots, propelling me forwards explosively.

She sidesteps my blade and spins around to catch it midair, before quickly turning back to parry my thrust with the blade she just caught, throwing me sideways with the sheer force of the parry.

``Good momentum and misdirection, but never let go of your weapon, especially if you are fighting an unarmed opponent that might pick it up.'' [Jessica]

She drops my blade on the ground.

``Pick it up and try again.'' [Jessica]

I pick up my blade and retake a stance.

Time to try out my latest toy.

I run towards her, kicking the ground and putting mana into my left boot. I then twist my body to kick her twice in quick succession.

She moves back slightly and effortlessly dodge both.

With my third kick I put mana into another part of my boot. Doing so, I activate a crystal that unleashes a magic that creates an intense shock wave that cuts in a crescent in front of it.

My mom catches my kick, and the magic is released next to her shoulder, gracing her shoulder and giving her a shallow cut.

While still in the air, I twist my body and kick powerfully towards her head. She grabs my leg with her other hand, and slings me into the air away from her.

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Bending my body like a cat, I land on both my feet and my left hand, making sure the blade doesn't hit me.

My mother inspects her shoulder.

``An ``Air slash'' crystal. I am guessing it is on both of your boots?'' [Jessica]

I stand up and dust myself off.

``Yeah, after you showed it to me I was considering making a glove that incorporated it, but since I will be carrying a weapon most of the time, I figured I would not be getting much use out of it. So I put it into the boots. Alfred agreed that it would be put to better use there.'' [Nathan]

``He was right. Your kicks lack power, and this is a good substitute. You have never been able to land a hit in on me, so let us stop this for today, well done and congratulations.'' [Jessica]

Sigh.

Done for today.

Gravity on this planet is lower than Earth's, but it's still hard jumping around like this.

``I have to say, you did a good job with those boots. What are their exact specs?'' [Jessica]

``The air step has three charges, and I can recharge a charge in thirty seconds. The ``Air slash'' has a two minute recharge on each boot.'' [Nathan]

``Are you not concerned that a crystal will be overloaded? It cannot be easy to control that many crystals.'' [Jessica]

``I made it so they vibrate up when they get above half capacity. I did some tests, and as it is now I can pour mana into them continuously with no problem. I get quite tired if I do that though, they might not use a lot of mana but it adds up.'' [Nathan]

``As long as you are comfortable using them it should be fine.'' [Jessica]

If that was all, I think I will head off to bed. It has been quite a long sparring session, and I am exhausted.'' [Nathan]

``I actually had some things I wanted to discuss with you. First of all, how are you progressing with the ``Air clone'' spell?'' [Jessica]

``Quite well, but I have been stuck for the last few days.'' [Nathan]

``It is a difficult spell, so that is to be expected. Just keep at it and you should be able to do it by summers end.'' [Jessica]

``Do not worry, I will.'' [Nathan]

``I know.. Secondly, you keep using kicks instead of your blades. I know it is hard to swing a blade with the intent to cut, but you have to keep training with them, and that includes sparring.'' [Jessica]

``.. I know, but.. I do not feel right using a sharp blade in a sparring, especially when you tell me to come at you with everything I have.'' [Nathan]

``Do not underestimate me Nathan, you can come at me with the intent to kill and I would still not be in danger. You need experience in using a blade, and you only get that experience by using them.'' [Jessica]

``.. I will try harder from now on.'' [Nathan]

``Good. Do not worry Nathan, your father is always nearby and ready to heal us if anything happens.'' [Jessica]

I give her a silent nod.

``And lastly, I wanted to talk to you about school. I understand you have decided on Bightkeep Academy?'' [Jessica]

``Yeah.'' [Nathan]

``A good choice. Your father and I know the principal personally, so I am sure you will be at home there. Are your friends also going there?'' [Jessica]

``They are, we all agreed on it a few days ago.'' [Nathan]

``Good, good. It would be a shame if you had to separate from them already, friends are important. You will also have your cousin Elena as an upperclassman, I am sure she will take good care of you.

I was thinking that maybe we should take a trip to Bightkeep in a few days, that way we can show you the city and Twinpeak Shawn, the principal, can show us the school.'' [Jessica]

``Sounds good.'' [Nathan]

``I am glad you think so. Just one more thing, most students live in the campus dorms, but there are also a couple of houses next to campus that are used primarily by students. They are quite cheap, so if you want to, we can buy one for you. The dorms have two man rooms, so you would be living with a roommate if you decide to live in the dorms.'' [Jessica]

Hmm.. I'd rather not rely too heavily on my parents financially, and living in a house by myself might make me stand out a bit too much.

On the other hand, I don't really want a roommate at this age. Might be fun enough in a few years, but having nowhere to be without nine year olds everywhere would suck majorly.

``I am not sure, perhaps we should just go see it and I can make a decision afterwards.'' [Nathan]

``Yes, that does sound like a good idea, no need to rush.'' [Jessica]

``Then if that was all, I will head off to bed.'' [Nathan]

``It was. Sleep tight Nathan.'' [Jessica]

``Sleep tight mom.'' [Nathan]