With the invite of his father, they deliver the old man to his home. It was just a small Japanese house in the middle of the suburbs. When they enter the house it was simple but tidy and clean, they notice that there was not much appliance and furniture inside it.
Hugo still doubting if his daughter's decision is correct. He was worried her daughter might get scam. He knows her daughter is still an innocent little girl so he was tightly looking around suspiciously, making sure they were not making a huge mistake coming here. He let his bodyguards inspect the area making sure the area is safe.
"Take a sit"
The old man sits with traditional Japanese seiza in tatami. They sat at the front of a small table, suddenly a young woman enters wearing kimono while holding a teapot. She put three-cup in the mahogany table. She bent and start pouring tea at the cup.
"Drink" he offers
Hugo didn't touch it and neither Joan. Instead, a bodyguard at his side approaches forward and takes a sip. The old man didn't say anything and just continue enjoying his tea. After inspecting and making sure there was no poison, Hugo brought the tea to his lips and sip and he began to relax. Joan follows his father and drink.
"So...you want to learn martial arts?" after putting the cup down the table, he looks directly at her.
"Yes!" she nods firmly
"Care to share why you want to learn then?"
She looks at her father then at the old man
"I want to learn so I can protect my father."
Suddenly Hugo grips the cup tightly looking at his daughter dearly.
"Elektra..."
"I also don't want to be helpless and watch as my loved one die. I want to have the power to protect them"
The old man nod, not expressing anything.
"Little one, what are martial arts?" he suddenly asks
Elektra became silent, and look at the old man then she shakes her head
"I don't know"
The old man as if found something interesting look curiously at her.
"What do you mean you don't know?"
"I'm just a seven years old girl, so I lack knowledge. Please forgive this one" she bows her head in apology
The old man gawk then laughs loud
"Haha! This is the first time I heard someone didn't directly answer my question."
Then he brought the cup to his lips and sip it in enjoyment. After a few minutes, he put down the cup and look at Joan.
"Are you sure you want to learn martial arts from me? I won't be gentle in my teachings."
She didn't say anything and just directly stare at the old man. The old man just smirk.
"I don't know if you are suited to learn martial arts. If you can satisfy my requirements, maybe I can teach you a few tricks. What do you say?"
She nods and bows.
"Thank you sensei!"
Hugo wants to say anything, but in the end, he just stays silent. He already promises his daughter that he will allow her to learn how to fight, he just wishes that he won't regret his decision.
-
The next day, her official training began. Joan doesn't know what to expect but she will follow her master whatever his command is. First, in the morning she was taught some stretch movement then after that she taught of simple movement of how to punch and kick. In the evening she was taught how to meditate and calm her inner peace. This meditation will replace her sleep and meditate nonstop until the next day. Although everything she learns was very simple and nothing complicated, her master [Stick] was very strict and every mistake she made has an equal punishment. He forces her to repeat the repetitive movement making her small body sore until she finally gets it. He teaches her indifferently, she wants to sleep and rest but she needs to meditate, she wants to lay down and rest but she needs to move her muscle to do some punch and kick or else she will be a force to do another set. It was a miracle she survives those kinds of torture during her training. Thankfully, her effort didn't go in vain.
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> "Ding"
>
> Due to repeated actions, you acquired [ Martial arts kick (F)].
>
> "Ding"
>
> Due to repeated actions, you acquired [Martial arts fist (F)].
>
> "Ding"
>
> [Martial arts fist (F)] and [ Martial arts kick (F)] combine to [Martial arts technique (F)] – After practicing kung fu set of movements, you have learned the proper way how to wield your fist and feet as a weapon. Additional +1 phy + 1 agi
>
> "Ding"
>
> Due to repeated actions, you acquired [Meditation (F)] You have learned the skill of meditating, this skill will help you contemplate the meaning of life. Additional +2 wis
>
> "Ding"
>
> Due to repeated actions, you acquired [Endurance (F)] – After enduring torture, you have learned to preserve even in hardship. Additional +2 phy.
>
> Joan Asahi
>
> Phy-5 +3
>
> Spd-7 + 1
>
> Wis-10 + 2
>
> Luck-5
>
> Skills:
>
> [Observe (F)]
>
> [Martial arts technique (F)]
>
> [Meditation (F)]
>
> [Endurance (F)]
After training for a month, she didn't just learn new skills, her base stats also increase. By now, she can probably fight an adult man just based on her strength alone. The increase of her Wis stats increases her pondering speed, making her adapt and react fast. Her Spd stats also increase her reaction speed, making her body adapt to her thinking. She also try to observe anything around her, she didn't let every detail escape her eyes. Now that her observing skills increase, she can now notice the hidden device around the dojo. On the front, the house looks normal but if you look closely around the roof and grass, you will notice there were hidden devices scattered around. She can feel someone was observing her every move making her feeling of being stalk. Thankfully, the comfort room was removed from monitoring, or else she didn't know what to think of her master.
After a month of learning, Stick was surprised how fast she learns but he didn't say anything and continue instructing her.
-
Three months later
"Hiya!"
A young child was currently practicing martial arts in the courtyard. What she was doing was a simple movement of punching in the air, but if you look closely, you will notice that every fist she threw will become a blur to visible eyes, it explains how fast she throws punches.
"Stop!"
The little girl stops her movement, her face was currently covered with sweat but she already uses it and looks at her master.
"After three months of training, you have proven to me that you are worthy of my teachings."
He then looks at the man (Hugo) who was watching in the sideline. He looks worried but he has been supportive of her even he wants to shoot this master for his cruel training. Stick approaches him and gives him a card.
"Go to this place if you want to let your daughter learn more about martial arts. I recommend that she go to this place to study."
Hugo look at the address then look up at the old man but he was already gone. He looks around but found the old man vanish. He was already accustomed to the old man disappearing act, he treats it as a performance to show his mysterious side. He just snorts on contempt thinking about it.
"Father!"
Joan run to her father and stop.
"Elektra, do you want to study martial arts? The school enrollment is now open and I want to enroll you this week."
Joan shake her head.
"Dad, I want to go to that place, and if I have time, maybe I'll study a little."
"Elektra!"
"Dad, you see my progress? It wasn't fake. I don't want to go to school and I want to learn martial arts."
Her father just scratches his head.
"Elektra, you can study martial arts anytime, but school is very important to you, that is your future. You need to learn education so you can be whatever you want."
"How about a compromise dad?"
"Compromise?" Hugo raise his eyebrow in curiosity
"I'll study, but I want to learn while learning martial arts."
"Elektra- "
"If I fail to study properly, I won't learn martial arts anymore and focus on studying. What do you say, dad?"
Hugo looks at her daughter and sighed.
"Do as you wish, but remember your promise to me" he warns her sternly
"I promise dad!" she smiles brightly and hugs him"
"I am already regretting this..." he murmurs but hugs his daughter back.
-
After packing their stuff, they fly to japan where the address is located. After arriving at the airport, they were met by an old woman. Her name was stone, she asked why her name was stone, she just smiles and said that what people called her.
After resting in a hotel, they make their way to the dojo of chaste. Arriving in the area, they were shocked by how huge the new dojo is. Stone just said they already arrange everything making Hugo suspicious how come a dojo was rich.
Stone just smile patted Elektra's head. They arrive at the front dojo, there she saw many students wearing a white karate uniform. She observes them and startled when she saw many of those people have the titles of experts, she even saw few masters.
"Little one, this will be your new home. Everyone here will be your brother and sister from now on. Stick told me your current progress and he agrees to let me teach you, so little one, I'll be your new master starting today."
Joan bows her head in respect.
"Hello master stone, it's an honor for me to be your student"
Stone smile gently and look at the young girl.
"Raise your head little one"
Joan follow her order.
"Starting tomorrow, you're going to be joining other group exercises. I will teach you personally after you are done with your task. But today, you need to observe everything first and understand the rules here."
Then she calls a girl trainee called Diane, she was 12 years old, 5 years older than her. Stone introduces her than making her lead Elektra tour around the place. The girl didn't say anything and follow her order. While touring the place, she introduces every facility of the dojo and its rules. Joan listen to her while looking around curiously. There were many students on the dojo who was currently training their own, sometimes she can see someone sparring intensely.
After the tour, the girl asks her if she needs anything, Joan just shake her head and thank her for the tour. The girl then said goodbye and can call her when she needs anything. After the girl left, she looks at the dawning sun.