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Zastan couldn't help but stare for a moment, his mind flashing to a recent memory.

'I've seen her before', he thought.

Recalling a television segment from not too long ago. This was the golf champion Darius had mentioned. The girl's beauty was striking, but what caught Zastan's attention was the way she carried herself.

The guard beside him broke his thoughts by calling out, "Ms. Zhao?"

The girl looked up, her eyes meeting Zastan's with a brief but curious glance. Zastan quickly composed himself, stepping forward with a warm smile. "Ms. Zhao! It's an honor to have you as our coach today," he said, extending his hand for a handshake. Despite not being a fan, he couldn't deny the charm of shaking hands with someone as accomplished, and as beautiful as her.

Natalia, watching this interaction, couldn't help but pout slightly. She folded her arms, feeling a tiny bit of jealousy seeing Zastan's enthusiastic reaction to the girl.

Ms. Zhao returned the handshake with a polite but businesslike smile. "Thank you. Let's get down to business," she said, her tone professional and efficient.

Without wasting time, she assessed Zastan and Natalia. "Do either of you have any prior experience with golf?"

Zastan and Natalia both shook their heads. "No, not really," Zastan admitted, with Natalia nodding in agreement.

Ms. Zhao nodded, seemingly unfazed by their lack of experience. "That's fine. We'll start with the basics," she said. "There are some key things you need to understand before you even think about putting."

She motioned for them to follow her, and they made their way down a polished hallway lined with golfing memorial and photos of past champions. At the end of the hall, they entered a spacious room dominated by a large virtual golf display, its vibrant graphics showcasing a stunningly realistic golf course.

"This is our virtual training room," Ms. Zhao explained. "It's perfect for beginners. Here, you'll learn the fundamentals without the pressure of being out on the park."

She walked over to a storage rack lined with various clubs and picked one up, holding it expertly in her hands. "Each club has a specific purpose," she began, lifting a driver.

"This one, the driver, is typically used for your first shot off the tee. Its design is meant to hit the ball as far as possible. Then we have the irons. It is used for mid-range shots. And the putter," she said, lifting another, "is for those final strokes to get the ball into the hole."

Ms. Zhao then demonstrated a few practice swings, her form impeccable as she smoothly executed each motion. Zastan watched intently, trying to absorb every detail of her movements. Natalia, standing beside him, glanced at Ms. Zhao's stance and grip, mentally noting each step.

"Your grip, stance, and swing path are crucial," Ms. Zhao continued, moving to a tee and positioning herself. "Watch closely." She addressed the virtual screen, eyeing the animated fairway ahead, and with a practiced, fluid motion, she swung the club. The ball soared in the simulation, traveling down the fairway with precision.

"That's how you want it to look," she said, turning back to them. "Controlled, balanced, and smooth. It's not about strength, but it's all about technique."

She handed the club to Zastan. "Give it a try," she encouraged, stepping aside.

Zastan took the club, positioning himself as she had shown. He adjusted his grip a couple of times, recalling her pointers, and took a breath. Then, mimicking Ms. Zhao's swing, he swung at the virtual ball. The ball sailed off, though not as straight or far as Ms. Zhao's shot, it wasn't a complete miss.

Ms. Zhao nodded approvingly. "Not bad," she said. "Your comprehension is good. Just keep practicing and refine your technique."

Natalia stepped forward for her turn, a determined look on her face. With Ms. Zhao's guidance, she managed a few decent swings, her confidence growing with each attempt. Zastan watched, occasionally offering a few words of encouragement, his competitive side subtly showing.

The session continued, filled with practice swings, adjustments, and feedback from Ms. Zhao, whose sharp eye missed nothing. Zastan and Natalia both made progress, slowly but surely getting the hang of the basics. As they wrapped up, Ms. Zhao nodded, satisfied with their efforts.

"You're off to a good start," she said, tucking the club back into the rack. "Keep practicing, and you'll get the hang of it."

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Zastan gave her a grateful smile, feeling a newfound appreciation for the sport. "Thanks for the guidance, Ms. Zhao. We'll definitely keep practicing."

Natalia nodded in agreement, her earlier feelings of jealousy dissipating as she enjoyed the experience. "Yes, thank you. It was really helpful," she added, genuinely appreciative of the time spent learning something new.

After the virtual session, Natalia glanced at a sleek digital display mounted on the wall, which provided detailed information about the weather outside. She noted that the temperature had dropped a few degrees, and the forecast indicated that it should be cloudy.

A perfect condition for stepping out onto the actual greens without the from the shining sun's heat from earlier.

Ms. Zhao, ever observant, caught Natalia's glance at the display and smiled. "Looks like the weather's on our side today," she remarked. "How about we take this session outdoors? There's no substitute for the real thing, after all."

Zastan nodded enthusiastically. "Sounds great! I'm ready to see how this all plays out on an actual course."

Ms. Zhao gestured towards the large windows of the reception area, beyond which lay the meticulously maintained expanses of Eagle Heights Golf Park. "I've arranged for us to practice on the 'Diamond' park today," she said, her tone carrying a hint of pride. "It's usually reserved exclusively for our Diamond members, but I pulled some strings."

Natalia's eyes widened in awe. "The 'Diamond' park?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. "That place is like heaven for golfers. I've heard it's where all the top players and celebrities go."

Ms. Zhao nodded, acknowledging Natalia's statement. "Exactly. It's one of the most exclusive courses in the country, designed with the highest standards in mind. It's not just about the challenge, but the experience."

With excitement between the two, they made their way outside, where the weather had indeed turned as predicted. The sun, once blazing, was now hidden behind a blanket of soft, gray clouds, providing a cooler and more comfortable environment. The air felt fresh, with a gentle breeze carrying the faint scent of pine from the trees lining the park's perimeters.

As they approached the entrance to the 'Diamond' park, the beauty of the course became immediately apparent. Everything from the perfectly manicured greens to the sparkling water features exuded luxury and exclusivity.

Ms. Zhao led them to the first tee, and Zastan couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation. He adjusted his grip on the club, remembering the pointers from their indoor session.

As he stepped up, Ms. Zhao stood nearby, offering a few last-minute tips. "Remember, it's all about your rhythm and balance. Don't overthink about it and just let it flow."

Zastan nodded, taking a deep breath to steady himself. He swung the club, his form surprisingly smooth, and the ball shot off down the fairway with a satisfying arc. It wasn't perfect, but it was certainly a solid start. Ms. Zhao clapped lightly, impressed by the progress he was making. "Nice shot, Zastan! You've got the hang of it much faster than most beginners I have guided so far."

Natalia stepped up next, her face a mix of concentration and determination. She swung, her ball following a neat trajectory, landing not far from Zastan's.

Ms. Zhao offered her a nod of approval. "Great job, Natalia. You've got a natural feel for the game."

They continued playing through the holes, each swing becoming more confident, each putt more precise. Ms. Zhao was constantly by their side, offering guidance and adjusting their techniques as they progressed through the park. With each hole, Zastan's skills noticeably improved, and Ms. Zhao's compliments became more frequent.

"Your comprehension is remarkable, Zastan," Ms. Zhao remarked after watching him execute a particularly challenging chip shot. "It's like you're absorbing everything instantly."

Zastan chuckled. He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling slightly embarrassed by the praise. Inwardly, he knew that part of his rapid improvement was thanks to the Level 1 Strengthening Potion he had taken some time ago, which enhanced his physical abilities.

'Well, that potion seems to be doing its job' he thought, pleased but trying to stay humble.

Natalia, meanwhile, was thoroughly enjoying herself. The initial awkwardness she felt had faded away, replaced by a sense of satisfaction at trying something new and excelling at it.

She matched Zastan's pace, her competitive spirit shining through as they argued about whose shots were better.

Ms. Zhao continued to guide them, her expertise evident as she broke down complex techniques into manageable steps.

She demonstrated the perfect swing once more, her movements fluid and graceful, then handed the club back to Zastan. "Try to emulate that form, but don't stress about getting it exactly right. Everyone's swing has its own style."

As they moved onto the back nine, the difficulty level increased, with tighter fairways and more strategically placed hazards. Yet, Zastan thrived under the pressure, sinking a long putt that curved beautifully into the hole. Ms. Zhao gave a small cheer, genuinely impressed. "That was an excellent putt, Zastan. You're really catching on fast."

Each compliment only made Zastan more determined to improve, and he found himself truly enjoying the game.

The sense of calm, the focus required for each shot, and the serene environment all added to the experience. Meanwhile, Natalia was not far behind, her skills sharpening with every swing, and the joy she felt was palpable.

As the hours passed, the trio played through the entire 'Diamond' park, with Ms. Zhao offering steady encouragement and feedback. By the end of their session, both Zastan and Natalia were tired but happy, their faces flushed with exertion and excitement.

"Thank you, Ms. Zhao," Zastan said, shaking her hand again as they wrapped up. "This was an incredible experience. I'm definitely going to keep practicing."

Natalia nodded in agreement, her earlier feelings completely replaced by a genuine appreciation for the game and the day spent. "Yes, this was fantastic. Thank you so much for all your help."

As they left the park, the clouds overhead began to break slightly, allowing a few rays of sunlight to peek through, casting a warm glow over the beautiful landscape.

Zastan and Natalia walked side by side, their spirits high from the day's activities.

As they returned to the convoy, Zastan glanced over at Natalia, who was smiling softly, her eyes still shining from the day's excitement.

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