Huff. Puff. Wheeze.
Sai was crouched on all fours breathing deeply like his life depended on it. Beads of sweat were falling from his face as his entire body was too sore to move.
Sai turned his gaze up. To give a hated gaze at the Living Armor that stood still as he tried to catch a breath.
The Living Armor had some dents from his previous attacks, nonetheless were all fine and dainty.
3 hours of continuous fighting have left him exhausted and all his muscles screaming for death.
Sai was only glad he was learning to fight better.
His punches were stronger and cleaner.
He added kicks for more power and reach.
He was even developing awareness where multiple enemies were positioned and were to move in battle.
Rowana flew toward him with a glass of water. “Good work with practice. Your footwork needs more work though.”
Sai was trying to lower his heart rate. He said nothing as he took the glass of water and drank like a man possessed.
“Rowana, do you have a heart? Can’t you go easier on me?” Sai nearly begged.
Rowana didn’t have a trace of guilt on her face. “Your still breathing and showing a lot of improvement,” She took out a small book and placed it in front of Sai. “This book is an Instruction Manual of Hactor Martial Arts. Hactor was a general in the Romus Empire and famous for his deadly hand to hand combat. The most important part I want you to learn is actually the footwork.”
Rowana got in a boxing stance as she moved swiftly forward,backward and sideways and delivered punches. Rowana frowned and placed her hands on her hip. “Well this is not right. Hactor Martial Artist make it look more smoother? Lighter? In unarmed combat they are hard to beat. Child study the manual and learn the Hactor Martial Arts. It will improve your fighting ability.”
Sai nodded his head and got his breathing under control.
Sai took the book and opened the first pages.
The instructions were clear and the first page describes throwing a punch. Sai looked intrigued when it explained the importance of stance, balance and hip rotation. There was even a picture and diagram of throwing the punch. To sum it up to use the rotation of the body to deliver a stronger punch.
Inspired by what he had learned, Sai rose from his seat and assumed the position described in the book. With a deliberate motion, he executed the punch, involving his entire body in the movement. The initial attempts felt somewhat awkward, but as he persisted, he began to sense a noticeable increase in the force behind his strikes.
Sai was feeling regret that he didn't have the Instruction Manual before. The one he got from the Queen Palace was far too advanced for him to learn and or to use. The Instruction Manual basically told to circulate the body and mana. While the Hactor Martial Arts Instruction Manual was only pure martial arts. He felt cheated.
Sai asked a burning question to Rowana, “Why didn’t you give me the Hactor Martial Arts Instruction Manual before?”
“I am not good with hand to hand combat. So I needed to find Martial Arts for a beginner and a style that can suit you,” Rowana explained. “Besides we were either too busy or you were uninterested in training. So you didn’t receive the Instruction Manual until now.”
Sai could only grimly nod his head. “Yeah your right.”
“Good,” Rowana seemed to smile. “When you get good enough with Hactor Martial Arts. It will be time to go to the Frostwood Forest to gain the Red Mana Crystal.”
“Really? Is there any reason we are making the trip in such a hurry?” Sai was originally going to go on the trip when he reached level 20.
“Well winter is approaching. More importantly it will be useful for you to gain your Soul Armament for the next part of your training,” Rowana said grimly.
“Next part of my training,” Sai said in dread. “What are you going to make me do?”
Rowana coughed awkwardly. “I think I hear Rachel calling me. Continue training while I go see what she wants.”
“Hey wait!” Sai yelled in distress.
Rowana flew away.
Leaving Sai to imagine unending torture that awaits him.
----
Sai was sitting on the grass while Abyssal Pufferfish poison was flying overhead.
“The Modification category needs a lot of science,” Sai said in conclusion in his experiment.
The Abyssal Pufferfish poison turned out to be very slippery like soap. So how do you make it more slippery?
How do you make something slippery into a sticky substance?
You would think learning thermodynamics could make a liquid hot or cold. But in practice not so much.
Don’t get him started on making it a more stronger or weaker fasting acting poison.
Sai was left asking the big questions, what is mana?
What is Abyssal Pufferfish poison?
Sai discovered he could make perfectly sphere bubbles with the poison and they floated over his head.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
The poison bubbles floated above him as he thought about the mystery of the universe.
"Is my existence genuine, or am I merely the product of a butterfly's dream?"
Sai pondered.
Rose flew down and stopped in front of Sai. “Are you playing with bubbles?” Rose asked.
“Yes,” Sai said.
“Do you want to come with me to watch the Avian Sky Show?”
“Sure,” Sai decided to have fun then go into an existential crisis.
Sai followed Rose to the Avian Sky Show.
----
Sai discovered that Rose was very adept with light magic as she navigated through the Ironthorn Forest with light orb overhead.
It was a chilly night and if Sai wasn’t someone that low body heat, it would bother him.
“Where are we going?” Sai asked as he stepped over the tree root.
"Can't believe I forgot to mention this! We're heading into the Divine Beast Peacock's territory, and let me tell you, they absolutely adore throwing dance parties and celebrations," Rose exclaimed with excitement. "The Avian Sky Show is going to be the absolute highlight as the year comes to a close. The next big celebration will be when the snow melts and spring arrives. You'll get to witness a spectacular showcase of birds in all shapes and sizes performing mesmerizing sky dances. Plus, there will be delicious drinks and a variety of rare fruits and vegetables to savor!”
“That sounds fun,” Sai said. “Why aren't the rest of the family not joining us?”
“Other than Rachel, they're all sticks in the mud,” Rose said. “Rosa would rather stay at her spot and read until moss grows on her head. Rowana is just as bad with her obsession with experimenting with poisons.”
“Is that so?”
“Rowana was a terror when she was younger. Accidentally killing a herd of unicorns. She even slayed Ancalagon, a pillar from the Dragon Tribe,” Rose tapped her chin. “Rosa said she was more of a Mad Scientist archtype that pushed the bounds of poisons.”
Sai and Rose approached a clearing where thousands of balls of lights were in the air.
All kinds of people and Magic Beast were attending. Raccoons, Porcupines, Tigers, Direwolves, Rabbits, Frogs, Turtles, Snakes, Crocodiles, Wild Hogs, Deers, Bisons, Bears, Chimpanzee, Griffons, Manticores, Humans, Fairies, Land Dragons and a really fat Goldfish were all sitting and patiently waiting for the show to begin.
The Divine Beast Peacock was in the center of the clearing. Its long tail feathers are adorned with brilliant, multicolored eye spots which are a shade of sapphire blue and black. It was at least 20 feet tall.
Sai was astonished as he gazed upon the Divine Beast Peacock's level. It stood proudly at level 107.
Rose had led Sai sitting with two other fairies.
The first was Penelope, the guard who allowed Sai to enter the fairy community.
The second fairy was a stunning Mother Fairy, possessing golden hair and captivating blue eyes, who could have easily been a supermodel in his previous world.
Rose introduced the two fairy. “These are Penelope the guard and Victoria a member of the Hunting Team.”
Penelope raised her hand and gave a small wave. “Hello again.”
Victoria gave a beseeching smile that made Sai’s heart race. “It is nice to meet you.”
“Yes it's... Good to meet you,” Sai said, trying to choose his words carefully.
Sai and Rose sat with the pair.
Ravens were flying down and placed plates of food and drink with the pair.
Sai took a berry and ate it. It was juicy and sweet. He didn’t touch the drink, since he believed it was some kind of alcohol.
At the corner of his eyes, he saw one of the humans approach his group.
It was a knight with a handsome face and snow white hair and blue sapphire eyes. Sai would say he had a gentle expression.
The knight steps in front of Sai with an unreadable expression. “It is rare for humans to mingle with fairies. Who exactly are you?”
Rose replied to the knight question. “He’s a member of the fairy religion. I hope you can let us enjoy the competition, oh valiant Griffon Knight.”
“Please forgive me for my rudeness oh fair fairy,” The Griffon Knight bowed and then started to walk back to his group.
Sai turned his head to look at Rose. “Is this going to cause a problem?”
Rose took a sip of her drink before replying. “He’s a famous adventurer and not part of the monarchy. He was probably just curious.”
“Alright. Can I trade my small apples for your berries?”
“Go ahead.”
Sai nodded and took a small apple off his plate and placed it on Rose's plate. He then stole the berry off Rose plate and put it on his own.
Sai throws another berry into his mouth.
“Hello small human,” A feminine voice boomed next to Sai.
Sai looked to the side and saw a dinosaur. He was mistaken, It was an immensely colossal dragon, boasting teeth as sharp as swords and eyes resembling the slits of a serpent.
Sai replied back, “Hi.”
“I heard you ran into Tree Sapper.”
“Tree Sapper?”
“He’s my youngest son, a Land Dragon.”
“Yes I did meet your son.”
“What is your purpose in approaching my son?”
“He stole my prey.”
“Hmm. What is your Level, Blessing Type, Magic Attribute and Divine Magic do you use?”
“And why would I tell you any of that kind of information?”
“I've been thinking about selling my son to you.”
“Why? No seriously why?”
“I have over 14 children or was it 18 children,” The Mother Land Dragon said. ”Besides, I can sell him for a high prices.”
“...How much are you selling your son for?”
“Hundred sheeps.”
Rose placed a hand on Sai's shoulder. “The Fairy Queen will personally flay you alive if you accept that deal. She adores the sheep.”
“Think about my proposal,” The Mother Land Dragon said, then moved toward the other smaller Land Dragons in her group.
“What just happened?” Sai asked.
“Do you really want to know,” Rose asked Sai. “Or do you want to live in ignorance?”
Penelope then said. “Your going to explain the Dragon harem to him?”
“Hush you,” Rose reproached Penelope.
Sai thought for a moment and decided he wanted to know or it would bug him. “Go ahead and tell me.”
Rose nodded her head. “Well, dragons are a mostly female race. With every batch of eggs having one male for every four females. So normally a male dragon will make all his sisters his wife or mates.”
“What about genetic defects?”
“Dragons are believed to be a superior species, so they don't encounter such problems. However, if there are two or three male dragons in a batch. Well the male dragons would kill each other to be sole male heir and make all his sisters his harem.”
“So they are basically Targaryen. Do you know how many male dragons that Mother Land Dragon children has?”
Rose was silent and shrugged her shoulders.
“In the youngest batch of hatchling, two. That Mother Land Dragon has two male sons,” Victoria said. “One large and one small.”
“I am guessing Tree Sapper is the runt of the litter,” Sai asked.
“Dragon is still a dragon,” Penelope said. “If it wasn’t for the Great Fairies and Divine Beasts, the Dragons would rule the world.”
“The Elves and the Horned Dogs would disagree with you,” Rose said.
“The Elves would lose just like the humans. Their Demigods would win though,” Victoria said.
“If the Horned Dogs were more organized we would all be doomed,” Rose said.
Victoria and Penelope seemed to nod in agreement.
Unexpectedly, the light abruptly waned as all the radiant orbs suspended in the sky flickered and extinguished.
It began with the simultaneous chorus of hundreds of birds, creating a melodious symphony.
Vultures circle in the sky, transforming into phoenixes as they extend their wings, and their wingbeats scattered embers across the skies.
Eagles from four different directions flew above the gathering, and just before they appeared to collide, they gracefully soared upward, twirling in the air in an elegant helical pattern until they disappeared from view.
The animals showed their appreciation by stomping their feet or emitting unique sounds of approval.
A sizable flock of white swans took flight, spinning like spinning tops with their wings outstretched before descending gracefully as they folded their wings.
Colored small birds flew in the sky, harmoniously coordinating their movements to depict different animals, including a tiger, lion, bear, and a human.
A heron began to perform a dance in the air, moving with a balletic grace that defied the laws of gravity and physics, as the wind carried it effortlessly. The very music changed with the heron's graceful movements.
It was a spectacular show that Sai will never forget.