Collapsing onto the ground panting for breath, I had just finished attempting to scale the cliff. My entire body had seemingly given up protesting, instead it was now just throbbing painfully. It had been three days since I had started my second attempt at all of these exercises, and I had made progress.

I had gotten a lot better at swinging through the small forest, the last time I had only fallen once and missed a branch twice. I had reached the lake and gotten halfway back before falling into the river when attempting the stone jumps and finally I had gotten three quarters of the way up the cliff.

Hearing footsteps coming towards me, I slowly got to my feet and saw Halone making her way towards me.

“Good work. You’re progressing a lot faster than I had thought you would. Remove your gloves, I wish to have a spar with you.” Removing the gloves, I threw them to the side as Halone spoke again. “Use your current style, along with magic and mana circulation. Do not use your Domain, Lunar or Astral Ice magic, only your wind magic.”

I tilt my head slightly. “I thought you wanted me to forget the Dancing Fox Wind Style?”

“And that is still the case, however before I can teach you to forget something I must know how it works so I can correctly guide you to stop using it. Now, try and hit me within thirty minutes.”

Nodding, I kick up the wind around me and move in on Halone.

***

“That’s enough.” Stepping back, I release the wind and exhale. “Put your gloves back on, I wish to discuss a few things.” Doing as she says, I put them on as she sits. As if they appeared from thin air, a teapot and two cups appeared. Sitting down with Halone, she pours two cups and hands one to me. Taking a sip, she starts speaking.

“Your style, is it based on Graceful Dancing Wind Style?” Frowning, I tried to recall if Teacher Lee mentioned that at all. Shaking my head, Halone pondered for a moment. “May I ask where you learnt this style of fighting?”

Explaining how I had met Teacher Lee in Crater Hell, along with his training and reasons for teaching me, Halone looked thoughtful before nodding.

“It seems to be either a modified version of Graceful Dancing Wind Style or its predecessor. Tell me, what were you like back then? Like what was your height, weight, magic and Stats?”

Telling her all that I could recall, Halone followed along while slowly drinking her tea. Putting down her empty cup, she started speaking.

“The Shrine Master who taught you was completely correct. The Graceful Dancing Wind Style, or as you call it Dancing Fox Wind Style, was indeed the best choice for you. However, you have very quickly outgrown it.

“The purpose of the style is to allow those that are weaker to fight while relying on magic. Your achievements while using this style are admirable, like being the first to solo the tenth floor of the Tomb of Lilith. It is holding you back however. You have outgrown it by a lot, to the point where you are holding yourself back to use it.

“Everything that you do currently withholds your true Strength and Agility. Perhaps a demonstration will suffice. Using your style, run at and strike that tree with your full power. Feel free to utilise your strength enhancing Lunar spell.”

As she pointed at a tree, I stood and charged at the tree, applying a Lunar Blessing to myself as I used the wind to push myself forward as well as increase the force of my punch, increasing it to the strongest I’ve had it. My fist pierces through the trunk of the tree easily, making a hole about double the width of my arm.

Pulling back while breathing out, I looked down at the damage to the tree. Doubts started to come to mind. Was this not enough? This strength caused this much damage, and I knew damn well how tough this tree could be…after losing my temper on many of them.

“Now, without using your style and only using your body, punch the tree over there. I will correct you everytime you show any sign of using your current style of fighting.”

It took just over an hour of trying as Halone kept correcting me the very second I did something like relaxing my muscles before striking, or while running. Finally, everything clicked.

Covering the distance of about ten metres within two seconds, I threw the fist out that I had pulled back. Connecting with the tree, a deafening crack rang out as the tree snapped in two, before the top half, where the impact had been, flew off for a few metres. Stumbling for a moment, I widened my eyes in shock and surprise.

In front of me was now the stump of a tree, slightly uprooted, as the rest of the tree laid about five metres away. My hand hadn’t broken this time, rather it felt numb with pain but was otherwise fine. Is this due to the training, or because of Halone helping me earlier?

Looking back at Halone, she simply continued to sip her tea. Sitting down once again, Halone looked over at the tree I had just punched.

“Graceful Dancing Wind Style. It’s a style, rather than a martial art. It doesn’t have any particular skills or techniques and relies on one's mastery of wind magic to master. It is taught to those that have small, slim figures and talent in fighting, however the purpose of the style is to let those with low strength keep on par with those around them.

“The primary method is the relaxation of muscles. It makes it harder for one to predict the users movements, and lets the user be more flexible so dodging attacks is easier. By tensing at the last moment, it will allow you to strike with some force. With the addition of Wind magic, it brings everything to the next level.”

Nodding to her explanation, it nearly matched what Teacher Lee had taught me. I had been feeling strangely limited by using this style before, however I had thought it was because I had not improved upon it and only really ever used the basics that I had been taught. After Xia helped me to show my true strength, I started to realise just how much strength I actually had.

“You were taught this style correctly. In fact, I believe the Dancing Fox Wind Style as you call it fit you perfectly for your circumstances at the time. However, in a short amount of time, you have suddenly become extremely strong, plus you have grown taller. Thus the style is starting to hold you back rather than be helpful for you.”

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So Teacher Lee had taught me the best thing he could? I remembered we had spoken about Stats and Stat ranks back then, when most of my Stats were still about F rank, with my Agility being around D rank. He also claimed raising Stat Ranks were rare and most never did in their lifetime, yet according to Elise it was quite common. She had said Teacher Lee may have been from an era long gone.

“I see…” Muttering this outloud, I had to admit that the strength and speed I demonstrated was on a new level without using Dancing Fox Wind Style.

“I will say, perhaps you can use parts of Dancing Fox Wind Style along with Flowing River.” Glancing at Halone, she still had her eyes closed while sipping her tea. “The Wind magic you use, instead of using it to increase your force and strength, it should be used to increase the power of your strikes. You already surround your fists with a sharp, fast wind which gives it the piercing strength you displayed there.” Pointing at the tree I had punched with Dancing Fox Wind Style, I understood what she was talking about.

“What about the wind around me?”

“A perfect use to assist with your toughness, though it may get in the way of Flowing River, however martial arts is not something one learns and imitates, but rather they learn and adapt it to their own fighting style. Perhaps you may carve your own path with Flowing River. You can not do this with Dancing Fox Wind style, the two simply conflict too much and as you saw you lose too much strength.”

Standing, Halone put the teapot and cups away somehow before looking at me. “Continue with your training. You have three days to compl-”

Before she could finish, darkness spread out the entire area. Shocked, I stood up, trying to look around. This darkness obstructed my eyes! As quickly as it came, it vanished. Blinking as my vision returned, I looked around before my eyes quickly snapped onto someone who absolutely wasn’t here before.

A small girl stood there, looking directly at me. Before I could take in her features, the darkness returned once again. Raising my guard completely, I heard a mutter from Halone. “Interesting.”

As the darkness faded once again, I felt a blow to my stomach. As I’m about to react by slamming my fist down on whoever this was, every single instinct of mine screamed not to attack whoever it was. As I’m tackled to the ground, a young girls face appeared above me before she hugged me

“Mummy!”

HUH?! I knew that word was what a child would typically call a mother, but when did I have a child?! Suddenly, I felt excitement and happiness coming from the child that had crashed tackled me, and at the same time a sound I had only heard a few days ago.

“Kraa!”

Sitting up quickly, I look down at the young girl. Seeing her small black raven wings, hair and talons instead of feet, my mind spun for a moment as a name came to mind. Alice?!

“A-Alice?” With some uncertainty in my voice, I spoke.

“Mummy! Kraa!”

Unsure of what was happening, close by I saw Xia suddenly appear. Pale in the face with sweat dripping from her forehead. She was panting, hard. As she looks around desperately, he finally looks towards us, her eyes on Alice as relief spreads on her face before her eyes snapped to mine. She froze for a moment before disappearing in a puff of purple smoke and runes before reappearing before me, kneeling.

“M-madam. I’m s-sorry.” Still panting heavily, Xia kept her head bowed as I sat there, completely confused. Glancing up at Halone, she seemed rather amused.

“Alisha, what is your relation to that girl? I believe she called you ‘mummy’?” Her lips were slightly curved up as she asked with a bit of amusement. Looking down at Alice, who was still hugging me tightly, to Xia then back to Halone, I didn’t know what to say.

“Well, it seems whatever the case, we appear to have visitors. Come, I believe these two will be related to the squad of Royal Guards demanding entry.”

Feeling my heart sink, I asked Alice to let go.

“NO! Alice wants Mummy!” Still unsure of what was happening, which was rapidly turning into shock as I started to realise that Alice had become an evolved monster, I stood with her dangling off me. With no alternative since she wouldn’t let go, I start following Halone as Xia follows closely behind. I just wanted to rest!

***

Approaching the closed doors, I see Tael currently standing there looking rather amused. He turns towards us as smiles gently.

“Ah, so that’s the little lady who has kicked up the ruckus outside.” His eyes land on Alice before looking at Halone. “Shall we shoo them away?”

“Well, that would work in our favour.” Flicking her wrist, the doors started opening. On the other side sat about ten armoured individuals, with one who stood in front of them all. He wore a Ruby Grade adventurers plate. Scanning each of us, his eyes very quickly landed on Xia and then Alice before he stepped forward.

“The Royal Guard hereby declares that the two individuals named Xia and Alice are to be detained until further notice. Your compliance is not necessary as we have determined to use force if required.”

As soon as those words left his mouth, those behind him moved forward a step. Getting over the initial shock of his statement, I immediately took up a defensive position. The Ruby Grade man snapped his head at me.

“Any retaliation will be met with force. Men, deta-”

“I do not believe we have given you permission to enter our establishment.” With his hands behind his back, Tael spoke.

“Your permission is not needed. Men, deta-”

“You wish to enter the grounds and detain two of our students. That would be quite rude, would it not? Come now, tell us their crimes and we will ensure we punish our students appropriately.”

“Interrupt me once more and we’ll ensure you do not have an establishment.” Snapping his head to Tael while looking rather angry, he once again glared at Alice and Xia. “Men, deta-”

“Hold it.” A voice rang out behind the Royal Guards. The leading man, looking furious, snapped his head towards the sound as the Royal Guards parted to make way for two people. One was Elise, while the other was an older man that wore the same armour as the others.

“C-Commander Lore.” The Ruby Grade man quickly stiffens, giving a quick bow towards the elderly man.

“Stand down Russell. I’ve already investigated the situation, there is no need for detainment. This is simply a case of a newly born evolved monster.”

“S-sir.” Giving a quick bow, the man named Russel started ordering his men to move away. Watching them disperse, Lore turned to me before giving me a smile.

“Hero of the slums, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I must go, but I will leave you with some advice. Be sure to train Alice, next time we can not simply overlook this matter.” Turning, he gives a nod to Elise before walking away. Elise also bids us farewell before she leaves in another direction, seemingly having come to make sure everything is resolved peacefully.

Appearing from a street, Aubrey appeared just as Elise left, looking around before making her way over to us.

“A-Alisha, s-sorry.”

Feeling overwhelmed by all that has happened, I simply sigh. “Halone, can I resolve this before returning to training?”

“Make it quick. Come inside of course, we’ll have some tea in the meantime.”

Looking at Aubrey, she seemed rather nervous and had a look of guilt on her face. I felt confused about this, and turning to Xia, she only gave me a small nod. Sighing again, I follow Halone and Tael as the doors close behind us, eager to know just what in the world has happened.