Zoe POV
While their busy talking about me, I asked Brock,
“What's the next exercise?”
“Archery. Now everyone follow me, for Zoe here I will explain the basics.” walking out to the range next to where I sparred with Crish.
“Everyone pick up a bow that you think will fit your height and strength.” picking up a shortbow I proceeded to grab an arrow.
“Noc your arrow and fire when I say so. If anyone besides Zoe lets their arrow fly before I say so you will all run a lap and do extra sparing.”
Straining my muscles to the fullest, I could barely hold back my tears as he finally said, “fire!”
As a few arrows missed the giant hay bale my arrow hit strong.
“Good job Zoe, now go fetch your arrows and come back here.”
After we all returned, we did that exercise four times more and that resulted in two extra laps and extra sparring. Finishing up last in the last lap I collapsed to the floor,
“Ha ha ha good job Zoe,” an out of breath teenage boy said as he gave me a thumbs up.
Not paying him any attention I got to my knees and looked towards Brock who was sparring with two of the teenagers.
As the female with the ponytail ran towards Brock the male started to deliver consecutive sidekicks, only to be dodged or blocked by Brock. Reaching them both, the female did a jumping front kick and Brock sidestepped it and gave her a spinning elbow to her chin, instantly dropping her. The boy not deterred by the loss of his teammate, threw a uppercut to Brocks chin.
Putting both hands underneath his chin, he caught his punch and delivered a knee to his bent elbow and there was a loud crack and an even louder scream. Collapsed on the floor was the teenage boy holding his arm. Holding back a smile at his pain, I ran to Brock and asked for a one v. one.
“No,” as if sensing my ‘why’ he said
“When you turn fifteen. I know that somehow you have real combat experience but that body of yours is too weak to be of any use to your full potential. So until then you will have to be satisfied with the adolescents and adults.
Tsk, pesky old man. Knowing what's best and all, where's the fun if there isn't a handicap? Giving me a strange look he said that training for today will be over and that I should stay here till mother gets here. Having nothing to do, I just watched the healers resuscitate the downed girl and heal the boys broken elbow.
“Zoe, it’s time to go.” slowly walking towards mother as she was talking to Brock about my day.
“She's a strong girl, by the time she reaches fifteen, I suspect that she will be on par with Ella when she was twenty.”
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
“Hank will be pleased to hear that.”
“Anyway dinner is cooking and we must get back.”
Walking us to the exit, Brock waved us goodbye.
After dinner, I went to bed with mother as she tucked me into sleep.
Helen POV
How powerful will Zoe get when she’s older? Will she fight for the kingdom like Ella? Or will she… or will…
Waking up before dawn I woke up Zoe to get her ready for another day of training. Today will be mana training, I will teach her that at home before dawn and when the sun first speaks i’ll guide her down to Brock.
After breakfast and a bath I led Zoe outside into the dark night.
“Zoe, to draw mana from the body, one must think of what your trying to create. If you just draw from your mana pool without a thought, then it will dissipate into the air.” thinking of lightning it crackled and zaps in my open palm,
“Right now I thought of the element lightning, the more you think, the more strain it takes on your mind and mana. The greater the mind, the more dense and powerful the spell. The larger the mana pool, the more spells you can cast and the longer they last. Any questions? No? Oh, anyway, close your eyes and try to find your mana pool in your heart and draw it forth into the air.”
Seeing her close her eyes and focus, I began to walk in small circles.
Zoe POV
Hmm, this is hard. Focusing on my mana pool I pretended that it was a glacier and my mouth was the exit hole… I know it sounds weird but I got some progress. Drawing forth my mana I opended my mouth and breathed out a ice breath. It went as far as four or so meters and encased the ground in small ice spikes and faint snow.
“What! How did you do that Zoe!” shaking my shoulders, mother asked with wide eyes.
“I drew my mana forth and I imagined a glacier of ice and then I shot it forth like how a dragon would.” In deep thought she slowly said,
“Please don't try anything dangerous like that again.” tilting my head she sighed and said,
“Drawing forth mana from any other outlet besides your hands is very dangerous. And doing out of your mouth is almost as worse as using light magic from your eyes. Anyway it’s time for your training.”
After the walk down to Brock’s mother left me to his devices but she told me not to use my mana. Tsk, pesky mother, always watching out for others.
Running outside till it turned bright was much harder than I thought. At first I thought till the sun peeked over the trees but it turned out to be till the sun was all the way up there. Hmm, it should've been around nine o'clock by the time we stopped. By that point I was just walking.
Moving on to sparring I was forced to watch, when Brock said that he wont let me spar with him I think he meant everyone because he wont let me spar.
Quickly the time passed and we went to weapons training and I was made to practice against a tree. Watching them spar again I made myself busy by jogging in place and by doing pushups. Next was archery and he let me nock a few arrows before my fingers started to bleed. I wanted to continue saying that it wasn't an issue, but he said that I should rest for the remaining time left. Walking with mother up the hill she ranted on about how I should be careful. After a nice dinner and bath I went to bed with mother as she sang me to sleep. Mana training with mother in the around four in the morning till six, then training with the adolescents till ten. Having the same day over and over again time passed very quickly.
...Ten years later...
“Haa, haa, haa.” completely out of breath I jumped up to avoid a leg sweep. Almost getting tripped up, I threw a jab in his face only to have it blocked by his arm and then he pulled me in close and kneed me in the stomach. Bending over I head-butted him against his forehead. Following up with a ruthless combo to his groin and stomach, I kicked him away so I could get some air.
“He he he, good! Good! Show me more!” he said roaring with laughter as he stood up.
“Why, won't, you, stay down Brock! No matter how many times I knock you down you still get back up.”
Mother said I can use my magic if I'm fighting an expert and I think it's about time I used it.