As the days passed on the western mountain range, the routine of training and sparring with Yato beca an integral part of my daily life. The snow-covered landscape bore witness to the continuous evolution of my martial skills.
On the 9th day since our arrival, Yato's acknowledgent of my progress brought a sense of accomplishnt. His words resonated with a reassurance that went beyond the physical aspect of training.
"Well, even I have to admit it now, you've been making rapid improvents. Your breathing is correct, your stance is more refined, and your other bad habits are now almost negligible. Good job," Yato praised, his silver hair contrasting with the wintry backdrop.
Despite the acknowledgent, a hint of doubt lingered within . "You say that, but all I've been doing for the past twelve days is getting my ass kicked by you," I remarked, a playful smirk forming on my lips. "It makes wonder if I'm truly improving."
"Trust , you are," Yato reassured. "By the end of the second week, you'll be twice as strong as you were before coming here."
I just nodded my head and stood up on my legs.
Grrrr-!!
Upon hearing a growl emanating from sowhere nearby, Yato's ears perked up and he looked towards the woods.
"Hmm? Was that a beast?" he asked aloud, frowning.
But how could that be a beast? Every single one of them is too terrified by Yatoo's presence to even approach the area he's in.
"No! That was my stomach!" I snapped, frustrated beyond reason.
"Oh, so you're hungry?" Yato clapped his hands together in understanding. "But how is that possible? You have eaten one cup of noodles every day since coming here."
Soone tell this idiot that eating one cup of noodles ans nothing when I have to train this very hard every day.
While I eat only cup noodles he eats at, cake and anything delicious.
discrepancy between our diets was a constant source of annoyance, but I knew better than to complain openly. Yato's calm deanour and occasional teasing only fueled my determination to surpass him not just in martial arts but also in culinary indulgences.
Ignoring my grumbling stomach, Yato said "How about I reward you for your patience?"
Upon hearing the word 'reward,' anticipation surged within . What could it possibly be?
A sliver of red velvet cake? So leftover chicken soup? The last piece of beef jerky? Heck, at this point, I'm even willing to eat leftover chicken bones!
"I allow you to now use mana while training and sparring," Yatoo declared.
…Huh?! That's it?!
For reference, after I grasped the basics of Mana Coating and began my training with the sword, I was not allowed to use mana at all.
"Huh?! How is that a reward? If you want to give sothing then just, for the love of god, give sothing to eat!"
"Not happening, and if you complain I would not give you even cup noodles." Yato flashed an amused smile in my direction before he got up. "Co on, let's start today's training."
…Oh, yeah. I'm going to die. Just wait for a little more Grandma, I'm on my way to you.
***
I gave it my all during the spar with Yato, but even after tapping into my mana, he ruthlessly wiped the floor with my ass.
I now found myself in the sa defeated position I was in before the training— lying face-flat on the ground.
"Good job," Yato's voice reached my ears. "I didn't expect your mana control to be that impressive."
There was nothing too good about getting my ass kicked out of him! I wasn't even sure if I should feel proud or embarrassed about my mana control being praised after a thorough defeat.
"Can't we focus on the fact that I can't defeat you even with mana now?!" I grumbled from my spot on the ground.
Yato chuckled, offering a hand to help up. "Defeating isn't the only asure of progress. You're adapting to mana usage quickly. In ti, you'll learn how to incorporate it into your fighting style more effectively."
I sighed, accepting his hand and pulling myself up. "Easy for you to say. I feel like no matter how much I train, the gap between us is still enormous."
He nodded, a serious expression crossing his face. "The journey to mastery is long and challenging. Don't let temporary setbacks discourage you. Use them as stepping stones."
His words resonated, and I couldn't deny the truth in them. Yet, the frustration of being consistently outmatched persisted.
"Alright, let's try sothing different," Yato suggested a mischievous glint in his eyes. "How about we have a mock battle where you get to use mana to its fullest? No holding back."
The proposition caught my attention, sparking a flicker of determination. "You an... a real fight?"
"Yes. Test your limits, and explore the extent of your mana control. It's ti to break free from the constraints."
The air was charged with anticipation, and my nerves were a mix of excitent and trepidation.
The clash began, and this ti, fueled by mana, I launched into the fight with newfound vigour. The air humd with energy as our swords t, creating sparks that illuminated the darkening mountain.
Despite the intensity of our exchange, Yato effortlessly countered my every move. It was as if he anticipated my actions before I made them.
"Use your mana more dynamically," he advised, parrying a strike. "Let it guide your movents, don't force it."
I absorbed his guidance, attempting to synchronize my mana usage with my swordplay. The battle continued each mont as a test of my evolving skills.
Then, in a surge of determination, I unleashed a concentrated burst of mana, coating my sword in a shimring glow. The blade cut through the air with newfound speed and precision.
Yato's eyes widened slightly, acknowledging the improvent. "Good, Lucas. Now, maintain that focus."
The mock battle raged on, a dance of steel and magic under the vast mountain sky. As the clash continued, I could sense a subtle shift—a glimr of progress, a step closer to bridging the formidable gap that separated us.
And in that mont, I embraced the challenge, knowing that each swing of the sword and every surge of mana brought closer to the mastery Yato spoke of.
Reviews
All reviews (0)