Chapter 29: Despair?
He simply nodded in acknowledgnt. "Get back into position. You're improving, but there are still so areas you need to work on."
I nodded in understanding. I wasn't frustrated anymore; instead, I was focused. I could see a clearer picture of what my father was trying to teach .
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I watched as Ikem positioned himself, a sense of pride and happiness filling
as he effortlessly picked up on the cues I had given him.
You might wonder why I didn't teach him the proper techniques of fighting. That's because there are certain things that can't be taught directly, and fighting happens to be one of them.
I firmly believe in the saying that you are your best teacher. Learning things on your own is different from being taught by others. You can receive instruction on a subject a hundred tis and still not fully grasp it until you experience it firsthand.
That was the mindset I adopted when teaching Ikem. I may not possess the knowledge of fighting techniques, but my godly physique gives
an advantage. I am stronger and faster, so a clumsy punch from
could potentially be lethal to an opponent. My body allows
to turn my imaginative ideas of fighting into reality, as I can execute moves that I envision.
When Ikem charges at , I concentrate and perceive him as slow and non-threatening. I can easily react to his punches and maneuvers, creating the illusion that I am a skilled fighter. However, it is primarily my physical advantage that allows
to do so. This training is not just for Ikem's benefit; it also serves as a learning experience for myself.
Previously, I struggled with how to train him effectively. But reconsidering my perspective on fighting, I realized that I could teach him in the best way I knew how. With my superior physique, I can identify his weaknesses and guide him in correcting them. We learn together and improve together. In a way, we are both using each other to beco better fighters.
I had wondered if this approach would work, but seeing Ikem diligently correct his mistakes after every takedown assured
that I was on the right path.
Refocusing my attention on Ikem, who appeared more focused than before, I gestured for him to attack. He repeated the sa sequence as last ti, coming close and throwing a punch.
However, this ti, with my heightened senses, I sensed that the punch was a feint and he had a follow-up move. I swiftly moved my head to the side, dodging his strike.
It seed that Ikem had anticipated my dodge and had a follow-up plan. As his other hand extended towards
to grab and draw
closer, I decided to add so excitent to our training session. Acting quickly, I reached out and caught the hand he was extending, montarily surprising him. In response, he swiftly delivered a kick to my waist, but I managed to catch his leg with my other free hand.
Not wanting to end the exercise too quickly, as Ikem was still in the process of learning, I took the opportunity to swing him around before tossing him back to his original position. He quickly regained his footing, and upon realizing that I was coming after him, he stood his ground and appeared to contemplate his next move.
Suddenly, he charged at
again, getting closer this ti. He feigned a punch before quickly squatting down. I was montarily confused by his actions, but then he swung his arm and a wave of sand obstructed my vision. Reacting instinctively, I closed my eyes to protect them from the sand. I extended my senses to locate his position. I sensed that he was pulling back, and a whip-like sound reached my ears from behind .
It beca apparent that Ikem's intention with the sand was to create a distraction and then the wooden whip will strike
from behind. It was a clever tactic, but just as the wooden whip was about to make contact, it abruptly stopped.
Reaching out behind , the root-like whip obediently wrapped itself around my arm. I looked at my bewildered son, who couldn't believe what had just occurred.
"How?" he exclaid in disbelief.
Observing the whip firmly secured around my arm, it beca evident that soone using an elent related to my divinity would not be able to use it against .
"I have only just discovered this myself, but it seems your wood manipulation ability does not work against ," I explained to my son, who wore a defeated expression.
Pausing for a mont to reflect, I contemplated the implications of this revelation. If it held true, then as gods in this world, we would be virtually unbeatable. However, I couldn't readily accept such a notion, so I decided to inquire about Ikem's experience with what had just transpired.
"Let's take a break," I suggested, sensing that he needed a mont to process everything. As soon as I made the suggestion, he collapsed to the ground, overwheld by the intensity of the training
Knowing that he wasn't passed out and just tired, I asked, "Can you try to explain how it feels when you use your ability and how it felt when you lost control of it?"
He didn't respond imdiately, but I could see him breathing heavily. After a mont, he managed to speak, "When I use my ability, it's like flexing my arms, but it feels both physically and ntally draining. Using my ability saps my energy, leaving
a bit tired."
As he explained, I started to understand where the issue might lie, though I couldn't be certain. "You don't have any divine energy flowing through you, but there is mana flowing inside you, isn't there?"
He nodded, still catching his breath. "Yes, whenever I use my innate ability, I can feel the presence of mana as it tries to replenish the physical and ntal energy I expend."
"I have an idea," I said, looking at him intently as he sat up. "I want you to try using your ability again, but this ti, focus on harnessing the mana within you instead of relying solely on your physical and ntal strength."
He seed deep in thought, considering my suggestion. After a mont, he stretched out his hand, and a root erged from the ground. However, it quickly retracted as he shook his head. It was clear that the root wasn't powered by mana. He still had so learning to do when it ca to controlling the flow of mana within him.
(Ikem POV)
As we continued our training, I couldn't help but feel overwheld by my father's strength. Doubt started creeping in, making
question whether I was actually making any progress. It was during this mont of uncertainty that I began to think about my inborn abilities.
Perhaps utilizing my abilities would give
the advantage I needed. However, the outco of my attempt left
disheartened, almost making
consider giving up. After all, if my abilities were useless against my father, what was the point of this training?
Yet, my father remained calm as always, even though he himself seed surprised by the outco. It didn't take long for him to start asking
questions, probing deeper into the nature of my abilities.
As I explained how my abilities worked and their futility against him, my father ntioned the energy that had always been absorbed within
since birth. It was as if a ray of light pierced through the darkness of my confusion. If my innate abilities didn't work against him in their normal form, what if they were powered by mana?
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