01/06/1164

Atop a bed in the Cottage

Zack’s Perspective

A long sigh escaped my mouth as I recalled yesterday’s events. A flurry of kicks flew towards me in a fluid motion, rendering me unable to do a thing.

Afterwards, I asked for a rematch. But as expected, it wasn’t much better.

However, my major concern wasn’t my horrible performance. Rather, it was the fleeting time, as well as the words Samuel said afterwards.

Weight behind a punch…

Yesterday, after my sixth match and defeat, I asked, “Samuel, what do you think I can do to improve even more? And maybe even defeat you?”

Samuel thought for a while before replying, “I think the things you’re doing are enough. You’re good as is. But to defeat me… how do I say… I don’t think you’d be able to do it. At least, not anytime soon, anyway.”

“…But why?”

“Your attacks... they lack something, and I don’t know how to describe that something. Maybe… the weight behind a punch? But yours were heavy enough physically. Let me try another way.”

Well, you probably wouldn’t know, but when two people fight, it's kind of like a talk. Both exchange their thoughts through their moves. But from yours… I don’t feel a thing. It’s a lot like how fog blurs your vision in Season of Frost or something. Almost as if you’re avoiding or holding it back.”

“I-I see…”

“Well, you shouldn’t worry too much. Just focus on the fight and it’ll be easy.”

Afterwards, I finished my meal and came here to rest. But my night was fruitless, only earning me a black circle beneath my eye and no sleep to speak of. I couldn't get that conversation out of my mind.

Weight behind a punch…

Thinking about it, my heart felt uneasy. I knew well enough that Samuel was somewhat right; and that somewhat was me running from the problem. Yet, I just couldn’t bring myself to face it. And to my chagrin, the fact frustrated me.

Twisting to the other side for the umpteenth time, I witnessed the rays of light from the sun bringing the world to a new day.

Looking at the honey colored sky dissolving into a shade of blue as if dipped in a lake, a sense of calmness washed over me, bringing with it an unknown amount of weight onto my eyelids.

Feeling a palm pressing against my forehead, my eyes snapped open.

The blurry world around me turned clear as a familiar image of a boy with bright chestnut hair and azure pupils grew clear.

Blinking repeatedly, I asked, “Samuel?”

A cheery voice replied, “Good morning! Didn’t have a good sleep last night?”

“Wh… what?”

“I mean, you’re usually not one to wake up late or laze around."

“Nothing much, just had a bad dream.”

“The same one?”

“Yeah.” I replied, my eye drooping to the floor. Ever since having woken up the first day, the same nightmare kept repeating itself every time I slept.

“…Don’t think too much about it. Mom said it’ll go away with time. Instead, you should go wash your face and get ready for breakfast. If you’re not feeling it, we can take it easy, you know.”

“You know I won’t do that. Don’t waste both our time.”

“Hehe, seems you saw right through me.”

Wiping the stream of water dripping down the right side of my face, I got up and stretched before getting through the morning routine of exercising a little and washing up afterwards.

Having finished a part of the breakfast while chatting with Samuel, we moved on to marking out the boundary for a ring before progressing onto sparring.

Letting out a deep breath, I focused all my attention on Samuel. He glared back at me, seemingly in a cheerful mood. My brows knitted tightly as I ran forward.

While running, I used my left foot to push myself towards the right, before using the force generated by my right foot to leap towards Samuel with a punch aimed at his shoulder.

With a calm smile, Samuel muttered, “A feint? You’re getting good.”

My eyes widened.

“How did you know?”

“I didn’t. I just guessed what I would’ve done and looking at your reply, seems I hit the mark.”

Making a shrugging gesture, he casually took a few steps back.

I clicked my tongue, landing back on the ground.

Giving Samuel a look of admiration, I said, “That was an excellent tactic. Didn’t see it coming”

Samuel looked back, a faint smile on his face. My heart felt a chill having recognised that smile — the smile of someone playing with their favourite toy.

“It’s just something I picked up a while back. Nothing much.”

“Aunt taught you?”

“Nope. Although Mom does say the best form of victory is a victory you didn’t have to fight for, she didn’t teach it to me.”

“Then Uncle?”

“….”

The smile on his face froze as he swiftly made an approach.

“Seems I was right.” I said as I rolled to avoid the incoming punch. Digging my fingers into the ground, I pivoted against it, using the momentum from my roll to sweep through with my leg.

“Yeah, you were.”

Samuel jumped up, avoiding my sweep. Next, he landed back down, walking forward as he kicked. His blow connected with my behind, breaking my posture. Without giving me any time to recover, he picked me up with both hands as if I was a sack full of vegetables.

From below, I could make out his voice, “Another tactic I learnt is, more times than not, it’s easier to just brute force it instead of thinking, given you’re strong enough.”

In the next moment, I felt my weight vanish. Instinctually, I closed my eye, bracing for impact.

With a plop, I hit the ground, having been thrown out of the ring by Samuel.

“Well, that was easy.”

A bitter chuckle escaped my mouth, but I did nothing to retort.

Samuel shook his head, looking at me, before sitting down on the ground right where he stood.

My brow furrowed as I asked, “Why so glum today?”

“I’m worried. Not a lot, just a bit. Just a tiny bit.”

“So…”

“Well, this morning, Dad received a letter. It had some bad news in it.”