05/06/1164

A Distance Away from the Stone Hut

Sun had just risen from between the clouds, paving its way through the firmament wreathed within the dawn-colored sunlight, while down below, Zhu paved his way towards Zack’s hut, finding the boy sitting a distance away from the said hut, hurled up in a ball.

Amused, Zhu increased his pace.

As the sounds of his footsteps increased, they woke the boy in the distance.

The latter warily opened his eyes, finding Zhu walking over. Blinking a few times, Zack hurriedly got on his feet.

“Good-morning, Teacher!”

Zhu nodded back in greeting. “Good morning. How’ve you been feeling?”

Taking a moment to catch his words, Zack replied, “I feel… a lot lighter.”

Zhu raised a brow.

Realising his inadequate explanation, Zack tried to explain: “When I compare now to before, it’s like I was carrying a heavy weight on me. But now, I feel like I put it down. A lot free and lighter. Also, when I tried to meditate to circulate my Ki, the process went a lot easier, and it felt a lot more smooth to drag the strand of Ki around. But…”

Zack’s excited expression devolved into a frown. He didn’t continue.

Patting his shoulder, Zhu comforted, “Look at how old you are. It’s alright. Almost everyone can train in Ki arts. It’s just a matter of time when your Ki can start circulating. Even if you don’t pay it any attention, it’ll start circulating on its own as time passes.”

Despite looking unresigned, Zack nodded.

“Then about today’s training…” Zhu rubbed his chin. “Since you’re not used to this feeling of being ‘lighter’, as you call it, let’s get you used to it with some basic exercises. But before that, why were you sitting outside?”

Looking at the hut wryly, Zack said, “That place… it… it doesn’t have a good atmosphere.”

“Huh?” Zhu looked at the hut in confusion. However, as soon as he did, a certain matter flashed past his memory, causing him to shirk his head away awkwardly, caught between laughter and tears regarding how to handle the said matter. The corners of his lips faintly arched upwards in a wry smile.

A moment of silent later, Zhu composed himself and said, “I’ll get that place clean.”

Zack nodded.

An awkward silence permeated the air.

Feeling the atmosphere, Zhu pointed in the distance and broke the ice. “Then let’s get started with your training. Go run to that tree and then come back here. Do this five times.”

Zack looked ahead uncomprehendingly with his brow creased. The tree Zhu mentioned was easy to spot, being the only tree in its surroundings, being a few hundred metres away from where he stood. Despite his doubts, he began running.

Zhu observed for a moment before calculating something. After a while, he disappeared from the spot, leaving behind an afterimage disappearing into a dust cloud.

After a few minutes, when Zack returned after the first round, he looked around. However, after not finding Zhu anywhere in sight, he continued running. His every step seemed to have a spring. Feeling the morning wind chilling his face, Zack’s earlier drowsiness soon vanished in the cool breeze.

Amid the last round, Zack touched the tree and turned back. On his way back, through the corner of his eye, he spotted two figures silently approaching towards where he would finish.

Filled with curiosity, he increased his speed.

After approaching a certain distance, he made out two figures, one a familiar bald head while the other was a young teen dressed in yellow robes, their design reminiscent of his own clothes.

Looking at the boy’s yellow clothing, Zack’s thoughts wandered. Come to think of it, it’s been a while since I saw anyone around here. When I came, there were people with clothes of all sorts of colours. Now, it’s only been Teacher and saffron. I really didn’t see anyone else. No… that’s not right. There was also that Naga called Neils. He dressed differently. He wore a shirt, not this loose uniform.

Finishing in front of Zhu, Zack took a minute to catch his breath. He couldn’t help feeling astonished. Subconsciously, his lips curled into a smile.

If it was before, I would be huffing. But now… I only feel slightly out of sorts. Is this really me?

Giving the boy ample time to catch his breath, Zhu pointed at the boy next to him, saying, “He’ll be your sparring partner. Any complaints?”

Although he was facing Zack, his attention focused on the boy in yellow.

The boy had a build resembling a thirteen aevis old. His well-defined muscles wrapped around his two arms. His thick brows, coupled with a flat nose and fiery eyes, gave him a valiant appearance. Two scars criss-crossed over his left cheek, contrasting against his rough tanned skin.

Appraising Zack as well, the boy in yellow hesitated for a moment before bowing at the waist, silently implying his consent. Opening his mouth, a rough yet distinctly high-pitched voice sounded out, “Lu Tian. 11.”

Zack looked puzzled.

“Come to think of it, it’s your first time getting a sparring partner. You probably don’t know the rules. Both of you should bow at the waist, introducing yourselves by saying your name and age.”

Comprehension dawned on him. Zack hurriedly bowed as well, following Lu Tian’s lead. “Zack. 9.”

Hearing the other boy’s name, Lu Tian turned to look at Zhu. He opened his mouth to speak, but stayed silent, losing his courage to his hesitation.

Zhu nodded, explaining, “This burly fellow here is one of my pupils. He’ll be sparing with you, and point out anything he feels off in your fighting style. You do the same for him. Since he’s older, for today, he’ll take the lead in teaching you. Lu Tian, go easy on him. I have some business to handle so you two can enjoy yourselves. Remember to not injure each other too harshly.”

Leaving his words on the wind, Zhu left both boys alone. Both stared at each other, waiting for the other to begin so they could follow the lead.