One Strike

It took me few days, but at the fifth day I awakened my second elemental mana. It was lightning as I had predicted before, So I started to train in both wind and lightning.

I don't know with the order of awakening these elements, but wind and lightning are interlinked based on the science from my past life.

Lightning is a discharge of electricity. A single stroke of lightning can be produced with the heating of air around 30,000°C (54,000°F).  This extreme heating causes the air to expand explosively fast. The expansion creates a shock wave that turns into a booming sound wave, known as Lightning or thunder.

If I can heat the air around me to awaken Lighting mana, perhaps I can also awaken Fire mana. Who knows, but it would be fantastic if that happened.

Thank goodness I read about it for my assassinations.

This gave me confidence, and I was able to train hard with that principal as a result. Not long after that, I achieved solid red stage mana core.

A month had passed in the blink of an eye.

Father's training was designed specifically for our advancement.

We've all been properly trained for combat and knowledge.

Each of us had to spar with father on our own. And, after observing his teaching style, I discovered that father's assessment was spot on.

He appeared to avoid the first attack by simply stepping out every time. In fact, this was an accurate prediction of his actions. He dodges while giving instructions.

It's not in the manner of a father's lessons, but in the manner of him being our teacher's combat and experience. His methods were precise; he moved quickly like an assassin and attacked heavily like a warrior.

Father's eyes were calm from beginning to end, and he could always point out the problem with us sharply.

We never knew about his past, and I can't find any information about it, but he should've been trained by the kingdom's army I guess.

Even, I have only won against him constantly with tough confrontations, after ten hard tries.

"You are developing fast son! But, your training isn't enough, and you should train much more in mana manipulation!"

As I watched everyone spar with Big Bro Ron, my father was pointing out his mistakes.

Alice was skilled at mana manipulation, so she relied on her magic to deflect any attacks while keeping short-range martial attacks at hand to strike down.

Big bro Roy and Ron were proficient in sword styles, so they honed their reinforcing mana techniques for use with swords.

Big Bro Rock was a tank; with his stronger body, he excelled at hand-to-hand combat and short swords styles, as well as mana manipulations.

This manipulation alone gave a feeling of admiration for the users, So, we all trained harder and harder, filing the mistake-gaps, thanks to our mother.

"Ethan, it's your turn! Are ya ready?" Father called me for my spar with him.

"Yes!"

When I heard my father's call, I took a few steps forward, paused for a moment, and then nodded to him.

"Let's get started," Father said with a smile.

I was focused and calm. Father couldn't help but smile when he saw my situation.

I may have lost ten times before I started winning, but now I can easily defeat Father with my wind. That's something I should try right now.

When father moved his leg forward, he had no idea I had already fired a shot.

I used my right hand's fingers to manipulate wind mana and create a three-inch-long wind blade just as my father lifted his leg above the ground.

After that, I shot out with pinpoint accuracy over its movements. It felt like a thread was connecting my fingers to the Wind blade, but it was all mana manipulation.

Because of its trajectory, the wind blade made no whistling sound as it flew towards father in a clean swift.

Whatever I do, Father manages to avoid it. After all, he is strong, and that strike would be insignificant to him.

"Excellent Eth! But consider your opponent. I was aware of all of your strategies and thoughts. Don't undervalue your opponent!" My father said.

I should have known what he was going to say. Of course, I was underestimating Father, thinking I could easily defeat him in one strike today.

***CHAPTER 9***