And here we go again…
"Just because I taught you about Elven's secret technique, doesn't mean you can just casually use it like that!" Vly screamed at me, as I sat on one of those blue comfy chairs in the living room inside of her cabin. "Your body can't physically handle it!"
I just sat there. Really, really quietly. Head down, knuckling my fingers: the typical "caught in the act," as I listen to her every word.
Emilia was on a couch, five feet away, on an old piece of furniture by the way. Has good leather. . . The chair, of course. It was so good it helped to distract from her eyeing me as Vly held a pan.
Smack!
Vly smacked the back of a pan she held with her right arm's palm. "Do you have a death wish?!"
Death wish?
To be frank. Death is the one wishing for a win. Three strikes. Still alive. Like someone once said, "I'm a problem that will never ever be solved."
I breathed in, let out a sigh, and shrugged.
"I was gonna die if I didn't use it-"
"Bullshit. You could have called. I could sense when you're in danger!" She cut me off short, "I was waiting until your body fully gave up!"
I guess that means this was a little training, that I might've slightly overworked on.
"I guess since it's your first time, it's fine." Vly shrugged it off, luckily for me. "But don't go using it casually until your body's physically able to handle it!"
Yeah, I know, I know. I shifted my face all the way downwards, while grinning. The secret technique…
As I explained before, humans who don't undergo and pass their awakening trial can't access Amora. Which still stands true, but now you might be thinking.
'How'd I gain such power then?'
Once you gain a power through your Law as an awakened, Amora streams around your core, and shapes it. This gives you power, sometimes knowledge, from the World essence to use the abilities given by your Law: controlling animals, calling the wind, cursing your enemies to a timely death.
Stuff like that.
Though such is the case, I, the incompetent special boy that I am, still can't collect the damn thing no matter what.
But Vly, bless her beautiful soul, gave a shortcut.
She spoke of a war between the Elven empire and the 7 ranked nations on Aeranthia's continent. A noble, whether in greed or patriotism, suggested to the parliament that elves do not deserve large magical barriers.
Something that human arch-mages copyrighted, and so, creatures of dirty elven treeblood aren't worthy. Typical stuff.
The Elves needed more power, other than their elemental affinities. They required it to fight off against the awakened.
And that's where Vly made a name for herself, she created a secret technique, which was named. . . "Secret Technique". She has truly had a lovely sense of naming.
There were three forms, and I only know about the first one, which is what I used to defeat that Lantern Moth.
Even though I couldn't collect Amora from within, doesn't mean I couldn't gather it around my body, and shape it into power. Using it, I'm able to collect the essence of Amora within a five meter radius, enhancing my physical ability.
But Vly never explained to me that time would slow down as it did back then. I guess that's just another perk from it.
"It took you another two weeks to fully recover!" She screamed again, as her mood shifted. "You understand how much time you've wasted?!"
Time for going on quests as a 'cleaner?' Honestly, I'd rather do this than anything. I'll learn to make a name for what cleaners meant in my old world. By building strength here.
"Well, it's been another two weeks since I've fought the Moth and fully recovered. So in total, that would've been a month since I first gained consciousness here." I said, lifting my head upwards, towards her, as she stood in front of me, both hands on her hips.
"In that time, you could've built your body to withstand the setbacks." She calmed down, "Get your ass back outside right now! You're doing 100 handstand pushups!"
I nodded, a sweat robbing off my face, no way I have to go through this once more. Vly turned angrily and began walking to the front door.
Click!
Swoosh!
Vly opened the door and went through, as the sun blazed indoors, I got up from the couch. Staring at Emilia.
But Emilia was… sleeping.
How did I not notice this earlier? She doesn't even snore, she's just sleeping. Fun fact, she sleeps so much that I barely ever get a chance to speak to her at night. Most of the time, once I come back inside from training, I see her sleeping soundly inside.
But her beauty never fails to amaze me. Even with that beautiful black tight shirt and black shorts, she looked gorgeous.
"Any longer, Chris?!" I heard Vly's scream, surprisingly not waking up Emilia.
I looked fully towards Emilia.
"I'll get stronger," I whispered, "Don't worry."
Then, I turned my attention towards Vly, "Coming!" I screamed, walking towards the front door which creaked of wood.
A while later…
"Ninety-six. Ninety-seven. Ninety-eight… come on!"
Drip. Drip.
"Chris! Next time, don't use it!"
Jeez, Vly, calm down, will you?
Ninety-nine… come on, body, don't give up now.
One Hundred!
Finally, one hundred handstand push-ups done.
I fell, back first, eyes staring at the shining blue sky, smiling.
"Hey Chris!" I leaned my head forward, hearing Vly's yell, "You can have the rest of the day off! Don't waste it!"
A day off? Fina-fucking-lly!
"Yes, Ma'am!" I nodded, yelling back at her as I tried to catch my breath.
I watched Vly begin walking back inside the cabin when I heard a click.
Swoosh!
The door swiped open as Vly stood right in front, and Emilia was the one who pushed it forward.
I could see Emilia smiling, in delight, with her beautiful brown hair and green eyes shining.
But I watched Vly playfully elbow her on her hip, and I could tell it was done with a smug grin. Probably just a woman's thing.
I rested my back once more, on the soft green grass, watching the blue sky above.
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
I heard steps coming towards me. "Don't tell me it's another Lantern Moth," I whispered to myself.
"No, Silly." I heard an elegant voice from just in front of me, "It's me!"
Emilia stared down at me, covering the sun, with a gorgeous smile. I haven't gotten the chance to talk to her alone in a very long time.
"What's up?" I said, my hands holding the back of my head.
She put her hand out, "Get up, silly."
I took her arm, and she tried to lift me upwards.
"Ehhh." Her struggles were so beautiful to see, she was too weak to pick me up.
I used my own strength to get up, Emilia probably thinking it was her own. "You've gotten so strong, Chris."
It made me happy that she thought that way, "Thank you." I was now standing in front of her.
"Let's go for a walk in the forest. " She said, clearly hoping I would say yes.
"Why not-"
She cut me off, happily. "Let's go then, silly." Emilia began leading the way, past bushes, trees, fallen branches, rocks, crushed grass, and more.
I hope Vly doesn't get angry with me for doing this.
As we continued to walk, she placed her hand in front of me.
"What's up, Emilia?" I asked, confused.
She looked at me, and a tear fell down her face.
"I'm sorry." She sobbed, "Chris."
Sorry? For what? Why are you apologizing?