[15:30] 27 June 1671, in Boros, with Tengo
"NUMBER 11! ARE YOU SLEEPING?" (The master loves to scream)
"I am sorry master" I was in line with my mates.
"TAKE A STEP FORWARD, IT'S YOUR TURN!" I did so, my turn was against the number 4. The test was a physical fight, weapons were allowed, and we could even slightly hurt our opponent.
"READY? PERFORM!" The master commanded so we began.
My opponent chose a spear, and he quickly lunged, aiming at my stomach. I was able to dodge, moving inside and striking a low kick on his calve. (Yeah that must have hurt) He backed away, trying this time to attack me from a distance.
It was easy to predict the direction of his spear. I avoided it by moving my head, and at the same time, I uppercut him. Since my hand was out of his sight it was impossible to dodge. (The pro of having a low guard) The crowd cheered but was silenced by the master right away.
Our fight wasn't supposed to be fair, my opponent was 13, and even with a spear, I had much advantage over him.
He did something weird, he crouched to the ground and threw some dirt in my eyes, as soon as I let my guard down.
A few seconds later he tried to put me on a skewer, I instinctively moved backward, but still, he was able to cut my t-shirt.
"Master, it's a fault! I can't see" I raised my hand while trying to clean my eyes with the other hand. My opponent wasted no time, and he threw me to the ground, immobilizing me.
"Number 4 won" We went back in line, and I was forced to assist in some more fights. I didn't deserve to lose, but I was not about to complain, so I just started analyzing my mates.
I always considered myself to be good in fights, I just can't give my best in these tests, and I have no motivation.
Right jab, front kick, another kick, now left hook, and right jab. All of them use the same patterns, once learned it was easy to predict, just by looking at them.
"Zelo, your turn now" It was my first time to see the Genius of our clan, he received this title soon after he was born.
He positioned himself in his stance (a very basic one), and the fight began.
Zelo immediately went for a left mid-kick, but he canceled it, and he slid inside at the same time, a feint.
The opponent was focusing on the kick, and he didn't notice the right hook that connected beautifully. Again Zelo pressed, by doing two consecutive left jabs, often this Is followed by a power right direct. And he did so, or this is what everyone thought. Before the opponent was able to parry the direct, Zelo paused mid-execution and he managed to throw a high left kick.
The opponent dropped to the ground, and the match was over.
"Number 2 won, back in line, AND SOMEONE GET THIS BAG OF MEAT OFF MY GROUND" We dragged the number 6 out of the training ground. I helped just to have an excuse to get away from there.
I was with the number 4 his name is Tiger, he asked him
"Sidal, why you didn't choose a weapon, you know Zelo is better than you" Sidal who had just lost to K.O (I am not sure what he understood) replied:
"What…is the point of this training, If I can't try impossible challenges? Now shut up my head hurts" His words echoed in my head, I've never considered the training that way.
From that moment I wanted to challenge Zelo, seriously.
"Sorry, I'll get back to the training area, can I leave Sidal to you?"
Tiger nodded. "You are weird, I thought you wanted to escape so bad"
"You are right, but at the same time I want to try something new" I went back and they were almost done with the tests.
"AH! Look who didn't run away this time" (The master was talking about me) "I want to fight against Zelo" The master laughed hard, while Zelo looked at me surprised, but at the same time embarrassed.
"Wait, you weren't able to take down the N4 and you want to fight our N2? You understand your dad won't be able to help you? He kept laughing. "I don't find it funny, Zelo let's fight, come here" Those were the first words he spoke to me.
"Sorry I saw you fighting, I am not interested" The master was laughing even harder. "Okay, enough with this funny show, if you want to train, get in line Tengo, the tests are over" He was clear, so I went home.
"Lucy, can you tell me why we get our chain at 18 years?" Lucy was playing the piano for me. "Sir Tengo, these are the traditions. I would say that at 18 years, we gradually gain the maturity to make important decisions"
"How about the exceptions? How do they decide who can get it early?" Lucy chuckled. "You know it, you need to be a prodigy"
"I am not one? My father's blood flows in my veins" Lucy, stopped playing and sat near me.
"Sir, you don't need to be the strongest in the clan to be recognized as the leader. I am sure you'll be great as your dad" Lucy kissed me on my forehead, and rubbed her fingers in my hair. She stood up, opened my window, and said.
"Through heaven and earth, they will follow your ideals. You'll have to improve, to forgive, to show mercy and you'll have to suffer, but I am sure you get through it"
"Thanks Lucy…I feel bad, I often disrespect you, but you genuinely are helping me" Lucy hugged me "Don't worry about it, I'll always be here for you" From downstairs we hear some yells.
"Lucy? I need your help, come in the bathroom" Tatiana was having some problems, so I let Lucy get back to work. I was alone now.
She is right, I need to work on myself, maybe I can ask my father for advice, at least I will be able to reconnect with my only parent.