The floating school was calm, with ripples echoing across the water as Altine and Segun sparred. Segun, brimming with frustration, threw a wild series of blows, his palms slicing through the air, but Altine...still masked...moved with flawless grace, dodging each strike like she could see every move before he made it.
"Your breathing is all over the place, Segun,"
she said calmly.
"Relax. Control yourself."
Segun's frustration flared. He clenched his fist, summoning all his energy, and aimed a fierce blow at her. Altine blocked it, her expression briefly shifting in surprise at the chaotic energy surging through his strike.
As their hands met, an electric hum pulsed between them, and for a split second, they both felt their soul guards shake. But each held strong, resisting the pressure of soul reading.
Segun quickly pulled back, feeling the crack in his soul guard from their clash. Altine let out a small, approving nod.
"Your soul harmony technique is a mess,"
She assessed, her tone both blunt and understanding,
"but your soul guard… impressive."
Annoyed and defeated, Segun's shoulders tensed, and the annoying bells Altine had tied to his wrists and ankles chimed to remind him just how out of sync he was. Altine sighed.
"Let's stop here. It's no good pushing any further today,"
She said, sounding almost like she was pleading for him to rest.
"We've been at this since morning, and there's still no progress on your soul harmony."
Segun lowered his head, agreeing reluctantly. He could see there was no point in going any further. Altine, relieved, lifted the mask from her face, her gaze softening as she looked at him.
"What's going on, Segun? It seems there's something weighing on you?"
Segun shook his head, though a hint of frustration remained.
"No. Nothing."
Altine nodded, thoughtful.
"Alright. Maybe you've hit a bottleneck, then. Keep pushing. If you break through, you'll grow like never before."
Segun took a breath, then lowered his head, bowing in respect.
"Thank you for the training, Purist Altine."
Just then, the quiet of the floating school was interrupted by a shout. A student rowed up in a small canoe, his face anxious.
"S-sorry for interrupting, but there's trouble at the chief's house! There's an intruder!"
Altine and Segun both stiffened, shock and worry flashing in their eyes. Altine's mind immediately went to the spirit harmony scroll Chief Lamthe had entrusted to her.
Segun, meanwhile, clenched his fist, thinking of how he'd deal with the disrespectful fool who dared break into the chief's quarters.
Without a word, both took off, gliding across the water with spirit-fueled speed, their steps barely rippling the surface as they raced back toward the chief's house.
As they arrived, they found a tense scene unfolding in the courtyard. Students stood restless, murmuring and glancing uneasily at the entrance, where Akeh stood defiantly, his posture calm yet commanding.
Altine and Segun approached, and Akeh's gaze lifted to them, his eyes bright with something they couldn't quite place.
"Purist Altine,"
Akeh greeted her, his voice even but full of gratitude.
"Glad you could make it."
To be continued...