It's been a year and a half since l got reincarnated into another world, my life had completely taken a different route as l've embarked the wonders of my new life as, Arthur Rivers.
Ever since those long years, l was studying none stop as if l was forced by the government. Though, swordplay were my main objective, mastering the art of dance was complicated than l expected, it seemed l needed advice from a certain somebody, trusted adults of course.
※※※
I caught Aisha (my mother) in kitchen cooking something that smelled delicious, her cooking never disappoints my taste buds. Aisha's the only one l've seen use divine energy on a daily basis, Adam (my father) on the other never spilled out an ounce of divine energy, he probably didn't have any.
I need to ask Aisha to give me advice on perfectly manipulating divine energy, she was born with a wind based gift, according to the book l read, wind based gift require total concentration, so l guess her control might be perfect.
Good morning, mother," l muttered, waving my hand back and forth.
"Good morning my beloved!" She replied, letting out a wide smile, she continued, "it's weird seeing you randomly greeting me out of the blue, did you do something bad?"
"Wha... Ahem, no, l did nothing bad."
What kind of mother thinks her little child would do something bad so randomly? That's out of the box or just jumping into conclusion. Nevertheless, l asked her about divine energy, her response wasn't something l expected.
"Alright, divine energy is like your soul, technically. Whatever our soul does, the physical body does the same." She stated.
"Soul? Can you elaborate please." I added.
"Hmm. Another way to understand could be: divine energy exist inside our body, located on the cage. Our cage stores up unwanted release, before we command our body, we need to simultaneously command divine energy to act first."
Aisha then released air coming from her palms, it wasn't strong, but l could see energy circulation alongside the wind like it was guiding it.
".... I see...."
I'm beginning to understand what she's saying, basic principles on control, the problem l had was commanding my body first then commanding divine energy after. It's something that would cause disruption in our flow system, l'm just living of as skin without the help of bones, interesting.
"If l may ask again, what's the best way to manipulate divine energy?" I asked.
"What's got you interested in learning divine energy? Aren't you too little to be focusing on that?"
"Just feeding my curiosity, l read it on a book so l wanted explanations from you." Does she suspect that l've used divine energy before? I'm cooked.
"Alrighty! The best way to manipulate divine energy is to synchronise your energy and body. When energy moves, your body follows the steps."
I heard that statement from someone, plus l even had it in thoughts, l just hadn't put it into deep thoughts, my mind was just fixated on controlling divine energy. I'm beginning to lose my cool, what happened to the old me that used to multitask?
Enough of that, no time to bring back old memories, l promised to focus and appreciate my new life, my body keeps shaking from excitement.
It was beginning to get frustrating for some reason, the hell am l randomly pissed because l can't control my flow? Am l just rushing for the end results? The concept of control's easy, anyone could understand and accomplish it, why is it difficult for me?
Am l going to disappoint my parents just like last time? Missing a single point, that's my current situation.
"Arthur," she called out.
"Yes, mother."
"If you lose focus, you'll end up lost. Just lock on one project before going to the next, life's all about those who wait, if your rush, you might find yourself regretting not doing anything on time." She concluded.
Focusing on a single project at a time? Does she know what she's saying? If l took that path then my life would slow down, l don't want to crumble like before, l must show off my talent and earn my position as someone better and worthy.
I was rambling on, and on. I began losing myself in the process, l wasn't able to shake of the tense feeling of actually failing, l know l wanted to ask but why am l bringing up my old self as an excuse to my failure? These are experienced adults that went through the hardest without me seeing anything. I calmly took breath, reliving the stress and overstimulation.
"I feel better now, thank you."
"Huh? Why are you apologising for? Did you really do something bad?"
"I'll take your word to heart."
"I'm still confused, but if my motherly words of wisdom helped, then l'm glad." She said, lifting me up.
That wasn't something l was expecting to hear today, motivational quote early in the morning? And it actually seemed to be working, my body stopped moving after she concluded her statement, till now l didn't realise l was rushing to score goals without passing anyone.
That was how my old life ended up, my mother warned me to stay on a single target, then after l completely lost myself.
Thanks Aisha, l needed that―no, really, thank you.
But, could you put me down now, cause l'm not a freaking baby ya' annoying creatures!
"If you want more advice, l suggest you speak to your father about it. He's more experienced than l am at this kind of stuff."
"Alright. I'll speak to father right away."
The conversation between Aisha and l was practically short, yet had a powerful meaning to it, atleast l got more idea on controlling divine energy more efficiently. Now, let's see what kind of "mountain sage wisdom" Adam's going to drop, seriously can't wait.
...
I went outside for the first time in a while, Caught Adam by the forest chopping down trees. "Good morning, father."
"Uh, oh, good morning little warrior." He replied, rubbing the sweat off his face.
"You must really be working hard, although, l didn't come here to ask for that." I wasn't interested in his job, not sure what kind though, wasn't busy observing his life or anything.
".... Ask away son..." He replied, having a serious expression.
"I need advice on perfectly manipulating divine energy."
".... That's it? What a relief, thought it was something else, then your old man will teach you."
Relief? What's this old goofball hiding, does he have a secret girlfriend that Aisha and l don't know about? You can't fool me Adam, the eyes don't decisive.
After that, Adam set in front of me sitting cross-legged, he didn't waste time in wanting to explain. Then, he released a surge of divine energy that spread throughout the area like air.
"Lets get straight to the point, l'm an expert at energy control when it comes to weapons. It's impossible for one to use divine energy alone, energy is the process, like this axe l'm holding." He said, facing a tree behind him.
Adam stood up with an axe on his right hand, the built up energy seemed to have been transferred to the axe. Adam quickly slashed the tree horizontally, l could feel the impact from the intense wind.
"I cut that tree using divine energy, but even without it, l could still cut it down." He said, smiling in amusement.
I could see now, he was in another level. He not only cut one tree but the backward impact caused other trees to fall as well, Adam's mastery in divine energy is top tier.
"If you want to reach that level, focus on a single point. For example: my objective was cutting down the tree, which allowed for more power because l didn't over think other possibilities, clouded minds never make ends meet."
"That was a perfect illustration, father, l'm beginning to understand the concept." I said, my eyes sparkling in excitement.
Adam focused on cutting down the tree only, then what about the impact? Hol' up, the basic principles of such occurrence was because of the domain, how big was it again? Looking beneath Adam's feet, the yellow circle was so wide l couldn't see the end, hundred metres? Three hundred metres? What were the possibility.
"Here's another example: l'm a villain with a purple mask, holding a rusty sword, alongside a dirty-white cloak, battling in a snowy region. My objective is to kill you on sight, how do you act at this scenario?" He asked.
"Uh, hmm... That's it! I primarily focus my divine energy on your direction, maintaining unnecessary wide spread of energy that would cause less damage, on that point, there'll be a larger impact at your direction because of my command. Did thay answer your question?"
"Partly, though l see you've an idea already, which is a big step towards understanding the functionality of assessing divine energy."
All were wrong? Though, he might be right.
"Then, father, what's the best way to counter?" I asked, folding my arms.
"If you actually go back to your answer, you didn't actually answer my question."
"I was probably carried away."
"Alright! I won't give you an answer." He shouted.
"Wha.... Why?!"
"That'll be your homework, take your time learning, little warrior." He concluded, walking in another direction.
Talk about mountain sage, giving his students homework which he probably couldn't answer himself was ridiculous, are dads in every world the same? But, he wanted an answer to l'll give him an answer after learning as he said.
He left off after that with saying a single word, it was all l needed to hear about this complex world power system. The bigger the brain, the bigger your chances are at fully mastering the art of controlling divine energy.
...
Later the afternoon, l was practising Swinging a wooden up and down cutting the air. Maintaining a good posture is beneficial when handling a sword, rising it upwards and sending a slash while saying "hiyah" probably sounded weird coming from me, but it helped somehow.
Swinging the entire afternoon till my body couldn't resist, l was running low on juice. I needed to better myself at swordplay, results vary depending on how l choose to dedicate time, energy, and effort.
I released a surge of energy even though l was exhausted, my target was the tree ahead, l was close enough because my domain wasn't wide like Adam's, taking a step forward.
My body propelled in a zigzag pattern, this time l focused on moving my legs at different areas, this was allowing better movements. Then, l faced my right leg on a different direction which caused me to circle around the tree in a curve, l was moving too fast while being stuck at the same position.
My vision couldn't pick up the target, the stick begun vibrating uncontrollably, divine energy surged even more than l could control, my brain lost focus from the chaos that my body stepped out of the domain which launched my body like a sag of potatoes.
It was a scary experience this time because l did it outside, one mistake then l'd be falling towards my death across this hill. Of course we lived on hill which is dangerous for kids like myself. Luckily, l managed to get back without fatal injuries.
"Rushing to use techniques without first understanding swordplay is an utterly disgraced manner of a swordsman." A suspicious voice whispered behind my ears.
"Huh, who the hell are you?" I asked, my body sweating in fear.
"The one who'll conquer the dragon continent, fierce at the mighty second generation sword technique, Slypha." He announced, gazing deep into my soul.
"Second generation?" I whispered, having lose of words.
This guy just said second generation like it's nothing, not only that, his aura is out of the roof, the way divine energy rapidly spirals around him like a perfume of greatness, l couldn't utter a single word.
His crimson hair dancing with the wind like a paid actor, his serious expression staring at my tiny body in disappointment, carrying a sword behind his back. Did l encounter an actual swordsman?
"Don't you have something to say!?"