"Should we start now, right here?" Sin replied with determined eyes.
"Here? Won't we disturb people around here?" I looked around Rusty city where people were starting to come out for their daily lives. Even though they seemed used to this family's weird antics, training might be a bit loud.
"In the forest behind my dad's shop. Nice and quiet," Sin grinned mischievously.
"Is that okay, Dad?" He turned to Vex who was wiping his twin hammers, adjusting his glasses slightly.
"Do whatever you want, just don't wreck my shop again!" Vex answered loud and clear, but didn't actually forbid anything.
"Don't worry, Dad. Far enough from the shop for sure," Sin replied confidently, then turned to me and nodded for me to follow. He led the way out from behind the shop toward the dense forest. I quickly followed him in, gripping the short sword tightly in my hand. My missing arm was starting to feel more familiar now, though it still felt empty.
After walking deep into the forest until the noise from the city faded away, Sin stopped. He raised his hand to call 'Knight,' his demon wolf companion, who emerged from the tree shadows quickly. Then he reached into its mouth and smoothly pulled out his twin swords. Sin, who had been facing away from me, now turned to face me directly. His expression changed to serious again.
"Ready?" His voice had no trace of playfulness. I didn't wait, quickly drawing my short sword from the scabbard strapped to my back, preparing for training even more intense than before.
"How far did we get in that training session?" Sin muttered to himself. "But whatever, let's test it and see how much you've developed."
"Knight, go wait outside," Sin ordered Knight to retreat, and it silently leaped away into the shadows.
"Alright, now I'll show you my main elemental power for your viewing pleasure." Suddenly, Sin's twin swords, which had been covered with red flame aura during his fight with his father, now showed no aura at all. But I could feel a strange emptiness. Then in the blink of an eye, the wind around Sin began to swirl violently. Dry leaves on the ground scattered. I could feel the pressure of invisible wind currents. Ah... I know now. Wind element. That's his main elemental power.
I tried to bring out my own power too, but suddenly remembered that Soul Either's words: 'The more you use your power, the stronger we become.' That warning flashed in my head again, making me hesitate for a moment. Finally I decided to stop trying to call that power and chose to use the sword fighting techniques Sin had just taught me instead. At least it should be safer for now.
"Come at me." I focused, concentrating on Sin without taking my eyes off him, following everything he'd taught me to the letter.
Sin rushed forward fast as a deadly wind, making me barely able to brace myself. But instinct and my body that had been through intense training responded faster than thought. My left arm raised the short sword to barely deflect his sharp attack.
Clang!
The short sword in my hand almost flew away. I gritted my teeth, resisting the massive impact. My eyes widened slightly seeing Sin's serious face... he'd entered full teacher mode!
I wouldn't give in either! I quickly braced myself, adjusted my stance, prepared for the next wave of attacks. Gripping the sword firmly, standing steadfast as a mountain.
This time Sin didn't rush straight at me. Instead, he closed his eyes, gathering power and focus into his twin swords. The wind currents around him began forming more violently, before he opened his eyes and slashed both swords down through the air! Wind blade waves visible as transparent streaks cut through the air toward me at high speed!
But it still wasn't as fast as when he'd rushed at me directly earlier. I decided... I'd risk charging straight into those blade waves! I leaped forward preparing to weave through those sharp air currents...
But wait! Who would be stupid enough to do that?! I stopped mid-stride just before the wind blades reached me by a hair's breadth, then used the moment they passed by to leap to the side, changing direction quickly, before launching myself at Sin who was still in his stance!
Clang!
I slashed my short sword down with full force aiming to attack Sin's twin swords, but he still received my attack easily.
Clang!
Then I used the rebound force, spun around and slashed back again quickly!
Clang!
And this time, I gathered all my strength and brought the short sword down from above with full power!
Sin could still receive all my attacks with icy calm... After that final slash, Sin released wind power that struck my body hard, sending me flying into a large tree!
"Ugh!" I was winded and couldn't speak.
"I see. I've already taught you all the sword basics," Sin stopped attacking. He lowered his twin swords from ready position.
"Alright, on to lesson two. Using sword combined with your elemental power."
Sin's words made my heart tremble. Hesitation and fear began forming in my mind, because right now I still didn't dare use that power fully. If I used it, unpredictable dangers might occur, or that crazy curse might manifest again.
"Uh... um... can we skip this for now?" I asked weakly.
"Why? Didn't you tell me yourself that you wanted to learn Soul power training too?" Sin raised an eyebrow, looking puzzled.
He was right... I was the one who told Sin that. That was one of the conditions that made me agree to be his disciple. Should I try once more? Try using that power again... but if something happens again... Screw it! Whatever happens to my life, so be it!
The most important thing right now is getting revenge for my family! I gripped the sword tighter, my eyes full of determination.
"Got it. Come on then," I put on a serious face, preparing to listen to his guidance.
"You know that in this world..." Crackle! Buzz! Sin spread his hand out. Suddenly blue-white sparks of lightning elemental energy flickered on his palm for me to see as an example.
"Everyone is born with one main element."
"And might have secondary elements they can train, but won't be able to use as fully as the main element."
Of course, I knew that well. I'd studied these basics quite thoroughly.
"Mm, I understand," I nodded.
"And do you understand how to release elemental power?" Sin continued asking.
"I think I understand..." I thought about when I first used lightning power accidentally, when it made my arm and leg break and twist unnaturally.
"But I don't know how to control it."
"Usually, elemental energy is used together with Soul Power," Sin explained.
"Try picturing lightning in your head." After Sin finished speaking, I tried closing my eyes, focusing, thinking of lightning striking down violently on a stormy night. This familiar feeling... it was just like when I first used that lightning power!
"And try imagining that lightning energy flowing to your hand, or to your short sword." Whoosh! Crack! Buzz! As soon as Sin finished speaking, I felt powerful energy current flowing through my left arm down to the short sword in my hand! Blue-white lightning sparks began crackling from the sword! After hearing the zap of lightning, I slowly opened my eyes to look. Lightning power was actually flowing around my short sword! Even though it was just small sparks and not very stable yet!
"Are you serious?! You got it on the first try?!" Sin looked shocked with his mouth hanging open.
"I've never seen anyone do that before! You learn really fast, Rift!"
"At first I thought I made a mistake taking you as a disciple, but it seems you learn way faster than I thought, ever since I taught you basic swordsmanship." Sin openly praised me, making me feel a bit embarrassed but secretly happy deep down.
Then I remembered Kylo's words... about Soul Order. I'd been thinking for a while that Soul Order... might have information about the "curse" Sylvia mentioned, or information about the water city Maris?
After I finished dealing with revenge for my family, I thought I'd try taking the Soul Order exam to find some additional information before deciding to travel to Maris city. If I rushed there without knowing anything, I might really die for sure.
Even though after finishing this revenge story, I might be able to "die" peacefully, there are still so many things bothering me right now... Decision made!
"Sin... after this is over..." I spoke up, breaking the silence.
"I won't be traveling to Maris city right away."
"I'll take the Soul Order exam first."
"To find some additional information..."