In a flurry of acts and revisions, time flew by. John became increasingly frustrated with the errors in his training. He senses the innate force coursing through him, ready to escape.
"Remember, John," Solomon said calmly, "your strength and everything in it need to be under your control." 'Take a deep breath and step back.'
Following Solomon's advice, John took a deep breath. He concentrated on the gentle breeze flowing through the garden and found peace.
Because of his father's wisdom, John applied the valuable lessons on precision and control he learned from him. He hit, maintaining control over his strikes. Because of this, his interest in his training began to grow.
After a series of more question-and-answer sessions between father and son, John's training saw significant improvements in his agility, accuracy, and stamina. His skill in changing his movements improved, as well as his accuracy in attacking and hitting targets.
It became clear to John that he could demonstrate good control over his new strength after a week of additional training sessions. Running, walking, or jumping at various stationary and moving targets, he hits with the desired strength but still not in the way he wants. He feels that there is still something lacking in what he is doing.
As the sun started to drop and long shadows spread across the yard, Solomon shouted for a stop. An old acacia tree, its gnarled branches lifted to the sky like hands in prayer, provided shade for them as they leaned.
"Feeling a bit frustrated, are you?" said Solomon, laughing to his son.
John shifted, his voice tinged with irritation. 'It's only at the surface level, yet it looks insurmountable.' "It's like you're trying to stop a storm, Dad."
Solomon chuckled. "Indeed, son." 'Understanding, not restraint, is what control is all about; it's about knowing your limits and applying them appropriately.'
Then Solomon went on to discuss perseverance, which is another key component of the fight.
"Success in battle is not just about skill, son." 'Bravery and the capacity to persevere when others give up are also important. One of the most crucial elements in this situation is the next thing that I will teach you son, the "Breath of the Fey".'
John started learning an old breathing technique from Solomon that had been passed down through generations by the ancestors of their family, symbolizing a deep connection to their heritage. They use the energy in the air around them by letting each breath give them power.
'You have to feel the life of the forest pulsing through your veins and revitalizing your body.' Solomon said, "Close your eyes. Take a deep breath and feel the forest's vitality coursing through you." 'All tension and fatigue are released with a slow, full exhale.'
John obeyed his father, paying attention to his breathing. This is unusual and, at first, uncomfortable. However, as he kept working, he started to notice a small shift inside of him. The warmth of his hands and feet pushed the weariness away.
"Imagine you are a tree," Solomon went on quietly and softly. "Your roots delve deeply into the ground, drawing strength from the earth." Your branches collect the sun's energy as they approach the sky. You are eternal but anchored in this earth.
John painstakingly studied the intricate techniques of the Breath of the Fey as the days stretched into weeks, facing moments of frustration and moments of revelation. He used it to recuperate in between sparring rounds and integrated it into his training. He discovered that he could exert more effort and persevere for longer periods of time without experiencing fatigue.
John remained focused and driven to achieve by persisting in studying the breathing technique instructions from his father. Every progress he makes he makes sure to incorporate it into his performance as he going forward.
After several more weeks, John eventually fully adapted to embodying his 13-year-old self, performing with nearly half of his body's strength.
In his previous life, John had overlooked these physical activities for a long time, prioritizing his reliance on elemental enhancements, technology, and magic. Over the years, he had forgotten the need for physical strength and had become accustomed to his elemental enhancements, technology and magic. This time, as he embarked on a new way of life, John decided not to overly depend on CV, his virtual assistant. Though he recognizes the great advantage of this system in his body.
Therefore, in John's subsequent training sessions using his curved daggers, controlling his strength in every attack he made, became refined and his aim at the target puppets nearly becomes perfect.
Swish! Swish!
"Very well, son!" Solomon applauded his son' quick growth.
John gladly accepted his father's compliment, saying, "Thank you, Dad," as he deliberately pushed everything his prior knowledge in his past to improve his skills.
At this point, he intentionally leveraged his prior knowledge to enhance his skills, blending his past experiences with his current learning under his father's guidance.
His father though, was unaware of what John had in mind, John didn't get any more question from his father about the unusual movement technique he uses last time, perhaps he still have it in his mind, that methods he used in their run-in with a ferocious animal in the woods, but just avoiding to further ask about it.
At times, he wondered whether to share with his parents, particularly his father, the extraordinary events like his life 150 years ahead and the soul's journey from the future to the present. He was currently burdened by the weight of these decisions and ideas.
But the idea of telling his parents the truth made him anxious because he feared their unfamiliarity, possible skepticism, or a change in their feelings for him. Therefore, he chooses to let time determine whether he should further discuss the topic or remain silent. At this moment, in order to focus on honing his own abilities, he has temporarily pushed thoughts of revealing his unusual movements and experiences to the back of his mind.
Each day, his vision for future endeavors sharpened, and he steadfastly defined his objectives. John's objectives for his new life, including mastering the Breath of the Fey and excelling in combat, began to crystallize as he looked forward to the upcoming schooling at his godfather's place.