Only in fierce winds did we know the strength of the tough grass. Only in times of chaos did we recognize the loyal friend.
Even though I bore no memories of the past, I endured the times of chaos with Claire. Only did I realize about my character as a loyal friend.
For that reason, I wanted to be stronger. I wanted to be tougher when sheltering her against the fierce winds.
For that reason, I stood alone against the Geezer. His body emitted fierce winds, his glowing grey eyes stabbing my soul. I felt like a stalk of grass in the eye of the storm, and yet my feet rooted firmly, my body unswayed by the howling gale.
The old man smiled, and the winds dispersed. He clasped his hands and praised, "Your Will is worthy of B rating."
"What more do you want to test?" I asked, stretching my body.
He lowered his stance and extended his fist. "How about a little physical test?"
I cracked my shoulder and closed one eye. "Will you use mana?"
He chuckled. "Rest assured. Even if your physical ratings are higher than mine, there are differences in stages."
I took off my shirt and dropped it on the fighting ring floor. "Then I won't be polite!"
I initiated the first move. With an honest charge, I launched a straightforward punch, but the geezer blocked my fist easily.
I whistled in amusement. Damn geezer didn't lie about his strength, but I wasn't a boring man with a straightforward strategy either. I immediately pulled my arm and launched a few jabs in which he parried with just an index finger.
"The force behind these punches is unbelievable. My grandson, I'm getting more curious about your past," he praised between each parry. He was so relaxed that he hadn't moved a single step from his spot.
That wouldn't do. He started to scratch my pride. Taking out my anger, I delivered a hook toward his ribs, but he jumped back. Even though my attack didn't connect, I managed to make him move, and this was just the beginning of my combo.
I lifted my foot toward his neck, but he stepped back again. Then, I pivoted and launched a roundhouse kick. Again, it only grazed the wind produced by his evading movement, but I predicted this and prepared a surprise.
I clutched my dropped shirt between my toes and released it before his face. While it blocked his vision, I took a turn toward his side, climbed the ring's rope, and landed a flying kick to his side.
Even though my attack hit his chest, he only skidded to the corner stool and leaned back in a relaxing manner.
"If I wasn't a high-staged awakener, that would be fatal to me. Do you really have no memories of your past? You move like an experienced fighter," he said.
"Nope, but my body seems to remember how I am supposed to move. So, are we going to continue?"
He chuckled. "You pass. The next is to test your mana capacity and control. I don't bring the proper equipment, but I can judge by how well you can control your mana. Try moving your mana into your finger."
"Like this?" Casually, my mana flowed into my index and coated it. I didn't understand if this was worthy of good marks because I just copied how Claire did it, so I decided to cradle my whole fist in blue light. "Do I pass the test?"
Brian dropped his jaw and a loud laugh came out of his caving mouth. "Bahahaha, a genius. My grandson is a genius. How long can you maintain the state?"
"If I used this to attack, it would immediately disperse. Otherwise, I can maintain it as much as I want."
Brian clapped his hands. "Magnificent. You don't need mana control training. We should just focus on improving your Lighting Demon Breathing Technique until it adopts the lightning attribute. Hold on. I just sent a telepathic message to Butler Jin. The resources will arrive in ten minutes. You can follow instructions from him. Meanwhile, you can train together with your 'sister'."
I turned to the entrance of the training gym and saw Claire peeking from the window of the door. Her presence brightened my heart, as if the sun just rose on the horizon. I gathered mana in my feet and leaped through a long distance. I immediately opened the door and greeted her.
"Yo, going outside by yourself now?"
She threw herself and grasped me in her tight hug, her squishy breast pressing against me. "Rie, where have you been? I thought you left me."
"Hey now. Your lack of trust hurts me. Do I look like a pussy who loves to run away? Anyway, can you release me? My sweats must be smelly."
Instead of releasing me, she rubbed her face against my bare chest. "Mhm. My little brother smells this nice. I don't think I want to let him go."
My face suddenly felt warm after hearing that. "I don't mind, but the maids passing by just giggle at us."
She only rubbed her face faster like a kitten smitten by the catnip. "Nyoo. Can you bear to see your sister with weak legs?" She sniffed my skin. "Mhmm, I need this."
I rolled my eyes. "You are weak because you never exercise. Come in. Let's exercise together."
She finally pulled her head and looked up at me. "Hehehe, can't we just spend time playing games. Ahem, and maybe Catflix and chill."
I pulled her cheeks. "My schedule is going to be tighter from now. It's fine if you want to chill and relax in your room forever. I will be busy... for our future."
"Our... Future?" She asked with a teasing smile.
"The Geezer kidnapped me and you stole my heart. I will hold you both accountable by having me in your life."
"Hehehe. What should Sister do to make up for this?"
"Hm, first, why not train with me? I'm gonna steal this company from the Geezer, so I should become stronger. Can't have your relatives look down on me, right?"
Claire closed her mouth and giggled. "Fufufu. Just so you know, I am a strong awakener."
I shrugged. "Good. You can teach me."
"Okie.. fortunately Sister is wearing comfortable outfits. Just let Sister warm up first."
Claire entered the gym and walked toward the weapon racks. Her eyes immediately locked into twin blades. The moment the weapons touched her fingers, she tossed them into the air. She smiled at me and spun gracefully. Skillfully, she caught the rotating blades and immediately twirled them between her fingers.
She winked. "Apparently my body still remembers it well."
I applauded. "Now I know where your dick-stroking skill came from."
"Hehehe. Want to taste it now?" she asked, stroking the handle of the blade.
I licked my lips and reached my pants. "Tempting."
Suddenly a deep cough jolted us both. Brian looked at us with a wide grin. "You two really forget about the world around you when you start flirting. I'm still here you know, and Butler Jin is here as well."