Capítulo 10: Training Starts
Sophie woke me up early, much earlier than I would have liked, by tugging at the blanket I had wrapped myself in. "Rise and shine, sleepyhead," she teased, her voice carrying a light, playful lilt. I squinted up at her, still half-asleep, and saw her standing there fully dressed, her hair tied back in a loose ponytail, emphasizing her graceful neckline.
"Come on, we've got work to do," she said, crossing her arms over her chest as she looked down at me. "You didn't think joining the Demon Slayer Corp would be all fun and games, did you?"
"Didn't think it would start at the crack of dawn either," I muttered under my breath, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes as I reluctantly pushed myself up.
Sophie's lips twitched with a smirk. "Well, welcome to the life of a Demon Slayer, Zark. Early mornings, late nights, and a whole lot of bloodshed in between."
After a quick wash and a breakfast that consisted mostly of stale bread and water, Sophie led me out to what she called the training grounds—a large open space surrounded by dense trees. The ground was uneven and rugged, covered with patches of grass and dirt. The air was crisp, and the faint rays of the rising sun cast long shadows across the clearing.
"All right, Zark," Sophie began, turning to face me with a serious expression. "Before we get into the nitty-gritty of training, there's something you need to understand. Demons… they're not like anything you've faced before. They're not just stronger, faster, and more resilient—they're downright terrifying. You can cut them, stab them, break their bones, and they'll keep coming back for more."
She started to pace back and forth, her eyes never leaving mine. "The only way to kill a demon is to sever their head completely from their body. Nothing else will do. Got it?"
I nodded slowly, my mind flashing back to the demon I'd seen in my nightmare—the one that had nearly killed me before I woke up in a cold sweat. "Yeah… got it."
"Good." Sophie stopped pacing and pointed at me. "And that's where your sword comes in. That blade—your father's blade—is made of a special material called Molten Obsidian and Bleak Metal. It's one of the few things that can actually cut through a demon's flesh and bone. But don't think that just having the sword is enough. You need to know how to use it."
She stepped closer, her gaze intense. "You need to be fast, precise, and most importantly—you need to learn to breathe."
"Breathe?" I asked, confused. "What do you mean?"
"Ah, I knew you were clueless." She grinned, and the seriousness of her expression faded as she leaned in a little closer, her lips curving into a playful smirk. "I don't just mean regular breathing, Zark. I'm talking about *Breathing Techniques*. They're special techniques that allow you to harness the full potential of your body, enhancing your strength, speed, and senses beyond what you thought possible."
"Breathing Techniques…" I repeated slowly, trying to wrap my head around it.
"Yes," she nodded, stepping back and lifting her arm in a slow, deliberate motion. "With the right breathing technique, you can make your body lighter, your movements faster, and even withstand injuries that would kill a normal person. It's what separates the Demon Slayers from the rest of the world. Each technique has its own unique properties, and mastering them takes time."
Sophie took a deep breath, and suddenly it was as if the air around her shifted. Her posture straightened, and a subtle yet powerful aura seemed to emanate from her body. "Watch closely."
In an instant, she moved—one second she was standing in front of me, and the next she was behind me, as if she'd teleported. I spun around, my heart pounding in shock. "What the—"
"Breath of Wind," Sophie whispered, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she stood a few feet away, arms crossed and that damn smirk back on her lips. "Just a little taste of what's possible. That's why I've been telling you to get your ass up early. You're going to need every second of training you can get."
I stared at her, a mix of awe and disbelief coursing through me. "So… how do I learn this? Do I just… breathe harder or something?"
Sophie burst out laughing, the sound echoing through the training grounds. "Oh, Zark, I knew you'd be fun to train. No, it's not about breathing *harder*—it's about breathing *right*. It's about using every muscle, every fiber of your being to synchronize your breath with your movements."
She walked up to me, her fingers lightly brushing against my chest as she poked me, right where my diaphragm was. "You need to feel it deep down here. Every breath should fill your lungs, spread to your limbs, your fingertips… and then," she lowered her voice, leaning in until I could feel her breath on my ear, "release it in one smooth motion. Like you're releasing all that tension."
My cheeks heated up, and I swallowed hard, trying to focus on anything but the way her touch lingered. "Sounds… complicated."
"It is. But once you get the hang of it, it's like second nature." She took a step back, crossing her arms again. "And to help you along, I'm going to guide you. Step by step. Breath by breath."
Her eyes danced with mischief as she added, "Don't worry, I'll be gentle… at least at first. But I can't promise I won't push you to your limits."
"Great," I muttered, rolling my eyes despite the nervous excitement bubbling up inside me. "Just what I needed—an overzealous coach."
Sophie chuckled softly, and for a moment, she seemed almost… different. Less playful, more sincere. "Trust me, Zark. This isn't a game. Demons are monsters—killers that enjoy causing pain. The techniques I'll teach you aren't just for show. They're what stand between you and a gruesome death."
Her voice dropped to a lower, almost sultry tone as she added, "And speaking of gruesome, you don't want to be like those poor souls who underestimate a demon and end up getting skewered or having their limbs torn off. You've got to be sharp, precise… quick on your feet."
"Right," I said, swallowing hard, the images her words conjured up sending chills down my spine.
"Anyway, I'll save the gory details for later," she said, waving a hand dismissively. "Wouldn't want to scare you off before we've even started."
"I'm not scared," I retorted, squaring my shoulders.
"Good. Because I have a feeling you'll need more than just courage to survive." Sophie winked, and then, just like that, the serious atmosphere dissipated as she took a step back and clapped her hands together. "All right then! Time to start with the basics. Get your stance right, focus on your breathing… and we'll go from there."
As we began the training, I couldn't help but feel a strange mix of dread and exhilaration. The way Sophie moved, the power she exuded—it was a reminder of just how far I had to go. But if this was what it took to become a Demon Slayer, to understand the world my father had been a part of… then I was ready.
"Well, let's get to it," Sophie said, smirking as she took up her own stance across from me. "And don't worry… I'll go easy on you." She tilted her head slightly, a sly grin forming on her lips. "Unless you like it rough."
I groaned inwardly. This was going to be a long day.
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