Capítulo 58: Chapter Fifty-Six
(Manor Training Grounds)
As Alan struggled to survive his ordeal with Ripper, Muichiro was already on the training grounds.
He sat shirtless on the ground, focused on the new breathing style he aimed to master.
This particular style was known as Stone Breathing, which mimicked the qualities of earth and stone, blending offence and defence while promoting a calm mind and body.
Muichiro recalled the lessons Moon had imparted about the various breathing styles.
He initially wanted to master Moon Breathing, assuming it was closely linked to her divinity. However, she advised him to learn the other styles first. Muichiro agreed, understanding that Moon knew best.
While he wasn't the physically strongest or most gifted, Muichiro recognized the need to have alternatives when he couldn't rely on his sword. Stone Breathing seemed like a suitable choice for enhancing his raw power.
Moon had always emphasized getting to know the element the breathing style was based on.
Without hesitation, Muichiro lay on the ground, arms and legs spread wide, and closed his eyes.
He took deep, shallow breaths, focusing on circulating air through every muscle, vein, and capillary in his body. His breathing gradually slowed.
His hands sank into the soft, malleable dirt. He felt the texture of the earth beneath him, the subtle vibrations it emitted, and the ancient scent of the soil around him.
Muichiro's ears tuned out external noises, and it was as if he had melded with the earth, remaining perfectly still.
An hour passed, and Muichiro, who had been as motionless as a rock, slowly opened his eyes.
Checking the time on his map, he realized it was time to release Alan from the cage. Muichiro stood up and made his way to the cage's lever.
With a swift pull, the cage door swung open. A dishevelled and thoroughly frightened Alan bolted out and fell flat on his face in front of Muichiro.
"Well done... you survived," Muichiro remarked, a hint of amusement in his tone.
Alan, too exhausted and overwhelmed to retort, simply lay there, contemplating a life as a salted fish.
"You did well for your first training session," Muichiro calmly remarked as he observed Alan sprawled on the ground. "Though you lack qualities of a warrior and a fighter, you have speed and stamina. Your race can also see in the dark, so that's a bonus."
Alan's words came out muffled from the dirt as he lay there, but Muichiro managed to decipher his response. "No, that's not an option anymore. Now go to the infirmary and get your wounds healed. Meet me back here tomorrow morning."
Alan, snot and tears mixing on his face, finally raised his head from the ground. "No way, I'm not going through this again. That wasn't training; that was torture!"
Muichiro, unfazed by Alan's dramatic outburst, replied nonchalantly, "I see. It seems Ripper is eager for round two..."
Before Muichiro could finish his sentence, Alan bolted from the training area, his stamina seemingly unaffected despite his exhaustion. "I'll see you tomorrow!" he yelled as he disappeared from sight.
Muichiro turned his attention to Ripper, the colourful chicken that had been Alan's training partner. It had originally been a jackbird captured by Muichiro, but he had decided to present it to Demeter as a gift.
Demeter had taken to raising it secretly with the help of a Ganesha familia member who owed her a few favours.
Now Ripper had become Demeter's pet and Muichiro's training partner when he felt like practising his Thunder Breathing.
Bending down, Muichiro approached Ripper, who greeted him with a snuggle and a content cluck.
Their relationship had started off on shaky ground, given that Muichiro had captured it, but over time, Ripper had come to trust him.
"You did a good job, Ripper," Muichiro said, patting the chicken gently. "Just don't go too easy on him tomorrow, okay?"
Ripper responded with an agreeable cluck, clearly understanding Muichiro's words.
As Muichiro tended to Ripper, he remained oblivious to the crescent moon-shaped symbol that had appeared on his forehead, its soft blue light going unnoticed by him.
However, Ripper's peculiar gaze drew his attention.
Muichiro glanced around, but he couldn't sense anything out of the ordinary. Just when he turned back to Ripper, a bright blue figure materialized right in front of him, startling him.
"Piiiiiiiiiiii!" The exuberant cry filled the air, and Muichiro's shock turned into surprise as he recognized Pii, his companion.
"Pii?!?" Muichiro exclaimed, unable to contain his surprise at Pii's sudden appearance.
Pii chirped happily, colliding with Muichiro's chest and spreading its wings as if trying to hug him. Muichiro paused for a moment before gently petting Pii on the head.
"It's good to see you too," he said, his voice filled with warmth.
"Priiiii..." Pii replied, its presence a welcome sight for Muichiro.
....
As Pii and Muichiro were reunited, Muichiro couldn't help but wonder where Pii had been all this time. However, before he could inquire, Pii flew into his body and then back out again.
Muichiro raised an eyebrow, realizing that Pii had an interesting ability. "So you can hide inside of me. That's a very interesting ability," he mused. "But before anyone sees you, you need to hide inside my body."
It was a precaution to keep Pii safe. He couldn't risk leaving her out in the open. Knowing that Pii was okay, Muichiro felt an unknown weight lift from his shoulders.
"I can't wait for you to meet Demeter. I'm sure you'll love her," Muichiro thought, knowing Demeter's fondness for spoiling and gushing over cute things.
Pii seemed to understand, letting out a sound of agreement as she hid back inside Muichiro's body.
He could feel her presence within him but knew she could hide it whenever she wished.
With that settled, Muichiro fed Ripper a high-grade magic stone and was about to head back to the training grounds.
However, he was halted by the familiar figure of Cuthbert.
"I'm terribly sorry to interrupt your training, Master Muichiro, but before Demeter-sama left, she wanted me to introduce you to someone," Cuthbert explained.
"..."
Muichiro was intrigued but puzzled about who Demeter wanted him to meet when suddenly, a deafening explosion shook the manor, erupting from the west side.
His eyes widened in surprise, and his immediate thought was that the Familia might be under attack.
Before he could dash off to investigate, Cuthbert placed a firm hand on his shoulder, stopping him.
"There's no need to worry, Master Muichiro. You'll understand when we arrive. Please follow me."
Cuthbert's calm demeanour regarding the explosion made Muichiro even more curious and anxious to discover what was happening.
Without uttering a word, he followed Cuthbert, his senses on high alert, wondering what new development awaited him.
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