Capítulo 13: Master of the Wind
The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the training grounds. It was the final day, the culmination of a week filled with grueling sessions and relentless practice. My muscles were sore, my body bruised, but my resolve had only grown stronger.
I took a deep breath, feeling the air fill my lungs like a rush of cold water. Closing my eyes, I centered myself, visualizing the third form of the wind breathing technique—the elusive move I had struggled with for days. Every time I'd tried before, I'd only gotten halfway there. But today… something felt different. The energy coursed through me like a tempest waiting to be unleashed.
I gripped the hilt of my sword and shifted my stance, feeling the ground firm beneath my feet. Slowly, I began to channel my breath, letting it flow through me, feeding into the blade. The sword seemed to hum in response, vibrating faintly with each controlled exhale. As the power built up, I shifted my weight and swung with a precise, calculated movement.
The wind around me exploded, swirling and cutting through the air with a ferocity I hadn't been able to achieve before. My sword arced through the space in front of me, leaving a trail of whirling wind in its wake. The gale expanded, slicing through a row of training dummies, and then dissipated, leaving the shattered remains scattered across the ground.
A stunned silence followed, the only sound my own ragged breathing. I stared at the destruction, still feeling the residual energy buzzing under my skin. I'd done it—I'd finally executed the third form. A slow smile spread across my face as I lowered my sword, the satisfaction of success warming me despite the cool breeze.
"Well done, Zark," a voice called from behind, accompanied by the sound of slow, deliberate clapping.
I turned, wiping the sweat from my brow, and saw Sophie standing at the edge of the training grounds. Her expression was one of approval, her eyes gleaming with pride. I hadn't even noticed her approach.
"Looks like you've mastered it," she said, stepping closer. "I was beginning to think it'd take you another week."
"Guess I surprised even myself," I replied with a grin, still feeling the rush of triumph. "It just… clicked this time."
Sophie nodded thoughtfully. "That's how it goes with the breathing techniques. Sometimes, you need to push yourself to the brink before you can break through."
She paused, giving me an appraising look, and then her expression softened. "I believe you're ready now, Zark. You've got the skill, the determination… and the heart."
The compliment hit me harder than I'd expected. For so long, I'd been struggling to live up to the legacy of a father I barely remembered. To hear those words from someone like Sophie, who'd known him, felt like a validation I hadn't even realized I was seeking.
"Thank you," I said quietly, meeting her gaze. "It means a lot to hear that."
She smiled, but there was a hint of something else in her eyes—something more serious. "Now that you've proven yourself, I think it's time I tell you what you're really in for."
I straightened, sensing the shift in her tone. "You mean the test?"
"Yes," Sophie said with a nod. "You've been training hard, but you need to understand what's waiting for you out there. The test is no mere assessment of skill or endurance. It's designed to push you to your limits… and beyond."
"Tell me," I urged, eager to know what awaited me.
Sophie took a deep breath, as if considering her words carefully. "The test takes place on the shores of Anholt, a small island in the Kattegat Sea. The candidates—those who've completed their training—are left on the island and given one objective: to find and bring back the *Flower of Xenus*."
"A flower?" I echoed, confused. "What's so special about it?"
"It's not just any flower," Sophie explained. "The *Flower of Xenus* only blooms under specific conditions, and it's known for its rare properties—properties that can reveal your strength, resilience, and even your true potential as a demon slayer."
She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in. "But Anholt is no vacation spot. The island is overrun with demons—hundreds, if not more. Most of them are within the capacity of a New Blood to handle, but there's always the risk of encountering something… stronger."
I felt a chill run down my spine at her tone. "Stronger, as in…?"
"Stronger as in demons that would make hardened hunters think twice before engaging," Sophie said quietly. "Every year, candidates go to Anholt. Not all of them come back."
The gravity of the test hit me then, a cold realization that sent my pulse racing. This wasn't just about proving myself or showcasing my abilities. It was life or death. Survival.
"What do we have to do to get this flower?" I asked, my voice tense.
"You have to search the island for it," Sophie said simply. "It blooms in different locations each year, and its petals are known to shine faintly under moonlight. It's elusive, hidden… but it's not impossible to find if you know what you're doing."
"And the demons?" I asked, my mind already picturing the bloodthirsty creatures I'd heard so much about.
"They'll try to stop you, of course," Sophie said, her gaze hardening. "That's the whole point of the test. To see if you can handle them, if you can fight under pressure, if you can think on your feet. Those who make it back with the flower are recruited into the Corp."
"And if we don't make it back?" I asked quietly.
"Then you're not cut out to be a demon slayer," Sophie said bluntly. "And you'll likely never leave the island at all."
The weight of her words settled heavily in the pit of my stomach. This was it—the moment everything had been building up to. The training, the pain, the struggle… it all led to Anholt.
"When do we leave?" I asked, my resolve hardening.
"In two days' time," Sophie replied, her gaze steady. "You have until then to prepare yourself mentally and physically. It won't be easy, but I believe you're ready."
I nodded slowly, absorbing the information. Two days. That was all the time I had left before the true test began. But instead of fear, I felt a surge of determination. I'd trained hard, fought through every obstacle, and now I was on the cusp of proving myself.
"Anholt, huh?" I murmured, glancing at Sophie. "I suppose it's time to see what I'm really made of."
Sophie's lips curved into a faint smile. "Yes. And who knows… maybe you'll come back with more than just the flower."
Her cryptic words lingered in the air as I turned back to the training grounds, the future stretched out before me like an uncharted map. Anholt awaited… and with it, the path that would define my destiny.
"It's been a nice eight days, Zark. You've made a lot of progress, and I'm proud of you," Sophie said, her voice softer than usual. There was a glimmer of something in her eyes—was it pride? Or something else entirely? "But once the test begins, we may not see each other for months… maybe even a year. Anything could happen out there, and I want you to remember everything you've learned. Stay sharp."
With that, she gave me a lingering look, almost as if she was memorizing my face, then turned and walked away from the training grounds. I watched her retreating figure until she disappeared into the distance, the sudden emptiness of her absence hitting me harder than I expected.
"Months… or a year…" I murmured to myself, shaking my head to clear the feeling of uncertainty creeping up my spine. I couldn't dwell on that now. I had to be ready. Focused.
Drawing in a deep breath, I turned back to the training ground. No matter what happened, I needed to be prepared for the trial ahead. I clenched my fists, feeling the familiar weight of my sword at my side. With one last look at the space around me, I centered myself and began to move through the motions of the third form again.
The wind flowed around me, a swirling tempest of power and control. Every muscle in my body moved with purpose, each swing of my sword cutting through the air with precision and strength. As I neared the final movement, I pushed all my focus into it, feeling the power surge through me like a burst of electricity.
With a single, fluid motion, I released the third form, the wind exploding outward in a devastating arc. The energy surged around me, slicing through the targets in front of me with lethal accuracy. When I finally came to a stop, breathing heavily, I realized I'd done it again. No hesitation. No faltering.
"I've mastered it," I whispered to myself, a grin spreading across my face despite the exhaustion weighing down my limbs. I could feel the fatigue setting in—muscles sore and aching, my body coated in a sheen of sweat and dirt. But I'd done it. I'd achieved what I set out to do.
Status de energia semanal
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