บท 19: Rocks
In the night, the commoner experienced a stronger connection with the shadows. He could still not use any skills of the dark state technique but his body felt a lot lighter as he focused on the exercise. His balance also improved.
When morning came Lauren did not make the same mistake as the day before and meditated seriously. This so-called game had a stronger stimulating effect on her than on Moss. He guessed that she had a more competitive mindset than him. However, the commoner was impatient as well because of the pieces of advice that this senior brother gave. They had already widened his view of his technique.
Before going out, the disciples took some time to speak.
-'Good morning, grandpa! How did your meditation go?'
-'It went well. Look at this.'
He went into a steady one arm handstand and looked at her from below.
-'How is it?'
-'You are not messing around! Let me try.'
When it came to balance and power Lauren was far from bad. She also managed it, but in a more shaky way.
-'That's hard. How can you do that so well when you were struggling with the headstand two weeks ago ?!'
-'It's the dark state practice. The way this new energy interacts with the one from the bright state... It is strange. It brings me balance, but sometimes I feel like I am splitting apart.'
-'Hey, don't say things like that.'
-'It's fine, don't worry. I am managing this. Now, are you ready to beat this senior brother black and blue ?'
-'More than ever. Let's go.'
Elehago waited for them outside as they had hoped, exactly where they had left him yesterday. He looked very angry, though.
-'Are you alright, senior? You seem irritated somehow.'
-'Irritated? Not at all. The rules will be a little different today. To win you still have to touch me once, but now I have the right to throw things at you. Worry not, I won't be too harsh.'
While saying that, he grabbed a rock on the ground and made it jump into his hand. That was not reassuring but they still wanted to give it a try.
-'Alright, senior brother, here I come!' Lauren said as she dashed forward. Fast, Moss noticed. Then he focused and a bright spot of light appeared on the senior's face like the day before. The man lifted his hand.
-'Oh?'
For a short while, Elehago's hand looked like a mirror capturing all the light and throwing it back on his face. He stumbled. Lauren closed in and threw her hand at him. For a moment he looked like he was doomed. Then the rock flew out of his hand. The girl felt a hard punch and her lungs emptied instantly. She could not help but drop on her knees. However, as she did that, the senior brother suddenly felt that his mind seal was under pressure. Mind subjugation! And a pretty strong one, at that. He stumbled again, as Moss arrived at high speed. He was even faster than the girl, and this time, Elehago's hand were short of throwing material. But the peasant never managed to touch him. The cultivator escaped at the last moment in a controlled leap, suddenly looking absolutely fine.
The disciples were confused. Had he been acting his distress?
-'Well done.' The senior said while bowing to pick another rock. 'Hey, why the puzzled look? Did you seriously believe that a senior would be troubled by some light and a beginners mind attack? You have ways to go. If you manage to find what I specialise in, it will already be a great achievement. But that won't be anytime soon, I fear.'
This senior sure was cocky. Sadly, there was nothing they could do to shut his mouth for now.
-'It cannot hurt to try.' Lauren said.
-'I wonder.' The senior answered.
Moss dodged the rock he had just thrown at him by a hair. The projectile brushed his shoulder with a strong whirr.
-'Lauren, shut it!'
-'Nice dodge.' Elehago complimented. 'Let me get another one.'
-'Don't let him!'
Now they were not trying to win but to prevent his attacks. The situation had taken a quick turn, and for the worst.
How was he supposed to go against him if his light reflections had no effect?
-'Brother.' Elehago called as he feinted a throw at Lauren, making her crash on the ground. 'Your mastery of the dual arts is commendable but your application severely lacks creativity. I may not be an expert in your cultivation art, but I know that your predecessors did not fight by blinding their enemies. But words are wind. Instead of thinking, try to catch this!'
And he threw his rock at him. This time's throw was stronger than the last by a lot.
Catch? Did he mean it literally or figuratively speaking? Fortunately, Moss's ability to think fast had also increased, else he would not have figured it out in time. A strong force. His reflective power. He meant for him to catch it literally.
There was no time to be afraid. The commoner extended his hand towards the rock and summoned his power. When he felt the strength packed into the stone, he thought that the impact would tear his arm off. However, that sensation was a lot more concrete than that of light. Somehow, the rock stopped in his hand, and it only grazed his skin. No broken bones, no dismemberment. It was the first time Moss felt this proud from simply holding a stone in his hand.
-'Did you see that?' He asked the sister.
She did not answer but looked fairly impressed.
-'Very nice!' Elehago said. 'Care to try again? I may have been a bit feeble in that last throw.'
Moss did not answer and anchored his feet on the ground. The next stone was a lot faster and hit a lot harder. However, the peasant was ready this time.
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