บท 10: Korin Tower
"That vision is truly terrifying," Kaelor murmured, his eyes fixed on the immense tower rising before him.
The structure seemed to defy the laws of physics, stretching infinitely toward the sky. Its absurd height and slender form emitted an almost palpable discomfort, as if at any moment it could collapse, crushing everything around it.
Kaelor took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the surroundings attentively, analyzing every detail.
After a brief moment, he concluded that there was nothing else worth his attention. Without hesitating any further, he took a step back, bracing himself. In an instant, he shot upwards at high speed, cutting through the wind as he soared towards the top.
When he finally looked down, a chill ran down his spine. Even knowing that he could easily recover his flight if he fell, the vastness of the void below caused an unexpected vertigo.
"Those damn hermits..." he thought through gritted teeth. "What's wrong with them? Does inner peace and virtue lead to sadism? Why don't they train somewhere more accessible, like a famous city? This is torture!"
As he grumbled internally, a sudden Ki energy flared behind him. Kaelor turned around naturally, his closed expression giving way to a controlled, subtle smile.
Behind him, with half-closed eyes and a serene expression, stood Korin, clutching his staff. The anthropomorphic cat radiated an extraordinary aura.
"So, you're a cheater?" Korin's voice broke the silence, firm and direct.
Surprised by the accusation, Kaelor immediately defended himself. "Not at all! I'm just a young man seeking to understand the wonders of the world and master the path of martial arts."
He straightened himself, trying to stay composed before the master. "What stands out the most about me, contrary to what you may think, are my virtues. I'm far from being a cheater; I'm a man of many virtues..."
Korin interrupted with a dismissive gesture. "You should have climbed the tower. Flying up here skips the process, which makes you a cheater."
"There wasn't a rulebook saying what I could or couldn't do!" Kaelor quickly retorted, trying to justify his actions.
"I even looked around but found nothing saying otherwise."
Korin ignored the explanation and calmly spoke:
"Very well. You came to my tower seeking guidance in martial arts, correct?"
Kaelor nodded eagerly.
Korin continued:
"My training method is based on a fundamental principle: honing the warrior through my martial philosophy, aiding in self-improvement. To become stronger, one must be resolute, always striving to surpass their limits, persevering and being persistent."
Kaelor interrupted with a determined gaze.
"I understand your perspective and share it in many ways, but I have my own understanding of martial arts. I trained with Master Roshi and Master Shen. With Master Roshi, I learned that Kung Fu is a skill of constant improvement, with no limits. From Master Shen, I learned to be ruthless with my opponents."
He paused, weighing his words.
"What I seek from your guidance is quite specific. I want to improve my Ki control, drink the celestial water, and finally, train with Mr. Popo and Kami."
Korin analyzed Kaelor's words carefully, evaluating the young man before him. After a moment of silence, he responded:
"Very well. I understand your perspective, and I can sense honesty in 'some' of your words. So here's what we'll do: you will train with me for a few months, and during that time, I will evaluate you. Afterward, I'll decide if you're ready to continue your training with Kami."
Months passed, and Kaelor grew progressively stronger. He was immersed in his training, his heavy breathing echoing across the vastness of Korin's Tower.
The constant effort made his muscles burn, but he didn't yield. The challenge only made him more determined.
Korin observed from his post, calm and serene.
The old master didn't move a muscle, but his sharp, penetrating eyes were fixed on Kaelor, ready to catch any failure or success.
The silence was profound, broken only by the wind and Kaelor's heavy steps as he ascended and descended the tower, refining and advancing with each new movement.
With each climb, the intensity of the training increased. His body begged for rest, but his mind refused to stop.
Korin's words echoed in his mind: "Surpassing your limits is not just a matter of strength but of persistence."
The pain was inevitable, but Kaelor also felt the pleasure of surpassing himself. Sweat poured down his face, and his energy dwindled with each step, but his eyes remained fixed on a single goal: achieving the seemingly unattainable.
He understood that the training wasn't just physical; it was also spiritual, a process of molding his mind, body, and Ki into something stronger and more resilient.
With every mistake, Kaelor felt frustration, but simultaneously, determination grew within him.
He knew that, in the end, if he succeeded, his body and mind would be stronger, faster, and wiser.
Korin, silently observing, had no urgency. He knew that Kaelor was already learning the most important lesson: true strength comes from within, from persistence in the face of adversity.
Then, with a shout, Kaelor released all his Ki. His power erupted, visibly radiating around him, causing the environment to tremble.
Martial arts masters across the world sensed his growing energy.
Korin, observing intently, sensed Kaelor's power and remarked in a grave tone:
"Very well, you've become stronger. I think you're ready to continue your training with Kami."
Kaelor, however, interrupted the master:
"I still need to drink the celestial water, if I'm not mistaken."
Korin looked at him with a faint smile.
"The sacred water doesn't exist. What I sought with that rumor was to inspire warriors with the idea of a reward. The truth is, the training itself is what truly makes you stronger."
Kaelor smiled back, confident.
"I know there are two sacred waters. One is fake, just regular tap water, and the other... is real. I want the water that can make me stronger."
Korin raised an eyebrow, surprised.
"How do you know this?"
For a moment, Kaelor thought about answering truthfully: "I watched Dragon Ball, of course I know this."
But he quickly corrected himself and replied:
"A guess. I've always been good at reading circumstances."
Korin sighed, visibly reluctant.
"The reason I don't want you to drink that water is that it's poisonous. It can be dangerous. You can grow stronger without it."
Kaelor, with his usual confidence, tried to reassure the master.
"Don't worry, Master Korin. I have confidence in my resilience."
He paused, his gaze shining with determination.
"Besides, I'm no mere human; I'm a Saiyan, a member of a powerful clan of universal warriors. I wouldn't die from a simple poisonous water."
Korin furrowed his brow.
"Jeans?"
Kaelor was taken aback but quickly corrected him:
"Saiyans! I'm a Saiyan and can withstand this poisonous water. Trust me."
Korin took a deep breath, acknowledging Kaelor's unwavering determination. After a moment of hesitation, he finally decided to grant Kaelor's request.
"Very well," Korin said, handing him the container. "You may drink it, then. But remember one thing: true strength comes from endurance, not from the water."
Kaelor looked at the liquid in his hand. He felt slight hesitation but ignored the sensation. With his unyielding spirit, he prepared for the challenge.
Failure wasn't an option. Holding the container firmly, Kaelor took a sip.
The ultra-divine water burned like fire, an excruciating pain spreading rapidly throughout his body.
He realized that if he didn't swallow it all at once, the pain would be unbearable. Without hesitating, he turned the container and gulped its entire contents.
Kaelor writhed on the floor, the pain indescribable, almost beyond bearing. He stayed there, gasping in agony, while Korin observed with an impassive gaze, though a faint hint of anxiety flickered in his eyes.
He had anticipated this scenario but was confident Kaelor would survive, which is why he hadn't forbidden it, though he remained vigilant during the ordeal.
After the torment passed, Kaelor finally rose. His body trembled, but he felt stronger.
His power had multiplied, and he could feel energy flowing through him in a renewed way. He had successfully achieved his goal at Korin's Tower.
Now, he was ready to continue his training with Popo and Kami.
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ludico
ludico I plan to create two more chapters in this training dynamic, and then return to exploring the Dragon Ball universe. I'm finding it very interesting to revisit these classic Dragon Ball sagas, yesterday I had an appointment and couldn't write, I'll try to make up for it by releasing another chapter today.
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