Ch 141: Midnight Practice

2.3K 73 23
                                    

"Wave leaping strike?" Lin Yie asks, "Is it powerful?"

"It's not about power," Skadi says, "This technique can only activate your potential."

She breathes out slowly.

Lin Yie is about to ask her how the wave leaping strike would fare against Sarkaz fighters, but her next move cuts him off.

Skadi suddenly raises her sword.

Lin Yie gulps.

Nonetheless, he unsheathes his sword.

Skadi says softly, "Relax. I'll hold myself back."

But before Lin Yie can get ready, Skadi's mouth curls up as her sword suddenly swings down at him.

*Clank*

*Thud*

Lin Yie can feel his bones rattling after the impact. His sword is knocked out of his hands.

"That's it?" Skadi stares down at him.

How terrifying...

When Lin Yie gets back up, Skadi asks, "Did you even try?"

"Of course I did," Lin Yie sighs, "But is this really something I can learn?"

"That depends on your talent," Skadi says, "Or rather, what you are."

"What?"

"Take off your clothes."

Lin Yie pauses, "Why do I have to undress?"

"It'll make you stronger."

The conversation is getting weirder by the minute.

"Fine," Lin Yie mutters, "I'm a man. Why would I be afraid of this?"

He takes off his shirt.

"And your pants."

He takes off his pants.

"And your under-"

Lin Yie cuts her off, "Enough!"

"Um?" Skadi frowns.

She walks up to him and puts her hand on his chest.

"I think the first spot is here..." She mutters.

*Hiss*

Lin Yie shudders as he feels rejuvenated. He stutters, "What-what did you do?"

Skadi ignores his question and suddenly pokes another location with her index finger.

Lin Yie clenches his teeth in pain. It feels like electricity is coursing through his body.

Skadi looks at Lin Yie in silence.

After a while, she says, "It seems we are not from the same race."

LIn Yie's mouth twitches, but before he can say anything, Skadi applies more force on his body.

"Ahhhhh!"

The screams of a man in pain reverberate across the fourth floor.

...

Ten minutes later, Lin Yie plops down into a chair, panting heavily.

He didn't even do anything, but he feels so exhausted.

Skadi inspects him in silence. She shakes her head and teaches him how to breathe properly.

...

After repeating the steps Skadi told him, Lin Yie manages to catch his breath quickly.

"What is this?"

He's shocked.

"I see."

"What did you see?"

Skadi says, "You can learn the skill."

"What?" Lin Yie raises an eyebrow, "I thought it depends on what I am."

Skadi nods, "Yes. It depends on your race."

"You mean..."

"Before Terra was formed, there were two races living underwater, and later on, they formed an alliance to fight against the powerful beings from the abyss, but as time passed on, those beings went extinct, and the alliance dissolved."

Lin Yie widens his eyes at Skadi's lengthy explanation. He gasps, "Are you saying the group that went ashore were the original humans?"

Skadi nods.

Ignoring Lin Yie's incredulous expression, Skadi says, "Wave leaping strike was actually the product of that alliance, but its secrets have been buried with time. Right now, only my race knows how to do it."

She lifts her sword up again.

Lin Yie raises an eyebrow, "So-so my ancestors weren't monkeys?"

"I'm coming," Skadi says.

And she really meant it.

"To slice winds and cut waves... that's the wave leaping strike."

Lin Yie takes a step back subconsciously. He's gripping his sword so hard that his knuckles are turning white.

To be frank, he has no idea what he should do right now. All he can really do is stand firm and brave the storm.

So, even when the "waves" are threatening to tackle and devour him entirely, Lin Yie clenches his teeth and pours every last bit of power he has.

Into one swing.

*Clank*

Lin Yie stares at his hands in shock.

I did it. I... really did it.

Skadi smiles softly, "So the myth is true."

------------------------------------

Draft by Demosama

Proofread by PanzerComrade56

Rhodes Island's PsychologistWhere stories live. Discover now