Few days had passed by.
In a corner of their yard, James can be seen relentlessly swinging his curve dagger at a practice animal stuff made of dried hay.
With each strike, he had to maintain his strength, not to lose half of the bundle of straw. This was so that he could control his strength with each strike using his curve dagger. At first, he would almost tear all the bundles apart, but after the third day, James was able to control almost seventy percent of his strength with his strikes.
But when his father changed the pattern, moving the targets by swinging them on strings tied to a tree branch, James once again had difficulty controlling the force of his attack.
'Dad, why is it so hard again…' Why can't just used the old style of target? James whined to his father.
'Son, remember, there is no free food in this world... we work hard to get everything. And we will not be successful in our life, if we do not go through the hardship of the process.' Daniel explained to his son.
'Remember, when you strike, you must consider the trajectory of the movement, along with all the factors in the area so that you can properly control the force of your attack on your target.' Daniel explained to his son.
And so that James could understand better, Daniel showed his son the correct hand position and body coordination, as well as the anticipation of his attack on moving targets.
'Wow! That's great.' James's awe comment on his father's control over his strikes.
As inspire as he is from his father's previous performance, James continued through what he learned from his father's demonstration. And as he gained an increased understanding of how to properly execute his attack without losing his control to his strikes. He became more passionate about what he does.
After several exchanges of questions and explanations between the father and son, there was a significant change and improvements in James' training, even the precision of his slashes and strikes on targets, shows good increase of accuracy, as well as, the finesse in the variants of his movements.
As a result, a week of practice lessons between the father and son, it was clear that James was able to show good amount of control in his strength, even when he was running, walking, or jumping on a mixture of stationary and moving targets, he hits according to his desired strength to used on his targets.
Very good, son. Daniel applauded James for his rapid improvements.
With James' natural talent, he is able to adapt quickly, and with his unique focus and dedication on what he wants to do, he is able to quickly and effectively do what his father teaches him in the training.
Therefore, at this time, Daniel, seeing that James' improvement was around eighty percent of what he likes to acheive, decided to stop training for now so that James could focus on his comprehension, where he could still improve in his training.
'That's enough practice lesson for today, son. Your mother is calling us. Tomorrow you can rest and think about where you can improve further.'
'Remember, my child, that training has a pattern or sequence, but only you can improve yourself further towards perfection, so that you can reach the peak of what you want to do.'
James wanted to continue his training for the reason that he was happy with his improvements, but he decided to follow his father's advice because he thought that controlling his strength in his attacks also meant controlling his emotions.
And after wiping off the sweat and changing clothes, the father and son walked back inside their house.
++++
The next day, James was sitting silently on a rock with his legs crossed without moving… his eyes were also closed and seems in a slow and sometimes rapid rhythmic of breathing. Next to him, his father was also sitting on a large boulder with the same position as his son.
This was the last day of the training his father had mentioned, so he was excited about what he was taught in this "Breathing Technique", He was even shocked by the results of this technique.
James feels a tiny of string like feeling inside that soothes and it slowly removing the exhaustion that accumulates inside his body due to his past practices and training.
Even Daniel is very satisfied with the results, as he imparts this breathing technique to James. He knows how useful this are to James when the time comes…this is to quickly recovers from his fatigue and ease the feeling from strenuous training or battle.
In the same way, he also explained to his son the importance of concentration to improve his inner self, so that the energy in his body can harmonize with his mind and back to his total consciousness. As Daniel sees the improvement, he was satisfied with James' quick understanding of what he was teaching.
++++
Meanwhile, in the afternoon, at their house, Daniel and Ruth were sitting in their living room.
'Whew! Time really flies quickly.'
'It was just a couple of years, yet now your son is going to higher school and soon get married.' Daniel talking to his wife while sitting in their leather sofa, observing James.
'Hey! What that's getting married for?'
'My James is still a kid.' Ruth smirk to Daniel while pouting her lips which she always did whenever she's irritated by the words of her husband...though she knows that her husband is just kidding her.
'Did you call Titus already? You need to ensure about the place where James will be staying to.' Immediately Ruth asked Daniel. The excitement was apparent in her voice but the worries cannot be hidden in her face still.
'Yeah, I already did. He's been the one calling me non-stop instead since last week about it… he seems more excited than I am.' Daniel answers back.
'Anyway, does James's things are neatly pack already? He needs to impress his teachers when he goes there.' Daniel says.
"He's ready. Everything's ready!" Ruth immediately answers Daniel.
While the couple is having a conversation, a sound of soft rhythmic knocking on the door was heard that awakens them.
Knock! Knock!
Knock! knock!
Ruth immediately quickens her pace to the door and opens it.
"Good afternoon, madam." greeted a young man. He looks on his early twenties wearing a formal suit, upon opening the door.
'OH! Hi there. Good afternoon to you too, Job!' Ruth greets back to the young man.
'Please come in side, you may sit down first.'
Job bended his head a little to Ruth to show respect and walk inside.
"Good morning, Senior Master!"
When Job saw Daniel sitting lazily in the couch, he remains standing with his body straightens up.
Daniel just nodded to the young man and smile… he eventually gestures him to sit on the chair too.
"Senior Master, I am very grateful to personally met you. It was an honor to be send here by my master Titus." Job's face is filled with admiration upon seeing Daniel. As this person is a bonafide Martial Master and a well-known Archmage in their school.
'You were always mentioned by Master Titus in his teaching in school…' Job was having difficulty in maintaining his composure but trying his hard not to embarrassed himself Infront while talking to Daniel.
He cannot explain the strong oppressive aura that emanates in this legendary figure while he is in front of Daniel, but he also feels a comforting feels whenever Daniel smiles while they were talking.
On the other hand, Daniel was just casually drinking his tea while occasionally nodding to Job.
'How's the situation in the university now?' Daniel asks Job.
'Its fine now sir...though some skirmishes with few rogues is on the sides, but it was easily settled by the Martial Mage… so still its generally peaceful as of this time, Senior Master.' Job replied.
'How about Titus?' Daniel asks again.
'The master just came out from his two years secluded training… he also wants to extend his greetings, he said that he will come, as soon as he settles some issues in the school.'
While Daniel and Job were chatting about Titus and their school, Ruth prepared tea and food for the two of them.
Job, stay for now, I've already prepared your room in the guest room so you can rest first... And tonight, we will be having a little party with our family and friends here, we will be throwing our son's Farewell party celebration. I hope you would enjoy your short stay here.
It is my pleasure madam to be at your service. Job immediately answers.
Ruth knew that Job was tired and probably hungry from his day trip. So as the host, she prepared enough food for their small gathering, and after their meal was done, they sent their staff to accompany Job to his room.
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