- Same Day After the Physical Training-
"Huff.. Huff..
Hah!!! Why is it so tiring to do simple training? I feel like dying," said Kori who had his hands on his legs as he was exhausted.
"Take some rest to freshen up. We need to do the studies next."
"Yeah."
"Stop saying yeah like you're cool or something."
This palace is the Trinity Temple… I once called it my home.
Kori looked up and saw the shabby looking wooden hall that he woke up in. Its colour had turned brown from the original red. To the right were two structures made of stone.
It was destroyed by a member of an evil group named Kyomu.
Kyomu... They were the ones who killed all of my comrades. In the end I died before I could kill them all. But this time it's different. I'll become stronger than those demons.
"Go ahead Uroi. I'll be there soon," said Kori as he changed into a blue and black coloured uniform.
"Don't be late you moron."
I missed seeing him get angry at me.
Kori got up and walked outside.
This place is a temple. The monks take in the children who have lost their families. They feed us, train us and give us education for free so we can live a normal life just like others.
In my previous life I couldn't finish my training or learn any martial art of mount Kamadu.
The temple has strict rules for our schedule. In the morning we do physical training till the sun completely rises. And then we do our studies till the evening. We get time to eat meals after our physical training and studies.
- Later in the classroom -
"Alright. Now that all of you are here I'll start the class. Today we are going to learn about the medicinal herbs of Mt…"
It feels unnatural to be here. It is so peaceful. Far different than my previous life where I couldn't even imagine sitting idly as the time passed by.
"Kori! Stop looking outside and pay attention to the class," said the teacher.
"Ah! Yes master."
Now that I think about it, I was never good at studies. In my previous life I learned the Karou language from that person but I was bad at writing sentences.
"Master, what happens if we mix Kobi herb with the Ginseng powder?"
"That is an excellent question, Uroi. So when you mix those two together…"
Uroi… He was always great at this stuff. He used to score the best marks in both written and practical exams.
"Master, is the Jineg herb okay to eat?" asked a boy who was sitting at some distance away from Kori.
"Why do you always think about eating everything!!!"
"Ah, I'm just feeling hungry. I'm sorry master."
Kori looked at that boy.
I remember him. He is our senior brother Kavi. I don't remember much about him other than the fact he was the only one even more bad at studies than me. But when it comes to martial arts, he was the best in the temple. He even learned the Seven Trinity technique of the temple.
If it's him, I should…
- After the class -
"Kori, let's go eat a meal. Today we get to eat Shiri master's special bean-rice."
"Huh? Yes. But before that…"
Kori walked towards someone.
There he is. This is my chance.
Kori shouted, "Brother Kavi. Please duel with me!!!"
"Kori. Have you gone crazy? What are you talking about?" shouted Uroi.
"Ah. You're our junior brother. I see your name is Kori…" said Kavi.
"Junior brother, why are you requesting duel with me? Ask one of the juniors."
I knew he would say that. Regardless of how bad he is with studies he is always calm when it comes to martial arts. He knows that I don't have skills to fight him so won't take the risk of injuring me. If it's him he won't fall for childish provocations either. But…
"I know I'm just a junior and lack the skills to fight you, but if you duel with me I can give you something special."
"Special? What are you talking about?"
Now..
"I can help you do better on the exams."
Flustered, Kavi replied, "Help me! What are you talking about? I don't need your help. You're not any better than me. How could you make me better at studies when you are barely passing your classes?"
"I know that senior brother. But I wasn't talking about me."
Kori pointed his finger towards Uroi, "I was talking about him. If you duel me he will help you study."
Visibly annoyed,Uroi yelled, "What are you talking about you moron? I never agreed to help anyone. I barely have time to study by myself."
I know how to get him to do this.
"Uroi, you can have my black beans at lunch in return."
"Stop bribing me. I'll do it."
- Immediate handshake -
I knew it, he is a simple guy who loves to eat tasty food.
Kori looked towards Kavi and asked, "Senior brother, please reconsider."
"Alright. If he'll teach me, I'll duel with you," said Kavi with a smiling face.
Yes! I got him. I am well aware that I cannot defeat him with this body but I have memories of countless battles from my past. I'll use this chance to analyse my current abilities.
"Junior brother, follow me to the training grounds."
- At the training grounds -
A few of the disciples followed them and formed a circle around both.
Kavi stretched his body, jumped a few times and took a stance.
Senior brother Kavi, his stance is solid like a rock. I know he'll use the Seven Trinity technique to immediately overpower me with his strength. But he's not the only one that knows the technique.
My current aura inside this body is extremely low, so I'll have to save it for a sure hit.
Kori took a stance.
"Here I come, junior brother."
Kavi dashed towards him.
This is it. He is attacking first with a straight punch, I'll duck down and throw an uppercut.
"Foosh…"
Kori moved back to dodged the punch.
Kavi also moved forward. With his left foot on the ground he aggressively moved his right leg towards him.
Too fast, he's kicking now. I can't dodge, have to block.
"Thud!"
The kick hit Kori's crossed arms and pushed him back.
Damn it! That hurts. He has an upper hand when it comes to raw strength and he's also faster than my body can react. I have to use that technique.
The Seven Trinity techniques are only first level aura techniques. The aura within him can increase the power of attacks which perfectly suits his fighting style.
Kavi dashed again.
Another straight punch? I'll block it.
Kori grabbed his right hand from behind and moved it forward.
"Thud!"
The punch was a direct hit. At the spot of the hit, some smoke was coming out of Kori's palm.
Damn it, that was more power than I'd thought. My palm hurts.
"Kori that moron. What is he thinking, fighting a senior disciple? He's being overpowered by brother Kavi's attack, at this rate he won't last," thought Uroi from the spectating crowd.
It hurts, but now's my chance.
Kori charged forward. He moved his right foot straight up, towards Kavi's face.
He moved back. Then I'll…
As his right foot touched the ground, Kori leaned his upper body forward and immediately rotated his left leg towards Kavi's head.
"Thudd!!!"
Kavi blocked the high kick with his wrists.
With a smiling face he said, "You're doing way better than I had imagined, junior brother!"
Kori moved back and started breathing heavily.
Huff.. I'm already this tired from a simple kick.
Kavi ran towards, moved his right leg up in the air and thrust his foot right down. Kori moved back.
"Thud!!!"
It hit the ground and stirred up dust.
I dodged it. Now.. before he can move his leg.
A transparent substance called aura moved inside Kori's body. It flowed through his veins, from the stomach area to his right arm and reached around his right fist as he threw a punch.
"Thud!!" It made a loud noise.
"Aura Enhancement - Seven Trinity!" said Kori after the punch.
Kavi blocked it with his arms.
Tck! He's standing firm.
While Seven Trinity can increase the power, its rigid movements are a downside. Brother Kavi won't be able to move quickly because of it.
I know the perfect technique to attack with. Just take a deep breath and…
The aura flowed to his right leg.
"Thud!"
"Aura Enhancement - Severance Kick!"
The kick was faster now. It hit Kavi, who still had his arms up.
"Damn it. That hurts. That was not only fast but also powerful. Did he say Severance, I never heard of it," thought Kavi.
The disciples in the crowd made cheering noises.
Brother Kori, did he learn a new martial art? At this young age. I see, he wasn't messing around when he asked me for duel.
"I see that you can use aura too, junior brother. But it's far too unrefined.
You need more aura training to fully master this amazing attack of yours," said Kavi with a wide smile on his face.
I know that already. At this point I'm barely able to use any aura. He can overpower me at any moment.
"You can do better with the Seven Trinity technique on your left leg for a firmer stance and then the other on the left."
He is right. That would've strengthened my stance while giving me speed and fluidity to attack. Brother Kavi, his personality is the same as I remember.
Giving me pointers mid battle, that's brother Kavi for you. I can't lose him this time. For him and others, I'll become stronger at any cost.
"Here I come junior brother, use your full strength or it might break your bones."
Kavi dashed towards Kori.
Straight punch again? I'll block. Wait no, he's using his aura now, block won't work. Then…
The aura inside his body flowed to his feet, he lowered down a bit and jumped.
"Seven Trinity + Severance!"
Kori's entire body flipped forward. Mid-air his left arm touched the hair of Kavi's head.
As his feet touched the ground, the aura flowed to his left leg and his right immediately rotated towards the back, aimed at Kavi's head.
Kavi channeled the aura inside his body towards his right arm. He firmly moved his right arm up in the air without looking back.
"Thud!"
His smile widened and he said, "That was great, junior brother. You used my advice to attack but the power has dropped significantly.
Aura Enhancement - Seven Trinity!"
Kavi moved his left arm behind and right arm followed as he formed a fist, rotating his body behind.
"Thud!!"
Kori blocked the hit with his arms.
Damn it! His attack hurt more even though it had no aura. I'll have to..
Kori tried to move back but the Kavi dashed instantly towards him.
"Foosh!"
"Not so soon! Junior brother.
Seven Trinity - Full Throttle!"
I can't block that!
Kori channeled his remaining aura to his feet and jumped back.
"Severance Dash!"
He avoided the hit.
"Amazing, junior brother. That was really fast. Show me what you'll do if I…"
"I admit defeat! Huff.. Huff.."
Kori was sweating profusely trying to catch his breath.
Damn it. I'm out of aura and my body feels like it's breaking. I need to stop this here. I need rest.
Kavi moved his legs back and stood straight, "If you say so junior brother! I was going to show you something cool. But it can't be helped."
Kori pressed his fist with a palm and bowed forward, "Thank you senior brother. I'll learn it next time."
"Next time you say. Interesting. Alright! Let's go eat. This duel has made me hungry!!"
"Yes, brother. Uroi lets go to the food hall. I owe you black beans."
Uroi, who was staring at Kori while processing what just happened, uttered, "Ah. Yes. Kori that was amazing. How did you learn to fight like…"
- At the food hall -
"Senior brother Ryuk!"
"What is it?"
"I just saw the duel between brother Kavi and our junior brother?"
"So what? Why are you bothering me while eating?"
"It was amazing senior brother. Our junior brother held his own during the duel. Not to mention he also landed a few attacks."
"He landed a few you say!"
That is new. Even I have a hard time landing attacks on Kavi. I need to find out who this junior brother is.