Chapter 22 – Flowing Water
SJ had just climbed out of the bath and was drying herself. Kibble had taken the opportunity to bathe himself and was currently splashing in the tub like a child.
"Kibble, stop that; you're drenching the place," SJ said.
Kibble ignored her, continuing to cascade water everywhere. SJ sighed as she walked through to her bedroom to get dressed, and as she did, there was a knock on the door.
"Two minutes," she called as she finished drying and pulled her dress on. She closed her wardrobe door, pulled on her soft indoor boots, and walked through to the lounge area. Her suite took up almost half of the top floor of the Wanderer's Rest. It was her home after all, not just a bed to sleep in. It had everything she needed: a lounge area with large, comfy sofas, a writing desk, and various other perfectly crafted pieces of furniture. The huge windows on either side let her look out into the peaceful forest and to the east, the snowcapped mountain ridges. A bathroom area with a large bath and basin. Then a large bedroom, with a luxurious bed, a storeroom and a tailoring area.
She hadn't worried about the costs, considering how much Nexis had left her. It wasn't opulent or extravagant; it was practical. The only extravagance stemmed from the cost of the crafting. All the furniture matched and had been crafted to order by Wendil, intricately carved and inlaid with various woods from the surrounding forest, making it feel part of the outside. This was the same for all the rooms in the lodging house. They all had a similar feel; she had wished to preserve the forest's rustic beauty.
"Kibble, that's enough," she said sternly as she moved back through the bathroom.
He grunted under his breath before hopping back out of the water. He then flew into the bedroom, grabbed the towel she had used, and started burying himself in it to dry off.
"Coming," SJ called as she crossed the lounge to the door.
Brother Liam greeted her as she opened it. "You did say to call in this evening."
"Please come in, I was just freshening up," SJ smiled, her damp hair trailing down her back. It was strange that her hair always dried quickly compared to the hours she could spend back on Earth blow-drying it, and once it did dry, it always took on the same style.
"Would you like a drink?" SJ asked.
"I'm fine, thank you."
"Please take a seat."
Brother Liam looked around the room at its practical yet beautiful furnishings.
"I have to say I am impressed with your lodgings," he nodded appreciatively. "My room is very similar, just not as large as this."
"Thank you. The crafter did an amazing job with all the furnishings."
"It's much nicer than my usual accommodation."
"Where do you usually stay in Asterfal?"
"I have a room in the tower."
SJ was surprised that he stated the accommodations were less than here. She had stayed in the tower, and that was a luxurious affair in comparison. Kibble suddenly appeared, coming hurtling into the lounge, his scales glittering beautifully in the early evening light coming through the window.
"He is a beautiful beast," Brother Liam said with admiration.
Kibble came to land on the edge of the sofa behind where SJ had sat, and he stood with his head held high.
"When he's not being a pain," SJ said.
"Hey, that's not nice," Kibble complained, squeaking at her.
SJ ignored him as she asked Brother Liam. "You wished to carry on our earlier conversation?"
"Yes. I would like to get to know more about you to support your training needs."
"Please ask away then," SJ said. She was still trying to come to terms with the fact that this man in front of her was over a hundred years old and also a Legionnaire.
"I believe I had been asking about your choice of being an assassin?" Liam said.
Her cheeks coloured slightly; her initial choice and decision now never seemed to hold the same meaning to her, although she still maintained her belief. "I wished to fight evil and perform actions for the good."
"As an assassin. That seems rather contradictory."
"Yes, I suppose in hindsight it may appear so, but I have maintained my integrity."
Liam nodded in understanding. "Brother Wilbert had told me your current levels, but could you please confirm?"
"My Incapacitation skill is currently at 9, and my Elimination is at 8, with my base Kata remaining at level 10. I have always assumed that never changes."
"That is correct; the base kata once maximised never increases further. At level ten, both Incapacitation and Elimination offer new choices."
"I have only ever really progressed them alongside my weapon use. I have never really focused on them as standalone skills."
"I can see that. If you were a dedicated martial artist, you should have opened up your further skills by now," he smiled knowingly.
SJ blushed. She didn't think she was doing badly overall.
"If you like, we can focus on your incapacitation skill to get it to level 10, then switch to the elimination skill. I would suggest that first."
"That sounds great. What do I need to do?"
"Train. If you focus on them, there is no reason why in a couple of weeks, if not sooner, you can't reach level 10, depending upon how much you do."
"That quickly?"
"Yes. Elimination and Incapacitation are just the basics of the skill tree. Have you not looked at the further options?"
"Yes, they sound interesting."
"They give you many options, and I would suggest, in time, getting all of them to improve your available options. Although I don't use weapons, the various techniques will support your claws further, although you will never receive certain bonuses from them if you fight with your claws equipped. That will be one reason your skills have taken so long to develop to the levels they are."
SJ felt a little embarrassed. She had picked Martial Arts as one of her main branches, but ever since getting her claws, her priority had always been their growth rather than her core skill tree.
"Do you mind if I show you your current moves?"
The lounge had enough floor space for them both to stand facing each other easily. "Of course," SJ said, standing and moving to the clear area.
Brother Liam walked over and stood in front of her a few feet away.
"Okay. I'm going to show you some of the advanced techniques. All I want you to do is try to strike me. You can even equip your claws if you wish."
There was no way SJ would equip her claws; her base damage was too severe, and he may be level 41, but she didn't want to damage him by accident. "No, I'll stay unarmed.
"As you wish."
"Are you ready?" SJ asked.
"Always," with a wry smile.
SJ lunged forward; her kata moves were so fluid, and her leg spun out in an instant, striking towards Liam's face.
Liam didn't even move; he stood there stock still, and SJ was expecting her foot to connect, concern registering when, at the last moment, his stance changed subtly. She had been awaiting resistance, and it never came as her leg flew past where his head had been only a moment before. She spun so quickly and, with no resistance, overbalanced, stumbling slightly before regaining her footing. She wasn't wearing her boots with the Sure Step skill, and she now wished she had changed into them.
She spun back around again, facing him, lightly balanced on the balls of her feet, this time striking at him with her fists. Liam seemed to vanish and reappear behind her; she wasn't sure what move he had made. It wasn't like Shadow Step. It had seemed as though she were stationary and he was moving around her, which hadn't been the case. The palm of Liam's hand gently brushed her back, and SJ staggered forward, completely off balance, almost crashing into her desk.
"Sorry. I may have performed that a little harder than I meant to," Liam said as SJ turned again and looked at him.
"Now that is one proficient martial artist," Dave said, sounding quite awe-inspired.
How did he even do that?
"He triggered a skill this time; it's the one known as Veil of the Hearth. On the first move, he didn't even trigger a skill; it appeared to be passive."
"Should I zap him? That would make him stay still?" Kibble asked.
"Don't even think about it," SJ said, turning to Kibble.
Liam frowned, following her gaze. "I see you can communicate with him."
"Yes, and it's a good job too. He just offered his services to support me. I don't believe you would appreciate being hit by his lightning."
"Preferably not," Liam chuckled. "Please try again." Liam just stood there again with his hands at his sides; he wasn't even attempting to take on any kata forms.
Their one-sided session was becoming very frustrating as, each time she went to strike, Liam did not even seem to move, dodging or easily blocking all her attempts. His movements were so fluid as though watching water pass over a smooth stone, yet subtle and controlled. There was no exertion or wasted energy in anything she performed.
They had been at it for almost ten minutes, and SJ was starting to become breathless as beads of sweat formed on her brow.
"I think we have done enough for today," Liam said.
SJ looked at him incredulously. "I was never even close to hitting you, was I?"
Liam's eyes sparkled with humour, although his face remained neutral. "You have tried admirably, and I will say you have got much closer than many to connecting, but unfortunately, you do have a way to go. It's obvious without the skill branch open that you have fallen behind."
"Were you triggering skills?"
"Only on a couple of occasions. Most of my actions were passive actions related to skill development." Liam still appeared as fresh as he had when he had first entered the room.
"I feel ashamed," SJ said, huffing. Kibble had got bored after watching the session and had curled up on a sofa.
"I thought you were doing well," Dave said, offering a supportive comment.
SJ poured herself a glass of water and took a seat on the sofa. "Well, I feel totally humiliated," she sighed deeply.
"Don't be," Liam said, sitting opposite her. "I know where to focus now to expedite your training. I believe that some of your current lack of fluency is due to your being so used to having claws as an extension of your fists when fighting."
"I thought I had always compensated for them well, still performing standard punches."
"In part, but there are gaps in distance judgment. It's easily rectified."
"So, there is still hope for me?"
Liam chuckled. "Yes, there is still hope if you focus on the techniques I will show you."
"Then please show me," SJ said, standing again. She wanted to understand the problems so she could stop the humiliation she felt at never once striking him.
"Tomorrow perhaps. I believe that a night contemplating your performance will assist with your focus."
SJ's mouth dropped open in shock. "So, you're going to leave me feeling useless overnight?"
"I wouldn't say you were useless by any means, but if you wish to make the most out of your martial arts skills, then a little time considering them will help more than rushing into training alone. Many of the techniques I will teach you aren't skills you trigger; they are more philosophical understandings. Spend this evening reflecting on your movement and precision."
SJ huffed in annoyance. "If I must." She stared at the floor, her head bowed in annoyance.
"Wow, you sound like a petulant child," Dave said.
SJ grimaced at her behaviour, her cheeks flushing again. "Sorry, that was a rather childish reaction."
Liam didn't respond immediately; instead, smiling at her and then added. "You are still young and have much to learn."
"I can see that now. I can also understand why you have done so well in the Asterfal tournaments."
Liam raised an eyebrow at the comment, a little surprised. "I'm guessing Mayor Maxwell spoke to you?"
"And Petunia, sorry, Her Worship."
Liam nodded. "That makes sense. Yes, I have won the unarmed combat section on several occasions now. But it doesn't mean that it will always be the case; that is why I still train as hard as I do to perfect my abilities continually."
"Do you mind if I ask which ones you have?"
"Not at all. The main skills I utilise are Veil of the Hearth, Flowing Willow, and Cascading Fall. There are various others, but they are offensive and not defensive skills, so I didn't utilise them."
SJ wasn't even sure she wished to see what his attacking style was like, considering how easily he had humiliated her using only his defensive abilities. "I dread to think how efficient you are when attacking."
Liam smiled again. "I am quite formidable against most."
"Can we discuss something else?"
"Yes, what would you wish to discuss?"
SJ had wanted to ask him since the first meeting. "What year on Earth are you from?" She still had never discussed it with Darren, although she had meant to on so many occasions since she had discovered the time variance.
Liam frowned, a little taken aback. "I've never been asked that before. I am from the year 795. Yourself?"
"2024."
It was Liam's turn to look shocked. "But how?" he answered the first time she had heard uncertainty in his voice."
"I'm aware that Legionnaires don't all come from the same time on Earth. From what I can tell, I am one of the latest here and from the current time period."
"You shouldn't really be discussing this," Dave interjected urgently.
Why not?
"Remember, his AI can't speak to him openly like I can with you. I doubt she has ever even had a general conversation with him. He would only know my kind as a guiding voice. I think I am going to get a visit from the auditors... and on that note, here they are... Bah, be right back."
Sorry, SJ thought she had only wished to understand herself more, and it did make her feel a little better about unsettling Liam after her humiliation.
A cold emptiness echoed in her mind, where Dave would usually be. It was always unnerving when he fell silent like this, more so than his usual complaints or sarcasm, and the Auditors were never a good sign. SJ blinked her eyes, clearing her mind and refocusing on the now.
"Are you alright?" Liam asked, registering her sudden discomfort.
"I... Yes, I'm fine, sorry," SJ apologised, her humiliation now felt like a cold weight in her stomach.
"Did your companion do something?"
SJ looked at him with surprise. "Do something?"
"Yes, did it say something to you? Mine does when I have said things I shouldn't have."
SJ's face creased with a grimace. "It stated auditors and left."
He nodded knowingly. "They will probably reprimand us. I once had my experience gains frozen for a whole month. That was only a few years after I had arrived. I haven't made the same mistake since. There are many things the System won't allow us to discuss, and you will discover in time." He stood, his movements once again filled with calm assurance. "I think I will leave you for this evening."
"Thank you for your time," SJ said genuinely as she rose.
"I look forward to our next meeting," he nodded politely. "Once I have taught you the basic needs, you will be able to practice them without me, and then once you have mastered them, I am sure we can find some time to meet in Asterfal."
"I would enjoy that," SJ said, showing him out.
Once Liam had left, SJ paced the room nervously. She has overstepped the mark with her inquisitive questioning and wondered what Dave was up to. Hopefully not causing further problems, she thought. Kibble could sense her worry and hopped up to the back of the sofa, and SJ stopped her pacing, stroking his head gently.
"At least you never leave me," SJ said.
"Never," Kibble replied, snuzzling into her palm.
