Chapter 10: Am I Special?

  Ray

  "The Elthias family is one of the oldest and most iial royal families ience, known for their immense wealth and trol over vast territories. We've been ierritory all along, a fact that underscores the danger and significe of our situation. Its leader and stro member is King Albert Elthias. Years ago, he and his eldest son had a falling out, leading Marshall Elthias to abandon the kingdom and create the anization we fought. Marshall is a blessing stealer, much like me. A blessing stealer absorb and permaly acquire the blessings of others, making them incredibly powerful aile, but also feared and mistrusted. One of the blessings he stole, Sed Life, saves him from death once a month. He spent the past month indulging in drinking and women, meaning the blessing would’ve been active during our attack. So yes, he’s alive," I expio my group as we made our way toward the Elthias capital.

  I paused for a moment before adding, "That information came from the muscur maraded it to escape, bartering his knowledge for his freedom—while my curse had trol of me."

  Taki

  When we began our journey, Ray decred it was time to train. He split us into pairs for practice. Akira and Maki, both skilled in close bat, sparred to refiheir unique fighting styles. Benjiro teamed up with Selia to gather resources. While doing so, Benjiro worked to expand the range of his sensory blessing, Wayves. That left me with Ray.

  My blessing isn’t particurly unique—I manipute water. Still, the first thing Ray told me was: “Your blessing is special, Taki. You have the potential to bee incredibly strong.”

  I stared at him in fusion. “Really? I don’t see how.”

  “I’ll make it simple for you, don’t worry.” He picked up his sword and added, “What makes a swreat?”

  I shrugged. “The sharpness? How solid it is?”

  “That’s a reasonable answer, but not quite the best one.” He walked to a tree and sliced through it with deliberate precision, demonstrating the movement with care and trol.

  Then, pig up a sturdy stick, he carved it into the shape of a wooden sword. Returning to aree, he performed the same slig motion with the stick. The tree fell just as ly.

  “How did you do that?” I asked, astonished.

  “e closer,” he instructed. “Unfortunately, talent ’t e from mere training. If you’re not bifted, others will surpass you.” As I approached, I noticed the sed cut was er than the first, even though it had been made with a wooden stibsp;

  “Does that mean I’m destio be a great swordsman?” I asked, my excitement bubbling over.

  He shook his head. “No. But you have the potential to do something even I ot. Do you remember what I told you first?”

  “That my blessing is special?”

  “Exactly. It’s special because it suits you perfectly. Hold out your hands.”

  I obeyed, and he called Benjiro over to do the same. “Do you notice the difference?”

  I nodded, fused. “Benjiro’s hands have subtle, natural tremors. Miay perfectly still and trolled.”

  “Your entire body is incredibly stable, not just your hands. That’s a rare gift. bihat with your water manipution, and you could create somethiraordinary. Water be as sharp as any bde when trolled with precision.”

  I nodded, determination sparking within me.

  “Now, use your blessing. Imagihe sharpest bde possible and cut that tree,” he directed.

  Closing my eyes to focus, I took a deep breath, feeling the energy flow through me as I summoned a water bde. The cool, fluid on shimmered like gss in my grip. My hand, steady and trolled, guided the bde with precision as I sshed at the tree, the sound of slig water resonating sharply in the air. When I opened my eyes, the cut was astonishing—er than even Ray’s.

  “Great job!” he said, g. Embarrassed, I turned away.

  “Look at what you did,” he added.

  I rushed to the tree and marveled at the perfect cut. From that moment, my training intensified. I practiced f precise water bdes and attag with accuracy. Ray spent most of his time meditating or training alo always checked on my progress.

  Ray

  Five days ter, I challeaki to a one-on-one fight. Her improvement was evident, and she was fident, even cocky. The athered to watch, curious to see both her progress and my fighting style.

  I started with my sword and enhanced body blessing, deliberately limiting myself. Taki summowo long water swords, sshing at trees and the ground near me but iionally missing. I smirked and disappeared from her sight, reappearing behind her.

  “Never hold back against me unless you want to…” I swung my sword in a precise, diagonal arc, cutting her long hair, sshing through her clothes, and leaving a painful scratch across the surface of her back before finishing, …die.”

  The attack recise—not lethal, but painful. She fell to the ground, groaning in agony. Benjiro muttered, “That’s too much for her,” and Selia moved to intervene, but I barked, “Stay back!”

  Kneeling beside Taki, I growled, “Get up. We’re just getting started.”

  Taki

  The pain was unbearable, but I forced myself to stand. This time, I summoned four water swords and unleashed a barrage of attacks. Ray dodged effortlessly, his movements fluid.

  “Mistake number one,” he said calmly. “You traded quality for quantity. Preatters. This is the foundation of everything I’ve been teag you. Without precision, your power is wasted, and your potential is squandered.” He easily deflected my bdes.

  Jumping out e, he tinued, “Mistake wo: your le attacks ck focus.” He hurled his sword toward me. I dodged, barely avoiding it. Desperate, I formed water bubbles ahem his way. Most missed, and the ohat hit had no effect. He grinned.

  “Mistake hree: you o work on your defense,” he said, vanishing from sight. Before I could react, he was behind me. I felt a sharp pain as his bde severed my left arm.

  I colpsed, defeated. Ray threw his sword aside and sat on the grass. “Listen carefully,” he said. “If you don’t stop the bleeding, you’ll die. You o be able to use your blessing under any circumstance.”

  Pointing at me, he shouted, “TAKI, show me if you’re special. Stand up!”