First The Prologue

Chapter 9

“Haa.. Haa..”

“Come on Ayaka! You can do it more!”

Right now I’m fighting Uncle Tom and it’s been 1 ½ years since I started learning all of the martial arts. Now I’m putting all of my knowledge and experience on this match. I tasted many defeats and failures in the past year. I barely sleep and I only eat most of the time. Thanks to my first cultivation, my energy is getting back when I feel tired. Since the new power I gained in the past year it has helped me significantly and the pain I receive when breaking my dantian is still hurting me but bearable. Also I have grown taller and my muscles look great!

“Hey! What are you spacing about? So, you’re thinking something else huh?! You chose your death you fool! Courting death!”

“[Ah shit.. He’s pissed right now! Ok I will fight him head on!]”

He rushed to me as if he had found his prey and he pulled a punch but when I was going to evade it. He suddenly switched into tackle and I barely avoided it by stepping back and then I prepared my legs to kick him in the face and it connected!

“Heh.. that one is good not gonna lie.. But you should continue to attack!”

“[Huuu I should remain calm and make my foot work and defense more efficiently.]”

He rushed again but now is different.. he is more calm and all of his attacks now barely connect to my face! As I continue to dodge his attack the more pressure I feel.

“[Let’s counterattack.]”

The moment he swung his arm I dodge it and prepare to attack his liver but after I land a 2 consecutive punch he doesn't flinch. I quickly pulled out my arm, but the moment I pulled it, Uncle Tom caught my arm and then he got close to me.

“Gotcha! Now get ready to battle on the ground.”

Both of us are on the ground and Uncle Tom is hitting me in the face with his elbow and I am just barely surviving at this point.

“Ugh!”

He then continued hitting my face with his elbow and then he hit my abdomen with force and not only that he also punched my sides. Resulting in my breathing becoming more difficult, then I hugged his head but he was still hitting me from the sides. Then Grandpa Bing announced that the fight is over because I can’t guard myself enough.

“*Huff* *Huff*.. Thanks for the sparring Master Tom!”

“No problem Ayaka, I think you do what you can do in this match!”

“Thank you!.. *haa..* *haa..* but don’t hit my face harder!”

“Yeah, I’ll try to not hit your face but as you can see it is inevitable when it comes to sparring.”

“Yeah.. fair enough.. So, how is my performance right now Master Bing?”

“I think you really improved now! But you still need to get big, as you know your difference is body and size. Also you need more experience to fight different kinds of opponents but other than that you did great today.”

“Awesome! Thanks for the insight Master!”

“I think you’re ready to proceed with weapons.”

“Yippee! Now I can learn some fancy movements!”

“Congrats Ayaka!”

“Thank you Master Tom!”

“By the way, Tom, are those things ready?”

“I need more days to complete those and we are ready to use it.”

“Master, what are you two talking about?”

“Some equipment that you can use in your training.”

“Oh! That’s nice.”

“Now we can go into the kitchen and eat. It’s been awhile since we ate. I bet that Herbert is already finished cooking our meals.”

After our training we went outside of the portal and it’s been awhile since I went outside. The flow of time in the portal is the same with this world and I don’t know why they do that but I guess it has a reason but anyway I’m famished right now and my cells are crying. When we arrive in the kitchen the smell of the food makes me excited and my tummy is rumbling like crazy.

“Here Ayaka, eat all of this food to your heart content.”

“[I want to devour every food here right now.. But I should have manners when eating.]”

I washed my hands first and then I got some plates enough for us to use. When I already finished distributing the plates. I went to my place and got some appetizers first, then I got soup and salad. When I taste the salad it has great texture and the dressing Grandpa Herbert uses here is not heavy. After I eat all of my salad, the next thing I eat is the soup. This soup is hot but the flavor is exquisite. I don’t know what kind of meat did Grandpa Herbert use but it gave me energy. After that I get my main course which is a steak. The way they cook steak here is well done, which is not good if I’m on my own world but this piece of meat is so tender! Every slice and bite makes me want more, which is what I did. After the meat I eat this seafood thing it feels like a soft crab the way I see it, nonetheless this soft crab has been fried and it’s so crunchy! Next one, this pasta is a simple dish. It only has chili, garlic, oil, and pasta. All I ate so far is quite strong and this pasta is good to lighten my taste. Dessert is my final and important of all, I got this leche flan and ice cream and oh boy! This sugar indeed makes my meal into a perfect one! I love you dessert!

After we ate I helped Grandpa Herbert to clean the plates and after that Master Bing said that I have free time to sleep or roam. I want to roam a bit since it’s been awhile since I go outside but the effect of food in my stomach makes me feel sleepy. So, I just take a nap at my cabin and before I sleep I bathe first to remove my fatigue and the sticky feeling I have.

5 hours passed and I woke up in my sleep because my tummy needed more food and I went to the kitchen. I arrive at the kitchen and I see three of them preparing food. I asked them if they wanted my assistance but they told me just to sit and play some games. If ever I have this kind of male in my life, things are easier but I need to be worthy to be his partner. I hope when things are over I can prioritize my love life back at my world.

After they finished cooking, I prepared the table and we ate. We take out time to eat and after we finish eating we go to the portal. Upon entering, Master Bing introduces the 3 weapons I will use.

“Now Ayaka, these weapons are mostly or widely used because of how good and practical they are. Spear, sword, and bow. These three are the main weapons both in our world, aside from the gun in your world. Pick the weapon that you feel is easy and don’t worry because you will learn all of these weapons.”

“I will take the spear.”

“Ok, a spear is the easiest weapon to wield, even a kid can handle a spear. Only two skills you will learn are thrusting and defense.”

“Eh? I will not do some slashing or swinging?”

“You can do some slashing with spears but to fully utilize the advantage of it, which is the length of the spear you must learn how to thrust and the defense of the spear is maintaining your distance with your enemy.”

“Oooh I see, I see.”

“Now get some spears there and we will begin your training.”

{Few seconds..}

“Master! This spear is so light!”

“Yes, but the spear you are holding is also a heavy one.”

“Eh?”

“Just shout x2 as in x2.”

“X2!”

“Do you feel any weight?”

“Nothing much?”

“Then shout x4.”

“X4!”

“Any difference?”

“Woah! The weight changed. But still comfortable to wield it.”

“That weight is suitable at your level to use it. We will increase its weight until you reach the final weight of the spear.”

“But why?”

“So that any weapon you use, the weight will not bother you and in the near future you might hold something legendary or something.”

“Ooooh.. Okay master!”

“Now, we begin your spear training now!”

I began to thrust the spear easily because the weight is good. Until my master also began increasing the weight of it. This also means that my body and especially my muscles need to work harder. Then Master Bing adds the defense in spear and to do that I need a opponent. He finds Master Herbert and asks him if it’s ok to be my opponent and he agrees to it. Then Master Bing explained to me the defense of it by measuring the distance of the opponent and its weapon.

“When an opponent who wield a melee weapon which is not long as spear, charge at you the easiest to do is increase the distance between you and at the same time you attack it.”

“ I see Master, but how about the weapon who has a long range attack or the same with a spear?”

“Good question, for the same length just like a spear or longer. The best you can do is to timing the attack and be quick or else you are the one who will be defeated. Use your feet and body when evading your opponent's attack also don’t panic, because if you panic, your body will be stiff. For your long range attack the best you can do is to hide.”

“Hide only?”

“Yes, what else can you do with long range weapons?”

“Oooh..”

“But it only applies in normal circumstances, you can overcome that by having a strong and sturdy body or invulnerability. Another one is eyes that can keep up with the speed of the object. But the best thing is having both a strong body and good eyesight. Also you must have a good reaction/reflex so that you can dodge it and speed so that you can cut the distance with you.”

After the discussion, me and Master Herbert spar with each other. At first I only dodge the attacks while the weight is heavy and it makes my movement awkward and slow. Many times I have been bonked or thrust in different parts of my body but it gradually lessened because I managed to overcome the weight of my spear overtime.”

“Oooh! You managed to dodge that Ayaka, I think you can take your break now.”

“Woooo! It’s been 3 months since I took a break!”

“Here guys! Take your meals.”

“Thanks Uncle Tom!”

“By the way Bing and Herbert, how’s Ayaka progressing?”

“*munch* *munch* She’s ready for the next weapon and I think by the time she finishes the bow and arrow, we will teach her footwork/movements(qinggong), unknown body, telekinesis, and coating qi in her weapon.”

“I may also add that during her ki coating, I will teach her magic.”

“Woah, we're really progressing faster aren’t we?”

“Yes, I think because of her body improving day by day and her first cultivation it became faster.”

“Also because I have great teachers even though you don’t consider yourselves as great masters!”

“Oh? Why are you complimenting us now? Smells fishy to be honest.”

“Isn't it obvious Uncle Tom? I'm flattering you all so that you can be lax in my training and also doubling the amount of my dessert! HAHAHAHA!”

“You brat! if you’re complimenting us you should hide your intention!”

We enjoyed the meal Uncle Tom prepared for us. For me I usually love these kind of moments, where it’s peaceful and slow. I don’t know if my masters also feel the same way like mine but I hope my Masters enjoy this kind of time.

As we finished our meals, We continue my training and now with swords. Just like the spear, it increases the weight of it. I thought swords were also easy but when I practiced the basics of swords I found that I need more strength and power to be able to cut something. Also the foot work, I need to be sure while approaching the enemies to be more agile and less fancy movement the better. It is also hard to parry! Which I thought it's easy but no! If I don't be careful enough my fingers or my whole hand will be cut off. Not only that but it can also lead to my early death.

According to Master Bing, when using weapons especially swords. One should inflict a critical attack to the opponent in one strike preferably. I can also do some chain combo to disarm my enemy but it will need more sparring and actual experience. Master Bing always reminds me that when it comes to fighting the fight should not last longer than a seconds in a normal bout.

The only time if the fight is longer is when the opponent has a strong body, will power, power, etc. I guess the anime and movies I see makes sense if both parties are equal, aside from the fact to make it more appealing. But still it can also take only a second to finish an opponent with this kind of trait.

In four months, I successfully finished the sword. Even though I'm finished with swords I need to polish more of my skills, same with the spear and reviewing the different tricks on both weapons. The next and final weapon I will try is the bow and arrow. This weapon requires me to have patience, accuracy, flexibility, and creativity. Same with the first two weapons, it also increases the weight of it but the catch here is that the string also has different difficulty.

It needs more strength to pull the string which is quite difficult because I have a task to achieve where I need to hit a target while moving. Concentration is hard at first because of the weight and force needed to operate this weapon. Moving, shooting, accuracy, and awareness, all of this has been improved. It’s awesome when you really learn archery it seems you are invincible. I also learned not to be scared or panic when your enemy is close to you. I should do a close range attack to compensate for the disadvantage of bow and arrow. All of these and other tricks and techniques I learned and it took 5 months to complete. Well the first 2 months are the most difficult but the rest 3 months are a breeze.

Anyway, right now I’m waiting for my masters in the training ground. They want to assess me to see if I can go to qinggong. Right now, I’m confident in my skills. I don't mean to be arrogant, but this assessment makes me feel excited. I warm up myself first so that when my masters arrive I can take the test asap. By the way, the state of my first cultivation is pretty good, it has improved so much as if I don't get tired! Even my muscles or cells, whenever I break my dantian my body goes refresh mode as if you have a good sleep.

Truly this cultivation is good! After this monologue my masters arrive.

“Ayaka, are you ready for your assessment?”

“Yes Master!”

“Alright, now I will inform you about your test now.”

“Yes Master.”

“Your test is surviving or enduring for 1 minute with three weapons you learned. The opponent you will face is an A.I where your Master Tom developed. These A.I’s are powerful enough to kill someone just think of it as powerful as we are in our base form.”

“Eh?!”

“Now, surviving at least a minute is proof that you are equal in our based form and you will learn the qinggong, unknown body, ki coating, and telekinesis, after you pass the three. Which is the final lessons in this 2nd cultivation.”

“Ok, Master Bing! I am ready even though I was flabbergasted by the difficulty.”

“Yes, that is the right attitude Ayaka! Now suffer and conquer your weakness!”

“Yes Master!”

I go to the arena and ready myself for my first opponent. The opponent I have an A.I with bow and arrow weapon while I use is a sword. Clearly I have a disadvantage on this matter but since I learned different movements on swords and its footwork, I think I have an upper hand on this match unless this A.I pulls something unexpected.

The match starts and I slowly make my way to the opponent but as expected it’s hard because this A.I is shooting 3 arrows at the same time while it’s moving. I don’t forget that this test is only a minute only. But hell it feels like eternity when facing this opponent, every shot is lethal and fast. I managed to fend and dodge the arrows which is good. Now the distance between me and the opponent is not that far and I’m trying to cut its way and lock this one in the corner. But to my surprise this one jumped to the other side and attacked while in the air.

“[FUCKING SHIT!]”

I dodge the incoming attack and it starts to attack again while it is still in the air. But this time is a dangerous one because when I dodge it again it creates a big impact! Before I dodge I sense a ki form one it’s arrow. Now not only its movement but also the qi it releases worry me more. I take a deep breath and re-organize my plan while this thing is attacking me. I managed to come up with a strategy but I don't know if it's good or not.

I started to move slowly again and began dodging the arrows and not parrying because it has ki now. I’m done if that shit hits me..

“Ayaka, you only have 30 seconds!”

As I heard that my hope goes up but suddenly the air around my enemy suddenly changed. Is it because I only have 30 seconds? Also I don’t recall that this enemy had a killing intent!

“I forgot to tell you Ayaka. This A.I will become more aggressive if we say 30 seconds.”

“MASTER! YOU SHOULD INFORM ME ABOUT THAT AFTER YOU MENTION THAT MY OPPONENT IS AN A.I!”

“Don’t worry Ayaka, we have faith in you!”

Before I even say a sentence the A.I move and it’s so fast and I braced myself to fight. The A.I was fighting at close combat and all of its attacks have ki now.

“Shit!”

At first I wanted to distance myself from it but it’s so useless and now I'm facing this head on and hoping to survive.

{Master’s POV}

“She’s struggling but not panicking.”

“Yes, I liked her guts. I think she had a strategy before but now she is fighting it head on with basic skills.”

“This is our disciple in the making! Also, how many seconds left?”

“We have only 15 seconds”

“Oh right, she will definitely pass this one.”

{Master’s POV end}

“[Eeek!]”

“[Just how many seconds till this end?]”

This A.I giving all it has! It can control the arrows now and not only that but multiple arrows tracking me! Now this punk is making a pose of shooting me as if it will predict my end!

“[I will stop running now and brace this hit!]”

The A.I unleashed a tremendous amount of energy and it was accompanied with a beam like arrow from above. Also multiple arrows surrounding me to ensure I don’t have any escape.

*Boom!*

“Huup”

“[Yooooo! I manage to pull that off!]”

The arrows began to fall on me and as the arrows approached I tossed my sword in the air hoping the nearest arrows exploded first. When the arrows and my sword contact each other it explodes. In split seconds my instinct tells me to jump before the other arrows explode and I just do that hoping the casualty is not severe for me.

“[That’s crazy.. I’m glad I survived that attack but my back and my legs suffered from the explosion..]”

As I look in front of me I see the A.I menacingly staring at me. I accept my fate.. But I waited a couple seconds but no sign of movement.

“Did I do it?!”

“Yes Ayaka you passed the first test! Congratulations!”

“Oh my.. I’m glad I passed the first one.. Huuu..”

“The 2nd test will begin after you get healed by your Master Herbert.”

“Okay Master!”

-

-

-

“Ok your injuries now are gone, you can continue your 2nd test Ayaka. Good luck!”

“Thanks Master!”

As I enter the 2nd test, I’m using a spear now. Then a couple of minutes later my opponent arrived and had a greatsword. I should be cautious even though I have more reach than this A.I. The match starts and I'm going on offense because of this my opponent hasn't made any significant moves, it only does defense and sometimes it tries to hit my spear downward.

“[When the 30 seconds will be announced?]”

As I kept pressuring my opponent, I’m also wary about the 30 second time until Master Bing announced it.

“20 seconds left!”

“[Eh? Why 20 seconds?]”

Like the first one, it activated its qi and it became more aggressive. My tactics now are hit and run and I should not be cornered no matter what happens. Just like my assumption this A.I is trying to drive me in the corner. Now, the way it handles the greatsword is on two hands. I think this one seriously wants to end the battle.

“[It even evokes a ki.. Shit this one will not make me rest!]”

The opponent is faster and agile. The way it counters my attack is so good, the worst part is it doesn’t cut my spear even though it has power to do that. All I can do is evade, back, run, and the more it chases me the more the intensity of the attack is.and the movement of this is faster.

“[Ok, I just need to step backward an-]”

Suddenly this A.I parried my attack and just a blink of an eye. I’m in its range! It’s ready to disarm me but I manage to block it but it throws me to the wall.

“[What the heck?! I’m sure that it can cut through me but it just threw the cut at me.. Oof.. now my back hurts.. Need to get up..]”

I’m struggling to get back and my hands are trembling because of the force I take. Right now it is successful to corner me. Then I attack but it parries it and it lowers its shoulder and successfully cuts my thighs.

“[Ugh! This bitch!]”

Then it slash parts of my body as if I’m just a toy.. I am now full of blood around my body.. It reminds me that even though I’m immune or have high resistance to pain internally. My external is still vulnerable.. Then this thing is positioning itself to deal a final blow but I was just saved by the bell..

“Ugh..”

“I am now casting an instant recovery!”

“Woo.. thanks Master. Even though the pain is there..”

“No worry.. Ayaka, at least now you passed the test.”

“Well.. another barely passed. I want a rest and more food after I conquer the last part.”

“Yes of course you deserve that!”

I rest for a couple of minutes and get back up for my final test. Well the last is a spear but I don’t know what kind of long stick it will be but I hope it is a spear. My opponent emerged in the dark with a spear. Before the duel starts the A.I release a ki thus I know what will happen now when the match starts.. Then when the duel begins my enemy rushes to me and as a bow and arrow user, I immediately distance myself and make a first atack. Well it only dodge the arrows I throw.. And this motherfucker uses it as a javelin thus making itself a bow and arrow. I really swear that when this test is over I will take revenge on all of this A.I!

{Master’s POV}

“Oooh.. this is the first time that Ayaka really held her fort this time.”

“Yeah and I think bow and arrow is more suitable for her, heck if she has a gun I think she will blast this whole place.”

“Well you are true to that and it's been 30 seconds since the battle started. Also as we know arrows don’t really do damage on the A.I because of the ki and the body.”

“Yes, but the way Ayaka hits the target is good! Starting from the eyesights then follow up to the limbs.”

“Not only that but she is really good at running!”

“I just see that the ki she has now is activated unlike the first two where even though she suffered injuries it is not enough to activate that skill of hers.”

“I want to see if the A.I manage to land a blow to Ayaka.”

“It might use skills, but who knows?”

“Well this match will end soon as we only have 15 seconds left.”

{Master’s POV end}

“[I think I can win this right now, I need more time to sta-]”

I thought my win was guaranteed but no. The A.I threw again the spear where I was going and not only that, it was also in front of me in an instant and then it grabbed my bow and destroyed it. The moment I knew I was fucked up. It throws me on the other side.. When I get back it shows me a boxing stance. This motherfucker wants me to throw some hands instead of using our weapons. I have no choice but to proceed with hand to hand combat.

I began to punch and when I struck its body my hands began to hurt!

“[You fuck! I totally forgot that you are covered with ki.. ]”

I don’t know what I can do.. I try to kick, wrestle, and choke, even though this is an A.I but all of this is in vain. When the A.I turn it demonstrates a move which only comes from a martial art fantasy. It gives a death feeling and the pose it does is like a palm technique and in an instant. It releases energy, a powerful one but it doesn’t hurt me at all. When I see my back the big palm etch at the wall a big palm that can destroy me.

The A.I come closer to me and then pat my shoulder and stop moving. Then my masters came to see if I’m ok.

“How do you feel right now Ayaka?”

“Mixed feelings Master Bing! I’m glad that I passed this test with poor performance which I don’t like. But I will take my revenge on these A.I. it feels like they're mocking me!”

“Just for you to know we only program this A.I to be your practice buddies.”

“Why do they have an arrogant attitude?”

“I think that is a more appropriate response to help you I guess?”

“Let me learn how to utilize my ki Master! And I will take my revenge!”

“I liked how enthusiastic you are about this. But you should take a break at least until you are finished with this test.”

“Oooh.. I forgot that! I will take my 1 week break first before I grind again. But why are those A.I using a ki?”

“We put the ki in the A.I for your training but as we see in your test I think it is too much.”

“Yes Master, it’s too much for me I feel like a kid.. But at least I gained more in this test.”

“We will adjust more of this A.I in the future.”

“No! Don’t worry Master Tom. As you guys say, these A.I are helping me in my training. I just need to up my game to be able to withstand this.”

“Oooh.. what an optimistic individual!”

‘I don't have time to be sad. Only revenge and improvement.”

“Oh my.. Be easy to yourself Ayaka. You are still learning.”

“I know Master, I just feel motivated right now. By the way shall we eat?”

“Oh right! Also congratulations Ayaka for passing this exam!”

“Congrats Ayaka!”

“Congratulations my disciple!”

“Thank you all Masters!”

Chapter 9 End