Zachary and Andrew slowly grabbed the techniques, hands shaking as they read the titles of the manuals.
"These are the martial arts I found to be the most suitable for both of you. For you, Andrew, I have given you the 'Superior Body Reinforcement Art,' a direct extension from your 'Body Cleansing Art' that utilizes innate energy…"
"For you, Zachary, I have given you the 'Sword Body Art,' a technique most suitable for your extreme talent in swordsmanship, utilizing sword energy to temper your body and mind…"
"You are not to give these to anybody else; however, you are free to share the techniques between each other," Master Quazo spoke, his voice now seemingly containing immense reverence.
Looking at the books and each other, the two were speechless for a few seconds before they both bowed down.
"Thank you, Master!"
….
The next day, Andrew and Zachary arrived at school looking like zombies.
After receiving the techniques, they went home after bidding farewell and spent most of the night trying to get started practicing them.
Andrew had successfully stepped into the very beginning stage of his technique, and so had Zachary.
This stage was achievable simply through understanding and having a solid foundation. They discussed their techniques on the way into the school and during lunch with each other.
They agreed that once they memorized both of the texts completely and understood them at least conceptually, then they would swap books with each other.
It was a win-win for both sides.
Sitting at the lunch table, Andrew had a question on his mind he'd been pondering from the previous night.
"So, Zachary, does your master not teach you any, like, super special techniques or anything?"
"You said he was pretty powerful; I'm just wondering why he hasn't taught you an ultra-powerful technique yet."
Andrew scanned Zachary's facial expressions as he said this; however, all Zachary did was sigh and shake his head slightly.
"I wish… the thing is, he actually does have incredibly powerful techniques. However, the problem is I'm far too weak at this point to actually even understand any of them."
"Even his weakest technique… I doubt Master Quazo would be able to comprehend."
Zachary seemed to flinch as he thought of something.
"Oh yeah! Andrew, I also got a question for you as well…"
Zachary glanced around quickly before he leaned in real close as he began to whisper.
"What's your secret? I shared mine with you; now I think it's about time you spill a couple of beans yourself…"
"You should know you can trust me; after all, I revealed my secret to you."
Andrew exhaled gently through his nose hearing this. He had a feeling this question was going to pop up at some point.
Thankfully, he had anticipated this and had a 'perfectly' curated excuse planned out for this exact situation.
"I mean, if I'm going to be completely honest…" Andrew began to speak, leaning in a bit closer.
Zachary gulped with anticipation as he began to listen intently.
"…I found a secret martial arts manual hidden in my old house's basement. I'm not sure who exactly left it there, but upon wiping the dust off of it, it was revealed to be something called 'The 5 Ancient Transformations.'"
Andrew continued with a serious expression: "According to the scripture, practicing the technique will result in the ability to cultivate martial arts even without a talent!"
"Furthermore, stated in the martial arts manual was that after completing 5 transformations of the physique, one would be able to 'ascend' into a higher being… whatever that's supposed to mean."
"However, all I know is that I fell asleep while reading the technique one night, and then it seemingly vanished into thin air."
Andrew spoke like an ancient storyteller; however, his demeanor was oddly convincing to the point that Zachary only listened intently, nodding along.
Zachary went silent after Andrew finished his explanation.
"Shit, I hope that worked…" Andrew thought, as he laughed to himself in his head.
After a few seconds, Zachary snapped back into focus.
"That's honestly pretty incredible…"
"Nonetheless, I guess we're kind of one and the same in a way. We both received a blessing from fate you could say…"
Zachary seemed to have emotionally accepted his response, and Andrew could feel a very subtle tension release.
….
The day went by quick.
Andrew walked out of the school and down the street, bidding farewell to his compatriots along the way.
"Hehe… the 5 ancient transformations… I almost convinced myself that shit was real," Andrew thought as he began to chuckle.
"I wouldn't even be surprised if that's a real technique; sounds like something a protagonist would receive under his pillow."
Andrew shook his head laughing all the way back to his apartment.
Just as he was going to unlock his door, he noticed something that instantly sounded alarm bells.
"Wait, why isn't my door locked…?" he thought, as he slowly took a couple of steps back.
"Did a burglar break in? I've never forgotten to lock my door before…"
Andrew quickly calculated numerous follow-up actions to deal with this potential problem when he got an idea.
"KnockKnock… It's housekeeping! Is anyone home?" Andrew yelled in the best Indian accent he could muster. He listened closely, closing his eyes and extending his senses beyond the doorway.
Andrew's eyes flicked open abruptly, hearing a slight sound of air shifting.
"Someone's definitely inside…" he thought, as he began to circulate his innate energy, not allowing a single droplet to be released. He heightened everything to the max, ready to take on whatever intruder decided to step into his residence.
He softly grabbed the door handle and counted down in his head.
After a couple of seconds, he quickly twisted the handle, flinging the door wide open.
The shades were drawn shut, making it impossible to see, yet he still caught a brief glimpse of an apparition near his bed.
"I got your ass!" he yelled before barreling towards whoever it was.
He threw out punches and kicks, not wanting to give them a chance to escape.
"Ow! Yo bro, what the hell, man?! What are you doing?!"
Andrew immediately paused. "Wait… is that who I think it is? Christian?"
He flung open the nearest blind and revealed the sorry figure lying on the floor, huddled up.
"Bro, what the fuck are you doing in my house?"
"And why are you laying in my bed?! Are you crazy?!" Andrew yelled, looking around the room in attempts to find the hidden camera.
"Look, I have a good explanation for this… I got kicked out by my parents. I thought you wouldn't mind if I held up here for a bit!"
Andrew sat there, mouth open as if he was looking at a fool.
"Is this kid a moron?" He shook his head in utter disbelief.
"Okay, regardless, why didn't you text me? And why are you in my bed?"
His fist was balled again.Christian saw this and immediately got on his knees to prostrate for forgiveness.
"Look, I wanted to text you, but they removed me off their phone plan!"
"I really had no other choice, I swear…" he muttered sheepishly.
Andrew began to rub his temples with his hands, as if he was hearing the most ridiculous thing on the planet.
"Okay, so what about my other question?"
"Well…" Christian hesitated.
"I did lay on the couch for a bit, but then I saw your bed… and honestly it's way more comfy than the couch is…"
Andrew suddenly felt as if he was going to have an aneurysm hearing this.
"Look, my bad… wait, why are you shaking so much?"
"…" Andrew stood there, both fists becoming balled.
"You fucking moron!"
"Wai—Wait! Please, not the face—anything but the face!"
_____