Before dawn,
Ryan's small figure appeared in the training ground. The cold air made him shiver unconsciously.
"You are late," Marcus said calmly.
Ryan froze.
He has already woken up before sunrise.
Suddenly, a small, sharp object flew past Ryan's ear. He has no time to think. By the time he reacted, it had already hit the wall behind.
"Focus," Marcus said calmly.
Your body should react faster than your brain. In the battle, you won't have time to think.
By the time you realise what's happening,
you are dead.
This is your first lesson, Marcus said.
He gestured around the area.
"I have laid traps all over the place,"
Ryan's eyes widened slightly.
Your task is simple.
"Dodge," Marcus said calmly.
Before Ryan could respond
whoosh!
Another stone flew towards him from the side.
The stone struck his shoulder before he could react.
Ah! He stumbled to the side, clutching his shoulder.
It didn't hurt, but it was enough to throw him off balance.
He didn't see where it came from.
He looked around nervously, trying to figure out where it came from.
Suddenly, another stone flew towards him from behind. He barely moved when it hit him. He fell forward onto the ground.
"Get up" Marcus voice sounded calm but firm.
Ryan got up from the ground, looking around nervously.
I didn't see it.....
I didn't see it.....
"Stop looking," Marcus said.
Looking is too slow. You won't be able to do it till evening.
Anticipate it, move with your instinct, not through your brain.
Ryan stood still, breathing unevenly. His small chest rose and fell rapidly.
"Instinct"?
He didn't understand fully, but he knew he wasn't doing it the right way.
Another stone flew and hit him in his leg. He fell on his knees.
"Anticipate"
"Ryan.....anticipate" Marcus voice sounded.
Anticipate....but how?
Ryan stood up. This time, he didn't look around. He stood still with eyes closed.
The world around him grew quiet. His heartbeat echoed in his ears.
Then suddenly,
Whoosh!
A slight disturbance in the air, a stone flew towards him.
Ryan moved. He dodged, but before he could sight a relief, another stone flew and hit him in the back.
Ryan stumbled, barely managing to stay on his feet.
His breathing became heavier,
I feel it, but it is still slow.
He again closes his eyes.
Whoosh!
The stone flew from the right towards his chest. He anticipates it and moves forward, twisted to the side but the stone still grazed slightly on his shoulder.
Ryan froze; he almost avoided it.
Marcus watched silently. A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Better," he said.
But still not enough.
Now I will show you how it's done.
Watch carefully.
Marcus stepped into the arena and then suddenly,
Whoosh!
Two stones shot towards him, and he effortlessly dodged them.
Marcus didn't move immediately.
He stood there calm and relaxed, as if the incoming stones meant nothing to him. His posture was loose, almost careless, but it carried a sense of beauty.
To Ryan, this wasn't just dodging but a sense of ritual performed by his father.
His eyes widened as he stared at his father. He couldn't look away.
Every movement Marcus made looked refined, almost to perfection. There was no hesitation, no unnecessary movement, just control.
Is this what true strength looks like....?
Another sharp sound cut through the air.
Whoosh!
More stones flew toward Marcus—faster this time.
Ryan instinctively tensed.
But Marcus didn't, before the stones even reached him his body has already moved.
A slight shift of his foot, a subte tilt of his head, a small turn of his shoulder.
That all it took and the stones passed by like they were never meant to be hit
Ryan's eyes narrowed as he watched, trying to study every movement.
Ryan slowed his breathing.
There's a pattern… there has to be.
His eyes locked onto Marcus—not the stones this time, but his body.
His feet.
His shoulders.
His center.
Another sharp whistle cut through the air.
Whoosh!
Three stones flew forward.
Ryan's heart jumped.
But Marcus—
Moved before they arrived.
Not fast.
Not rushed.
Just… precise.
His foot slid slightly across the ground.
His body shifted just enough to create space.
The stones missed him completely.
Ryan clenched his jaw.
He's not faster than the stones…
He's moving before they reach him.
A realization struck him.
His eyes widened slightly.He's predicting them.
"Good," Marcus said suddenly.
Ryan flinched.
"Seems like you're finally thinking."
Ryan looked at him, slightly surprised.
Marcus turned fully toward him.
"You're starting to understand," he said.
"But understanding alone won't save you."
"You hesitate."
Ryan frowned.
"I—"
"That moment," Marcus interrupted, his voice calm but sharp,
"When your mind tries to confirm what your eyes see…"
He raised his hand slowly.
"That delay…will get you hit," Marcus finished.
A stone shot forward instantly.
Ryan reacted.
Too late.
Thud!
It struck his shoulder.
Ryan stumbled back, gritting his teeth.
Silence filled the arena.
Ryan steadied himself, his hand gripping his shoulder.
Pain lingered.
But his eyes were sharper now, much more focused.
Then suddenly,
Whoosh!
Ryan moved, but not after, not in response.
The stone arrived but missed. Ryan's body has already shifted.
For a moment, everything went silent.
A faint smile appeared on Marcus's face as he watched.
"Good," he replied.
Ryan looked at his hands in disbelief, for the first time he has done it.
Now, should we level it up, Marcus said with a wide grin on his face.
Almost suddenly,
Not one, two, three, but four stones flew towards him.
Ryan's breathing turned uneven.
"…This isn't funny."
Marcus looked at him, his gaze cold and unwavering. He lowered his hand slowly.
"Dodging one was just practice."
Then—
"Survive this."
Whoosh!!!
All the stones shot toward Ryan at once.