17 ~ Hope - 2 ~

"So this is your claws you were talking about," Sister Yin mumbled, looking at the metal claws that Sora often used with a grimace. "They won't hold."

Sora felt embarrassed a bit, but thickening his skin he simply counted it under his lack of knowledge, "I did not consult with master so I am aware that my choice might be faulty."

"And you are taking these chances because?" she ridiculed, as her sharp eyes stared at Sora with a look of shock, "The competition will be tough, you don't have time, and yet you are playing around with... these." She pointed at the metal claw set.

Having scolded Sora felt a little peeved, "I know sister Yin, but I also wanted to have more physical prowess than those other candidates, so I thought..."

"You thought?" she encouraged, keeping the claws on the boulder with a slight carelessness.

They were in the same place Sora often practiced in, in the back valley. It was clearly not up to his bearing to lower himself and spill out complaints about his master, but if everyone kept blaming him as his sister was doing, he would try to garner sympathy by drawing attention to his master's busy lifestyle.

"...I thought I would... "

Sister Yin shook her head with apparent hopelessness, "I thought you were prepared, but aside from a few spells, and mantras, you lack any kind of solid practice. It took me 2 years to just develop my muscles, since I am a girl, regular practice wasn't as easy as it was for the boys, but even so... you were trying to make a miracle here, which is not something you can do. Only demons and angels are that powerful to not even practice. They are born with a silver spoon, and also golden spoon if you count their luck."

"...what do you suggest then sister."

"What did your master teach you? Master Kellan is really powerful, I am not believing that you would only know such little tricks."

Sora put up an impressive stature, "Master is busy most of the time, so I dare not intrude on him. He does teach me things, although I am not worthy of those lessons."

Sister Yin, for a while kept staring at Sora, watching him with eyes which could see straight through. She had known the boy from before, he had lived on the streets not far from her temporary home, always running around in search of bread and money. He was the least bothersome orphan in the orphanage, but would always get into trouble for running around.

The reason why she even saw potential in him was because he was strong. His mental will power was not average like the others. He had survived in an orphanage for so long, it was a miracle he wasn't dying due to depression. So when the time came, she suggested him to join the sect. Even if entering her sect was not simple, Sora of that time had looked at her with big shining eyes, which got almost teary when she smiled in return. His thin body had been trembling when he told her he would try his best.

All she did was accommodate him with clothes, food and a temporary shelter until the exam. He even learned all the tricks of competition by himself.

Now, looking at the same child all grown up within months, he was taller, had more muscles, more charm to him, than he did back then. It hadn't taken him long to adapt to his surrounding, even his manner of speech was restrained and articulate.

Such quick adaptive skills rarely was seen in anyone. She had heard he was previously from a good family background, but that had been long time ago when he was still a child.

At present she had thought he was doing better, but looking at him, she concluded the words on that letter were true. Whoever that anonymous sender was, she was glad she now knew the crux of the issue.

Her heart wanted to throw a good old slap at that master of his, but if she made a move, it might do more harm than good. So in the very least, she would try to teach everything she could to him, even if it wouldn't be utilized as efficiently as she wished.

"I will teach you all the tricks we warriors use in a street fight, it is a free form of fight and easily could be learned without much practice."

Sora nodded, wondering if he could do with it.

"And as for the other core formative techniques, I would try to balance out your spells with some of the chants I learned during my travel. I won't be teaching you the conservative method of enchanters, but it would be effective... what do you say?"

Sora had no problem with that, rather he was hopeful to learn things which were unique. "I don't want to be the traditional enchanter. Sister Yin, please teach me all you can."

She smiled, her eyes wrinkling in laughter, "It is just a temporary fix, don't feel that you could lag behind in your practice sessions."

"I wouldn't!"

~

The night soon turned raven black, as the moon floated in the sky above the waves of clouds. The sounds of insects chirping could be heard, as Sora diligently trained according to Sister Yin's wishes. He still wasn't sure why his sister would help him with this practice session, however he wasn't one to decline such a golden opportunity, so trying his best, he made every possible strive to ensure perfection.

The sweat on his body drenched his clothes, as his arms moved in strategic positions, enticing the surrounding energy to flow across his palm. The white ball of light reflecting upon his skin and the surrounding natural cradle.

"I will be leaving now, you better come to me tomorrow as well, one day equals nothing."

Sora agreed with Sister's proposal and greeted her a good night's rest, as he watched her walk away towards the brighter and more lit environment of the dorm's location.

After a while when he was sure she was no longer around, he turned to the source of nuisance which had been hovering over them very skillfully, avoiding getting the sister suspicious and even managing to get his attention without a hitch.

"...Jeha, you can come down now."