Going Home

"I'll help you get stronger, but there are two rules. Do as I say, and no whining, agreed?"

"Yes, I'll do everything you ask!" Kyle's face was a mask of determination.

"First, I'm going to give you a Martial Art to practice. It's something suited for a person who likes to fight with their fists. Eh, I might as well give you all the basic stuff I want you to learn."

<CONGRATULATIONS, YOU HAVE RECEIVED - THE CULTIVATION MANUAL SUPER PACK

THE CULTIVATION MANUAL SUPER PACK CONTAINS:

- MONKEY KING'S ROCK FIST - WUSHU ( MARTIAL ART) TECHNIQUE>

- GREEN BASILISK STEPS - QINGGONG (MOVEMENT) TECHNIQUE>

- SOUL STRENGTHENING ART - LINGHUN YISHU (SOUL ART)>

- ONE BREATH ONE THOUSAND DAYS - TUNA (BREATHING) TECHNIQUE>

- EYE OF THE BEHOLDER - LINGSHI (DIVINE SENSE) TECHNIQUE>

- ART OF ALL THINGS -ZEHN AND ZEHNFA (FORMATIONS) TECHNIQUE>

- ALCHEMY FUNDAMENTALS - DANDAO AND WAIDAN (PHARMACY) TECHNIQUE>

A flood of information took Kyle by storm. His body started spasming from the massive data dump. This was much different than the amount of information he received just a few minutes before.

He was drowning in knowledge and feelings. He understood everything, but it was so intense, and there was so much of it; he didn't know what he was understanding.

He wanted everything to stop, but he couldn't focus his thoughts enough to render a scream! He spasmed.

Gramps witnessed the boy's suffering.

"Maybe I overdid it a little? Ah, whatever, it's good for the kid to have such experiences."

After what seemed like forever, he recovered and steadied himself.

"There's so much here; I don't think I can make much progress in all of these arts and skills during my suspension."

"We have an entire month before you go back to school; that will be plenty of time!"

"Even with a month...I don't think..." Kyle was anxious. His head was hurting from all of the information.

"Don't doubt your teacher!" Gramps was clearly getting annoyed and impatient.

"Sorry, you're right."

"Better, first, you need to go home. I'll take care of things so you'll be free to come and train with me. It's time to go back to your body."

A feeling of being shoved away overcame him. He felt the pressure and couldn't stop himself from shooting into the darkness.

A few moments later, Kyle opened his eyes and discovered he was still sitting on the tree stump.

"What an experience!"

Catching his breath, Kyle eventually stood up and then ran home. There was no telling how long he was in that world. He was worried about his mother. The cell phone in his pocket never came to mind.

Bursting through the front door, Kyle started shouting frantically.

"Mom, Mom, I'm home!" he yelled. To his surprise, no one answered. Kyle looked around and didn't find any hint that his mother in the house.

"Is she still at work?" he wondered. It was at that time he looked at the clock in the house. He was shocked; he was certain he spent a few hours, if not much, longer with Gramps.

According to the clock, however, it was like he spent no more than ten minutes. What was going on?

Kyle went to his room and changed into a pair of jean shorts and a red and blue jersey-style t-shirt with the number ten on it. He completely removed his shoes but kept his white socks on.

Twenty minutes later, Kyle received a phone call from his mother.

"Hi, Mom," this was the phone call he was dreading the most.

"Kyle, I just got a call from the Principal. He told me you were suspended again.

We talked about the incident with Ryan in the hallway and how you threatened him."

"Mom, I..." Kyle started to say something, but the words were stuck in his throat. He didn't care about disappointing anyone else, but his mother was another matter entirely.

"Listen, Kyle; I can't talk for now because I'm at work. You should know I don't believe you would ever hurt your classmates on purpose.

Ryan has picked on you since elementary, yet the school has always pretended not to see what's happening.

That boy could probably use a couple of good punches, not to mention that Mr. Ambrose, not that I'm encouraging violence or anything.

I know one day you'll prove yourself to everyone, and all those people will realize what a big mistake they made. You're my good little boy, and I believe in you, so please don't be too upset."

Kyle was feeling really emotional at the moment. A mother's love was like a shield against the bitter winds of life. She was his safe harbor in a stormy sea.

"Thanks, Mom," he said.

"No problem, I have to get back to work. For dinner tonight, take some of the money in the money jar and get pizza for yourself and your siblings.

Remember, you're the big brother, so you need to be strong for them."

"I will."

"That's my good boy, alright, bye honey, I love you."

"I love you too, Mom," he said, feeling a huge weight come off his shoulders.

His mother hung up. More resolved than ever to become stronger, he sat down and started reviewing the new cultivation knowledge Gramps gave him.

He was surprised to learn he understood what cultivation is. If you asked him before he met Gramps, he wouldn't have a clue.

Now he knew so much about cultivation that true cultivators would throw themselves at his feet to become his student.

Of course, his understanding was shallow. It was information about things he never experienced.

With all due respect to Gramps, he didn't see how he would develop much in all of these skills in a single month.

He promised Gramps he would do as he said, so he decided to trust him. "I need to get much stronger," he said to no one in particular.

"I'm glad to hear it, boy; now, before your mother gets home, let's get our story straight." Kyle turned his head and was surprised to see a neatly shaven Gramps in a business suit standing in the middle of his bedroom.

"How do you suddenly have a body!" He yelled in surprise.