A Great Test for Young Joe

"Little Joe's teacher was nervous to see that despicable student next to that cultured and important man. She excused herself from Mr. Roderik, and before he could consent, she dragged the brat by the arm. But before she reached the heavy door, the imposing and respectful presence of a Knight of the Silver Claw Order was enough to stop her."

"A thousand apologies, Sir Knight. I did not mean to hinder your path."

"You may proceed, ma'am... but without the boy."

"May I ask why, Sir Knight? I am taking this insolent child to give him the punishment he deserves."

"You can ask that of..." Before the knight could finish his sentence, Mr. Roderik gestured for him to keep it a secret. "That gentleman, your guest, who was conversing with this boy."

Meanwhile, the boy paid close attention to the actions of the two who seemed interested in him. Thinking that young Joe had done something unpleasant to that gentleman, the teacher began shaking the boy and, forgetting the people around her, moved her hand to slap young Joe's already bruised face.

Mr. Roderik wanted to stop her, but he was too far away. If he took any action, he could hurt the boy even more, which he never desired. However, the knight from the Silver Claws Order was there and, noticing Mr. Roderik's intentions, immediately grabbed the teacher's hand a few inches from young Joe's face.

At the same time, she felt her wrist vibrate and heard the almost inaudible sound of clinking metal. Realizing what had happened, Mr. Roderik hurried to defend the boy, who seemed more irritated than surprised by all the commotion.

"Mrs. Nali, I suggest you go about your business and leave the boy to my care."

"But, Mr. Roderik..."

"I also insist that you leave, and I need not say that I do not wish to be disturbed for the next few minutes while I am here," the knight added, his voice hinting at a slight irritation.

"Yes, sir, I shall not trouble you further with my presence, but if you need me..."

"Go on, teacher, don't you see you're becoming annoying?"

The two adults wanted to laugh at the boy's audacity but needed to maintain their composure. With hurried steps and fuming with anger at the ungrateful child's audacity, Mrs. Nali left the premises, closing the door forcefully behind her.

"You can go now, boy, to wherever Mrs. Nali wanted you to go," Roderik said with a smile on his face.

"I thought you wanted him near you," said the knight.

"Yes, indeed I did, but I am without the test stone."

"Hey, Mr. Rodek Von, if you're talking about these here, we have plenty of them around here," young Joe said, calling them as he led them to a certain point in the courtyard. There were numerous stones of various sizes, lined up and organized by colors: brown, green, blue, red, orange, yellow, and white. They varied in sizes and had diverse shapes, each bearing a small symbol at its center.

"Hey, Only Joe, choose one of them and practice the art you know, touching it in a single blow at the end," Roderik ordered the boy.

"Sir, I don't understand what you want from a boy who doesn't have any status in this place."

"Just wait, knight. Then you'll see that not all the status in the world can make up for a lack of skills."

Young Joe was apprehensive because, as if it weren't enough that a stranger already knew his secret art, now this man wanted him to demonstrate it to another.

"You don't need to fear anything, boy. Don't forget the promise I made to you."

"Oh, yeah, my present! Don't forget it, Mr. Rodek Von."

"Rodek Von? What audacity is this?" asked the knight, already wanting to take the boy to teach him some manners.

"Forget that, knight. He's just a simple boy without any education. Just pay attention to what's about to happen."

"In recognition position," Roderik shouted as young Joe stood facing the white rock, as if greeting it.

"Absorption."

Young Joe shifted positions and was now centered, with his body rigid, seemingly absorbing small vapors emanating from the white stone.

"Calm and serene movement."

Now it was time for almost invisible vapors to surround young Joe's entire body.

"Wind movement."

Young Joe's position changed again as his hands followed a continuous flow, and his body rotated slowly.

"Low wind seeking the target."

The flow of his hand now resembled two serpents seeking prey, while his body moved towards the beginning of the row of stones.

Roderik was amazed at such concentration and all the precise movements young Joe executed. He knew how precise the boy would have to be for the next commands. Only then could he see the full potential of the child who continued to surprise him.

"Low-cut wind style, target: earth."

Young Joe hardly seemed the same when his hands scratched with speed. Before hitting the brown stone, his hand stopped, and only his fingers touched it.

The knight was caught up in the attention and couldn't believe that someone so young could demonstrate such concentration in those movements. He knew what Roderik's next steps would be, but what about that child? Would his performance continue to be so perfect? He hoped it would be the most perfect one he had ever seen.

Ten seconds passed without any news, and Roderik's order continued:

"In recognition and absorption position."

Young Joe returned to the white stone and restarted his previous steps. Without giving him time, Roderik continued:

"Calm and serene movement. Wind movement. Low wind seeking the target. Low-cut wind style, targets: blue, red, and yellow."

Young Joe's hands moved violently towards his targets, and as soon as he finished touching them, he froze, closed his eyes, his body trembling, and collapsed unconscious.

Roderik, feeling guilty, rushed to support him in his fall, throwing himself to the ground and holding him in time.

"Knight, seek immediate assistance from Mrs. Nali, say it's urgent, and then come find me here."