Stunning News

The following day, my father had to leave the town. There were more guests who lived further away from the town, like my grandpa. Father was supposed to collect them, and bring them here for the wedding. I promised to meet uncle Aran for the rhythm practice. After that, I'd have the time to start on my obstacle course.

"You are making progress, but this is just an exercise to teach you about rhythm. What you need to do is actually develop them yourself. I can't teach you what rhythms will be the best for you. That is something your own body has to develop in a way. I will try to help you out from tomorrow, but be prepared to experiment a lot", he said. I nodded, but then asked about a movement technique.

"Your father is actually correct. Although I can show you some simple footwork, creating your own movement technique is always better. Not only will it be tailored to you, it will be unique and hence much more effective. Though if you want, I can show you some basic stuff", uncle explained. "Can we do that then? I want to get at least an idea, a place to start if you will. Once I know even a simple movement or footwork technique, the future progress shouldn't be so difficult", I replied.

"In that case, I'll show you something basic. As you might know already, the stances are the basis of any weapon mastery. They aren't really used that much in advanced applications, but that doesn't mean they are useless. Basis are there to build a foundation. In other words, this footwork is based on the Attacking Stance, but it's mobile and fluid. Let me show you", uncle explained, before taking the Attacking Stance. Once he moved though, it looked much different. His right leg was always in front of him, no matter how he moved, but his upper body changed positions a lot.

"As you can see, the basis of an Attacking Stance is still here. I keep my right leg forward to help me advance. My body moves around much more. That is to judge the opponent and adjust my position for the best attack", he explained while demonstrating everything. "If you pair it up with the fluidity of your attacks, you'd get something like this", he added and demonstrated a few attacks.

"That looks good, I can surely learn that", I said. "Yes, your stances are very good and your balance is perfect. You should be able to pick this up in no time. That's what I meant by solid basics. If your foundation is not stable, you will of course have a hard time learning any advanced techniques. Fortunately, you practiced the basics very well, hence this shouldn't be too difficult for you", uncle replied. He then told me to give it a try, before my training session ended. Though the footwork uncle Aran showed me wasn't overly complicated, it would take me a few days to get used to it.

With our little practice ended, I left the town to find a suitable place for my course. 'Alright, there's a small river over there. This will allow me to make Water Element collecting Formations. There's also loads of trees not that far away, therefore fire shouldn't be an issue either. Now for the place', I thought while taking a look around.

There was loads of space next to the walls, but this would obstruct them. There were fields not that far away, which meant I couldn't do it there either. 'In that case, the best place will be… there!', I thought. I chose a halfway point between the walls and the river. The fields were quite a distance away, which meant no one would be obstructed by it.

The next stage was to do an outline of the course. I grabbed a stick, then drew the obstacles and whatnot on the ground. "Alright, we have these two walls, which will spew out water and wind towards the middle. Then the pit with a rope crossing… of course with a twist. The wind Formations should add a lot of difficulty while crossing it. Next is the wall loaded with Formations, which they will need to climb. After that, we have another pit with protruding pillars… They will need to climb those pillars somehow… I think a suspended rope should do it. Then there's the last obstacle, a Formation field", I said to myself.

The course wouldn't be that big, but it would take me a week or so to make it. "I just have to gather some wood, start a fire and collect some water". My progress was rather slow during the first day, but good preparations meant easier work later on. I gathered logs to start a few fires, dug a channel to contain the water, and produced some of the basic structures of the obstacle course.

My little project attracted a bit of attention. A few people visited me, and inquired about the course. When I told them my plans, they were shocked. Not only because I planned on doing that alone, they were shocked I knew how to make Formations. That wasn't really a secret, but since no one inside the town studied Formations, it was really rare and considered amazing.

'Tomorrow, I will need to do the water and fire treatment, but also protect everything with a few Formations. The Endrosian Empire's weather is not like that of the North. Leaving this course unprotected is not the best idea', I thought before heading back.

"How was your day?", great aunt asked upon my return. "Not bad at all. My rhythm practice is coming along nicely, and the obstacle course is taking shape. Perhaps another week, and the course will be completed. Nothing great like we have in the North, but the Endrosian Empire is so full of life, water and everything. It's easier making those Formations here. Oh, I'm also learning new footwork", I replied.

"Don't overwork yourself, sweetie", mother said. "Mom… not to be rude, but I think you are getting fat. All you do is pretty much sit at home, and read that book father gave you… How many times can you read it anyway? Some exercise wouldn't bring you harm, you know?", I replied. My mother and great aunt looked at each other, then chuckled. "What's so funny? Your wedding ceremony is about to happen, and you want to get fat?... I don't really care, but...", I asked, confused.

"You see little Anna, your mother is getting 'fat' for a reason. She's going to have a baby", great aunt explained. If my jaw could drop to the floor, it would. "Y… You… You guys… When did that… How did you…?", I stammered. "Look at your daughter, doesn't she look adorable?", great aunt asked with a smile. "We didn't intend to keep it a secret from you, it's just that we were looking for the right occasion to tell you. What do you think, Anna? Is it going to be a boy or a girl?", mother asked.

My mind went blank, I didn't know what to say. Our family was about to get bigger, I would get a sibling. "... Sister… Or brother…?", I said to myself but then added, "Probably sister. I could teach her Formations and everything…". "Hehe. To tell you the truth, me and your father are hoping for a son. Well, we will see a few months in the future, right?", mother said.

Our conversation steered towards names, and what sort of things we could teach my sibling. That went on until the evening, where mother told me to get some rest. 'I can't wait to find out… I want a sister, but it doesn't matter that much. If it's a brother, I will care for him all the same. Hehe, I can tease him or her a lot. I'm gonna be a big sister', I thought to myself.

The next few days looked pretty much the same. We worked on my rhythm and footwork with uncle Aran, afterwards I'd focus on my course. My father returned with grandpa Philip, but said he had a few other people to gather and left shortly after.

"Grandpa!", I exclaimed at the sight of him. "Hehe, Anna grew up to be a young and beautiful lady. How are you? How's your Formation knowledge?", he asked while giving me a hug. "I'm alright grandpa. On the subject of Formations, I'm actually building an obstacle course outside the town. You can have a look later… Heh? You brought Splat with you?", I asked. "Well, yes. I had no one to leave it with. Anyway, I'm glad to see you. Moreover that father of yours finally decided to show up, eh?", grandpa said.

"Yea, took him a while, right? Anyway, how was your journey here? Exciting?", I asked knowing full well that grandpa had to travel on Frosty's back. "I'm still stunned that your father tamed such a creature… The legendary Dragons... to think they really exist. That Frosty had an attitude though, I thought he would eat me at first", he replied.

"Yea, he likes to show off like that. Don't mind him too much. Anyway, did dad tell you the news?", I asked. "You mean the wedding?", he replied with a question. "Mom! Why don't you tell grandpa yourself?", I called out to her. "That husband of mine left it in my hands? Well, maybe that's better", mother replied while joining us.

"Go on then, or do you want me to tell him?", I asked, excitedly. "I'm not sure what you're talking about really. Did something happen?", grandpa asked, confused. "I'm pregnant, father. We are going to have a child", mother announced. Grandpa's face changed a few times. He was as shocked as me when I heard it.

"...You guys work really fast, that scoundrel just returned and... Though I'm happy for you. At least this time, he will be around to take care of his child", grandpa replied. "Since you guys can travel around so quickly now, you have to visit more often. I want to see my grandchildren too, so don't be stingy. Use that husband of yours for something useful", he added.

"Actually, we were thinking about you moving to the North. I mean, you sit alone at the Academy, with only that slime keeping you company. We also have our own responsibilities back home, so frequent visits will not be possible. Maybe retire, and live with us? You can be with the kids all day, as well as get some rest", mother proposed.

"I don't need my daughter's pity. Besides, I might be old, but I'm not that old! I can still work and teach others", grandpa replied. "That was Nex's idea, not mine. He proposed that idea, and I agree. Besides, Anna and our new baby will be happy to have you around", mother explained.

"He did? I'm not going to lie, I'm surprised…", grandpa replied then began thinking about it. "Mom is right, you can live with us. Father can make another house, or we can ask Atols to help us. That way, we will see each other every day", I added. "... Maybe it's time to retire after all. I can't quit just like that though. I also need to think about it a bit more, but I'd like to see you guys more often too. Let's worry about that after the wedding, alright?", grandpa replied. We agreed, but I could tell that grandpa was really considering it. We introduced grandpa to my great aunt and uncle.

They seemed to get along really well, especially when they learned grandpa was a Formation master. "Great uncle, when will others arrive? I mean my other uncles and aunts", I asked. "They should be here in a few days. I told them not to rush, and take care of their stuff before they leave. Don't worry, they will be here", great uncle replied. 'I wonder what my other relatives will be like. I hope they are also nice', I thought.