Petty Tricks

The old man doesn't take long to recover, he jumps up in a flash but on his face a look of sheer shock and says, "Wow that was impressive, I didn't expect you to pull a move like that."

You chuckle a bit slightly embarrassed by the old man's complement as you struggle to your feet, legs feeling as if they will give out at any second.

"I thought back to what you said earlier about strong attacks being fake, so I decided I'd make a strong-looking flame as a distraction while in my other I'd hit you with everything I had...but it still wasn't enough ."

"No, I'd say it's your win I doubt that Noah boy could have survived that."

You begin to smile but you stop yourself.

'I can't get too happy about this, yeah that attack would have worked on him but he's still stronger than me, I gotta train harder if I wanna stop relying on him all the time.'

You can feel your heart fill with determination, "No, that's not enough I wanna get stronger without petty tricks."

"I'm too weak as I am now I gotta work hard if I really wanna save my dad without having to rely on anyone else's power I gotta get stronger."

The old man smiles as he rests his hand on your shoulder.

"Ok, If you wanna get stronger give me 1000 push-ups"

You freeze for a moment as you shack your head and with a smile, you say, "What was that I think I misheard you?'

"I need 1000 push-ups If you wanna be a strong mage your body must be strong enough to handle and blows you take, if you were in shape you could have probably taken me down without relying on petty tricks as you say. "

You wanted to say something but you held your tongue and began.