Weird Pose

For the next few days, the control of my energy improved. At least to some extent. Father's talk about flows and whatnot, gave me an idea how to restrict it. Energy acted a bit like a stream. The narrower a stream was, the less water would flow through it. Using a similar concept, I was able to restrict the flow of my energy and use half of it. In other words, my energy could be divided in half.

Once my father learned about it, he told me this was not enough. "I can't possibly do any better in a week. You said to control my energy, that I did. This is unfair!", I exclaimed. "Try a bit harder. You still have some time left. I mean, you never know right?", he replied. Since he wouldn't admit defeat so easily, I didn't plan to stop either. Other than trying to control my energy, I managed to finish a few items Tara brought. The trinkets received the usual basic Formations, that didn't require too much of my attention or time. The clothes were a bit more special. Other than durability Formation, I placed some defensive Formations or enhancing Formations on them. They were not that great, but good enough to at least provide some form of added safety.

The clothes were quite valuable, especially with those Formations, but those paintings had a chance to be even more valuable. None of the paintings were finished yet. My plan was to use them as small storage items. Very small, since the material couldn't support big Formation. Technically, I could draw a good spatial Formation. Though that would be stupid, and pointless. Besides the materials, my practice of spatial Formations lacked. Other than spatial Formations, I planned to add a glow to each painting. This would make them stand out more, especially during the night. Of course the durability Formation would be there as well. The paintings were the most difficult, therefore I left them for last.

When my father saw those paintings and heard why they were in my possession, he proposed to make new frames for me. I tried refusing, but he insisted. 'Well it's a gift, and he's allowed to give me any gift he likes… It's just that, I'm sure he wants me to earn more', I thought. With properly crafted frames, the paintings would be worth more even without the Formations. I agreed to use the frames once he made them, but told him not to rush or anything.

Mother also changed a bit. She no longer rushed me to train or whatever. Or rather, she didn't want to train with me. Once my father gave her that book, she stared at it for most of the day. Of course, I wasn't allowed to read it under the pretence 'This book is about Furians and their skills. It's not for you my dear'.

The promised week passed, but I wasn't able to control my energy any better. Being able to split it in half, was the pinnacle of my abilities. "I still think you should reward me. I mean, being able to split my energy in half requires some sort of control, right?", I argued. "Hehe, I planned on giving it to you anyway. This deadline served as motivation rather than anything else. Besides, you are right. Being able to split your energy in half, is already a great improvement. If you did better, me and your mom would hide under a rock from embarrassment. Anyway, here, this is yours", father replied while handing me a book.

"You tricked me… Do you guys enjoy someone else's suffering or something? Anyway, a book is my reward?", I asked, but then looked at that 'book'. "I can't even call it a book, since it's so thin. There's like a few pages inside", I added. "Yes, it's thin, but everything you need to know is there. These notes if you will, contain two diagrams with special poses. You are only allowed to practice the first pose, at least for now", he explained.

He didn't lie. The notes indeed contained two diagrams with some sort of poses depicted inside them. That part was truthful, but the poses... "Yea, I'm not gonna fall for this. I mean, this is obviously some sort of joke you are trying to pull here", I said. "Um... Why would I joke about it? Here, let me show you the first pose myself", he replied.

Father assumed the pose depicted in the first diagram. He did it without any hesitation, and it seemed well practiced too. 'Hmm… Maybe this isn't a joke? Why would I need such poses though?', I asked myself. "... Anna, wake up. I'm not going to explain this a hundred times", father woke me up from my thoughts. "Oh right, what did you say?", I asked.

"I'm going to explain the pose to you, so listen. Place both of your hands behind your neck, and then crouch but using only one leg. Doesn't matter which leg you choose, since this pose works with both legs. Though it's a good idea to change them often. Your other leg should be straightened out in front of you, like this. Another crucial detail is your back, keep it straightened like so", he demonstrated.

"Alright, then what is the purpose of this pose? Why should I do such a stupid thing?", I questioned. "There's loads of benefits. The main one is exercising your hidden muscles", father replied. "Hidden muscles?", I was confused. "Yes, hidden muscles. For example, the biceps or triceps you see on your arm, these are not the hidden muscles. The hidden muscles are those which require specific exercise to be trained. I call them hidden muscles, but you can also refer to them as inner muscles. They aren't hidden per se, they are simply dormant in your body during normal exercise. Once you train and learn how to use them, your muscles will gain an additional burst of strength", he explained.

"And this stupid pose allows for exercising those hidden muscles? Dad, if you're lying to me, I will not talk with you anymore. If you have nothing else to say, I will try it out", I tried once more, just to make sure father wasn't lying. "Anna child, I'm trying to help you improve… Teasing you is one thing, but actually lying about such things is not something we would do. If you are embarrassed, you can always do this pose in your own room. It doesn't matter where you do it, what matters is the consistency", father assured me.

"Alright, I'll do it. Just wanted to make sure, with you guys everything is possible. Blame yourselves for this", I replied before assuming the weird pose. "Not bad for your first try, but let me correct it for you... You need to crouch a bit lower and straighten your leg more… Like this. Alright, now your back is not fully straightened either, so… There", he made sure the pose was done correctly.

Perhaps a few seconds went by, when my leg gave way making my fall backward. "What the?... Why is this so difficult?", I asked, stunned. "Hehe, see? This isn't easy at all, but really helps train those hidden muscles. Oh, and you are only allowed to make that pose once a day. Not more than that. Remember to do it everyday as well. I know what you're thinking, 'How can this help me, if I do it for a few seconds once a day?'. Believe me, it will help you. This places a lot of stress on your hidden muscles, overdoing it will bring you suffering not results. For now, you'll only last a few seconds but with time, this will change into minutes. Practice that every day, and the results will be there", he explained.

"Alright, I will… Oh! You finished your workshop already?", I asked. "Yes, pretty much. This took me a while because of the furnace, but it's as good as done. I'll add to it when something comes to my mind. Want a little tour?", he replied. I didn't mind. Besides, he got me intrigued after mentioning the furnace.

His workshop was actually quite spacious and neat. There were a few tools hanging above the bench in the right corner. Together with a wooden stool and some sort of rack near the doors. A stone furnace stood in the middle, while a large anvil and some barrels stood on the left. Even with the windows, the workshop was a bit dark.

"Dad… Why do you need that furnace and anvil?", I asked. "For smithing? I'm no master blacksmith, but I can make my own tools, some simple weapons and so on. Furnace is a great thing to have", he explained. "...Just how many things did you learn anyway?", I asked a bit annoyed. "A few here and there. I'm also going to grow my own herbs for medicine making and so on. There is an Art of Medicine, which I'm a master of as well. Hehe, yea your old man learned quite a few things", he said.

"Heeh? Did uncle Ulon teach you? You are also a master… Master farmer, that doesn't sound so great, you know?", I mocked him a bit. "Haha, master farmer... You have no idea my child how deadly my Art can be. Anyway, Ulon taught me about farming, but not about medicine. His or Northern knowledge of medicine is rather poor. The Endrosian Empire does much better on that front. On the other hand, the North has more extensive knowledge about Formations. Besides, I'm not that good with Formations for example. You are much better than me, when it comes to that… Though I spent very little time learning them...", he replied.

"Yea, yea, of course. My father is great and all, he knows everything. Are there things you didn't try to learn?", I asked, defeated. "Hmmm..", "Are you serious? You have to search your memory for an answer?!", I exclaimed. "Well, I tried loads of things. That doesn't mean I'm good at them. For example, I can't make a good bow. I can make a bow because it's not hard, but the bow will be rubbish. I can draw some basic Formations, but nothing special or even remotely useful. Anyway, when you have kids, I'm sure they will be amazed by your experiences and knowledge", he said.

'... Yea, I don't think my knowledge will amaze anyone… Besides, kids? I'm too young for that!', I said to myself. "...Family, eh? We should visit them, I haven't seen them in a long time", father added. "You mean grandpa?", I asked but then realised he said 'them', not 'him'. "Your grandpa as well. He must be angry with me though. I kind of kidnapped his daughter… Anyway, I meant my relatives. What? You thought my parents were the only relatives I had? That was the case for a few years of my life. Then I found my mother's and father's villages", he replied.

"Are they living in the Endrosian Empire?", I asked excitedly. "Of course, they are Humans after all. Don't worry, they are good people. Family is family, Anna. We accept each other the way we are", father said. "Heh, I can't wait to visit them in that case", I added. "That will have to wait for a while. A few visitors will be here soon… Which means loads of troubles on my head. That's why being an Emperor is a pain", he said. "Cheer up, dad. At least you have a beautiful daughter and wife", I replied with a smile. "Hehe, you cheeky little..", father grabbed me and ruffled my hair. "Go pester your mom or something. I need to work on my garden now", he shooed me away.

I tried asking my mother for some help with my training, but she gave me an excuse instead, "Sorry sweetie, I'm busy today. Ask your father". 'Seriously? Before dad returned, she would basically drag me out and make me train. Now, she tells me to go away', I thought. With no other options left, I headed back to my father. "Mom claims she's too busy... I need an opponent for my sword practice. Your illusion will do, I guess", I said. "Sure", just as he said that, another father appeared next to him.

"I have a question though… Why don't you use those illusions to help you make stuff?", I inquired. "I'm in no rush. Besides, I enjoy working in the garden", father replied. Either way, with my father's illusion, I could finally practice my sword.