Breathing technique

Frank landed his butt on his chair and leaned his back as he relaxed while he had a tired expression on his face. He could not be blamed, though, since he did not have time to leisure himself by the time after involving himself in entering an S-Grade dimensional zone while finding he was being spied on without his awareness.

Too many events happened at the same time. Not only that, he had recently got rid of the black garbage bag, which was emitting a rotten corpse smell earlier. He had no choice but to interrupt his relaxing session by going out and throwing the corpse outside the border of the Zeka Country. It took him almost an hour while using his soul power this time.

It did not take a toll on his body despite the non-stop use of his soul power, for he was currently cultivating his breathing technique, which added more to relaxing his body and mind.

Two hours later, he breathed out an air filled with impurity and stench, while his clear eyes sparkled brimmed with energy. He gazed at the rectangular clock, which showed it was already midday, which was a lunch break for the students. He then gazed at the towering pieces of paper as he sighed while feeling lazy.

"Too many works to be done," grumbled Frank. "I could have ignored it since I will run and hide anyway, but I should act natural, so no suspicious will be placed on me before I'm gone." He smiled.

He picked up a pen, which lay together with other pens on the cup with a heart logo. He remembered this cup was given by his apprentice, Isabella, who made him sigh once again dejectedly.

"I have already taught them enough what I could. It's up to them how will they implement the knowledge I have given to them in the future. They are now big kids and not a child anymore," smiled Frank bitterly.

He signed each paper while the signed paper was placed by the other side and was slowly building a tower. It did not long that half an hour later he was interrupted by a knock on the door. He knew it was not his assistant since he was already dead, while he had a slight knowledge of who the newcomer was.

"Come in," said Frank.

The door opened slowly, and Isabella made her appearance with an annoyed look on her face.

'Ah! She was getting distracted again.'

Frank smiled as he waited for his disciple to be awakened from her stupor. He does not want to startle her, for he knew the trauma it could cause by surprising someone. It was good to surprise them once for entertainment, but surprising them every time was bad for their mental health.

"Bella, my disciple." Frank softly and gently said.

His call drifted to the ears of Isabella and she was finally awoken from her stupor. She realized where she was, and she felt awkward as she immediately closed the door and sat before Frank's desk. To break the awkward atmosphere, Frank asked with a smile.

"What are you thinking about, Bella? Is there something that happened that made you annoyed that much?"

"Yes, Master! I was wondering why the area I mostly spend my relaxing time was burned into ashes. So I ask the guard, but to think he disregards me! I was really angry that I made him kowtow and lick my shoe! However, his disgusting face kept floating in my mind. I swear he might have loved licking my shoe that he did not even think of stopping! I'm really irked thinking about it."

Frank saw Isabella kept ranting and complaining about her uneventful experience earlier. When he finally realized what she was saying. Due to being cooped up in his principal office with no one daring to bother him. He was not aware of Draven's trouble he caused. He was startled and immediately interrupted Isabella.

"What do you mean? And what area was burned? Was there a monster or beast attack?!"

"N-No," said Isabella as she shook her head. "The Guard said it was an unknown reason, so probably some mischievous students who were playing with their Soul power made the area burn."

It was not surprising for students to awaken their path at such a young age. It was known that the Path was hereditary. If a student used his Soul power on the ground filled with grass, even if its power could only be compared to the fire of the matches, it could burn an area, especially if the area was inflammable. It was like how a used cigarette could cause a grass fire.

"I see," sighed Frank in relief. "So what made you contact me, huh? Bella? According to my knowledge, you only visit me unless you need something for me. I believe I have already taught you all the things I know. It depended on both of you how you will fare well in the future." Frank smiled.

Isabella was shocked by Frank's words, as though he was parting his goodbye. Isabella's stun made her think of her past interaction together with Frank. However, she immediately dismissed those memories and tried to forget about them, as the mission she came here overlapped the feelings of sadness within her heart.

"I-I wanted to ask something." Isabella gulped at Frank's continues stared as she realized Frank would not answer her, so she get straight to the point. "I-I wanted to know-"

"My Breathing technique, right?"

Frank stood up with a dejected sigh came out of his mouth. He did not place his eyes on Isabella anymore when he interrupted her. He turned his back towards her and moved towards the closed window as he grabbed the curtains to have a better view of the outside.

His office was at the top of the school building facing the colossal gate. There, Frank saw a lot of things, the pathway connected to the gate, and the abundant, sparse trees, which made the other area suitable for students' relaxation. He even saw the burned grass and trees on the right side, which was not far from the main school library.

It was currently the student's time for lunch, so the students spent their time eating lunch outdoors. Some students even circled the burned area as they wondered about the cause.

Frank enjoyed the scene as he let go of the curtain five minutes later before placing back his attention on Isabella. Isabella was getting impatient and sat while feeling apprehensive. She could not act strong before someone who was way stronger than her. Although she had her parents backing her, she knew once she entered this school, there was no one protecting her aside from herself.

"You don't have to act scaredy-cat, Bella." Frank sat on his chair while speaking nonsense. "I realized earlier that there was actually no one to trust. My assistant was actually a spy, while the people I loved died."

Frank's smile drooped as his facial expression turned melancholic. He remembered his past, his friends who died in cataclysm, his loneliness when he became a mysterious robber, and how he loved deeply his disciples.

"Aiden might be the only child worth placing my attention and care for."

Frank dismissed those thoughts as he shook his head. He looked at Isabella who had her head hanging low, afraid to have eye contact with him. He could not help but felt a sting in his heart, knowing his disciple was also a spy. However, he did not want to kill her since her mission was probably to get information regarding his breathing technique.

"Look me in the eye, Bella," encouraged Frank.

Isabella slowly turned her head and saw the crestfallen face of Frank. For some reason that she should not have felt, she felt a stung in her heart, which made her teary and made her emotion uncontrolled. Isabella could only nod at what Frank asked her.

"You want to know about my breathing technique, right?"