Path To Power

Raffaella was leaning against the round table. She carefully positioned her elbow in order to not touch the paper bags and boxes. A bright lamp hung right above her head, it illuminated the backyard.

"What's there to be embarrassed about?" Naomi asked.

"I don't want to do it." Raffaella said, as if she was sick of the question. But then she thought about how she will be asked again, so she added, "why don't you try it first?"

"Oh yeah? I won't let you off if you don't do it today." Naomi bent down on the floor. Her hands touched the cold stone, and she adjusted her arms to do push-ups. She was very careful in the beginning but soon got a hang of it.

"Lower your body a little more," Raffaella said with a smile on her face. "Are you really focusing on your breaths?" She bended on her knees near Naomi's face.

"I am trying." Naomi struggled to breathe as she stopped on 31st push-up. She fell on the floor and rolled to lie on her back. "See, I was able to do it."

Raffaella highly doubted it and looked at the brownish orange haired girl who was silently standing at the side. They had just helped the girl change back into normal clothes. Naomi also proposed to bathe together, but they weren't sure if the ink on Arnacia's palm would wash away.

"The more you think about it, the easier it will be." Raffaella said and with her hands she tried to push Naomi away. "Let me show you."

Naomi rolled away once and laid on her side. She supported her head with her hand raised eyebrows at Raffaella to start. Arnacia also focused on the lean girl who was about to apply the technique correctly.

"It's all about the harmony of the body." Raffaella breathed in synchronization with her movements. She pushed the ground with her frail hands.

1… 2… 3… 4…

She pulled up her knees for support against the ground. The spectators looked at her in shock. She dusted her pants and got up with the support of the table.

"That's it?" Naomi asked. She was on the verge of laughing out loud.

"Ugh. It's a miracle I can do 4 with my arms burning." Raffaella folded her arms and looked at Naomi with the corner of her eyes. "Unlike you, I can already feel the benefits of the technique. The push-ups were very easy to do."

Arnacia felt baffled by her discovery. Breathing in synchronization with body moments sounded absurd. Was it even going to work? She had her doubts because this was like the thing that is always in plain sight, but none thinks to change it for the better.

'Can it really help me?' She got in position. Unlike these girls, she knew her limits. 29 was the number she achieved last time.

"Do we really have to do this?" Raffaella asked as Arnacia began the simple exercise.

"What's the most reliable thing a person can have?" Arnacia asked, as she paused for a brief time.

"Money."

"Knowledge." Raffaella looked at Naomi, who had a different perspective. But she couldn't say that the answer was wrong.

"Then who's the most powerful person in the Kingdom?" Arnacia's words were said with stops in between as she didn't pause the push-ups.

"Is this a trick question?" Naomi asked.

"Of course not. The answer is King Nicholas." Raffaella said, as it was too obvious. A King and that of Lorein Kingdom obviously had money. Since he was a popular and successful king, he definitely was knowledgeable.

"Doesn't he have all the power and freedom because he is also the strongest person?" Arnacia asked. At this point, Raffaella and Naomi weren't counting anymore. "Individual strength is the most valuable asset…"

'…in this world. And now Queen Afeefa will acquire magic with the help of Isabelle.' Arnacia believed that magic would definitely be an important factor, since this was the world written in a light novel. Indeed, money and knowledge were important along with other factors such as friends, status, influence, but strength was the most tripping factor that could slide everything else in favor.

49, 50, 51, 52…

Arnacia breathed out quickly as she stopped. Her arms were burning just like the fire in her eyes. Anything was possible in this world. And right now, her focus was on the closest thing achievable. She quickly did the math on how much the 'Breath Harmony' technique helped her.

79.31% increase!

"Don't fall behind on this Raffaella. Medicine is not always going to help you." Arnacia said in an excited tone. She nodded and smiled at Naomi. "I should leave now. My parents won't be able to sleep if I stay any longer. You can stay here." She ran her hand over Raffaella's forearm and held her hand. "I am sure Naomi will agree." She offered her other hand to Naomi.

"No, I have to go too. My father will be really mad at me if I don't continue my daily schedule from tomorrow."

"It's pretty late. Stay here." Naomi said. She was still holding Arnacia's hand, whereas Raffaella was not.

"You can go there early in the morning. And right, we can carry Archie there early in the morning. I will be here before sunrise." Arnacia said. She gently pulled her hand from Naomi's grip. "Today was fun, glad we met you. See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow." Raffaella said. Her eyes turned teary as she saw Arnacia leave. But soon felt Naomi's hand on her own.

"I will show you the guest room. It would be a million times better than your tribal cottage." Naomi teased.

***

Arnacia walked with careful steps on her way back. She was trying the idea of syncing every moment with her breaths. A new path had opened up for her and she couldn't calm her smile. She hopped and swung on the way, unaware of the monsters in the night.