Chapter 25: Learning (2)

The next morning arrives, not that it is really obvious to notice. I’ve been trusting Airi’s perception of time more since she is the one bearing the light.

There isn’t really any clocks here that work or that we can look at anyway so this is the best I’m going to get.

Creak.

“Morning Liam. I want to go over some fighting stuff today,” Airi says while holding the door open.

“Fighting is definitely something I’d like to learn about,” I reply with enthusiasm.

I get up from my bed and head out into the main room again. Looking around I can see that Airi set-up a series of training dummies for us to use today.

Most of them definitely look like they’ve seen better days but it doesn’t make a difference.

“Fighting a hybrid zierel is a lot different than fighting a normal one. That man was a perfect example of a hybrid zierel; one that takes a human like form.” Airi begins to explain.

Hybrid probably refers to the human like form they take, something I didn’t even know was possible. It makes me wonder how many of them are hiding amongst humans.

Can they even do that with the light issue they possess?

Maybe that’ll be something Airi goes over with me at some point or another. Light is a pretty powerful weapon against them so I’d like to be able to utilize it.

“The hybrid zierel are also the most deadly because of how they can utilize their strength. So today I’ll show you how to deal with them so that way if you encounter one, you’ll be okay,” she continues to explain.

With that last bit of explaining she begins to show me a stance that she uses against them.

At first it doesn’t seem like she’s doing anything but then I realize that an aura is radiating from her. Her right foot is slightly forward while the left is still in the same spot she started in.

She doesn’t have her hands lifted up or anything though; it kind of feels like she is just standing there.

“Doesn’t it seem like you aren’t doing anything though?” I question with a bit of confusion in my voice.

She looks slightly towards me.

“If you don’t think I’m doing anything, come at me,” she replies calmly.

I decide to listen to her and charge at her, ready to throw a punch the moment I find myself in front of her.

As I extend my arm towards her it feels as if everything is slow for a moment; my fist is caught and within seconds I find myself on the ground.

“Don’t underestimate your opponent because of their stance,” Airi says while looking down at me.

It all felt so slow but then it was suddenly over, how strange.

I look up at Airi.

“That felt strange, what did I miss?” I ask while laying there.

“Speed is one of the greatest factors in fights, especially against a hybrid zierel. If you lose in a battle of speed, there is no coming back,” Airi answers calmly.

Speed being a factor in a fight isn’t that surprising since that’s what I saw with her fight against that guy. Both of them were extremely fast… To the point that I could barely see what was happening.

I don’t know how I’ll get to a point where I can fight at such a speed, but I believe I can do it.

Airi gives me a hand up after that and I begin to observe more of what she shows me. The day goes on with her showing me two different stances that she knows.

It is your typical offense and defense style stances.

She has a name for them but it isn’t coming to me right now, but it has been an exhausting day. I’ve gotten my ass kicked more times than I can count and my arm is not liking me.

At least it is finally time to eat something though.

Airi brings out two plates with rice and some chicken, something I didn’t expect to see during a time like this.

“Where do you even find this?” I ask with a bit of curiosity.

“That is a secret. Just enjoy it,” Airi answers with a smile.

I do exactly that.

The food tastes great or maybe it is because I haven’t had much in the last month that I’ve been here. She primarily made different soups or rice, that was about it.

Everything smells freshly cooked as well, not that anything else didn’t.

Every meal Airi made over the last month has been amazing… I didn’t realize how much I miss home cooking. I’ll try not to question it too much since she really doesn’t have to do any of this.

I don’t care if she’s assigned to me or whatever. In my mind it still is quite a nice thing for her to do regardless.

It does make me wonder about what kind of food they serve back at the academy, was it fresh like this? I feel like it might’ve just been some slop like they serve in prisons or something.

Food is food I guess.

“Soon you are going to have to make a decision about how you want to move forward though,” Airi speaks up while sitting down her fork.

“How I want to move forward?” I question.

“That’ll be our discussion for another day, but yes,” Airi answers.

It isn’t much of an answer but I think I understand what she’s saying. Moving forward here means… How I want to survive in the world now.

Will I fight the zierel head on, kill them off quietly, or will I just hide?

Honestly I never gave it much thought.

“On a side note, this chicken is great Airi,” I say, changing the topic.

“I’m glad you like it. I felt like you deserved something special since you’ve been working hard,” Airi replies with happiness in her voice.

“Thank you,” I say genuinely.

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