Chapter 225 Chapter 50.1 - A quick lesson
225 Chapter 50.1 - A quick lesson
"I am fine, don't worry."
After hearing those words, neither Jasmine nor Sylvie said anything as she left.
She had been avoiding the reality of her powers for too long, and now, it was time to face them head-on.
She exited the training area, leaving Jasmine with a mix of concern and understanding.
Making her way to the agreed spot, Sylvie couldn't help but feel a knot of anticipation and nervousness in her stomach. The decision to seek Astron's help in learning to fight was a significant step for her. She needed to overcome not only her physical weaknesses but also the emotional scars left by that traumatic day.
Of course, it was a little scary, but she had already taken the first step. What else did she need to do?
'I can do it.'
Thinking like that, she reached the agreed meeting place.
Astron was already waiting for her at the designated location. He looked at her with a scrutinizing gaze as if assessing her readiness for what was to come. Sylvie squared her shoulders, meeting his gaze with determination.
"I'm ready to learn," she declared, the words carrying a weight of commitment.
Astron nodded, acknowledging her readiness. "That is good." His gaze was serious, but at the same time, it didn't hold the same fierceness as it normally would.
"You seem to be tired."
"I am fine," Sylvie replied. She knew he would see through her anyway, and it was not like she was hiding.
"Really?"
"Really."
"I see."
He didn't say much and just looked at her for a second as if he made up his mind. "Then, let us start."
Astron took a step back, assessing Sylvie's posture. His keen eyes focused on her stance, searching for any signs of imbalance or vulnerability. After a moment of silent observation, he began to speak.
"First, let's work on your stance. A proper stance is the foundation of defense. It helps you maintain balance and react swiftly to any threats." Astron demonstrated a basic defensive stance, feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and weight evenly distributed.
Of course, this was something that was already taught in the theoretical lessons at the academy, and Sylvie most likely knew that.
However, things like these were mainly practical, and those who only knew the theory wouldn't be able to use them well if they were not practiced enough.
Thus, he was showing her how to do it physically.
"Try to emulate this," he instructed, encouraging Sylvie to adjust her stance. "It might feel awkward at first, but with practice, it becomes second nature."
Sylvie mirrored his stance, adjusting her footing as best as she could. Astron's purple eyes were locked on her stance, seizing every tiny detail she was showing.
'This is…..'
It was weirdly embarrassing to be subjected to his gaze while she was performing like a monkey in a circus. Of course, the goal was different, but she felt embarrassed, nevertheless.
'Focus, Sylvie. This is important.'
Attempting to shake off the fleeting embarrassment, she redirected her attention to the task at hand. However, Astron's discerning eyes caught the subtle signs of her distraction.
"You're not doing it quite right," he observed, his tone matter-
of-fact. "Your body lacks the conditioning for this stance. Let me show you again."
With a swift movement, Astron demonstrated the defensive stance once more, each detail executed with precision. His movements were fluid, a result of repetitive training that Sylvie couldn't hope to match immediately.
"Now, observe closely. Feel the balance, the distribution of weight. It's not just about the posture; it's about the connection between your body and the ground beneath you."
Sylvie watched attentively, absorbing every nuance of his demonstration. Astron's guidance was clear and patient, his experience evident in the meticulous way he conveyed each aspect of the stance.
"Your turn," he prompted, stepping back to give her space.
Taking a deep breath, Sylvie mimicked the movements once again, striving to capture the essence of the defensive stance. Astron's discerning eyes remained on her, offering feedback and correction where needed.
She closed her eyes, envisioned her body in her head, and tried to compare it with how Astron had done. This was a method she had been using with her healing skills, as she always guided herself according to her experiences with her own body.
However, that didn't seem to work in the reverse way.
"Hmm," Astron hummed, a sound of contemplation as he observed Sylvie's efforts. "So, that is her body type."
'I guess I am not doing it right.' She felt a little disappointed inside, as she felt like she didn't meet his expectations. She also didn't meet hers either.
However, before she could ask for further clarification or guidance, Astron stepped forward without warning.
PAT!
His hands gently grasped Sylvie's arms, guiding her posture into the correct alignment.
"Your arms need to position like this."
SHUDDER!
The unexpected contact sent a shiver down Sylvie's spine, but Astron's touch was firm yet gentle. His hand didn't hold much force as he simply guided her on how to do it.
"Feel the weight on the balls of your feet. Engage your core. It's not just about the stance; it's about the intention behind it. You're not just defending; you're claiming your space, ensuring your presence is felt."
His voice, though directive, held an undercurrent of encouragement. Sylvie, now in the corrected stance, could sense the difference.
'I see now.'
When he corrected her posture, she clearly felt a sensation she couldn't feel before. As if some of her dormant muscles had been activated randomly, and she made sure to bury that feeling in her head.
There was a newfound solidity, a connection between her body and the ground beneath her that she hadn't realized before.
"Not like that…. You need to do it like this."
However, her thoughts were abruptly disrupted as Astron stepped closer once again. His presence enveloped her, and the proximity made her acutely aware of his breath, warm and reassuring. The scent of lavender, the same fragrance she had noticed before, intensified as he drew near.
THUMP!
Her mind, which had been focused on combat training, suddenly ceased to function. Astron's proximity, his touch, and the familiar scent overwhelmed her senses.
'He smells good.'
Just as she felt at the library, the same scent of lavender entered her nose.
A subtle shiver ran down her spine, and her heart began to beat rapidly in response to the close proximity.
For a moment, Sylvie's thoughts scattered, and the heat rose to her face. The sensation was both thrilling and disorienting. She struggled to regain her composure, but the closeness and the scent of lavender lingered, leaving an indelible mark on the training session.
"It's not just about the stance; it's about having control over your entire body. You need to engage your core muscles for stability and maintain a relaxed yet alert state."
Astron continued to explain the nuances of the defensive stance, his hands moving through the air to emphasize certain points.
Sylvie, still reeling from the unexpected closeness, watched him intently, absorbing every detail. His pale skin seemed almost otherworldly in the soft light, and a strange desire welled up within her—a desire to feel the texture of his skin, to touch it.
'His hand felt good too.'
Unbeknownst to Sylvie, her hand moved of its own accord. It was a subtle, almost unconscious gesture guided by an impulse she didn't fully comprehend. She had been pushing herself for the past five days, and she wasn't able to relax….Until now.
As Astron spoke, her fingertips brushed against his cheek, a delicate touch that lingered for a brief moment.
"Feel the muscles…..Hmm?"
Astron, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected contact, paused in his explanation. His eyes met Sylvie's, a flicker of surprise and curiosity in his gaze.
"...."
Sylvie, realizing what she had done, quickly withdrew her hand, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
"I-I'm sorry," she stammered, her voice a mix of surprise and self-consciousness. "I didn't mean to..."
'What did I just do? What did I just do? What did I just do? What did I just do? What did I just do? What did I just do? What did I just do? What did I just do? What did I just do?'
Inwardly, she repeated the same sentence over and over again. She couldn't even raise her head, as she felt like the world was burning.
"It is fine," Astron mumbled as he touched his cheek.
'Again, it doesn't feel repulsive.' Thinking that Sylvie's powers were certainly overpowered, he shook his head.
Sylvie, still overcome with embarrassment, couldn't bring herself to look at him. The heat on her face intensified, and she wished the ground would just swallow her up.
'What have I done? I've never been so impulsive.'
Her mind raced with a chaotic blend of emotions. Astron's casual response did little to ease her mortification. If anything, it intensified the awkwardness of the situation.
Astron cleared his throat, redirecting the focus back to the training. "Let's continue. Focus on your stance, Sylvie," he instructed as if the unexpected moment hadn't occurred.
Sylvie, determined to regain her composure, nodded vigorously. 'Focus, Sylvie. Focus on the training.' Yet, the lingering embarrassment made it challenging to concentrate on anything other than the proximity and the strange feeling she got when he was this close.
And Astron also seemed to realize it as well, as he felt Sylvie's blood pressure rising from the tip of his fingers. She was showing signs of anxiety, and that wasn't an optimal situation to be in while training.
He slowly got away from her, giving her the space she needed, and Sylvie was very grateful for that fact. However, a small lingering feeling of regret remained in her heart.
'I will do it properly this time.'
Though, seemingly enough, his touch was effective as Sylvie, this time, took the stance correctly, almost without any mistakes at all.
"Feel the muscles here," he said, his voice steady and instructive. "This is your core. Engage it, but don't tense up too much. It's about finding the right balance."
Sylvie, still recovering from the unexpected proximity, tried her best to follow Astron's instructions. His guidance was precise, and she gradually became more aware of the specific muscles involved in maintaining the correct posture.
"Good, Sylvie. Now, let's move on to foot positioning. Remember, a stable foundation starts from the ground up."
Astron demonstrated the correct foot placement, explaining the importance of weight distribution and balance. Sylvie focused intently, determined to absorb every detail of the instruction.
As Astron continued his patient guidance, Sylvie found herself becoming more comfortable with the training. The initial embarrassment and distraction faded, replaced by a growing sense of self-awareness and determination.
Time passed as they worked on the fundamentals of self-
defense. Astron, while maintaining professionalism, couldn't help but notice the shift in Sylvie's demeanor.
'Good for a first step.'
Her initial nervousness gave way to a newfound confidence as she absorbed the instructions and applied them with increasing proficiency.
'She is learning quite fast as well.'
With each correction and explanation, Sylvie's movements became more fluid. Astron, sensing her progress, couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction.
He knew that mastering these basic skills was crucial for Sylvie's journey toward self-improvement and overcoming the trauma of her past.
As well as the future of this world….
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