Chapter 47: Perfect match


    Chance quickly discovered that, no matter how hypothetically well he understood the moves, it was nothing on Lucy. His body simply couldnt move as fast as hers, and that meant he spent the majority of his time either flying through the air or on the ground.


    Lucy didnt let up, even when he was thrown down. The sun continued to simmer overhead. The sparring turned to a blur, but if Lucy was doing anything new, Chance never discovered it. It just felt like she was fighting as she always had.


    She continued to press him, not even giving enough time for him to ask questions. Frustration built within Chance, his inability to improve gnawing at him more and more. He could see Lucy doing the very moves shed taught him, and he knew exactly what she was about to do  but he just wasnt fast or strong enough to do anything about it.


    He crushed the anger, refusing to let it take hold or affect him. Instead, he put every fiber of his being into trying to find a way to ovee Lucy. As always, he had no idea how long they had been fighting when an idea sprung to his mind  or rather, his hand.


    The urumi leapt forth for the first time since hed arrived in the field, and he found himself swinging it before he even realized what his hands were doing. Lucy responded instantly, stumbling out of the way and catching him on the chin with a iling palm.


    Chance rolled back, staggering to his feet and continuing the strike. The de whistled past Lucys nose, nearly catching her. It bought him just enough time to step in. He faked a stumble, redirecting his motion into a spinning kick.


    It caught nothing but air, but he continued the spin, tranting the motion into his urumi. Lucy leaned backward, dropping into an arch as his weapon passed over her. She then vaulted up, striking him in the chin with her foot.


    Chance rolled with the blow and flicked his urumi as he fell. Lucy let out a curse, but by the time he was standing again, the attack had passed. His weapon retracted, a tiny splotch of blood on one of the links.


    It faded away and he looked at Lucy in surprise.


    I hit you?


    So you did, Lucy said, rolling her shoulders.


    Does that mean I figured it out?


    Lucy pursed her lips. Im afraid not. You still dont have any Essence in your moves, but youve got a great conceptual understanding of this fighting style. Youve even managed to incorporate your weapon, but its still empty. How do you feel when fighting?


    Feel? Chance asked, lowering his de slightly. Im not sure. Like Im fighting. Im not certain I feel any way in particr. Were just training.


    I see. Im afraid I have nothing more to teach you, then. The style I developed does not fit you.


    What? Why? I feel like Im learning a lot.


    You are, Lucy said. But I am no longer able to guide you. Youve learned all the parts of my style that I can teach. Unfortunately, it doesnt look like youre a match. You have to discover what is missing and fill it in on your own.


    To make myself embody my Essence when Im fighting?


    Precisely. You will know when you have achieved it because fighting will be like cultivation. No matter what you are actually fighting against, your mind should be at peace. Once you have achieved that, then you have discovered your true fighting style. Only then will you begin to be able to begin along the road to a master.


    Chance bit back augh. Thats only the beginning?


    Of course, Lucy replied. After all, physicalbat is just one part of the whole. Theres also your aura, techniques, and cultivation abilities. A true master can weave them all together perfectly.


    I understand, Chance said. He bowed to Lucy. Thank you. Im not sure how long youve been training me, but Ive learned a lot.


    Lucy justughed. Its just my purpose. You have a truly impressive amount of willpower, though. I dont have much reference, but I didnt think you would havested as long as you did.


    Why?


    Permanent or not, constant injuries take a great toll on your mind. Lucy has to be at least a little annoyed, as she probably didnt think you would have leeched this much power from her.


    Wait, shes still powering this? Chance asked.


    As long as someone is in here, she has to give it Essence. Only when you leave will the passage of time resume. Dont fret, boy. You did well. Even though weve spoken little, our fists and feet have said all they need to. Youll develop your style, and I dont think itll be a long time waiting.


    Thank you. You were a fantastic teacher.


    Lucy snorted. Get out of here. Were done.


    Before thest word had even left her mouth, the field started to fall away. Thest thing Chance saw was the warm sun, its rays washing across the golden wheat like a lovers caress. Then it was gone, and the world was darkness.


    The dark stone alleys of Gleam emerged, putting themselves together at the edges of Chances vision like dozens of tiny puzzle pieces. A wave of dizziness washed over him and, when it passed, the world was whole once more.


    Lucy was gone, and he stood alone in the alley that shed left him in. Chance blinked, rubbing his eyes. A heavy fuzz filled his mind. Drawing in a slow breath, he felt a crisp breeze for the first time in what seemed like forever.


    His memories of the training with Lucy werent fuzzy, but they werepressed. It was as if theyd all happened years ago, but they rose up to the surface like an old skill. Even though it had been years since Chance hadst had the opportunity, it felt as natural as riding a bike.


    Chance slipped into one of the forms, letting himself stagger through the alley like a drunkard. The strain of the movements hit him almost immediately, and he quickly realized just how different the wheat field was from the real world.


    Without the ability to grow tired in it, hed never realized just how much work the movements took. Even though he knew what to do conceptually, he could tell it would take practice to be able to properly execute the movements with the level of control hed gained in the mindscape.


    Chance muttered another thank you to Lucy, just in case she was still somewhere in the area and could hear him, then made his way back to the Whiteheart house.


    Seeing Gleam again felt strange. Logically, he could tell that no time had passed. The new memories bouncing around in his head made everything feel just slightly out of ce. Before he knew it, Chance was standing at the doors to the Whiteheart house again.


    To his surprise, all three of the others were already downstairs, sitting on the couches. Pete and Be both had half-eaten sandwiches, and the front of Yeos shirt was covered with crumbs.


    Training going well, Chance? Yeo asked. Pete swung around to give us a break from practicing, but you were already gone when he checked your room.


    Yeah. Im feeling good about it, Chance replied. He wondered how he was supposed to exin his encounter with Lucy for a moment, but quickly realized that it had absolutely nothing to do with the Old City or Yamish, which meant he was free to say what he wanted. I had something of a fortuitous encounter.


    Whats that supposed to mean? Be asked.


    I met a Karma cultivator, and they trained me, Chance replied.


    To his surprise, none of them looked particrly surprised.


    I kinda figured you had someone teaching you, Yeo said,ughing at the expression on Chances face. I mean,e on. You were constantly leaving and growing at a crazy rate. That doesnt happen unless youre aplete genius or youve got someone helping out. What rank are they?


    Im not sure, Chance admitted. He didnt know how to rank either the Old City or Lucy. But whatever they are, I just got a pretty big boost.


    A Technique? Yeo asked eagerly.


    No. Just physicalbat training, Chance replied.


    Really? Thats odd, Be said. It takes a really long time to learn a fighting style, and your build looks about the same.


    Thats not true, Pete said. Hes put on some muscle, and Chance is carrying himself differently than how he used to. Im not sure how I managed to miss that before. Were you hiding it on purpose? Or have my eyes really started to fail me?


    No, youre fine. I learned all of it today, Chance replied. He quickly realized how that sounded and cleared his throat. My teacher sent me somewhere where time didnt flow and I kind of trained my mind, not my body.


    They stared at him mutely.


    What? Be asked, breaking the silence after several seconds. Youre serious?


    Yeah. I didnt gain any physical training from it, but the theory is all up here. He tapped his head.


    I hate you, Yeo dered. The worst part is I know you well enough to know you wouldnt lie about this, which means you actually managed to get lucky enough to stumble into something this rare. Does the universe just love you or something?


    Luck is kind of my thing, Chance said with a sheepish grin. But its not all sunshine. I owe thedy that taught me a favor if I survive long enough to pay it back, and I dont think itlle cheap.


    Petes eyes narrowed. A dangerous bargain, but one I would have taken as well. Not one I would have ever been offered, though. Yeo is right. Your luck is something else, Chance.


    Forget that, Be said, setting her sandwich aside and jumping to her feet. Can you show me? I want to see. If they taught you some secretbat style, maybe I can learn something if we spar.


    Sure. I need to get my body into shape to actually use this properly, so that sounds like a good idea to me.


    Only if I get to go next, Yeo said. Are you going to fight at the Shikari training grounds or on the frontwn?


    Lets use the training grounds, Chance said. Weve earned the right. Might as well use em until we have the money to spare getting an upgrade for the Whiteheart house.


    Ill join you, Pete said, his eyes sparkling. Something from a cultivator powerful enough to pause time anywhere is sure to be enlightening. Perhaps Ill be able to push through my bottleneck with what I pick up.