Chapter 87: Burning Bridges
Oust could only stare at his teacher baffled. He felt like he was finally making some good progress, only to have the rug pulled from beneath him. He spoke, a hint of his frustration resurfacing.
"Master... I don’t think I understand?"
Sir Corper gave a burly laugh before he answered.
"No, I wouldn’t expect anyone to grasp it so easily... What I mean is, you already know how to fight well. You don’t need to keep trying to fight like me. You already know what steps to take. You already know what strikes work for your body, your style, so to speak.
"Now build from that, and apply what I’ve taught you on executing those movements. It’s time you start finding your own rhythm. It’s time to start building your own kind of dance, cub. That is how you will learn to use your body to its full extent.
"When you can move without thinking about the steps at all, when it all simply comes natural to you, THAT is when you’ll finally tap into a bit of that potential you have buried under all those layered on years of shit, my young student."
Oust grumbled a bit, still not certain he even knew how to go about the task. Should he just practice his training steps like when he was younger? The burly brown bear chuckled once more.
"Do not worry, I’ll be here to show you. I don’t plan on abandoning my student after only a day. You’re going to rise to the stars by the end of this, young one. I wouldn’t chance stunting that growth for the world at this point... It’s not like a grumpy old bear has much else to do these days, after all."
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Mollis stood at the edge of the river with a look of sadness. Her thoughts were troubled ones. Sure, Captain Rix hadn’t returned yet, but that was within reason.
The hard-headed bull likely scouted all the way to the Thorned Thicket, knowing him... But Mollis was sad for the fallen and wilting tree. She knew who was actually responsible for the destruction... But she felt it was ultimately herself.
Mollis had let her fear grip her a bit too tightly when she had confronted Aster, an old habit the rabbit had failed to shake it seemed. She hadn’t meant to accuse Aster or his brother of foul play, but she just wanted some answers...