Special Mob Training(For Jessica)

Reiko laughed. "That's always helpful in life," she said, "But what I meant was, what do you think your strengths are in a fight? Take Corey for example. She's strong and rough without and sense of remorse. She can fight with nothing holding her back. Or me, I'm not particularly strong but I know my techniques and can read my opponent's movements well. What do you think your strengths are?"

"Oh...well....I'm not really strong or fast...and I dont last long in fights....and it's really hard to me to concentrate. But I got Mako to help me! Does it count?" Yui said pointing at her little pet. Mako jumped in joy. It was really happy of being its owner's strength....or at least,that's what it thought.

"Mako?" Reiko said, "Aww, he's pretty cute."

"Well, I think I know how the next phase of our training should go," Reiko said, "It's time for you to develop your strengths. Come with me." She opened another hidden door along the wall, this one leading to a small path into the forest.

"Whew...Does this place have any limits?" Yui thought as she put Mako on her shoulder and walked right behind of Reiko to the forest. Both her and Mako started to feel a little scared,but they just tried to hit the fear by faking a big smile. Actually,she was pretty confident that she could do it to the end.

"Okay....What are we going to do here?"

"Here," Reiko said, leading Yui into a clearing within the forest. The trees rustled in the wind, blowing off a few leaves. Reiko stood in the middle of the clearing, holding out her arms, allowing the wind to blow around her.

"Can you feel it, the wind?" Reiko said, "It flows around you, never hitting head on, but always moving around to completely encompass you. You cannot catch it, no matter how hard you try. That is the way to fight, you cannot allow people to ever catch you or be able to hit you."

Yui was amazed by Reiko's poetic talent. She was totally right. The feeling of the wind around her was simply the best feeling in the world. Ignoring Reiko's question,Yui just closed her eyes and walked a little faster,doing some breathing exercises.

Seeing her pupil beginning to take in the environment as well, Reiko was pleased. Of course, she had not yet gotten to exactly why she had brought Yui here yet.

"The forest here is special, filled with spiritual energy," Reiko said, "It is good for the spirit, the inner chi, to train here."

She walked beside Yui. "I will show you the basic techniques of Karate here," she said, "Watch carefully, and follow my movements. This will be a bit crash course, but perhaps you can get something out of it."

Yui,finally paying attention to her trainer,answered. "Alright,that's something I cad do...I hope..." And with that,Yui slowed down and waited for Reiko to lead them to where they are supposed to go and practice karate. Yui was about to explode in excitement. She was already feeling stronger!

"I first want to see your mastery of the basics," Reiko said, "Corey, did you bring the boards?" Corey nodded, handing Reiko a bag filled with smooth wooden boards inside. Reiko took one out, handing to to Corey. Corey understood, bracing herself. Reiko gathered her strength, then struck the middle of the board with a palm strike, snapping it clean in half.

"Your turn," she said to Yui.

Yui nodded and walked to Reiko's position. She closed her eyes and,letting out a sigh,she performed the same move she performed before...a powerful palm strike. Yui would have no problem with breaking the wooden board. Mako cheered for its owner as the board broke in two pieces.

"Easy! What's next?"