(...)
(..part-1)
"It hurts," I groaned." It also burns. Why are these days so hot?"
I'm watering plants under the burning sun in the morning. My whole body was hurting.
I got a one-week break from my master's.
And today is the last day of the break.
About the training, I can say one thing.
I want to find the person who wrote the book that said mana control is an easy procedure.
Stinky liar.
Absolute criminal.
My dictionary of curses wasnt enough for him.
Currently, I am watering the plants.
The plants grew significantly.
The green shimmer in the air is still visible to my eyes.
I asked master kanessa about it since my father said he dont know.
When she heard that, she just froze for a second, looking at me.
Then she let out a sigh and said this.
"It's ether," she said, "that's all?"
Yes, that was all she said.
She diverted the topic by giving me another harsh training. That turned hell for me.
It's been three weeks since she came.
I became more proficient in mana control.
Then.
"Hey! Krish!!"
"ahhh!" I screamed as a green-haired figure suddenly startled me.
*thud*
The sound of the watering can and the flowers swaying to the wind as I fell backward.
"Owww!" I rubbed my butt as I fell over a rock.
"Krish! Are you okay?!" a female voice asked me.
"I was okay until someone came and scared the rocks out of me," I said.
The person who startled me was Elvie.
She sprang out from the stone fence like a certain Joker toy.
"I'm sorry."
"Whatever! Don't do that again," I said, getting back to watering the plants.
"I'm heading inside to meet ms.mira" she said as she walked away, as if nothing had happened.
I continued gardening.
Very. Carefully.
I was filling the water can with water magic.
It was also a part of the training.
It may look simple, but she put a condition.
I should control the water and make it flow in thin streams.
A thin stream of water flowed from my fingertip, splitting into neat, even threads that sprinkled over the garden beds like morning rain. Not too fast. Not too slow. Not enough pressure to tear leaves. Not weak enough to puddle.
At first i tought it would be easy.
I still remember acting smug in front of her, and just a moment later, I would be fed by my own words.
It was hard, very hard.
Just… balanced.
My arms trembled.
Sweat trickled down my spine.
And the master watched from the porch, sipping tea.
She was talking with my mother.
They both sure got closer.
Silently.
That was somehow worse than her yelling at me.
She didn't raise her voice. Somehow, that made it worse."Controll."
A leaf fluttered as the water pressure spiked for half a second.
The stem bent.
I looked above.
I saw her see me.
Her eyes narrowed.
Signaling me with her golden eyes.
"…Again."
I gritted my teeth and reset the flow.
This had been my life for the past two weeks.
No explosions. No flashy spells. No heroic combat.
Just precision hell.
Behind me—
"ADITYA, YOU CHEATED—!"
"I DID NOT, YOU JUST CAN'T BLOCK—!"
THUD.
I flinched as something—probably a wooden practice sword—went flying past my head and embedded itself into the dirt inches away from my foot.
I did not scream.
I fainted, still conscious.
"Brother! Are you okay?" Saranya shouted.
I turned slowly, raising my thumb signaling 'okay.'
That was some monstrous progress she has.
She just began training 1 month ago.
Saranya stood with her hands glowing faintly, mana flickering wildly around her like sparks from a broken wire. Aditya, on the other hand, looked smug—too smug—twirling his blade like he hadn't almost decapitated a tree.
My father, who was acting as the referee, was fully satisfied as he patted her head.
I was completely left speechless as I saw my father slowly turning into a daughter's slave.
'Hey, hey! Your son almost got split into two here,' I said to myself as I pointed at the wooden sword that was still stuck in the stone fence.
{jeff}..' That was a wooden sword master, it won't be able to pierce your magic pro-'
"Jefff..." I said, raising my tone hard." Are you messing with me now?"
{jeff}.."uhh!!I got something to do, see you later, master."
The connection to Jeff was cut.
"That damn system," I cursed.
"pss.pss..aditya! " I whispered.
He noticed me
"Come here," I signaled.
He came to me.
I slowly patted his shoulders.
"Look, Aditya! Your brother will always be by your side," I said."Don't worry, you will improve! One loss doesn't mean that you aren't weak. Saranya is just stronger than you."
"Thank you, brother! I will try my best next time," Aditya said as he cheered up.
I also nodded.
Then I suddenly felt a chill.
"KRISH!!"
This tone.
I knew this.
"Krish!! Look what I made.
This is a dire situation.
I ignored the fact that Elvie went to meet Mira, who was in the kitchen.
Elvie walked to me, holding something in her hands.
She is holding a small plate with two cookies on it.
"I will take one," Aditya said and took one of the cookies and gulped it in one go.
*shap*
'ugh'
Ah! The effects were fast.
He fainted while standing like a rock.
"I think he likes it," she said, looking at Aditya.
Yeah, it seems he likes it very!! Much.
I took one, still hesitating to eat.
"Elvie!!"
"Ah! coming!" Elvie responded, "Ms. Mira is calling, I will go. Please eat it krish"
"I will," I said, faking a smile.
I'm saved, you are a lifesaver, Mira.
"hmm"
Aditya just got to his senses.
*plop**gulp*
I shoved the cookie into his mouth.
We both glanced.
"Brother!! Didn't you just say you are on my side?" he said with his expression.
"Oh! Dear little brother, I indeed am at your side, but count this one out, it was Elvie's cooking we are talking about, "I said to him with a reply glance, patting his shoulder.
That's how we deepened our sibling bond with a cookie.
---
--
-
After the incident of opening up with my brother, I returned to my room.
I can still see Aditya standing outside, memorizing our bond.
"I'm sorry, my little brother, but it was a one-sided war when we talk about elvies cooking."
I sent my condolences.
"Looks like you are in for something."
I shivered as the voice hit my ear.
A palm landed on my shoulder.
With a shaking voice."Good morning! master"
The only reply was.
Me getting dragged out of the window.
That's how my last day of one week break ended with me getting dragged again.
A very normal day indeed
_______________________________________________
TO BE CONTINUED
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*****small note*******
Sorry for the long delay, everyone. The past few weeks have been hectic for me, and I've been juggling a lot—both in life and in writing.
I've also been busy with my B. Tech exams(novel writing is an activity our college encouraged me to do, and I'm also interested in), and during that time, I lost track of the plot I had originally planned. Because of that, I spent some time creating new ideas and stories to get back into the flow. You can also check out my new novel,
"Easygoing Territory Defense by the Genius Young Lord, which took more time than I expected.'
Don't worry, I will continue both of the books.
I know it's been a while since the last chapter (November 6th), and I truly appreciate your patience. I'm not dropping this story—I'll be catching up on chapters soon.
Thank you for sticking around 😅(if there is anyone)
*******
HAVE A NICE DAY, EVERYONE ;)