I swung my blade so fast that, when I looked at the tree, I barely had time to step back as it fell toward me.
That was close.
"Ohhh! You can use it now..." Gabriel spoke from behind me as he suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
"WAAAH!"
I jumped up as soon as I heard him behind me.
"What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be somewhere else?"
I watched Gabriel smile as he brushed my hair like I was a puppy.
"Well, I didn't say it'd take long!"
"But look, Jean. You cut it clean!"
I turned my head toward the trunk.
"Yeah..." I whispered, almost hesitant.
"I assume you can do it now?"
"Show me. Quick, hit me with all your might!"
My eyes widened as I glanced at him.
"Are you sure, Mr. Gabriel?"
Gabriel grabbed his chin, pretending as if it were a difficult choice.
"Yeah, I'll be fine."
"Alright. Don't blame me if I slice you in half." I teased.
"Nah, you? It'll take a century for that to happen."
I sighed and cleared my mind.
Hit him?
Activate Ken Coating again...
"I'm ready."
Gabriel stood there defenseless, watching me.
"Go on. I'm waiting."
All I need is to land a hit, right?
Yeah, that's probably it.
I stepped back, then circled Gabriel as I analyzed how I'd attack.
"What are you doing, kiddo? Just attack already."
First, I need to get close to make sure he wouldn't be able to dodge...
Before I lunged forward, I felt the same sensation on my legs.
They felt lighter.
And when I lunged, I didn't even notice I was already close to Gabriel.
Land a hit!
I swung my blade toward his shoulder...
Then the warmth shifted from my legs to my sword.
But he parried it with a gold-coated coin.
"Too clumsy, kiddo."
"Either way, good job... You can use Ken Coating now. Partially."
I stopped my next lunge and thought.
Partial? What's that?
"What do you mean by partial?" I asked, completely lost.
Gabriel looked around with a smug expression.
"You know... partial."
"You can only cover a part of your body, not all of it."
Gabriel then smirked with a taunting tone.
"And it's actually a good thing, because that's where most beginners start!"
I stared at him...
Deeply.
Beginners?
"Huuuh? What do you mean, beginners? I've spent a year on this!"
Gabriel waved his hand dismissively.
"It's fine. You'll eventually get it."
"Besides, it's a good thing. Full Ken Coating drains too much Ken."
Ohhh...
So that's how it works, huh...
If Mr. Gabriel said so, then I'll take my time...
Developing.