Chapter 69 Magic?

Words : 1225 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

The students exchanged glances, some whispering to each other before hands began to rise. "The legs!" one student called out confidently. "The arms!" another chimed in. "The brain," a quieter voice suggested. Master Anng listened patiently to each answer, nodding slightly before holding up a hand to silence them. "Good guesses, but incorrect," he said. "The most power comes from the core." A few students straightened in their places, expecting this to be about the energy they wielded through the ruptured planet core. Master Anng anticipated their assumptions. "No, not the core energy you all know and wield now. I am talking about something far older. Something natural." He began to pace again, his hands moving expressively as he spoke. "Before the Harbinger seed crashed onto Earth and ruptured our planet's core, gifting us these incredible abilities, there were people who possessed strength. Strength that did not come from outside forces but from within." The students leaned in, listening intently as Master Anng continued. "Your bodies are designed to generate power from the core—the meeting point of two invisible triangles. One triangle starts at your shoulders and comes to a point at your waist. The other begins at your hips and meets the first at the same point. That point—your core—is where the most power is generated. It is your center of gravity, your source of balance, and your foundation for movement." He stopped pacing and faced the class, his voice rising slightly. "And like I told you last time, I will transform your bodies into brutal weapons of peace. But to achieve that, you must understand this core and learn how to harness it." The students nodded solemnly, a new layer of respect settling over the dojo as Master Anng's words sank in. The day's lesson was just beginning, and they all knew it would be one they'd remember.@@@@ Master Anng stood in the center of the dojo, a calm yet electrifying presence. His assistants, clad in white uniforms, entered carrying three thick bronze plates. Each plate was massive, round, and about 12 inches thick, with a dull metallic sheen that glinted under the soft dojo lights. The students whispered among themselves, already curious about what was to come. Master Anng clapped his hands once, the sound sharp and commanding. "Pay attention, everyone. Today, I will demonstrate a principle from Fa Jin." He gestured toward the plates as they were propped up on sturdy wooden stands, evenly spaced in front of him. "Fa Jin," he began, "is the art of explosive energy. It is not about brute strength. It is about body alignment, coordination, and efficiency. To achieve this, your body must begin in a relaxed state, only to accelerate as a unified whole." He stepped forward, adjusting his stance. His legs widened slightly, his knees bending as he sank into the ground. His hands moved fluidly, as though tracing invisible currents in the air. "Observe carefully," he said, his voice steady. "What you see is not just movement but the preparation of a kinematic chain—a wave that travels through the body, gathering force at every joint before exploding outward." The dojo fell silent, all eyes fixed on him. His movements seemed slow at first, deliberate, as though he were wading through a river of sand. His hands swam through the air with grace, his legs grounded like ancient tree roots. And then, without warning— Noah nodded absentmindedly, avoiding eye contact. "Yeah, something like that," he lied. In truth, he felt nothing. But practice would fix that, wouldn't it? Master Anng had said it could take years. Raven brightened. "Well, it's a start, right? Anyway, you coming? We can finally check out that... thing we've been working on." Noah shook his head. "You go ahead. There's something I need to do first." Raven frowned but shrugged. "Suit yourself." He jogged off, leaving Noah standing outside the dojo. When the hall was empty, Noah turned back. He lingered by the locker room door, pretending to adjust his uniform until the last stragglers left. Then, once the coast was clear, he walked back inside the dojo, where Master Anng was tidying up the training area. "I thought I might see you again," Master Anng said, his voice calm and measured. "Did you leave something behind, or is there a question lingering on your mind?" Noah hesitated, his hands buried in his pockets. He kept his face neutral, careful not to give too much away. "Earlier, you mentioned how, long before the Harbingers and all the powers we have today, there were people who wielded strength. True strength. You said they tapped into their natural cores." He paused, choosing his words with precision. "Is it possible that some people still have gifts like that? Not the powers we've gained from evolution... but something else?" Master Anng turned fully to face him, his expression unreadable but curious. He crossed his arms and stroked his beard, thinking. "Yes," he said after a moment. "Such people still exist. Rarely, but they do. Unlike the awakened abilities most possess today, these individuals draw upon something far more profound. Magical gifts, you could say—powers rooted in their essence, not their evolution." Noah's expression didn't change, but his mind whirled at the confirmation. 'Magical powers... so that's what it could be. But how?' he thought, piecing things together while maintaining his cool facade. "What would you say about someone like that in today's world?" Noah asked, feigning curiosity. "Someone with those kinds of abilities... would they fit in, or would they be... an anomaly?" Master Anng regarded him closely, as though searching for the true meaning behind the question. "They would be rare, yes. But also extraordinarily gifted—if guided properly," he said. "Unfortunately, too many people today rely solely on their awakened potential. They forget that, within every person, there are untapped gifts. True essence. Few ever dig deep enough to uncover it." Noah nodded, absorbing the words carefully. "Makes sense," he said casually, his tone dismissive. "I was just curious how someone like that might function in a world dominated by evolved abilities." Master Anng's gaze sharpened, his curiosity piqued. "Why do you ask? Have you met someone like this? Or perhaps you've seen something unusual?" Noah smirked faintly, shaking his head. "Nah, just a thought experiment. You know, trying to understand the broader picture." He shrugged, keeping his tone light and nonchalant. "Guess I was just wondering what's out there beyond what we know." Master Anng studied him for a moment longer, then nodded slowly. "A good question to ask. Curiosity is the beginning of growth, Noah. But remember, true power comes not from seeking it outwardly but from mastering yourself." "Noted," Noah replied, already taking a step back. "Thanks for the insight, Master Anng. I'll let you get back to your evening." Master Anng's eyes lingered on him as he turned to leave, but the old man said nothing more. Noah exited the dojo with his usual calm stride, but inside, his mind churned. 'Magical gifts... so it's not tied to the human evolution,' he thought. 'If that's the case, these white lines... they might be something entirely different. Something older. And something I need to figure out—fast.'

Chapter 69 Magic?

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