165 Their own stories (Alisa)
After the Gigantes incident, Alisa and Liam became extremely aware of how truly powerless they were. Every time they visited their big brother in the hospital when they remembered how many injuries he has it was hard for them to smile in front of him. It took everything in Alisa’s power not to cry on the spot.
Alisa and Liam wanted to desperately become stronger, but they did not know how. They might have the talent but without anyone guiding it was difficult for their talent to bloom.
While the school was closed, Alisa tried asking some martial artists to teach her a few moves, but even after learning some basic moves the increase in her strength was very little, far from the strength she wanted. She knew that if she continued to work hard using normal training she would eventually become strong, but that would take too long. Alisa wanted to gain power faster, and the only way she knew how to do that was to ask one of the strong martial artist clans.
Unfortunately, the only people she knew who were part of such powerful clans were Watanabe Kira and Mugami Shin. Alisa already tried asking Shun the other day if he could teach her, but he told her that he could not teach outsiders, at most he could teach the basics which were practically the same as what you can learn in the Martial Arts Department building.
Then there was Kira, Alisa wanted to say that she would never ever ask for his help, but with what was happening around her she was actually hesitating now.
‘Big brother did say that Kira couldn’t possibly be behind his supposed accident... Maybe... No even with that I-‘
Alisa continued to hesitate when someone suddenly tapped on her shoulder, Alisa quickly got into a defensive stance. Upon turning around she saw an old man his hand extended forward with her wallet in his hand. It took a few seconds before Alisa realized what was happening. She was about to apologize when the old man suddenly disappeared before her very eyes.
“Hmm, mediocre stance but there is potential.” Alisa heard the old man speaking beside her, she then felt someone touch her arm. “The muscles are satisfactory.” Alisa was surprised that the old man had appeared beside her touching and squeezing her arm. Alisa who was startled unconsciously attacked with a backhand strike, but the old man used one finger to block the strike as he continued to observe Alisa’s body.
“It would’ve been better if it was man, but I guess she would do.” After mumbling those words to himself the old man reappeared right in front of Alisa as he tossed her wallet back to her.
.....
“Little lady I understand that you’re looking to strengthen yourself faster.”
Hearing what the old man said Alisa was once again surprised as she had her mouth open a tiny bit. The first thought that came to her mind in this situation was, maybe this old man was one of those hidden legendary masters like in those novels his two brothers like to read.
“How do you know that, can you read my mind?”
“No, I can’t read minds.”
“Then how were able to tell what I wanted?”
“Your muscles told me everything. It told me that in a short period of time, you have gone through excessive amounts of training. There’s also your stance, it has a mix of different styles it’s not bad but the purity is gone, this tells me you have been learning all the different styles you can learn in the Martial Arts Department and cramming them into your current stance. Only one desperate for strength would stupidly push their bodies like this without even knowing that they’re already breaking.”
“...” Everything the old man said was right, and Alisa could not say anything at the moment.
“It would’ve really been better if you were a man.” When Alisa heard what the old man said she got a little angry.
“What do you mean, can’t a woman be strong?!” A little bit of killing intent leaked out of Alisa due to her anger. The old man shook his head a bit before responding.
“That’s not what I mean, it’s just that my techniques work better for males. It has been a very long time since I saw a good seedling so I felt some regret. My disciples have either died or have betrayed me. I wanted to at least pass on my secret technique before I head onto my next journey.” The old man sighed with regret.
“Can’t you teach women your martial art?”
Alisa couldn’t help but feel excited when she heard what the old man said. Based on what he said the old man was a hidden dragon, and he actually wanted to pass on his martial arts to her. If she didn’t hold on to this chance she might not have another one.
“It’s not like my martial art can’t be learned by women, but since I created this martial art for myself it has some things better suited for men.”
Alisa felt like she was losing the old man so she quickly got on the ground and did a dogeza.
“Can you please help me become stronger?!”
“There really is no need for this, I was going to ask you if you wanted to become my disciple.”
Alisa lifted her head, looked at the old man, and was momentarily speechless. It took her a few seconds before she understood what just happened.
“Thank you, Master!”
...
After thanking the old man a few more times, the old man introduced himself as Lyner, he did not say his last name but he claims to be a descendant of an Ancient clan that died out decades ago. Right now he and Alisa were walking at the base of a mountain, and finally, when they reached their destination the first thing Alisa saw was a broken-down dojo that looks like it would be blown away by a slight breeze.
“This is where I will teach you the secrets of my martial arts.”