Kaigaku swung his wooden sword mechanically, repeating the basic drills he had grown to loathe. Why him? Why does that smiling idiot graduate in eight months while I'm stuck here like a fool? Thunder Breathing... the real power! I need it now!
His form grew messy. Crack! The wooden sword snapped under his frustrated force.
"Distracted mind, shaky foundation..." Kuwajima appeared behind him, his voice like ice. "Since Tatsuya returned, you have been elsewhere. If you want to be a Slayer, train harder. Otherwise, you're just wasting time."
Wasting time? The phrase snapped Kaigaku's self-control.
"Master!" Kaigaku shouted. "I've had enough of these 'basics'! Swings! Running! Chopping wood! What's the point?! I want the real power! I want to strike like Senior!"
Kuwajima looked at his defiant disciple. For once, he didn't strike him. "Fine. Since you are so certain you've outgrown these drills... I shall grant your wish!"
Kaigaku's heart leaped. Finally!
Kuwajima stood in the center of the dojo and explained the core of Thunder Breathing. The rhythm, the paths of the energy—he gave it all without reservation. Kaigaku listened greedily.
"Now, do as I do," Kuwajima commanded. "Inhale—concentrate—circulate—vibrate..."
Kaigaku didn't even wait for the instructions to finish. He took a massive breath and tried to force the internal vibration.
The power! The lightning! Come to me!
But instead of power, a terrifying suffocation hit him. The air felt like a red-hot iron bar stuck in his throat. His lungs felt like they were tearing. His vision went black, and his body fell into a violent spasm.
"Spit it out!" Kuwajima barked, slamming his palm into Kaigaku's back.
Pfff—! Kaigaku exhaled a cloud of foul air and collapsed, coughing and shivering in a cold sweat.
"This is the price of a weak foundation!" Kuwajima looked down at him coldly. "Without a forged body and a steady heart, the violent Breathing Style will tear your organs apart. It is a suicide mission!"
Kaigaku shook with fear, but the words "suicide mission" stung his pride. Liar! You're just holding out on me! You probably taught me wrong on purpose just to humiliate me!
"Clean up and get another sword. Continue your swings!" Kuwajima left the dojo.
The next few days, Kaigaku was a ghost. He did the drills, but his heart was full of resentment. The old man is keeping the secrets for Tatsuya. Everything for Tatsuya...
"Kaigaku, go down to the village for supplies today," Kuwajima assigned him a task. "And take that bundle of wood to be processed."
Normally, Kaigaku would do this perfectly to maintain his "good disciple" mask. But today, his frustration was peaking. Supplies? Garbage? You treat me like a servant?!
"...Yes, Master."
He grabbed the money and the wood and charged down the mountain, his face dark. Just get it done... then come back and look for the old man's hidden notes... or spy on that bastard Tatsuya's training...