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Post by Aiami Lin on Oct 2, 2016 12:11:50 GMT
Everytime the young monk thought she got used to flying at her top speed, she surprised herself by growing stronger, going further, soaring faster. Aiami was pushing herself as she ripped through the skies of the Southern Islands, looking for one island in particular. Unfortunately, she had no idea which one that was. Not long ago, she had been at the top of the world, and while she had met many an interesting person, the one she was most looking forward to meeting again was Ninjin Nedrag, the former Turtle Master. Ever since leaving home it was Aiami’s dream to join the Turtle School, but she had no luck thus far in finding a teacher. While it would not be the current Turtle Master herself, Ninjin had offered Aiami her training, and the young martial artist wasn’t going to turn it down. In fact, she considered the offer a stroke of good luck, as she had no idea who Ninjin was before ‘attending’ the meeting at the top of the tower. Really, she still didn’t feel as though she had belonged there, but perhaps one day… That was a thought for another time. For now, Aiami was focusing on where to look for Ninjin. When she realized stopping at every hut she saw on every island would take far too long, she slowed, stopping her high-speed soaring. She thought for a moment about alternatives, perhaps telepathy? She hadn’t been able to use the power much, but she had trained with it when she could. She could broadcast the thought openly, but… she had no idea if Ninjin could reply. Or if Ninjin would even hear her. She had never attempted something like that, like what Walker had when she first attempted the power. Of course! The solution came to Aiami the moment she remembered what Ninjin had said before departing from the tower. Or perhaps remembering brought the solution. Either way, she knew what she had to do. The monk angled herself toward one of the islands and settled down in a clear patch on it. The grass was soft, warmed by the southern sun. It was a pleasant feeling, and one she was grateful for as she sat on bent knees, assuming her normal meditation form. Quietly, she focused on her energy. First, she forced herself to stop suppressing the energy contained within her. A strange thing, she thought, considering at first she had to work to do the opposite. When Aiami was sure she was no longer holding back, she nourished the spark of power within, forcing it to ignite and roar. The wind around her swirled and a faint aura of white power surrounded her. Aiami kept this display up for a few moments, the raised power level a constant. There was no wild fluctuations, as the young woman focused to maintain a steady energy output, one she kept controlled and measured, but still large enough, she hoped, for Ninjin to feel and seek out. Once she finished, she let out a breath and the display of power died down. She stood and stretched, looking around and scanning the sky. Now, all she had to do was wait.
Thread PL: 28,905 w/ Heavy Weights = 7,226 Ninjin Nedrag
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Post by Ninjin Nedrag on Oct 3, 2016 13:37:03 GMT
Ninjin was sitting with her daughter on her lap as she was enjoying the soft heat and brightness of the southern sun. The islands have always been a good place to her and her family. She had been thinking since her meeting with Celmaru had concluded. That meeting was still hanging over her head as she was bouncing her daughter upon her knee. Setting her down after several minutes of that she watched as she began moving around. Standing up she would feel a faint ki signature flying around the area of the islands. This was not something new as many fighters used the southern islands as a place to test their flight capabilities as the large expanses were a good place to do that.
It was placed out of her mind as Amalia walked out of the house as Ninjin felt something off inside the distance. It was far enough off to be someone training but there was something familiar with the ki signature. Taking a few moments she would try and place the burst of ki she felt. Taking a few moments she would try and place the Ki and then it hit her. :: The Lookout. That human girl. Alami I think her name was. That is where I have felt that ki before. That is unusual but wait I did offer to teach her a few things. That explains the ki I felt buzzing about before. ::
Taking a few moments she would explain to Amalia that she was heading off to meet someone on a nearby island and to watch the children. She would nod as she looked at her friend. Ninjin would take off into the sky and toward Alami’s location. There was no ki swirl no indication that she was even coming in that direction until she floated in up behind Alami. Floating down to the ground behind her the boots she wore crunching into the sand as she landed.
“Hello Alami. Hope I did not keep you waiting for a long time?”
A soft smile crossed Ninjin’s face as she took the moment to glance around the island. It seemed uninhabited which could be good should they actually try to go for some bigger bangs during their training. Shifting her weight Ninjin would await her answer as she would feel the soft tropical breeze blow past the pair and she would have that same smile on her face no matter what it seemed.
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Post by Aiami Lin on Oct 6, 2016 15:32:25 GMT
The young human turned to see Ninjin, and returned the hybrid’s smile with one of her own. Once Ninjin was properly on the ground, Aiami put her fist into her palm and bowed at the waist toward Ninjin, her usual sign of respect. When she straightened once more, she readjusted her weights so they were more comfortable as she spoke. “No, you did not keep me very long at all. I appreciate you offering to train me, once again. I think I’ll learn much from this.”
“Which reminds me, what is it you were thinking of doing? I remember you said you were the former Turtle Hermit!” Her voice rang with admiration and awe. Her excitement was clear in her eyes as well, which looked clear and full of purpose. “Does that mean you will teach me Turtle School abilities? Or show me how Turtle students practice? Their forms and techniques?” She was perhaps getting a little overzealous with her questions. Something she realized, as she stopped and looked a little bashful.
“Forgive me, it’s just… it’s been so long since I’ve really learned something. It feels like ages, even though I grow every day. Before I left my home I had a master, and while she wasn’t quite a former head of a School, I loved studying under her, training under her. With her. I’m excited to do it again, even if it’s only for a brief time.” The wide smile returned, and judging by the way she was standing, her shoulders straight and feet firmly set, she was pumped for whatever came next.
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Post by Ninjin Nedrag on Oct 6, 2016 18:22:27 GMT
“That is good to know… I know that when I have trained in the past I have kept students waiting for no real good reasons. But I am happy that it was not to long. So seeing as you are here I take it you are wanting to take me up on my offer to teach you a few pointers?”
Her words were calm and collected as she saw the bow of respect. She would return the bow with one of her own making. Alami if she had known anything of the Turtle Students of the past she would know that Ninjin’s bow as not one of theirs.
“I can see you answered the question before I even asked it. Egg is on my face right now. I would love to sow you a few things. The Turtle School has a new hermit leading it. I would be stepping on his toes if I taught you anything more than some basic tenants of the school as I am still awaiting whether or not I can assist him in finding students and training them. So I can at least go through the basics. Maybe show you the techniques but not teach you some of the finer points.”
Her gaze was a little saddened after she had to put a damper down on the overall Turtle Training. She was not the hermit in the moment and she would not feel right in training the techniques. The fact she would be willing to show Alami should hopefully be enough for now until she got the ok or no to whether or not she could teach.
“The thing is though while not a formal school I have learned a few techniques over my own wanderings that could come in handy. I know one that I am still working on that I cannot show due to just how raw the technique is in my attempts to use. The other is a beam technique of my own creation and then there is a classic Earthen Fighting form that some considered lost especially compared to that of the Turtle or Crane Styles. I am more than willing to teach you any of the above techniques without really any trepidation as they are all maneuvers I know not many others have. As for length of time. I am willing to teach you and help train you for as long as you would want me to.”
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Post by Aiami Lin on Oct 7, 2016 14:27:38 GMT
His toes? Aiami searched her memory, trying to remember all she had heard about the Turtle Hermit, but… it wasn’t much. But she was pretty sure it had been a woman, though as the older woman said, there was a new Turtle Hermit. Maybe Ninjin knew the man in question, and could point her way to him? Questions for another time, or at the least, after their training. The young fighter didn’t want to distract from whatever knowledge and experience Ninjin wished to share.
It seemed as though she would get the introductory course to Turtle School forms and practices, but Aiami perked up at the offer of learning the hybrid’s own techniques. Not what she imagined she would be taught, but it was a pleasant surprise, all the same. Her broad, beaming smile returned and she nodded eagerly. “I would be honored. For all that you would teach me, Turtle School and your knowledge alike. I will be a student of yours for as long as you will have me.”
She inclined her head slightly before continuing. Something had caught her attention in Ninjin’s words, and she wanted to know more. Aiami looked curious, almost one of her default expressions, as she spoke. “I think starting on the basics you mentioned would make the most sense, but… You mentioned an Earthen form? It sounds strong, like… well, like stone. May I ask more about that, before we begin?”
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Post by Ninjin Nedrag on Oct 7, 2016 16:30:43 GMT
Ninjin’s own smile would match Alami’s as she spoke that she would be honored. Looking at her she shook her head. A light chuckle escaped her lips as she was calm and loose with Alami. This was something she was not expecting when she had met the woman during the meeting on the Lookout.
“Though no longer a formal teacher I will teach you what I know. I think that I will try to open up a new school myself someday. That is my goal… To create a school so that I can pass it to my children if they want it and they can do that as well… If that starts today with you as my first student not of the Turtle but of my own school then I think that I will take this chance.””
It seemed that Alami has lit a small fire beneath Ninjin. The fact that she was thinking about starting up this school of martial arts made her smile. As she spoke about learning basics about the style Ninjin would lift into the air. Taking a moment she would look around as she floated a little off the ground.
“”Give me a few moments to grab a few trees. Give us something to hit as we train. Not to mention it is easier than fighting one another which we can do as well. Just not all the time.”
Looking toward the horizon she saw another island and took off toward it. A few distinctly loud crashes could be heard and then a short time later Ninjin would have two large trees laying on the ground.
“Alright so the first lesson will be to cut these trees into length capable of us hitting without having to bend, twist, or do anything but enter our stance. We will cut them into seven foot tall segments. Do not remove the bark and instead focus your ki into the edge of your hand and use that to slice into the tree. Like this.”
Ninjin would walk up to the top of the tree. The foliage about ten feet to her side as she took a moment and focused her ki and slammed her hand down on the spot slicing through the tree but not damaging the ground beneath.
“Now you try.”
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Post by Aiami Lin on Oct 12, 2016 13:32:14 GMT
Creating her own school? Well, if anyone was qualified, the former Turtle Hermit would be, Aiami thought. However, she realized she didn’t get a direct answer for anything about the Earthen school. Likely by design, if she remembered lessons with her old teacher well enough. Some things were best shown, experienced, instead of simply being said. That’s what Su used to tell her, anyways. At the same time, the monk always wondered if she didn’t just enjoy being cryptic.
Regardless, Aiami nodded and let her new teacher work on getting them some practice targets. Meanwhile, she worked on her breathing and stretching, natural things she did before a training session. Really, it was a combination of both, something her old master had shown her. She was certain it was a slowed down form from another martial art, but it was efficient and focusing. Her breathing was steady and maintained as she moved through the forms, stretching and readying herself for the work ahead.
Then again, Aiami doubted she could be prepared for what was asked of her. Ninjin seemed to do it with ease, but focusing ki into some kind of blade? Balls of energy she could do, even a simple wave, but this looked more complex. Having to not only form the blade but maintain it as she sliced would prove to be a challenge.
“Very well.” The student moved up next to the tree, mimicking Ninjin’s stance and placement, before holding out her hand in front of her to focus on it. It took a moment, but eventually she formed the energy along her arm and along the direction of her fingers. Slowly she moved her hand, and then quickly angled down for the slice. Nothing happened. She realized she lost her focus on the ki and moved too quickly.
It took another moment, but when she pulled back to strike again, she managed to keep the ki formed this time. The energy sliced through the wood, but the blade dissipated before it went all the way through. Resistance to energy she controlled wasn’t something she was used to feeling. With a blast of energy, she didn’t feel the impact as it hit her target. This was an entirely different matter.
“My apologies. I’ll get it in a moment, let me just… keep trying.” If nothing else, Aiami was getting better at forming the ki along her hand. An improvement, if a small one.
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Post by Ninjin Nedrag on Oct 12, 2016 17:37:46 GMT
Ninjin would watch as Alami would aim her hand and then attempt to use her ki to cut through the lumber. Walking over beside her Ninjin smiled as she would reach over to lightly tug Alami’s arm into a better position and angle. “Alright now try this way. And focus like you are attempting to use a ki blast from your hands. As your hand impacts the wood let the ki go along this narrow edge of ki you created. Let your ki do the work for you.”
As she spoke Ninjin would stand beside her and get into a similar stance to the one that Alami was inside of. Once more she would focus her ki this time however it would be glowing a soft golden color. With a steady swing of her hand she would demonstrate the maneuver. The moment of impact it would see that a burst of ki would erupt and cut the tree for her. “See something like this. Should be easy for you to do as a trained martial artist like you are.”
She was going to acknowledge her previous training as it was an important thing. As Ninjin had never forgotten her first teachers in the Turtle School and the wandering master who she learned the Wolf Fang Fist from. So she knew honoring the past but using it to push ones future is most certainly the right way to do things. So that is what she was going to do for Alami. After her next attempt whether a success or not she would take the piece she had. Hefting it up and walking over to a nearby dune she would slam it down in place. “Now try the technique a few times and then as soon as you do come over here as I wish to see your technique inside of a two minute demonstration of your fighting in melee.”
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Post by Aiami Lin on Oct 15, 2016 16:21:59 GMT
Like a ki blast. Alright, she could do that. Aiami didn’t break form, but craned her neck so she could watch Ninjin as she performed the maneuver, making careful note of movement and technique. Something that was acknowledged by Ninjin. It was nice to be recognized for what she was, something she took great pride in. For a better part of her life, if not most of it at this point, Aiami had trained long and hard to become a martial artist. Ever since the first tournament she saw as a child, she knew what she wanted to be, and it was finally showing.
With a confident nod, the young woman set herself right once more, calling upon her inner energy and forming it into the blade around her hand. Following her teacher’s example, she let the energy glow as she took in a breath, concentrating, focusing on in her inner rhythm and finding the balance within. With a slow exhale she released the breath, she struck. As Ninjin had instructed, the moment the ‘blade’ hit the tree, she let it go. There was a bit of flare and flash as it struck, the telltale sign of excess, unnecessary energy. But, a plank was cut from the tree, as she was instructed to do so.
Aiami grinned wide, having succeeded, even if it was sloppy at best. As asked, she performed the technique a couple of times. One the third or so try the energy release was becoming less pronounced, showing a little bit more control in her release of the ki. Satisfied, she hurried over to the plank Ninjin had setup. “That felt good!” She nodded, before looking to the plank. “You want me to practice on the wood with the forms I know?” She asked, seeking clarification before she began. She didn’t want to insult Ninjin by failing to follow her commands, after all.
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Post by Ninjin Nedrag on Oct 15, 2016 18:10:02 GMT
"Well done Alami.. Though you did have quite a bit of excessive ki with that but that can be trained out with time. That was very good." Ninjin would speak as she watched Alami. Each of the slashees through the tree became cleaner and cleaner Ninjin could not help but feel a sense of pride. The fact Alami had started to catch on so fast proved that the human was a quick study which was a great thing.
Nodding at her with a smile upon her face. It was exactly what she was thinking as Ninjin moved herself and looked into her eyes. "Yes I want you to use all of your techniques that you have Alami. I want to see everything OTHER than your ki blasts. Mostly cause we will be testing out those later."
Ninjin would move around and stand before the trunk of the tree that she had placed in the ground. Closing her eyes she would quickly begin to punch and kick the trunk. Chunks of the bark would be flying as she slammed her fists into the lumber. After about five minutes she would drop down into a stance she would only have when she was about to use the Wolf Fang Fist.
Dropping her fist she pushed forward and in a series of rapid strikes it howled as she slammed into them hard. The trunk would explode after the last of the strikes landed. It exploded outward and left into a pile of sawdust and splinters.
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Post by Aiami Lin on Oct 19, 2016 11:05:29 GMT
The student stepped back and watched her teacher attack the practice target, doing her best to track Ninjin’s moves with her eyes, taken aback by the speed at which she did so. When the hybrid used the Wolf Fang Fist, Aiami’s eyes widened at hearing the supernatual howl brought about by the attack, jumping a little in surprise. “Amazing!” She exclaimed, before turning to her own target and taking up her stance.
Aiami didn’t have any special moves like what Ninjin had just displayed, but she did have hours upon hours of running through her forms and stances, meaning she adopted it with practiced ease. Left foot forward, left arm bent slightly but extended along the same line as her left leg. Right foot back, right arm bent and tucked into her torso. Her abdomen was twisted slightly to the right of the plank, at a 45 degree angle.
When the monk began her attack, she utilized quick advances, retreats, as well as long, reaching attacks. Both her arms and her legs moved fluidly, but explosively through her forms and attacks. There was the occasional whirling kick and leaping strike, her agility and range of motion shown off well with the barrage on her target. All in all her style was aggressive, but graceful. Emphasizing powerful lunges and strikes brought about by quick, free-flowing motions.
To finish off the poor, battered plank, Aiami extended her leg out and toward her target, twisting her body at the last second for a devastating roundhouse kick. The top piece of the wood broke along a jagged edge, splintering into a few shards which landed harmlessly nearby. There was a hint of a sheen of sweat on her brow, and she took a deep, calming breath after the final blow. She worked herself against the target, wanting to impress her new teacher. The weights she was wearing didn’t make it easy, but that was what they were there for.
She turned to Ninjin, nodding to show she was ready for whatever came next.
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Post by Ninjin Nedrag on Oct 20, 2016 14:07:25 GMT
Her movements where fluid, her movements practiced to a point that it was near memory for Alami and Ninjin could see this. It was a good starting point as she knew full well that that was half of the battle sometimes. The fact there was nothing flashy like what she did in her demonstration was good to her. Solid fundamentals always worked greater than any sort of flash and pomp.
“You have amazing form. Specifically and perfectly trained. Such practiced movements and practiced attacks. You have an amazing range of motion and I can see that you have a great foundation to build upon. Whoever your previous master was they did an amazing job teaching you a very powerful yet graceful style. A lot like the wolf style I am trying to create right now… And it is inside sharp contrast to the Turtle Style. Which emphasizes defense and quick strikes in response to more aggressive styles. A lot like the ocean surrounding us.”
Taking a few steps away from the remains of the wooden trunk she had used as her training dummy. She would begin to slowly move inside of the practiced styles of the Turtle School. As it was difficult to show the techniques when not under attack but she would try her best. Each movement would be rather easy for Alami to follow her as Ninjin would nearly mimic what one would say was the movement of the ocean.
“The first Hermit called our style to be like a rock being buffeted by the waves. Deflect and redirect as many direct attacks as possible and while you redirect the attack you strike back at your opponent. Like when they punch at you. Spin your fist and aim for their elbow like such.”
She would show as if someone came in with a straight punch. Aiming her punch right where it would of connected with the ‘funny bone’ that would be there. Then in a fluid motion she would grab the phantom limb before she tossed it and she chuckled.
“You know I forgot I could do something to show you a little better.”
She would focus her ki and split apart into two duplicate exact copies. The copy would become the training dummy for Ninjin as it would attack and she would show the Turtle School retaliation. Aiming at the pressure points and joints before responding with swift brutal strikes. After a few exchanges she would slam the clone and punch it as it would absorb back into herself.
“Easier to show you like that but that is a bit hard to do consistently…”
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Post by Aiami Lin on Oct 23, 2016 11:46:45 GMT
Aiami took her compliments with pride, a grin clear on her face. She was glad all her hard work and training was apparent in her form alone, considering how often she practiced it. ‘Form over function’ was always emphasized to her, and she was glad to know that she had taken it to heart. Though she was surprised the form she used was so at odds with the Turtle School’s style. Defensive and quick? A technique which must take advantage of any opportunities presented and utilize unforgiving counterattacks.
Indeed, when she saw Ninjin weave around the ‘incoming punch’ and land a debilitating, stunning blow, she knew she was thinking along the right lines. Though she hadn’t thought of using weak points like joints. She wasn’t much of a grappler. ”Direct and redirect.” A style that was not all reactive, of course, but one that made its moves when the right moment presented itself, and keeping themselves safe until that point. Ninjin was right to say it was very different than what Aiami knew. Defensive fighting was something she was familiar with, but relying on it? Part of what she was taught was momentum, but not just the momentum of her physical movements. The momentum of combat was just as important, and purposefully putting oneself on the back foot like that was… odd, to the young monk. Not bad, certainly she could see its advantages, but she had never thought of doing such a thing.
On the subject of strange and foreign techniques, there were suddenly two Ninjins. Perhaps the most surprising development of the training session so far, she thought. Aiami had been exposed to quite a lot in her travels, she thought, and seen many new and fascinating abilities. Telepathy, being the one she was most familiar with and had picked up of her own accord. But still she found herself surprised every time something else blew her mind.
“I understand the concept. I admit, it makes me concerned for going to learn at the Turtle School, the way I fight is far removed from what you have shown.” She nodded, looking a little doubtful, but her curiosity could only be held back for so long. “But what was that technique just now? The one where you made a second of yourself? You did that with your ki?”
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Post by Ninjin Nedrag on Oct 25, 2016 13:39:59 GMT
“The thing behind it is that it is all about momentum… Something I can tell you are familiar with. Though it is also odd to learn to fight on the back foot or to find ways to fully strike while on odd footing or off balance. That is where the strength of the style always happens. Something like a drunken master strikes when least suspecting because of their inebriated state.” Ninjin spoke softly as she caught her balance and was back to her full self once more. Rubbing her shoulder lightly as a little of the damage from her clone was transferred to herself. Raising a brow at the question Ninjin took a few moments to mull it over inside her head.
“You talking about the Multi-Form Technique? That’s just a little something I picked up over my travels. And yes it is an exact clone that has exactly half of my ki within it. Has access to all of the transformations that I do and knowledge of all my techniques. So it makes for a great sparring partner. As you can formulate how to fight against yourself should someone ever clone you or someone create an android or robot designed to fight you with predictable outcomes… Allows you to be more unpredictable.” As she spoke Ninjin smiled at Alamu and moved to take a seat on a rock nearby. Shuffling her feet a little as she removed her boots one at a time. Tossing the weighted boots aside she looked at Alami.
“Alright Alami you have seen my interpretation of the Turtle School. Set up some more woods into a course of strikes and kicks and let me see how you would set this up and how you will progress through it.” Ninjin was being serious as she was curious how she would do this.
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Post by Aiami Lin on Oct 26, 2016 13:56:51 GMT
Ninjin was right, of course. Just because Aiami had a hard time working through how to maintain an advantage without aggressively controlling the flow of the fight, it didn’t mean the form was ineffective by any means. It was one of the largest schools she knew of, and oldest. If it didn’t work, no one would keep learning it and it would have died out by now. Perhaps it was a good thing she was being taught about it, anyways. If she fought against someone using that form it would be best to have first hand knowledge of how it worked.
Aiami was thinking on the ‘Multi-Form Technique,’ agreeing that it would be nice to have a sparring partner in the wild when Ninjin took the conversation a completely unexpected direction, at least for the inexperienced monk. “That does sound like a very useful ability, and if it is not too much trouble I would love to learn that as well, but… Clone me? Create an android just to fight me? Why would someone do that?” She sounded confused, as if the idea had never entered her head. Which it hadn’t. She had met at least one android, but cloning someone? Let alone, someone cloning her.
Energy blades appeared once again at the student’s hand, and she began cutting out more of the wooden planks. Her first two attempts were failures once more, still far from it being an easy action based on her muscle memory, but once she started cutting into them she found her rhythm. As she set them up, placing them into the ground for stability, she looked over at Ninjin. The talk of clones and androids had reminded her of something. “Ninjin… what do you know of bio-androids?”
She waited for her teacher’s response before standing in front of the gathered planks, arranged close, but at random intervals in a rough path forward. She took a second to adjust the heavy padding that weighed on her shoulders, making sure they were comfortable before launching into the attack. Aiami settled into her form, knees bent and arms at the ready. She assessed the targets in front of her, taking in a sharp breath before launching into motion.
While the student moved as fast as she could, it was likely clear as day for Ninjin. The first plank fell to a simple punch as she rushed through it, twisting in air to gain extra power for a whirling kick against another. The boards splintered immediately, and she pressed on, her movements powerful and decisive. There was another burst of speed as she demonstrated a lunging attack, stopping to fully extend a fist forward, breaking another board, before side-stepping into a reaching roundhouse against another. The same skills and style she demonstrated before were on display, only at her full potential and speed.
To a normal, untrained eye it was over in a flash. Aiami disappeared from one end, the boards erupted, and she appeared on the other side. Though the monk knew full well her teacher had seen everything, and she turned to Ninjin, bowing slightly to confirm the conclusion of her demonstration.
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