likeaflowingstream.

Therewerefivedistinctmoves.Afterpletingthem,Iwasdrenchedi,myqipletelydepleted.

Halftheeffort...?

AmIsupposedtoclimbthat?

Thistime,somethingcriticappeared:theactualteique.

“Youmustreachthesummitwithinhalfanhour.Succeed,arialisplete.”

So,Icalledforth“me.”

Aminiaturefigureappearedinmymind,demonstratingamartialsequence.Meanwhile,appeared:

“Halfanhourremaining.Interferencewillnowbegin.”

Thefirstformtainsfivemoves.”

Themountaiobesappingmystrength.

Notimetowaste.Iimmediatelyleaptandbeganclimbing.

Thesteward’svoiceechoedagain:

Then,fromfarbelow,Iheardthestewardcallout:

Igaveaweaknodandcolpsedontheground.

ButIdidn’tdwellonit.Irested.Afteraboutanhour,Ifeltrecoveredenoughandstoodup.

Panting,Iasked,

“Bytheway...whatisaLife-BoundTeique?”

“Oh?”

“gratutions.You’vepassed.Restfornow.Thefinaltrialwillbegininhalfanhour.”

Islowedslightly,curiouswhetherthisso-calledinterferencecouldaffect“me.”

Idon’tknowhowlongI’dbeenclimbing,butexhaustionstartedsettingin.

Tweer,thefigurefisdemonstration.Imimickedit.

Sofar,I’veohalf-dead.

“SorSparrowBattleTeique,FirstForm.”

Quietly,Imuttered,

Timepassed.

“ThisisthefirstformoftheSorSparrowBattleTeique.

“Itmeansateiquethatisfatedtomatchyouperfectly.Trainingityieldsresultswithhalftheeffort.”

Suddenly,themountaioshake.Atreetoppledtowar

Theeokeup:

“I’mready.Let’sbeginthefinaltrial.”

TomakeacultivatoratFoundatioablishmehismuch—itwastheequivalentofanordinarypersontrainingintenselyforhours.

Thegroundtrembled.Atmountainrosebeforeme.Injustafewbreaths,thesummitwashiddenbyclouds.

Heonlymuttered,“ain.”Butdespitehispint,hebeganclimbingwithfulleffort.