Chapter 217 Teachings
Chapter 217 Teachings
Chapter 217 Teaching
"I'm fine, don't worry."
After hearing this, neither Jasmine nor Sylvie said anything more, and she left.
She has been running away from the past for too long; it's time to face it head-on.
As Sylvie left the training area, her departing figure filled Jasmine with worry, yet she also understood her decision.
As she walked towards the agreed-upon location, Sylvie felt a tightness in her stomach, her heart filled with anticipation and nervousness. Deciding to ask Morse for help in learning combat skills was a crucial decision for her; she not only had to overcome her physical limitations but also the trauma left from that day.
Although she was a little scared, she at least took the first step.
I can do it.
With that thought in mind, she arrived at the agreed location.
Morse was already there, scrutinizing Sylvie as he assessed her preparations for the upcoming training session. Sylvie straightened her shoulders and met his gaze firmly.
“I’m ready,” she said firmly, her voice filled with determination.
Morse nodded in approval: “Very good.” His gaze was serious, but this time it didn’t carry the usual pressure.
You look a little tired.
“I’m fine,” Sylvie replied. She knew that no matter how she tried to hide it, he could see through her, so she didn’t try to conceal anything.
"really?"
"real."
"understood."
He didn't say anything more, but just glanced at her and made a decision: "Then, let's begin."
Morse stepped back, observing Sylvie's posture with a sharp gaze, searching for any signs of imbalance or vulnerability. After a moment, he spoke.
"First, you need to adjust your stance. A correct stance is the foundation of defense; it helps you maintain balance and respond to any situation." Morse demonstrated a basic defensive stance with feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and weight evenly distributed.
Sylvie had already learned this material in theory class, but without practical exercise, this knowledge cannot be applied well. Therefore, Morse showed her how to translate theory into practice.
“Try to mimic this pose,” he instructed, encouraging Sylvie to adjust her posture. “It might feel a little awkward at first, but with practice, you’ll become more natural.”
Sylvie tried her best to mimic his posture and adjust her steps, while Morse's eyes were fixed on every detail of her movements.
Under his gaze, Sylvie felt a bit like she was performing in a circus, a feeling that made her somewhat embarrassed.
“Focus, Sylvie, this is important.”
She struggled to shake off the brief awkwardness and refocus her attention on her posture. Morse's keen eyes caught her distraction, and he gently reminded her.
“You’re not doing it quite right,” he observed, his tone matter-of-fact. “Your body isn’t quite used to this posture. Let me demonstrate again.”
Morse demonstrated the defensive stance again, every detail precise and his movements fluid and natural, the result of countless hours of training.
"Observe carefully and feel the balance and the distribution of your body weight."
Sylvie watched him intently, absorbing every subtle difference. Morse's instructions were both clear and patient; he explained every detail of the posture thoroughly.
“It’s your turn,” Morse reminded her, stepping back to give her some space.
Sylvie took a deep breath and mimicked the movements again, trying her best to grasp the essentials of the defensive stance. Morse's gaze continued to follow her closely, providing feedback and corrections when necessary.
She closed her eyes, visualized her movements in her mind, and compared them to Morse's demonstration. She was used to perceiving her body in this way, just as she did when using healing skills.
However, this method is not suitable for combat training.
"Hmm..." Morse gave a soft "hmm," a sound of thought as he observed, noticing that Sylvie's body shape was not quite suitable.
'I still can't do it.' Sylvie felt a little disappointed, feeling that she had not met his expectations, nor her own.
Before she could ask for further guidance, Morse stepped forward without warning.
He gently grasped Sylvie's arm, guiding her into the correct position.
"Your arms need to be positioned like this."
The unexpected contact sent a shiver down Sylvie's spine. His touch was steady and gentle, without applying too much force, simply guiding her on how to adjust.
"Feel the weight in your feet, engage your core. Standing posture is not just about body position; it involves your body's coordination."
Although his tone was somewhat commanding, Morse's words carried a hint of encouragement. Sylvie, now in her corrected posture, could feel the difference.
She now clearly feels a sensation she has never experienced before, like some dormant muscles being activated.
"No, that's not it... You need to do it this way."
Morse's approach interrupted her thoughts. She could feel his presence. This closeness made Sylvie acutely aware of his breathing and notice the familiar lavender scent on him, which grew stronger as he drew nearer.
Sylvie's thoughts froze as Morse approached, his touch and the familiar scent emanating from him overwhelmed her senses.
'He smells so good.'
Just like when she was in the library, the same lavender scent entered her nose.
A slight tremor ran down her spine, and her heartbeat quickened due to the close contact.
In an instant, Sylvie's thoughts became chaotic, and her cheeks gradually flushed. The feeling was both exciting and confusing. She tried to regain her composure, but the sense of intimacy and the scent of lavender made it impossible for her to concentrate.
“It’s not just about posture,” Morse continued. “You need to control your whole body, tighten your muscles, stay stable, and at the same time remain relaxed and alert.”
Morse patiently explained every nuance of the defensive stance, his fingers pointing in the air as he emphasized the key points.
Sylvie was still troubled by this unexpected closeness, trying to concentrate and absorb every detail. But Morse's skin looked even more translucent in the soft light, and a strange desire to touch that cold, white skin quietly rose within her.
Unconsciously, Sylvie's hand moved slightly, almost subconsciously. Driven by an impulse she herself couldn't understand, she had been forcing herself to relax for the past five days... until now.
As Morse continued his explanation, Sylvie's fingertips lightly brushed against his cheek, the gentle touch lingering for a brief moment.
“…Hmm?” Morse suddenly paused, his gaze meeting Sylvie's, a hint of surprise and curiosity flashing in his eyes.
"..." Sylvie realized what she had done and quickly withdrew her hand, her cheeks immediately turning red with embarrassment.
“I…I’m sorry,” she stammered, her voice filled with surprise and self-awareness. “I didn’t mean to…”
'What did I just do? What did I just do? What did I just do...'
She kept repeating that sentence in her mind, unable to look the other person in the eye, feeling as if the whole world was on fire.
“It’s alright,” Morse said softly, touching his cheek.
He thought to himself, 'This feeling... isn't unpleasant.' But then, remembering Sylvie's overwhelming power, he shook his head, trying to calm himself down.
Sylvie, however, could not escape her embarrassment and could not look him in the eye. Her cheeks grew increasingly flushed, and her heart was filled with confusion and bewilderment.
'What did I do? I've never been so impulsive before!'
Her thoughts were in turmoil. Morse's response did not ease her embarrassment; instead, it made it even harder for her to face the situation.
Morse cleared his throat and refocused on the training: "Let's continue," he instructed, as if nothing had just happened.
Sylvie tried to regain her composure, taking a deep breath and reminding herself.
Focus, Sylvie, concentrate on the training.
But the awkwardness lingered, and the strange feeling that came with being near him was hard to shake off.
Morse also noticed Sylvie's unease, her tension, and the obvious rise in her blood pressure, which indicated anxiety.
She then gradually distanced herself from her, giving her the space she needed, for which Sylvie was extremely grateful, but a trace of reluctance still lingered in her heart.
This time, seemingly due to the strange effect of the touch, Sylvie adjusted her posture almost without any mistakes.
“Feel the muscles here,” Morse’s voice remained calm. “This is your core. Tighten it, but don’t overdo it. Find the right balance.”
Sylvie gradually recovered from the accidental contact and focused on following Morse's instructions. His guidance became more and more precise, and she was increasingly able to feel the muscle strength required for the correct posture.
"Very good. Now, let's adjust the position of our feet. Remember, a stable foundation starts from the ground."
Morse continued to guide her patiently, and Sylvie became more and more comfortable with the training, transforming from initial embarrassment and distraction into gradually increasing focus, which in turn boosted her confidence.
As time went by, notice the change in Sylvie's attitude.
"You did a good job as a first step," Morse praised.
Her initial nervousness was gradually replaced by growing confidence, and her movements became more skillful.
With each correction and guidance, Sylvie's movements became increasingly fluid, and Morse felt a sense of satisfaction as he witnessed her progress.
He knew that mastering these fundamental skills would be crucial for Sylvie's growth and for overcoming her past traumas. And this was only the beginning of her journey.
met free