The Jade Mage: The Becoming: Volume 1 Read Online Free PDF

repeat. Bottom left, bottom right, left parry, right thrust, over head block, downward lunge...OOF! The butt of his staff went deep into his stomach, and he dropped it as the wind was knocked out of him. Struggling on the ground, trying to breathe, waiting for the punishment that was sure to come for such failure, he was shocked when a waterskin bounced off his head.
    “Well done Tartum, when you can breathe again, join me in the kitchen. It’s time to eat.” Isidor said, not trying to disguse the approval in his voice.
    ...
    For five months, Tartum had been practicing the same movements. The same basic exercise, with the staff that was now more apart of him than his eyes. He knew every inch of his staff, every crevice. He knew exactly where the center of balance was, how to hold it for the maximum effect, whether he was lunging, parrying, or swinging. His footwork blended perfectly with his handiwork, and the blur of green around him was like a protective shell. Tartum loved going through his exercises, even after months of doing little else. Isidor hadn’t watched him in weeks, and Tartum didn’t mind the isolation. The new routine suited him fine, and now that he had sold the farm, he had no need to rush. His life was devoted to the perfection of his staff, and casting skills.
    In the middle of his contemplation, Isidor entered the room. He was dressed in nothing but his pants and carried his staff with him. Tartum saw him but continued on with his exercise, not knowing Isidor’s purpose in coming.
    “That’s enough practice, Tartum. You’ve gotten the remedial stuff down. Are you ready for some real lessons in combat?” Isidor asked. His voice was devoid of all emotion. His demeanor unsettled Tartum.
    Stopping as he was instructed, Tartum looked at Isidor, wondering what he meant. Isidor said nothing. He calmly strolled up to Tartum, not making eye contact, a wide grin on his face. Without warning, Isidor struck out at Tartum, aiming for his right knee. His body reacted, before Tartum registered what was happening, knocking away Isidor’s blow.
    “ BOTTOM LEFT! ” Isidor screamed at Tartum, as he lashed out at Tartum’s left knee. Tartum parried this blow as well. He wasn’t even thinking about it, his body was reacting on its own.
    “ BOTTOM RIGHT! ” Isidor screamed at him again, swinging his staff at the right side of Tartum’s legs. Seeing where this was going, Tartum’s staff was already at his right and easily deflected the blow.
    “ LEFT PARRY! ” Isidor screamed.
    “ RIGHT THRUST! ” Tartum screamed back and did just that. Isidor’s next move wasn’t something Tartum expected. Deftly moving to his left, Isidor dodged the blow, grabbed Tartum’s staff, and, using his own momentum against him, threw Tartum forward, taking his staff from him as he fell to the ground, rolling head over heels.
    “Good! You’ve got the basics down to instinctual response. Now you just have to learn to not tell your opponent what your next move will be. That was stupid.” Isidor said with contempt. As Tartum picked himself up, Isidor tossed his staff to him. He caught it and glared angrily at his mentor.
    “Again.” Isidor said. Obediently, Tartum prepared himself for another lesson.
    ...
    “He’s moving too fast!” Tartum thought, fighting hard to keep his fear in check. Isidor’s movement had gone into a blur again, and Tartum tried furiously to match his mentor’s speed and precision. Too late, he realized his master’s thrust was a feign, and he felt the pain that came with such a mistake, exploding in his gut and shoulder as his master’s one-two move knocked Tartum to the ground.
    “Again you fall for that. How many more times must you fail before you learn? An animal would have figured it out by now!” Isidor admonished, “Are you trying to disappoint me?”
    When he could talk again, Tartum responded, “No...master...It’s just...I can’t follow your movements...how...how are you moving