Aspiring Recluse

Chapter 3 : Dreams and Weaknesses

The first day of training was rough, at the start. I was confused on what to do. I asked Sato for guidance and he offered me help. Doing squats, push-ups, jump ropes and running all day was quite tiring if I say so myself. After a long hard day of training old man Sato sat me down and gave me a warm, yet soothing cup of tea. It made my body feel so light and refreshed. I asked the old man what he put in it? He simply responds by saying "Do you really wish to learn what I put in it? Ha! In your dreams" I have a lame and bummed out look on my face again, the old man just laughs it off, seeing him laugh makes me feel happy and content inside too. It got late pretty quick. I look outside and hear crickets chirping, a slight wind picking up from the distance. I go back into the dojo, making my way to my room. I suddenly hear coughing and went to check out what happened. I found old man Sato coughing blood, I asked "WHAT HAPPENED? ARE YOU OKAY?" He scoffs. Even though he genuinely appeared to be in serious pain. I wonder what happened to him, planned on asking him again tomorrow. The next day, old man Sato appeared to be fine, I ask him. "How do you feel? He replies by saying "yes, I do feel better then yesterday, but why do you ask?" I take a sigh of relief and tell him I was worried something might've happened to him. We continue with our breakfast. Surprising enough, old man Sato cooked really well. I got myself ready for my daily training routine again. This time I could feel some things improving. Like the numbers of squats I could do, how many push-ups I could do before my body gave out, how many times I could skip over the rope before I tripped, how much I could run before I ran out of breath. I was satisfied with how things were turning out. My training went on for days and weeks. I had felt the improvement my body had made. I started continuingly sparring and learning techniques from old man Sato

His health was worsening, day by day he'd feel even more ill. I was worried. Old man Sato stated that now that my body was "ready" for learning techniques and weapon arts. He first started off by teaching me Taekwondo Stances, each one that should be used at its own place and time. He states that meditation is also a big element in martial arts. Therefore I get myself ready for what was about to come. "What will become of me? How far will I go." I wondered to myself. Old man Sato realizes I zoned out and snaps near my ears which brings me back. "WERE YOU NOT LISTENING TO ME?" I laugh nervously and apologize. Old man Sato smirked as well. Continuing after the stances, came basic fighting techniques. He first started off with a simple kick, he demonstrates it in front of me and leaving me in absolute awe. His Kicks had so much power. I can only wonder how strong his other skills must be. Old man Sato tells me to give it a try, so I do. My kick strength was moderately strong, he commented. He said "You certainly have more power than last time. I can tell." I was relieved. After the amount of effort I had put in and how much time I had spent training my body to its limits. He told me to practice the same movement over and over again, to the point where it becomes second nature to my body and mind. He says that the first technique, a simple kick is the foundation of Renewal Taekwondo (Renewal Taekwondo will now be referred to as RE for convenience, thank you for your understanding) So, I start practicing the leg kick he told me to practice. Couple of days pass by, my kick becomes strong. But this puts a massive strain on my body. Soring up almost all parts of my leg. The old man tells me to take a small break. So that my body and mind could process what I had been doing these past few days, I nod. I quickly go to my bed and lay down. And helplessly fell asleep immediately because of how tired I was. Old man Sato looks over at me and smiles.