knowing can hurt just as it can help

one-sided growth

my foot shifted ever so slightly crumpling a few blades of grass beneath my shoe, my breathing was ragged yet small they were hollow quiet and quick breaths if there were any more I thought my lungs would burn, my body ached yet I hadn't even been hit all my reflexes my reactions my nerves told me to run. they screamed at me my heart raised and pounded so hard I thought it might break my ribs, the cold damp Green Field was now dark I couldn't see more than 10 feet in front of me, and slightest noise made me snap back to reality, my current cold reality somewhere looming near he was there my mentor, Gray with each Huff of my chest my muscles got hotter they tried to tense but I kept them loose prepared for an attack in my stance, out from the Pitch Black at a blinding speed came a blur so powerful it ripped away at the darkness with each step finally it's elbow extended outwards and headed for my chest, I barely Dodged using my right hand I shifted his weight and elbow upwards and sifed my body to my right keeping the distance however he effortlessly avouded me even going further to take advantage of my attacks I continue to bounce on my feet as I tried to swing my left hand towards his chin but it was futile he simply moved under my fist and inwards, not allowing me to get room however, I took advantage of this barreling towards him I sprung forward and just as he thought I was about to fully commit to my attack I spun and pivoted to his right extending my right knee inwards I was finally able to land a hit landing it in with his thigh, I dug in making the most of it, not allowing him a chance to attack me. I attempted to land another hit zooming my right hand towards his chin, however, I was soon snapped into reality quite literally, Erie cracking rung in my head I felt my ribs buckle under the pressure of his hit, though not fully broken they were definitely lined with cracks continuing through the pain, I sprung my left hand up grabbing onto his shoulder I pushed him deeper to my right side as I caught the back of his knee with my right foot however, he simply twisted his body his left hand came over and struck me in the face nearly sending me to the ground he took this opportunity to grab my wrist and pull me in, wrapping his hand around my waist he threw me on my back standing over top of me in a stance all I could do was cough up the meager amount of blood, along with the snot pouring from my nose, my vision, blurry from the tears seem to not end, the face of my torment find me however he decided to heal me purple mist had engulfed me and although the pain was still somewhat there I could tell my injuries had healed grunting I stood up

(Cough cough) "brutal as always" I said dryly emphasizing my irritation

"If im not brutal you won't be able to improve and take shape to what im trying to make you into, if im not you'll become complicit, however you actually hit me so good try" He replied in a static tone as always

"oh could you be any more of an ass about it"

I'm serious you did good"

"Hard to believe when I'm flat on my ass after 10 seconds of fighting"

"10 seconds is better than almost anyone on this continent could do
So take the small victory because it won't be happening again for a while "

"why are you going to ramp up the teachings now, like you did before. "

"No it's just we won't be fighting for a bit."

At this my heart rate soon ramped up almost faster than it ever been I could hear the blood in my ears and some sweat dripped down my face.

"am I'm not improving fast enough is there something else you need me to do, is there something I'm not doing"

"No actually you're rate of growth is frankly practically terrifying, I'm curious if that's how they felt when they trained you because we're actually ahead of schedule."

"So what's next then"

"That's for me to worry about me and meet me in the training grounds in a few hours "