The tale from Xiaolin.

Chapter 5

It's been two months since my arrival here. Master Chase said I was making good progress and that I would soon be at the same level with Omi and the rest. However, at the very beginning the training was hard and difficult for me. With each failure, I felt I was failing Chase, but I tried to make as few mistakes as possible. I had days when I wanted to shut myself up in my room and cry all day, but I know that then I would have completely failed both myself and the master. With time, my workouts got easier and I felt myself starting to get stronger. Recently we started a new training where I have to blindfolded myself to predict where the next blow will hit and avoid it. I still get hit sometimes but I think I'm doing pretty well after all and avoid most attacks.

During training, I am forbidden to use the Tsung's cube as well as any other shen gong wu. The Master believes that real strength comes from the warrior himself, not the object he uses. Sometimes, however, there are trainings in which we use various shen gong wu so that I know how they work and how to protect against them. However, my favorite exercises are meditation with the master and Tai chi together.

Besides all that, I have to say Chase is a great cook. His muffins and Croquembouche are the best desserts I've ever had. I hope to get a recipe someday. He usually cooks a strange soup himself, which he eats every day.

In my spare time, I do basically the same things as at home: drawing, watching anime or crocheting. I have tried to invite Chase to watch it together, but he never has time. Chase's house or rather palace is huge so in my spare time I like to visit it. The master said I could go and enter anywhere except for locked doors, so I always stick to it.

As promised, he teleported to my village every day to check that everything was okay. He often took me with him saying that the young monks had come to visit me. It was nice to see them, although I didn't tell them that I also learn to be a warrior because I wanted to surprise them as if I had visited them one day.

As for the Tsung's cube, we frequently examine it with Chase. We found that if each of us turned it into the same item, mine would be larger and more detailed and Chase would be smaller and simpler. Another experiment is that if Chase takes the cube in his hand without the glove, or puts it against the skin, he may also hear the cube's voice. From what he explained, the voice he hears is indistinct and quiet, but mostly understandable.

An interesting situation happened today. As usual, Chase and I ate together. He was preparing his soup and I was eating cupcakes. At some point, the cube turned into a little man and began to run across the table, running up to Chase. He immediately took off his gloves and took him on his hands, and they were apparently talking about something. After a moment, Chase looked curious.

The cube came off his hands and turned into a leg spoon, scooped up some strange soup and ran to me. I heard in my head DRINK so I did it.

- No! - Chase shouted, standing up vigorously.

I just looked at him a little scared then added.

- For me, it could be more salty, but it tastes weird overall.

Chase just stared at me in surprise, as if scared. He sat down and tried to analyze what had just happened without saying anything. At this point, the cube snapped back onto his arm. Chase seemed even more surprised then, but after a while he began to laugh maniacally.

- So you say it could be more salty? - he asked, still laughing. - Okay! I will take it into account next time I do it.

I was a little relieved to see Chase laughing. I have no idea what he got pissed off or scared about but I smiled at him and started eating again.