"ding!"

  The metallic elevator doors opened and Kerek stepped into a spacious hallway. As soon as he left the lift warm lights lit up the corridor.

  His average height made him feel small when he looked at the distant ceiling.

  It would be impossible for such a space to fit inside the building without spatiomancy.

  The space was expanded on the inside or perhaps it was an anchored pocket dimension. Kerek didn't know as that was considered classified information.

  He kept on walking, his steps echoed through the otherwise silent space. Finally, he reached room number 18.

  After pressing his Guardsmen token to the door's scanner it opened.

  Inside an Ent greeted him. He replied in kind.

  His instructor was not wearing the plate armor one would expect. Instead, its naked body could be seen, a maze of tangled branches and leaves.

  The wooden construct was unexpectedly short, barely one head taller than Kerek.

  The room could've been around 100 yards wide and again so long. It contained the same spacious ceiling as the hallway, 30 yards tall at least.

  Crunching sounds reverberated under his combat boots, the sandy floor declaring its presence.

  It was weird to see the Ents talking. Why did I never think to ask about that?

  "How come you can talk to me, but normally the other Ents will not even open their mouths?"

  His instructor chuckled. "Do you know how difficult it is to puppeteer thousands of constructs and you want me to communicate through them all?"

  "That was unbecoming of me. What I meant to say is that for every speaking Ent, three fighting constructs could be created."

  "When in battle, it's not worth the effort. Only when it comes to teaching or caretaking do I bother." explained the Tree.

  Because that's who he was truly talking to, as unbelievable as it was.

  "Can we practice swordsmanship today?" he asked and the Ent nodded. It then went to the weapon rack and pulled out a wooden greatsword. Its thick blade bordered on impractical.

  Nothing he could do would seriously hurt it, so he drew the sword on his waist, a standard-issue military shortsword.

  His instructor paused for a second and then threw him a round shield.

  "If you want melee fighting to be more than a self-defense option for you, you better start carrying a shield with that sword," it critiqued him.

  Kerek grunted in affirmation and caught the flying shield. He took a second to scrutinize it.

  Straps on the inside, of wooden make and round in shape. A typical shield as far as he could tell.

  Now with a shield strapped to his arm, the Ent judged him ready for combat.

  "Deflection is the goal, don't block directly unless it's absolutely necessary," was the last piece of advice he got before his instructor charged him.

  Kerek's eyes widened in shock and his shield arm automatically shot up.

  The strike of the greatsword fell on him like a meteorite and he screamed in pain as his wrist shattered.

  He rolled on the ground with tears in his eyes while the Ent watched him without empathy. "I told you not to do that," it said with a voice full of disappointment.

  "Remember the lesson well," his instructor advised. In a few moments, it added "Now stop with the dramatics and go see a healer."

  He shakily stood up and departed the training room, the shield still strapped on his mangled arm.

  When he came back the Ent was standing motionlessly on the ground. It shook its head and opened its eyes. "You're back so fast."

  "Did you injure me just so you would have one less puppet to worry about?"

  "..."

  "..."

  "Not at all. What did you learn from the exchange?" the construct questioned as if nothing happened.

  He sighed. "Blocking directly transfers all the force into my hand. If I'm not considerably stronger than my opponent it is not a viable move in normal circumstances."

  "Exactly, now let me show you how it's done."

  While Kerek was visiting a healer the Ent picked up a shield of its own. "Now attack me," ordered his instructor.

  He approached carefully, but the Ent didn't use its superior reach to keep him away.

  Throwing all caution to the wind Kerek rushed forward and executed an ambitious cut. The Ent tilted its shield and his attack slid off.

  With his momentum uninterrupted he flew by his instructor. Quick thinking let him execute a roll.

  Without stopping he stood up and rushed at the Ent now from the other side. This time he was more wary.

  Nevertheless, each of his strikes was deflected. The Ent moved with deliberate precision and with each subsequent minute Kerek's frustration grew.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Finally, he overextended and when his instructor deflected the strike he stumbled. This time the mistake didn't go unpunished.

  The Ent took advantage of his uncertain footing and kicked his legs from under him.

  Kerek's back hit the ground, but before he could get his bearings a shield collided with his head.

  His vision turned black. When it came back he saw the construct standing above him with its hand outstretched and he took it.

  Thankfully, his mana-enhanced body could take a beating.

  "Your thoughts?" asked the Ent.

  "The shield may be used as a weapon, impatience will be punished, and the most important insight of them all: I should've worn a helmet."

  His witty remarks earned him no praise.

  Sadly, it was better for him not to wear one. Kerek had to get used to the protective properties of his body, even if he would rather not.

  Suddenly his vision blurred and he stumbled, but as soon as it came it was gone.

  Before he could complain about the unreasonable treatment he was already sidestepping the construct's shieldbash.

  His instructor didn't forgo his greatsword this time. "You saw me do it, now it's your turn."

  Kerek would've sworn that it was enjoying itself if their Guardian wasn't puppeteering it. The Tree can't be a sadist, right? Right!?

  He did his best to defend himself, but even so, he was no match for his opponent.

  His instructor moved slowly to let him get used to the shield deflection. Kerek did his best, but his hand still ached painfully at the end of it.

  When the Ent was finally satisfied his legs gave up in exhaustion. He didn't fight it and let his body drop to the ground.

  He could've sworn that the construct was giving him a judgy look.

  "Don't waste my precious time, cultivation now!" it ordered.

  Too weak to protest he sat up comfortably and closed his eyes. As always he first gathered the mana in his bones and then moved on to the rest.

  His control was getting better, but he was not there yet.

  While the mana splashed around in his channels he did his best to think of the fight. Each time his footing faltered, each time his shield hand absorbed too much force and he yelped in pain.

  These mistakes, both small and big had no place in his fighting style.

  He imagined fighting the Ent. This time his footing was sure and his reactions swift.

  The construct swung its greatsword but it was for naught. The strike slid down Kerek's shield like a child on a slide.

  Kerek kept pushing and though he couldn't beat his instructor, not even in his mind space, they were evenly matched.

  He felt cracks appearing in his imagination.

  Why was deflecting compatible with The Way of the Tiger, or more broadly, why should he deflect when his goal was the ultimate body?

  Kerek felt the divide between his mind and body growing wider and he knew he'd have to ponder about it sooner rather than later.

  For now, he did his best to cultivate and visualize a better him.

  His instructor would beat the mistakes out of him, but having a strong mental image in his head would undoubtedly help him much.

  Now to address the issue.

  Yes, he wanted a body that could withstand punishment. However, that's not how tigers fought, or at least not his interpretation of one.

  For him, a tiger was an ambush predator. Someone strong, but cunning, picking its battles and ending them in seconds.

  A tiger would use everything at its disposal to win a fight and so should he.

  He felt something click and his body started sucking in the ambient mana at a rapid rate.

  I will be invincible, but not because of an indestructible body.

  An opponent too strong should be escaped and a tricky one should be ambushed.

  There's no honor in fighting and if you want to win you better do what it takes.

  It is not a defense that I need, it is agility. To ambush, to retreat, to arrive in time to help. Speed is the key.

  A mediocre fighter where needed is worth 10 masters at home. That line rang true and his mana subsided.

  When he opened his eyes the Ent was waiting for him. It was impossible to interpret its wooden face.

  "Can you please call for a cultivation adviser? I need to make some changes to mine."

  "I already called for Britta, she will be here soon," replied the construct.

  "Can I get someone more qualified? She's nice and all, but I'd rather get advice from an expert, not a receptionist."

  The Ent looked at him silently and then it shook its head. "Don't mention what you just said to her, at least if you don't want to suffer from a mana deviation."

  That shut Kerek up.

  It didn't take long and Britta was there.

  He explained the issue while she listened attentively, from time to time she jotted a few lines inside her notebook.

  "To summarise, your conceptual understanding has shifted, so you want to focus more on agility and less on strength and endurance," she said, looking up from her notes.

  "Yes, that's right," he agreed.

  "You're lucky that you've realized now."

  "Oh, would it have been an issue later down the line?"

  "Hmmm. Yes, but not the way you think. Your cultivation method wasn't built to be the sole method of the wielder. Nor does it discourage switching between methods."

  "However, you can't turn back the time darling. It would've been difficult to mold your enhanced form and you'd spread yourself too thin."

  "Reasonably strong, reasonably agile, but great at neither. Not to mention that your mind might reject such a body after a shift like this.

  "That would make your cultivation more difficult until your agility outgrew your strength."

  "Don't worry though, before I came I was looking in the cultivation database at the adjusted version of The Way of the Tiger that you're using. "

  "I should have an adjusted manual ready for you in a week, but before that no cultivation. Not even background cycling."

  "I understand. Thank you."

  She nodded and left the training room. Seeing her from the back Kerek noticed that she sported a fluffy dog tail.

  Before he could comment on it the Ent was already arming himself. "You brought your pistol, right?" it inquired.

  "Yes, I did."

  "Good, let's see how well you can apply what you learned. Go to the right side."

  The Ent went left. When they were both in position there were 100 yards between them.

  He strapped the shield to his left arm but left his sword in its sheath. Instead, he pulled out his pistol.

  The construct saw his movement and started closing the distance in a sprint.

  He aimed, but when he pulled the trigger a root wrapped itself around his leg making his shot go wide.

  Kerek instantly changed targets and forewent his pistol. The sword was a better option for such a small and slippery target.

  The root was persistent, slithering like a snake. However, with his superhuman strength, he managed to cleave it in two.

  It took him but a moment to dispatch it. In a battle that might as well be an eternity.

  Desperately he jumped out of the way of the charging Ent. He picked up his discarded pistol and emptied his mag into it.

  His volley did minimal damage. With no time to reload, he let the pistol drop to the ground once more.

  Kerek dodged and deflected to the best of his ability. Nonetheless, the heavy swings of the Ent's greatsword were pushing him back.

  The wall was now at his back. With nowhere to run Kerek desperately rushed forward.

  He punched the greatsword with his shield, stopping a downward strike before it could even begin, and stabbed with his shortsword.

  The weapon met wood and sank maybe half an inch inside the Ent's body.

  He didn't manage to pull the weapon out fast enough and the construct's front kick made his back hit the wall.

  Kerek did his best to remain upright and battle-ready. But the follow-up never came.

  "Our time is up," said the Ent. Then after some thought it continued: "You did well holding me back. Good thinking with the shield strike."

  "Thank you," replied Kerek, and even though the fight was a one-sided beating a spark of pride still blossomed in his chest.

  Free of his instructor's grasp he felt immediate relief. He had enough of impossible fights without a hope of winning.

  Now it was time for a sparring session with an equal.