Day in, day out.

She had been attending this school for so long, that a lot of things around here were becoming familiar, in a way that was unfortunate. But that was just the thing about the place making the better part of her life.

Faces might have been new, but their like-minded interests were something like what she had experienced, growing up around here. It made for a mix of pride, to know that she was better, but also irritation at being capable of seeing what they couldn't. She had her own expectations that their pacing didn't.

Though at the same time, the idea of being an instructor herself, didn't appeal to her. Not when she could have been more and better, taking leave from this school. The proof was in what power she had gained over the years. It was nothing that really stood out, as much as she had always hoped things would be different.

But here she was, a decade's year of work as a practitioner of ki, and her power was still yet to be something that could make the pit of someone's stomach tighten. She wanted to be overwhelming, and not just some number. Which she couldn't have so long as she had stuck around here, among others with similar power.

Life wasn't without its obstacles however. Zeni was the biggest one, keeping her from finding the kind of day and night she had wanted for herself. What tourneys she could participate in and win, were few and between. There was always going to be someone more experienced and practiced in a hosted one she heard of.

But that was just the kind of life that she chose for herself, wanting to be a martial artist. Zeni wasn't going to flow without power, and without the right amount, she couldn't go for any alternatives to power either. Cybernetic implants were too expensive, though would only help to an extent anyway.

Her own weakness in comparison to beings of power out there, made time into another enemy of hers. She couldn't afford spending another decade at this school. It wasn't the kind of life she wanted.

"Before next month ends, I'd like to at least place higher around here."

Rather than be outside in the presence of the sun, she had sat down on a cushion across one of her instructors. Those of the Demon Leopard school were taught a mixed of education, the school's essential techniques being paced out just enough to nearly be like any high school curriculum in the cities.

She could still remember how impatient she and others had been to learn the school's techniques, but now that she and those she were close to, had been seen as good enough to master it, those memories had seemed juvenile in comparison to her rut. Though she supposed it was better than to still struggle.

"You'd be lucky to not be crippled through the matches."

There was no real amusement in the tone her instructor had spoke of, but Master Jia had never really been the sort not to speak her mind first, to where she had believed it was necessary. And all of this while the woman had drunk that tea she found so tasteless, though had to participate in downing some herself.

This was nothing like alcohol, which was at least an acquired taste. Tea that wasn't at least somewhat sweetened, was always more of a test of perseverance, knowing that she wasn't meant to make faces either.

"Making use of what power I have, is meant to end things before their recovery. Whatever grace they have, the weight of it all will be rid of it."

No matter how easy it might be to mention any faults she made on the timing of their style, it was nothing but an excuse. Masters of the school fought with all the right movements, but doing so didn't mean being capable of countering equally. She took chances, starting off against fighters she didn't know of, by using the full power of their school's technique off the bat, in the hope of forcing them to act hastily.

Something that was of risk, knowing that there were times she gave a lot of her effort, just to have them dodge it all, or even clash. It opened up the chances to use more energy than necessary, and be taken advantaged enough to land a strike that could put her in enough agony, she could lose the match.

Such a thing hadn't happened yet. Her not winning a whole tourney, was more so due to a difference in power and experience, rather than a crippling status or similar. If her master had actually cared about these smaller events, she would always be nothing more than a disappointment to someone she respected.

The tasteless tea had swished around a bit in her mouth, savoring it like she had always been told to do, before actually swallowing it. Each sip her master made, was one she needed to take as well.

One cup was never really something that was enough either. Things were just somewhat easy to ignore, when she knew their conversation would start leading to somewhere she could focus, than be in disgust.

"Power that you've yet to grow beyond, seeing that you're still here. When will you plan to make leave, as you keep declaring?"

A lot of the words the woman had spoke of today, could have had different meaning. Insult with the idea that she would suffer, despite being told of something hopeful. Annoyance at the claims that she had personally made to anyone willing to listen. But none of what was said, spoke with that tone.

She was used to this. It was one of the pleasures that she continued to partake, if anything, knowing how much the school could really offer someone like her. They were still welcome to stay here past mastering techniques, but there was some shame in doing so as a way of taking advantage. Intentions were rather clear though, through what effort was put in on a daily basis, knowing she had yet to really move.

"I could do so by artificial means, but that is a lesser path. Time has been something which had been present for you, and will continue to decide for my path."

Her own responses to her instructor had carried some own insults, but nothing that really went out of the way from honest truth. It couldn't be determined how long it would take to achieve what she was looking for. None of them had the wealth for a scouter, but it was reasonable to assume if those around were near her power, then she would need to be four times what she had now, to be capable of overwhelming them.

And this was all in consideration of disregarding any powering up as well. All this talk of zeni, always tended to make her look back at her choices, including what had already been brought up in their conversation. Should she really consider making use of crippling as a way to win a match?

Her approach to fighting, it involved mustering what power she could gather, but also negating or dodging what others could throw at her. Going for those kind of tactics she had no moral qualms with, but there were just better ways of fighting, without having to rely on such a thing. She thought so anyway.

"You have answers, but fail to apply them. The circumstances are fair, but remain to be nothing more than excuses."

While there wasn't a change in tone with her master's words, the woman had started to smile now, in the kind of amusement that had been taught to her. They could keep going back and forth like this, as they had done for the past hour or so, though it was apparent when things here were coming to a close.

A hardened expression, was only ever what was shown to her with their talks, up until things were concluded. She wasn't sure just how much tea was really left in the pot, with how there were days they didn't always finish, but braced herself as their cups were refilled for this last drink.

"I'll leave you to keep thinking things over. The day might have started out the same for you, but things are ever changing."

"Thank you, Master Jia."

The end of things here wasn't some sign to abandon what patience she had shown. It would have been a disregard to the teachings of the school, and of respect, to be hasty enough to rush out of here.

Having to drink tea in the first place, had a lot of applications to hone a better mindset, but it was overall just a favorite of her instructor, that she and many others couldn't happily stomach.

She left after a bow, sliding the paper doors behind her. The noise of school was something apparent and stark, more than her desire of ridding the taste in her mouth. Students of various ages actively fought the other on the grounds in small groups, or spectated and forming some kind of arena with how they circled.

It was a sight she had already seen, as been said to her, but the thing about coming back from a visit to her master, was that it wasn't much of a bother. She could ignore what faults she saw in those practicing their forms, and better dismiss any kind of assistance asked of her by the other school of thought.

Her master's words could have easily held suggestions on how else to spend her time, but it was of their philosophy not to seek that kind of help. There was a certain kind of difference between having control over a situation, and being dragged into one. Life was meant to be beneficial through one's own actions.

She didn't need to really be told of anything however, to know how likely it was, she went past so many faces, just to get the comfort of those she considered herself to be close to. Her instructor could offer a lot of advice, but the sight of two other woman, one silver-haired and the other auburn, was more personal.

"You two are leaving?"

They had roughly been at the school for the same amount of time, and as much as the latter could be unfocused, even she had surprisingly managed to master the Demon Leopard style.

It was obvious the stuff they were carrying, were meant to be something more permanent. Most people kept their things in capsules, but it was only natural for those at this school to carry some kind of hardship, just for further training. These two were nowhere near related, but they did somewhat have dependence.

What made them be more than annoyances, lied in just what they were able to offer. Persistence among other things, which others were more quick to abandon. To really understand this school, meant having the kind of open mind that they did. She was answered first with some nodding, a bottle of water being passed over to her by the shorter of the two, who even now, she could tell was already thinking about her family.

"It took awhile to do so, but we're moving back to East City."

It was unsurprising to see Natsumi was the one who spoke first, reminding her of past conversations they all had together. Leaving this place was a natural thing, and she had often also voiced doing so herself.

But it still managed to somehow feel sudden, perhaps because they were doing so well before her. She still wasn't certain herself, just how long it would be, before she could gather the power she wanted.

"How did your talk with Master Jia, go?"

"I'm not any closer to finding an answer to gaining power, but she seems to believe I can come up with a solution soon."

There was no real need to be assured of anything, regarding their leave. East City wasn't far from here, and choosing to travel by foot, was really just beliefs they were continuing to practice.

But there did need to be some form of affirmation, knowing what their relationship was. There was no reason any of them should have considered her to be not of value, when they were all around the same strength.

"Well what you're looking for isn't an easy thing. It'll be sometime before one of the other schools will be interested in getting together again, and I think it would be better if you gathered zeni like we did."

It was an option, rather than a demand. One which had her think about just how long it must have took, for the both of these two to bet on a spar, and actually win. But the idea of equipment, still felt second to her, than training did. Her defenses still weren't something that was the best it could be right now.

"You could also try doing a bunch of different things at once too. Can't finish everything all in one day."

Chipping in as well, the auburn-haired girl had offered a light smile, though her attention kept turning towards the direction these two were meaning to head. Natsumi was more patient than Yukari could ever be, and they could have had the same back and forth she did with Master Jia, if the latter was willing to wait.

It just wasn't something necessary. A peace of mind, wasn't something difficult, and unlike what relationship they shared, she didn't need to depend on them, to bounce ideas off of. But having always been the leader of their group, she did need to ensure she could keep a distance of power from them.

"There's only a few ways things could be, but I'll think it over like with anything else."

None of them had really given any bows, or made any more contact than was necessary. Of the three of them, she was the one who practiced their school's beliefs the most, even with what could have easily been a more permanent departure. Independence was what she had strived for, alongside influence.

Neither of the two were available, without taking strides in becoming more than she could without them. They had benefited her in being someone to listen and spar with, but now that opportunity was something less frequent. The people attending this school, most had did so young, possibly changing their beliefs as the time had passed. Her friends had the capability of being more, but not without someone to lead them.

Alone again, she found herself walking away from the school grounds, and more towards the village that made up the homes of those who lived here. It was a lot quieter, being filled with only those wishing to rest.

Her own home was nearby, but she didn't plan on heading towards there just yet. Instead, she went towards one of the numerous shrines around the area, where those who used it, had either prayed or meditated.

It had been more of the latter, plopping down in front of the nearest one. The sight of herself here wasn't uncommon, and these shrines had always been a point of focus or recovery, going on to use them.

To be strong enough to overwhelm those around this area, was the only goal she wanted to reach at the moment, knowing she would be above the others around here. But power was something that took time.

Master Jia, Natsumi, and even Yukari, had all gave her ideas on how to approach the situation in their own ways. Though it was coming to a decision, that was what had stumped her entirely. Potential.

Honing her natural abilities and increasing the limits of what she could handle. Mastery of her own techniques, and learning other ones here and there. Or a complete focus on trying to earn zeni.

The idea of doing a mix of both, wasn't a bad option, but it did deter how long it would take to hone one thing. She couldn't swallow the idea of having to be at the school for so long, running into the same levels of power. Opportunities to get resources were small as is, ontop of not meeting no one of influence.

To be talented, efficient, and possessing alacrity, were the kind of qualities she was assured she wouldn't be able to find here. There was only so much she could do against the less experienced students as well, rushing them for fights, and assaulting them with what she had up her arsenal. She could be so much more.

There were fights here and there against her instructors as well, but even that had its limitations in what could help serve as growth. Of the three options, it seemed like she was better off honing what strength she already had, but she had yet to also meet someone who could motivate her into doing so.

Competitors from different schools, didn't ever feel like they were overwhelming. Though running into someone who was, she wasn't looking for either. It would be by chance if anything, to fall into that kind of luck. A prayer and some meditation was all she could really do right now for the future.

Meditation was something that could be for hours, but she didn't linger too long in this spot, getting up once she had considered her options. The day was nice out, and more than what approach to take, her mind was on the idea with heading to East City early tomorrow, just to ease some of her troubles.

Her way of fighting mustered up a lot of things, taking chances here and there, just because she had wanted to be something that was overwhelming. Someone who could be an influential force of nature one day. A lot of what she wanted was a one in a million chance, had she chosen to live a more normal life.

There were lots of hardships with being a practitioner of ki, but hardly any regrets.

(Prelude to this.)