The Invincible Mystic Master

Chapter 010

While Summer struggled to contain the crisis at Morton Group, Will settled into his temporary quarters at the Morton estate.

He rose early the following morning and went for a run. Years of training under Blind Crowe had made daily exercise a habit, and marriage wasn't about to change that.

His route took him to Hawthorne Hill Park, where joggers and early risers were already making use of the open space. Will found a quiet spot, sat down, and closed his eyes. He followed the breathing pattern his mentor had taught him, gradually settling his mind and drawing arcane energy into a steady rhythm.

Not far away, two people stood out among the morning crowd.

One was an older gentleman in a neatly tailored linen jacket. He carried himself with the confidence of someone used to being respected. Beside him stood a striking young woman in workout clothes, probably in her early twenties, with lively eyes and a confident smile.

“Grandpa, am I doing this right?” she asked.

She extended her palm and shifted into one of the flowing stances of Aetherflow.

The older man chuckled.

“You barely practice, Thalia. Those movements might look pretty, but that's not the same as knowing how to fight.”

“That's not fair! I practice all the time.”

Thalia Oulette sounded genuinely offended. Plenty of people had told her she was talented, but her grandfather never seemed impressed. According to him, everything she did was little more than showmanship.

Will overheard the exchange and allowed himself a faint smile.

From where he sat, the girl's technique was indeed mostly for show. Against a serious fighter, she wouldn't last a single exchange.

Once he'd finished his breathing exercises, he stood and began warming up. His fists moved through the air in a series of sharp, precise strikes, each one producing a crisp snap.

Several people nearby turned to watch.

The older gentleman noticed as well. His eyes brightened.

*Interesting. That young man knows what he's doing.*

Thalia saw where her grandfather was looking and frowned.

“Grandpa, I'm right here. Why are you staring at some random guy?”

“Because he's talented,” Old Mr. Oulette said. “Very talented, by the look of him. He might be worth getting to know.”

Thalia looked Will over and wasn't impressed.

*What's so special about him? I bet I could beat him myself.*

Old Mr. Oulette started in Will's direction.

“Good form, young man,” he said warmly.

Thalia followed, growing more irritated with every step. Her grandfather had barely complimented her all morning, yet here he was praising a complete stranger.

“I want to see how good he really is,” she announced.

“Thalia,” her grandfather warned, “don't be rude.”

“Relax, Grandpa. I'll be fine.”

Old Mr. Oulette sighed. His granddaughter had been indulged far too often. Perhaps a little embarrassment would do her some good.

Thalia stepped in front of Will.

“Can I help you?” he asked.

“My grandfather says you're a great fighter. I'd like to see for myself.”

Will smiled.

“I'm nothing special.”

His casual answer only irritated her further. Nearby exercisers began drifting closer, curious to see what would happen.

“Then let's find out. Defend yourself!”

Thalia struck with an open palm, driving the blow toward his face.

Will shifted a fraction to one side and let the attack pass harmlessly by.

She wheeled around, furious.

“You can't dodge forever!”

She launched another series of palm strikes, each one more aggressive than the last. Will stepped around them without effort, scarcely moving more than he needed to.

After several missed attacks, his patience thinned.

“That's enough,” he said. “Keep coming at me and I won't keep holding back.”

“You wouldn't dare hit me!”

Before she could finish, Will placed a palm against her shoulder and gave a short, controlled push.

Her balance, already compromised by the failed attack, collapsed completely. She stumbled backward and landed hard on the ground.

For a moment Thalia simply sat there, stunned. Then outrage took over.

“Grandpa! Are you going to let him get away with that?”

Old Mr. Oulette approached with a weary expression. He examined Will more closely, taking in his easy posture and the extraordinary control he'd displayed.

“Who trained you, young man?” he asked.

Will gave him a calm look but didn't answer.

The silence annoyed the older man. He had spent his life mastering combat arts, and a boy this young couldn't possibly have reached his level, no matter how early he'd started training.

“Confidence is useful,” Old Mr. Oulette said, his tone cooling. “Arrogance will get you hurt.”

By then, several onlookers had recognized him.

“Isn't that the head of the Oulette family?” someone whispered.

“It is. The Oulettes are one of the wealthiest families around. What's he doing here?”

Old Mr. Oulette rolled his shoulders and took a fighting stance.

“Let's see how you handle this.”

He moved much faster than Thalia had, his palm cutting toward Will with practiced force.

But to Will, the attack was still painfully slow.

He raised his own hand to meet it.

Their palms collided.

A moment later, Old Mr. Oulette was thrown backward. He hit the ground several feet away, staring up in disbelief.

“Grandpa!” Thalia cried, hurrying toward him. “Are you okay?”

The old man barely heard her. He was looking at Will as though he'd seen a ghost.

*How can someone this young be so powerful?*

Will regarded him calmly.

“Old Mr. Oulette, that old injury of yours still gives you trouble, doesn't it?”

The color drained from the older man's face.

Only members of his family knew about that injury. He had spent years keeping it hidden.

He pointed at Will.

“Who are you? How could you possibly know about that?”

“It's a minor injury,” Will replied. “Anyone who knows what to look for can see it. What kind of healer would I be if I missed something so obvious?”

Thalia's anger vanished.

She scrambled to her feet and rushed back to Will.

“Wait. Are you saying you can heal my grandfather?”