Hopscotch of the Demon King

Enuma speaks out, annoucing to everyone, which is just me. "Now, once you are warmed up enough, we shall begin the ladder training. Now, I shall provide a demonstration."

Saying that, Enuma lays the ladder to the ground. The Great Demon King’s training finally begins.

Enuma says, "Now, first stand before the ladder then step in the square grid between the ladder’s scaffolding" 

Recognizing the hopping through the ladder as training, I let out a gasp.

Enuma explaining, "Jump quickly while aligning both feet and move forward. Jump straight. Do not step on the ladder, step in it, and land only within the squares."

The Demon King jumped forward with both feet together. Says, "Then, you carry on as such."

Only thing I say is “Osu”

Enuma saying the next steps of the training, "When you’re done, return to the end of the ladder, and then move forward with your legs aligned and jumping left and right. The trick is to jump with both feet and land on both feet. Do not land to a single foot alone."

Once, the legendary Demon King who made the world tremble. He is showing an odd image of himself jumping back and forth with both feet.

Enuma continues, "Next, one leg and the other, and then open both legs and jump a third time. Next is the other side, so, repeat the opening and closing, Hopscotch, Hopscotch, with a proper rhythm."

I confirm, “O-Osu”

He had driven mankind into the depths of fear and was intoxicated by the cries of tragedy and blood. The brutal and outrageous Demon King is playing Hopscotch.

Enuma continued by showing more hopping, "And this time, Hop, Hop and quick"

I struggle to keep my face straight. No, no, I’ll be cursed to death if I laugh now!

Enuma showing off more hopping, says, "Out, in, out, in, out, and slalom with both feet"

Confirming I say, “O-Osu.”

Enuma says the next training, "Next on one leg, slalom."

However, this is the Great Demon King shaking his ass and zigzagging with 2-footed hop steps.

Enuma continuing, "Skipping, one, two, three! One, two, three!"

Trying to hold my laughter in failure, “Bu, Gur, urg hehehehehe”

Enuma erupts, "Are you motivated or are you nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooottttt!!!"

I am still chuckling, “Sorry, I could not help it.”

Enuma bitter says, "And yet your attention was led astray!? Hehehe, do laugh!"

And so, Enuma’s patience finally ran out. Enuma said, "You said you would take this seriously."

So, I reply promptly, “I know! I’m going to do that. No, I understand. It’s no use getting angry at me when you’re diligently teaching me how to breakthrough and learn my talents."

However, when seeing that Demon King skip and hopscotch in front of you, laughter is inevitable. I might be the first man in history to witness the Demon King skipping.

Enuma sighs, "Honestly. All right? This ladder training is not only a warm-up, it is effective for improving basic skills!"

In reply I say, “Is that so?”

Enuma says, "Yes! This is apparent I need to explain the effects first."

Having said that, while I was a little blushing and angry, Enuma taught me the effect of this strange thing.

Enuma lecturing, "With this ladder training, we can train your ability to quickly step, stop and turn, and even slow down, turn back, and accelerate. Do you know what that means?"

Now, let’s ignore the previous skipping. I won’t ridicule him anymore. Now, I’ll earnestly give it my full attention. Improvement in functionality can be obtained according to the words of this Enuma.

I ask, “Does that mean I’m going to use my body better?”

Enuma smirked, "To be more precise, it is to increase the reaction speed of nerves and muscles."

Nerve and muscle reaction speed? I get it, I don’t get it. Enuma clarified, "Humans and demons both transmit commands from the brain through the nerves to muscles. Good reflexes mean that the transmission response speed between brain, nerve, and muscle is fast. This ladder training, slowing down, turning back, and accelerating in a narrow, limited space, doesn’t work if the instructions are not communicated to the muscles efficiently, even if the brain knows it."

I only reply “I see”

Enuma continued "By coordinating the brain, nerves, and muscles, you can move your body as you please, faster and more accurately, and as a result, your motor skills improve. Furthermore, the faster your reaction speed, the faster your magic is triggered."

It was quite interesting and frustrating. It seemed to be a silly discipline, but now that you say that I felt that it would be effective. 

Moreover, magic will be faster. That is keyword. 

Enuma knew exactly what was on my mind, saying, "In combat, tis common for your body to be unable to keep up with your mind. Gaps and time lags that the body can’t keep up with the image thought by the brain may be the difference between life and death on the battlefield. To fill that gap and move as imagined in the mind. This is the technique that CAN be acquired. With that in mind, do take this ladder training seriously." 

Move the body according to the image drawn by the mind. However, I was convinced that it was surprisingly difficult. With a vague image of my father’s sword, I kept swinging my sword. For me who never had a clear image of what I wanted to do, this training method was unheard of.

I say, “I’m beginning to understand.”

Enuma pushed the training forward, saying, "Hmm, Then, continue! One, two, three! One, two, three!"

With motivation and goal, I announce my progress, ”O-One, two, three!”

Enuma encouraging me, "Speak up! Learn the rhythm first by speaking out! Engrave it on your body! Don’t be shy and raise your voice! HopScotch! HopScotch!"

Understanding I say aloud, “Osu! Ho-HopScotch! HopScotch!”

Enuma in full coaching mode, "Raise your arms properly, knees high, maintain a fast and steady rhythm, and KEEP A SHARP PACE!"

I mean, if you take it seriously, this is surprisingly difficult and hard. Moreover, depending on the step, if you try to do it quickly, it becomes awkward, your body collapses, or you step on a ladder.

Sure, this might improve the functionality like Enuma says. Enuma continues, "OK, as you get used to it, let us gradually increase the difficulty level. I shall instruct you on what steps you will take from the outside."

I confirm, “Osu. You mean I’m going to have to do exactly what I’m told?”

Enuma says, "Of course, that’s not all. I will indicate steps and also direct the magic attributes."

Confused I ask, “What? Magic?”

Enuma lecturing again, "Precisely. Simply apply a little basic magic at your fingertips. When I say ‘fire’, all you have to do is light a small flame. However, you will activate the magic of the indicated attribute at the same time while doing the steps as instructed from now on."

This time it’s not just the steps, it’s also magic. Well, if only basic magic is enough, what will it do?

Enuma orders, "Then proceed, cross-step with lightning!"

I busy thinking and screw up my movement as I try to operate magic and jumping at the same time. “Oh, cross, oh, that? Whoa!”

Enuma says, "Too slow! Next HopScotch of the wind."

I trying to do the magic and jumps continue to struggle. 

Enuma asks, "Something wrong, why is there no magic? Next, Carioca of the wind!"

Trying to focus while moving, “The wind, all right, get out, ugh”

Enuma still demanding says, "No, do not stumble!"

If I try to step, I can’t release my magic, and if you try to activate magic, I can’t step. I am struggling, “W-What is this, so difficult!”

Enuma is smiling with a smirk. It is as he expected that I would have a hard time is this situation. Enuma lecturing, "Naturally. Step while doing something else. Magic while performing another task. That is, to attempt separate tasks simultaneously uses considerable nerves and disrupts the reaction. Those who are untrained are biased towards one action or the other."

It is difficult to do such a task without experiencing the stress and fatigue in training. Enuma continued lecturing, "For instance, with you and a lady’s bosom. Consider this, could you study magic mathematics while admiring her breasts? Would the breast not deprive you of your concentration rather than calculation?"

Feeling bullied, “O-Okay, that’s easy to understand. Sure.”

Enuma explained, "This is the same. In addition, the style of Magic Sword is essentially established by balancing both sword and magic."

He gave me a very easy-to-understand example that suits me, and I was thoroughly convinced. Enuma said, "It is possible to simply imbue magic into your sword before the battle and swing it around, but while waving a sword, it is difficult to quickly and flexibly adapt the magic according to the situation. However, if you can acquire this, the quality of movement in combat will be dramatically improved, and the accuracy of magic will increase a well. The more accurate it is, the better the quality and power of magic."

The more you listen the more you hear, I realized how shallow I was thinking with my previous training. What I’ve done so far, and at the same time I understand how much this Demon King training is worth.

I reply. “Amazing, ladder training. It’s impressive.”

Enuma said, "Yes, this is the Magical Ladder training that I devised!"

Despite the name, I had no choice but to be honestly impressed. If I can do this properly the potential is unlimited. 

Enuma asking, "Do you understand? This warm-up is to be done every day from now on. If you get used to this, you should be able to see a slightly different landscape in battle."

I reply, "Osu!”

Enuma coaching again, "Then, skip the wind!"

For the first time in my life, I performed the skip-run-dance in order to get seriously strong.