"I am surprised that you managed to think of this. Most people only consider this when they fight outside the village a couple of times," Iri said when she heard of Raiden’s plan. "Still, you are out of luck. Mom can do that, and it is a very advanced technique."

It made sense... Raiden avoided asking his parents and sister about the techniques that they could use, and now he was paying the price. He will have to start the manipulation path from scratch.

Raiden’s frustration was palpable as he realized the depth of the challenge ahead. Iri’s remark about the manipulation technique being an advanced one only underscored the gap between his current abilities and the expertise he aspired to attain. Despite his disappointment, he knew he couldn’t afford to wallow in regret.

"I know it’s an advanced technique, but I still need to understand it," Raiden said, his tone earnest. "Can you tell me what you know about the manipulation path and the techniques you’ve seen?"

"Well, since you’re determined to pursue this path, I can share what I know," Iri regarded him with a thoughtful expression. "Mom has mastered several techniques, but here’s a summary of what I’ve seen and learned about manipulation."

Raiden listened intently as Iri shared what she knew about the manipulation path. While there weren’t many warriors in the village who had mastered it, the few techniques she described gave him a solid understanding of its capabilities. Manipulation wasn’t just about wielding power; it was about exerting precise control over the environment.

Warriors could manipulate water in the land, guiding it to irrigate crops or create earth walls. Some had the ability to shape and move rocks, using the terrain itself as a weapon or shield. There were also those who could direct the flow of wind, harnessing it to aid in battle or clear obstacles.

Though these techniques were few, they illustrated the immense potential of the manipulation path. Raiden could see how mastery over such elements could be invaluable, not only in combat but in everyday life within the village. The ability to control water, rocks, wind, and even fire, though rare, represented a level of power that was both practical and formidable. It wasn’t just about raw strength; it was about the subtle, yet profound, influence over the natural world.

Armed with this knowledge, Raiden felt more determined than ever to pursue the manipulation path despite the challenges. He realized that starting from scratch meant a long journey ahead, but the possibilities were too compelling to ignore. The thought of one day mastering these techniques and being able to control the elements around him gave Raiden the motivation he needed to move forward, ready to dedicate himself fully to this new and exciting endeavor.

As Raiden processed the information Iri had shared about the manipulation path, she decided to reveal something more personal that he hadn’t specifically asked about. Iri explained her ability to transform stamina into magic, a rare technique she had mastered over time. This ability allowed her to maintain her magical reserves by converting her physical energy, making her far less prone to exhaustion compared to others.

This information helped Raiden understand why Iri never seemed to tire of using her healing skills, even when using her healing abilities extensively. The technique provided her with a near-limitless supply of magical energy, enabling her to sustain her spells without the need for frequent breaks. That is only because she probably improved that technique time and time again. This ability had become second nature to her, allowing her to keep up with the demands of her healing work without ever appearing truly fatigued.

Learning about Iri’s unique skill left Raiden both impressed and inspired. It highlighted the potential depth and versatility of the manipulation path, reinforcing his determination to pursue it despite the challenges ahead. Knowing that such powerful techniques were possible fueled his resolve to explore and master this path, eager to unlock similar capabilities for himself.

"You said that you are surprised by my realization, but you did the same," Raiden raised his left eyebrow.

"I used my healing technique a lot in the beginning, but with my energy reserves, I wasn’t able to use it as much as I wanted," Iri explained after she crossed her arms and looked away.

Despite her always cheerful demeanor, it became clear that Iri had faced her own challenges and struggles in the past. The mastery of such a technique was not something that came easily or without cost. It hinted at the difficulties she must have endured to develop such a skill, and the resilience she had shown in overcoming them.

It dawned on Raiden that, like everyone else, Iri had her own burdens to bear, even if she rarely showed it. Her bright, optimistic attitude might have masked the complexities of her journey, but it didn’t erase them. In fact, it made Raiden realize that Iri’s strength wasn’t just in her abilities but also in her ability to maintain her cheerful spirit despite the challenges she had faced.

Understanding this, Raiden felt a deeper sense of respect for Iri. It was only natural that she, too, had dealt with her own problems in the past. Her unwavering positivity and skill were the results of those experiences, and it reminded him that everyone, no matter how happy they seemed, carried their own stories of struggle and perseverance. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"You are very impressive, Iri," Raiden decided. "Sorry for joking around sometimes about your skills."

"Eh? What is with this all of a sudden?" Iri furrowed her eyebrows but still showed a small smile. "They are only jokes. There is no need to worry about them. Are you planning to not behave during the mission now that Mom and Dad aren’t here?"

"Even if I wanted, it wouldn’t work since everyone in that country finds me dubious," Raiden said. "Anyway, I am going to meditate for a bit to think about the technique I want to develop."

Raiden thought that he wanted something that would be another weapon for combat, like Ruth’s sand manipulation, but soon he changed his mind about it. As usual, his first idea was to use the basics of the techniques of his mother and sister and then add his own touch.

The first idea that he had was to try to learn how to absorb the Aura Force of his opponents. Not only would that make him stronger, but that also would weaken them, so that would make them two times as effective. Still, it was easier said than done... that would be way too advanced. It might take a long while, even if he pulled off. As usual, it was better to start with a simple process and then, with experience, develop other techniques.

The second idea that came to mind was to improve his energy recovery. Thanks to his use of Aura Force , he could heal faster recover energy and stamina a lot faster. However, it was the same for everyone... unless they had special techniques to improve that.

Raiden considered his options carefully, weighing the possibilities of how to approach the manipulation path. After some thought, he felt that the second option was the best path forward. However, he was very aware that he had no clear idea of how to pull it off. The path ahead was uncertain, and there were no guarantees of success.

Despite this, Raiden resolved to proceed with the second option. He knew it would require experimentation, trial and error, and a willingness to embrace failure as part of the learning process. He would have to try a variety of techniques and strategies, adjusting as he went to see what worked and what didn’t. It wasn’t an ideal situation, but Raiden understood that this was often the nature of mastering something new and complex. He was ready to dive into the unknown, trusting that through perseverance and experimentation, he would eventually find the right approach.

Raiden decided to dedicate the next two weeks of the trip to rigorous experimentation, aiming to try out as many possibilities and approaches as possible to advance his understanding of the manipulation path. His plan was to gather results from these trials and refine his approach based on what he learned. He was prepared for a process of gradual discovery, knowing that mastery would come with persistence and adaptation.

Much to Raiden’s surprise, he began to see results much sooner than he had anticipated. This unexpected progress was partly due to his previous training method, which involved maximizing the use of his Aura Force . By immersing himself in this approach, he started to sense the energy he was manipulating more keenly. His enhanced perception path, coupled with the presence of many others able to use Force around, seemed to have heightened his sensitivity to the energy in his surroundings.

Raiden found that being in the presence of many people, along with his improved perception, allowed him to feel more attuned to the energy he was working with. This newfound sensitivity accelerated his progress, revealing that his earlier training methods had laid a solid foundation for his rapid advancement. The results came sooner than expected, boosting his confidence and providing a promising start to his experimentation.