Even without using Sensory Surge, when Raiden emptied his energy, he could feel the numerous presences of those who could use Aura Force around him. When he focused a bit more, he was able to sense the energy in the air as well... now that he thought about it, he never wondered what Aura Force was supposed to be.

"Well, now... how can this help me with the manipulation path?" Raiden rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

It would be great if Raiden could try to absorb the energy in the environment. He figured out his body was already doing that according to the level of his Aura Force , after all. Soon, he confirmed that when he began to focus. It was very subtle, but his body was absorbing the energy in the environment.

Raiden’s thought about the nature of Aura Force and its absorption brings up an intriguing question about whether the energy his body absorbs from the environment is finite or merely transformed.

If the Aura Force his body collects is limited, then there could be a point where the energy needs to be replenished or adjusted. This raises concerns about the sustainability of using Force if it depletes environmental resources or if there are limits to how much can be absorbed and utilized before needing to be replaced.

At the same time, if the absorbed Aura Force simply undergoes a transformation within his body rather than being used up, it suggests that energy manipulation involves conversion rather than depletion.

This means that Aura Force might not be a static resource but rather something that changes form or state, allowing Raiden to harness it in different ways without diminishing its availability. Such a perspective would imply that understanding how to transform and manage Force was crucial for effective utilization and control.

Raiden also considered why his mother might have been hesitant to teach the elves and dwarves about Aura Force . If the process of absorbing and transforming energy could disrupt local energy balances or lead to unintended consequences, it would be wise to limit its teaching. Which didn’t happen...

"It is a pity this kind of knowledge is rather obscure... but I guess it makes sense why it needs to be," Zack thought.

This was the second step of the training, and this one took several days for Raiden to obtain any real results... unfortunately, Raiden was unable to come up with the results and make them help him start his manipulation technique before reaching the capital of the Lunaria kingdom.

The streets of the capital city in the Lunaria Kingdom were bustling with activity, with the majority of the crowd being young elves and dwarves. Raiden observed that this large influx of youths was likely due to their interest in learning about the use of Aura Force . The presence of so many eager learners showed the interest of Force in their culture and highlighted the importance of the teachings being offered.

As Raiden navigated through the crowded streets, his black hair drew considerable attention from the passersby. While this attention was noticeable, it did not manifest as clear hostility. The curious glances and whispered conversations were more reflective of his unusual appearance rather than any direct animosity. Despite his distinctive look, Raiden was largely welcomed in the vibrant and energetic atmosphere of the capital.

The lack of real hostility, despite the attention his appearance attracted, allowed Raiden to focus on his purpose in the city without undue concern. This reception amidst the throng of hopeful learners and practitioners of Aura Force gave him a sense of opportunity, reinforcing his belief that he was in the right place to further his understanding and involvement with the art.

"It looks like those who aren’t from here are even using the houses of the inhabitants to stay for a while," Raiden said when he saw some of the elves and dwarves leaving some simple houses.

"They are probably connected to the owners of those places somehow," Iri explained. "The inns were reserved for us, so we won’t have to worry about that. Anyway, some of the other warriors and I are going to introduce ourselves to the council, so you should wait at the inn."

"Roger that, don’t cause too much trouble," Raiden said.

"Right back at you," Iri said.

When they arrived in front of the inn, Raiden began to carry Iri’s luggage and then put it in a room beside his. The inn was empty, but they could use all the parts as they saw fit, including the kitchen. While it was a bit big, it wasn’t big enough for forty people to make their meals at the same time.

"I guess I will have to cook for a lot of people," Raiden thought.

It was a bit annoying when he didn’t get along with the others, but Raiden had to be a bigger person there... it would be too much of a pain to work with all of them at the same time in the kitchen. So, it was the lesser of two evils.

Raiden anticipated that his stay in the capital of the Lunaria Kingdom would likely extend for at least three months. Given the complexity and effort required to cook meals over such a long period, he realized it would be quite a hassle. The prospect of managing daily meals, in addition to his other responsibilities and training, made him consider the practical challenges of settling into such an arrangement.

Despite the logistical concerns surrounding meal preparation, Raiden knew that his primary focus had to remain on his training. The time spent in the city was an opportunity to deepen his understanding of Aura Force and hone his skills, which took precedence over the mundane tasks of daily life. Balancing these priorities required careful planning and time management to ensure that he could make the most of his stay.

As the sun began to set, Raiden took a brief moment to rest on his bed. However, the reality of his situation quickly reminded him that dinner would not prepare itself, and he needed to attend to the practical aspects of his daily routine. With this in mind, he got up from his bed, ready to tackle the tasks at hand and continue making progress in his training while managing the everyday responsibilities of his stay.

Cooking a lot for many people without deciding anything wasn’t a good idea, so he just made enough for ten people in a big pot. As usual, he tasted a few times while using Sensory Surge and liked the final result. Iri arrived just in time, and the other students began to leave when they felt hungry.

"Something smells very nice here," Iri said when she approached the kitchen. "You are almost on Dad’s level."

"There are a bunch of ingredients stored here. How gracious of them to leave it for us," Raiden said. "They are also of high quality."

Iri couldn’t help but furrow her eyebrows as she observed Raiden’s behavior and insights. His ability to handle complex situations with such maturity and mindfulness was surprising, especially given his age. She found his level of intelligence and thoughtfulness impressive, which made her reflect on her own personal growth and experience.

Seeing Raiden approach challenges with such a mature and strategic mindset highlighted the differences between them. It made Iri feel that, despite her own accomplishments, she still had much room for growth. His adult-like demeanor and the way he navigated responsibilities served as a reminder of the areas where she could improve and develop further.

This realization prompted Iri to reassess her own journey and aspirations. Raiden’s example encouraged her to strive for greater maturity and understanding, reinforcing the idea that personal growth is a continuous process and that there is always more to learn and achieve.

"You made a lot for me, huh?" Iri asked when she realized that the pot was still full.

"Feel free to eat as much as you want," Raiden said when he sat on the table with his own bowl of food. "Anyway, what did you learn?"

"They want to start things as soon as possible," Iri said and then took a spoonful of the stew. "... We will show demonstrations and train in the mornings as planned. However, we might have too much work in our hands since they organized five hundred elves and dwarves to learn from us."

"They seem to be in a hurry... something must be happening, and they didn’t tell us, right?" Raiden asked.

"That is my guess, too," Iri said and then looked at the ceiling for a moment. "I guess they wouldn’t want to look weak like this too often. The last war was already pretty troubling for them."

"So, are the red spearmen or other enemies?" Raiden asked. "The beastkin can cause trouble anytime soon, according to the deal."

"They might break it sooner, but you have a point..." Iri nodded. "They should have made a lot of enemies over the years... can’t imagine that all this is just to enslave a bunch of them."