"So, where is Alwin?" Raiden asked with his arms crossed and with a serious expression on his face.

The other trainees looked away since they couldn’t answer that question... they knew the answer, and they knew that Raiden wouldn’t like it.

"Well, let’s hope that the idiot didn’t get himself killed," Raiden shrugged. "I am being paid to watch your training and give you some pointers, not to babysit you when you aren’t here. If you feel that isn’t enough, feel free to take some risks while I am not looking."

Raiden’s words were pretty harsh, but at least they ended there... the group was waiting for him to scold all of them since they were his responsibility, but only for as long as he was nearby.

"Anyway, I guess you guys want to see the results of your training, huh?" Raiden rubbed his chin thoughtfully while looking around. "There is nothing that we can use here, but tomorrow, you guys can bring your fancy bows and a target. As for you two... you can bring your weapons, and we will find something to test them."

Raiden wanted to tell them to bring their hammers, but he didn’t want to say something so stereotypical for dwarves... In any case, while his trainees were training, he practiced his control as well, and he confirmed that it was a lot easier than expected. Before his Aura Force could run out, he made a single sphere of energy move around all his body.

"I guess it is already time for the next step... I hadn’t planned for it yet, though," Raiden thought. "Well, let’s see what I should do about this... I have to capitalize on the hardship, I guess."

Since Raiden was running low on energy but was gradually recovering it, he decided to test if he could sustain his training with the small amounts of energy he recovered over time. It was a challenging experiment, but one that could potentially reveal new ways to maximize his efficiency.

To everyone’s surprise, Raiden began with simple handstands. As he balanced himself on his hands, his energy levels continued to replenish. Once he felt steady, he attempted a more advanced maneuver: performing handstands with just one hand. The trainees watched in astonishment as Raiden executed the move with precision and control.

Not stopping there, Raiden took it a step further. He slowly moved his fingers while maintaining the one-handed handstand, a feat that required exceptional balance and focus. As the energy continued to flow through him, he eventually managed to perform the handstand supported by his index finger, enhanced by his Aura Force .

The trainees were shocked by the display of Raiden’s strength and dexterity. The precision with which he balanced on a single finger, despite the minimal energy he had, showcased his advanced control over his abilities. This demonstration was not only impressive but also a testament to Raiden’s skill and innovative approach to training. Still, he soon fell with his forehead on the ground, and he stayed there for a few seconds before falling like a chopped tree.

"... Ow," Raiden muttered after he got up.

Everyone could see a bump in Raiden’s forehead, and that made them frown. It looked a bit dangerous to ask anything, but their curiosity got the better of them.

"... Why didn’t your Aura Force protect you, instructor Raiden?" Ashera asked with a confused expression on her face.

"Because I don’t have any right now," Raiden replied. "Don’t try to copy me or others, or don’t try to do things that you don’t understand. This is necessary for the technique that I have in mind. As you know, we don’t teach techniques. We help others develop their own. So copying others will only hinder your potential."

The trainees understood that while powerful techniques could be incredibly useful, their effectiveness depended heavily on how well they aligned with their individual fighting styles. They knew that possessing advanced techniques was not enough on its own. If these techniques did not complement their natural abilities or personal combat preferences, they could actually hinder performance rather than enhance it.

In their training, they saw firsthand that complex and powerful moves could become liabilities if they didn’t mesh with their fighting instincts or the way they approached combat. A technique that required precise execution and specific conditions might falter in the heat of battle if the fighter wasn’t fully comfortable or familiar with it. In contrast, simpler techniques, when used effectively, often proved more reliable and versatile.

The trainees recognized that mastering basic techniques and integrating them seamlessly into their fighting style could be far more beneficial than relying solely on advanced, intricate moves. They saw Raiden’s demonstration not just as a display of skill but as a reminder of the importance of finding the right balance between power and practicality in their own training and combat strategies.

Soon, Raiden got up and tried again, but he failed again. At least he lasted for a while longer. A bit at a time, he began to improve, but eventually, he was forced to stop after a while, thanks to dizziness, headaches, and some pressure in his eyes. That obviously would have happened to anyone who tried to stay upside down for too long...

When Raiden took a break, the trainees looked at the spot where he trained and then saw small holes on the ground in the shape of his finger... still, there was no signs of the earth or grass being pushed away, it only had been decimated by his energy.

The next day, Raiden didn’t start his training immediately since they got ready to prepare for the experiments of the elves and dwarves’ skills. Alwin also showed up with some bandages around his arms.

"At least you weren’t dumb enough to try to focus on your arms," Raiden said. "Well, the target is ready. Try to use your best shot while using Aura Force ."

The target was a random bullseye in a circle that they had bought, and soon they confirmed the power of Aura Force .... while the target was two hundred meters away, those three always hit the center of the target... sometimes, they pierced each other’s arrows too.

"I guess it is your turn... we can’t exactly make you hit something with your weapons, so we will do some throwing instead," Raiden declared.

Arburi and Lumella had a hammer and an axe, respectively. They seemed quite heavy, so that would be enough of an experiment. They also felt satisfied with the idea... 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Arburi and Lumella decided to test their throwing capabilities without using Aura Force , relying solely on their raw physical strength. Arburi tossed his weapon with impressive force, sending it flying 30 meters. Lumella, using her own considerable strength, achieved a distance of 25 meters.

Intrigued by their raw performance, they then activated their Aura Force to see how it would enhance their throws. As Arburi activated his Aura Force , his weapon spun more rapidly and covered an additional 11 meters, reaching a total distance of 41 meters. Similarly, Lumella’s weapon, once empowered by her Aura Force , spun more aggressively and traveled an extra 9 meters, totaling 34 meters.

The increase in distance demonstrated the significant impact that their Aura Force had on their throwing abilities, amplifying their raw strength with added precision and power. This comparison highlighted the potential of combining physical prowess with enhanced abilities to achieve superior results.

At that point in time, all the trainees had learned how to use Aura Force , but those who learned first were making more progress... that upstart would balance soon enough, though.

"As you can see, you are showing progress," Raiden said. "Now, back to training. The more you train, the more results you will obtain."

As Raiden’s trainees showed their increased trust and confidence in his training methods, they followed closely and readily to his instructions and focused diligently on their own training. This newfound faith in Raiden’s expertise gave him the opportunity to concentrate fully on his personal training goals without the usual interruptions.

On this day, Raiden set an ambitious target for himself: to hold a handstand for a full hour without losing balance. He hadn’t been working towards this goal for some time, but achieving it would not only mark a significant personal accomplishment but also serve as a testament to his physical and mental endurance.

Raiden began the handstand with careful preparation, ensuring that every muscle was engaged and balanced. As the minutes ticked by, maintaining the position became increasingly difficult. The strain on his arms, shoulders, and core muscles was immense, and he had to continuously adjust his balance to stay upright. Despite the intense effort and growing fatigue, Raiden remained focused.

As the hour mark approached, Raiden’s body was pushed to its limits. His finger, which had been the primary support for his weight, began to feel like it was on the verge of giving out. The pressure and strain were intense, and he could feel the muscles and tendons protesting with every passing moment. Yet, he held on, driven by the desire to meet his goal.