When Raiden finally ended the handstand, he felt a wave of relief mixed with the overwhelming sensation of exhaustion. The finger that had borne the brunt of the effort felt particularly strained, and he could sense a deep ache as if it might collapse under the pressure. Despite the discomfort, Raiden felt a profound sense of accomplishment.

"I guess this much control is fine," Raiden thought. "Although this technique is more complicated than controlling sand, I can probably do this at the same speed of Ruth, thanks to my extra levels."

As Raiden gathered his gear, his thoughts drifted to Ruth and Javier. Despite his focus on his own training, he couldn’t help but wonder about their current situation. The two had been left behind, and though they were kids and likely moved on from any lingering resentment, Raiden knew that such feelings had a way of fueling determination.

"Kids don’t hold grudges forever. They probably have found ways to live their lives with little trouble. But that anger, that sense of being left behind, it might just push them to advance faster than I have," Raiden thought. "They’re likely using it as motivation to reach the scholar level, to prove themselves and show that they can surpass me."

Raiden’s was tinged with a mix of curiosity and concern. While he was confident in his own progress, he understood that Ruth and Javier’s drive could make them formidable competitors. This thought ignited a spark of competitive spirit within him. He knew he needed to stay vigilant, continue pushing his own limits, and not let complacency set in. Their potential progress was a reminder that the journey to mastery was not just about personal growth but also about keeping pace with those who shared his aspirations.

"You look more relaxed. I take that your training is progressing well," Iri said at the start of the third week of their stay in the city.

"More or less," Raiden replied. "If I manage to learn this technique in the next two weeks, I will feel more than satisfied."

If Iri had heard a similar declaration from someone else, she would likely have reacted with annoyance. It would have seemed bold and presumptuous, especially if made by someone who hadn’t demonstrated the necessary skill or dedication to back it up. However, Raiden was different. His progress and dedication were clear and compelling.

Iri had witnessed firsthand the results of his hard work. His refined techniques, way of thinking, and mastery were undeniable. His claims, though audacious, were grounded in the reality of his achievements. She could see the effort and perseverance behind his statements, which made his confidence more understandable and less irritating.

In fact, Raiden’s rapid progress suggested that he might reach the rank of master before his fourteenth birthday, a remarkable feat that highlighted his exceptional talent and determination. This realization made it clear that his boldness was not just empty bravado but a reflection of his genuine potential and hard-earned success.

It was hard to tell, but Raiden should be around twelve now. He kept growing steadily too, so by the, Iri could tell that they would be off same. When she thought of that, she felt a bit sad, but still started patting Raiden head.

"... What is with you all of a sudden?" Raiden furrowed his eyebrows 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"Just trying to slow down your growth a bit," Iri grinned.

That was useless, and it would be easier to accomplish that by making Raiden carry a boulder above his head all the time...

In any case, Raiden had to start the new phase of the training, but he had to think for a full day before he decided what would be the next step... the final step would be to use the technique with a weapon, even though it would be useful enough to develop it while working with only his body.

The next phase took a bit longer to complete... one week exactly. In this phase, Raiden began to try to use his Aura Force with as little energy as possible. That was because it would be troublesome if the technique itself consumed energy, since half of the reason that he wanted was to increase the duration of his other techniques.

The handstand training with his finger wouldn’t be enough this time, and he just tried to use his Aura Force without activating any technique and without making his energy fall... it was essentially the inverse of it. Eventually, he was able to sense the activation of Aura Force , and his parameters increased a bit, but his energy didn’t drop.

"All right... time for the next step," Jason thought. "This time, I will need an opponent."

Fortunately, the trainees had begun to grow weary of the constant meditation sessions. Their enthusiasm was waning, and their motivation was starting to decline. The young warriors, recognizing the need for a change, started discussing among themselves how they could re-energize their training.

In these conversations, the idea of incorporating more dynamic elements into their regimen emerged. Iri, who was attentive to the group’s discussions, heard the suggestion to showcase some sparring matches. This proposal aimed to demonstrate the practical applications of Aura Force in combat, offering the trainees a visual and engaging way to understand its potential.

The prospect of witnessing live demonstrations of combat skills promised to renew their interest and provide them with a clearer sense of how their training could be applied in real-world scenarios.

"It will be better if we show them as many matches as possible," Iri declared. "But we can’t use weapons. Are you interested?"

"Yes, I was looking forward to test my incomplete technique, the more guinea pigs you find for me, the better," Raiden replied.

Raiden’s confidence was evident as he prepared for the upcoming sparring sessions, an attitude that contrasted with the usual approach to such training. Typically, incomplete techniques are avoided in sparring due to their reduced effectiveness. Fully mastered techniques are preferred because they offer more reliable performance and consistency in combat situations. Incomplete techniques, on the other hand, often lack the refinement and precision needed for optimal results, which can lead to subpar outcomes during practice.

Despite this, Raiden saw the value in using incomplete techniques during these sparring matches. He recognized that sparring sessions were not just about immediate effectiveness but also about gaining practical insights. By experimenting with techniques that were still a work in progress, he could observe firsthand how they performed under pressure and against opponents.

The next day, Raiden learned why Iri asked him that... it looked like not many of the young warriors wanted to participate in the sparring matches. Maybe they didn’t want to show their techniques, or maybe they were worried that by losing, they would lose their respect as well since hundreds of people would be watching them.

"Well, I guess this means that I can gather a lot of data on this," Raiden thought as he saw the trainees forming a huge circle around the training grounds.

"It looks like things won’t start unless we give it a push. Let’s duel," Iri declared. "I will go easy on you so that you can gain some popularity."

"In exchange, you want me to go easy on the reports, right?" Raiden asked.

"You are actually sending it?" Iri furrowed her eyebrows.

Raiden laughed a bit, a light-hearted and confident sound that contrasted sharply with Iri’s reaction. As she heard him, Iri let out a tired sigh. The fact that her younger brother could so easily get the better of her in such a manner was both frustrating and enlightening. Being five years older, Iri felt a sense of irritation mixed with a deeper realization.

Raiden’s effortless teasing and the ease with which he navigated their interactions showed a personal truth for Iri: she had room for significant growth. The experience highlighted that she needed to advance not just in terms of skill but also in her personal development. Raiden’s display of confidence and his ability to handle situations with such ease made her reflect on her own journey and the steps she needed to take to elevate herself.

"All right, let’s start already," Iri said and then she bumped her fists. "Time to show the power of a big sister."

Raiden didn’t want to make Iri lose face, but he also wanted to get as much data as possible... so he felt really conflicted in the situation. Still, he couldn’t take her lightly either since that would be disrespectful.

In the end, both of them headed to the center of the training grounds and got ready... there was no room for jokes or anything else now, they just assumed their fighting stances. Both of them opened their hands and lowered their stances. Raiden looked more ready to attack, while Iri looked more focused on defense... that worked well since that was the only way his technique could be applied.

Raiden increased his focus with a deep breath and then charged with all his might...