"The goal of healing techniques is to repair the damaged skin instead of making the flesh replicate to close the wound," Iri said. "Do you know why?"

"... Because the natural process is limited and takes time?" Raiden asked after he thought for a few moments.

"Yes, you got it right," Iri nodded. "However, there is a risk of causing more injury too if you are careless trying to control the body of another person or yours."

It made sense... Aura Force can do harm too, so using it to control the body of another in an unnatural way could cause issues too, it was only obvious. Something like that should have happened in the past and the results should have been catastrophic.

After the discussion about the limitations and risks of healing techniques, Iri transitioned to teaching the practical aspects of using Aura Force for healing. She emphasized that concentration was crucial in this delicate process. The practitioner must maintain a focused mind to guide the Force precisely where it’s needed, avoiding any unintended harm.

Iri also told the importance of intention. When applying Aura Force to heal, the body’s natural defenses might perceive the intrusion as a threat. If the intention is not clear or if the force applied is too aggressive, the body could resist or repel the healing energy. This resistance can hinder the healing process or even cause additional injuries.

By combining concentration with clear, gentle intention, one can effectively use Aura Force to aid healing without disrupting the body’s natural balance or triggering defensive responses. This careful approach ensures that the healing process is both safe and effective, respecting the body’s innate processes while providing the necessary aid.

"This is all very good and fine, but..." Raiden said while holding his chin. "How exactly do you control Aura Force to heal wounds once they are inside the target’s body?"

"I could try to explain that, but it is better for you to find your answer," Iri replied.

It was the same as usual... different techniques would be more useful in the hands of different people, Raiden just had to find the answer that suited what he wanted the most. He wanted another passive skill for healing, so he had to think and train with that in mind.

After a couple of days of thinking, Raiden came up with a list of steps that he had to follow. Considering his goal, he had to improve his control of his Aura Force to make it use the extra energy for the healing path, it was different than using it on the manipulation path, obviously. He felt like burning the energy inside his body would work... but it didn’t.

"Instructor Raiden," Alwin asked while Raiden was in deep thinking.

"Yes?" Raiden asked after he opened his eyes.

"Isn’t there anything else that you can teach us?" Alwin asked.

"Is there a point to that question when I taught you a lot of things and you still didn’t follow my instructions?" Raiden raised his eyebrows.

Alwin grunted in pain as Raiden’s words hit a nerve, revealing the deeper impact of the criticism. Raiden, aware of the sensitivity of the situation, let out a sigh. He understood that basic training was pretty boring, which could be tedious and demotivating.

Raiden’s perspective was shaped by his own experience; he had been in Alwin’s shoes not long ago, facing the same drudgery of fundamental training. However, he also saw the silver lining in his own journey, after mastering the basics of using Aura Force , he had the opportunity to learn a new technique a few weeks later. This progress provided him with a sense of advancement and excitement that made the earlier monotony worth it.

"I am still mastering the paths of Aura Force as well, so I can’t teach anything," Raiden added. "We were called to teach you the basics and nothing else. You already saw the effects of the basics and how it can improve your skills, so why hurry? The others are on the same level as you, so..."

Raiden thought and wondered if he should teach them a few tricks that he had come up with. It would improve their efficiency when it comes to learning techniques when the time comes. He wasn’t afraid of letting others catch up to him, so he felt that it would be fine.

"You can prepare for when you have the chance to learn new techniques, this trick will improve your control over Aura Force, but it is pretty tiresome," Raiden said.

"What is it?" Alwin asked, very excited.

"Keep your energy reserves as low as possible, whenever you have a bit of energy, use it to activate Aura Force ," Raiden said.

The group was initially puzzled by how Raiden’s advice could benefit them, as it was a new approach they hadn’t encountered before. Despite their uncertainty, they welcomed the new technique as a way to break the monotony of their basic training. They eagerly decided to give it a try, hoping that this fresh method might bring a new dimension to their practice.

However, it didn’t take long for them to realize the true challenge of Raiden’s trick. The exercise quickly proved to be exhausting. As they pushed through the fatigue, they began to regret their decision. The physical and mental toll of the exercise became apparent, and they found themselves struggling with the draining effects.

The initial excitement gave way to a sense of weariness as they experienced firsthand how demanding and depleting the technique was. This realization underscored the importance of balance and preparation in mastering Aura Force , even as it highlighted the value of Raiden’s guidance in pushing their boundaries.

"Do that a few times a day and then increase it as time passes, you will get used to it," Raiden added.

Raiden wondered how he would be able to keep those kids busy... he still had two more months to teach them... at best, that trick would only keep them busy for a month. Maybe he should just tell them to shut up and do as they are told, that always works for kids.

Over the course of the next few days, Raiden tried a myriad of things to develop his new technique... but even taking the first step was getting hard. He had a bunch of energy to use, but that wasn’t help, the problem was his skill, apparently, or maybe his wisdom.

"Maybe I should increase it by getting some level up," Raiden thought.

As Raiden continued to work on his technique, he observed the other groups with a sense of curiosity. Unlike his group, which diligently tackled the new training regimen, the trainees in the other groups appeared much more relaxed. It was evident that the interactions between the trainees and their instructors were smooth and harmonious, fostering a comfortable and productive learning environment. They looked like friends too...

Raiden noted that his own experience was quite different. His group seemed to struggle with that aspect. Despite this, he accepted the situation. He recognized that his role was temporary, and he wouldn’t be interacting with them indefinitely. The experience, while challenging, was part of his journey and would ultimately contribute to his growth.

In the grand scheme, he understood that these interactions and the challenges he faced were just a phase. It wasn’t necessary for him to be in sync with every group or instructor. What mattered was his own progress and the lessons he would take from this experience.

While thinking like that, a few weeks passed and Raiden eventually got tired of doing nothing but working and training. He felt fine before when he did that, but only because he wasn’t taking that long to get results.

Once the morning training was over, Raiden decided to take a look at the town for the first time since he arrived... much to his surprise, the inn was empty. While he focused on training, most of the instructors used the afternoon to relax.

"What a bunch of slackers... it looks like Iri isn’t here either," Raiden thought. "She is at that age, so she must be hunting for a hunky elf."

Harth told him to keep an eye on his big sister, but Raiden could only have so much fun while getting in her way. He wanted to protect her, but she needed to learn things by making mistakes as well.

"I guess I will make some money to kill time and improve my mood," Raiden thought.

Raiden said that it was the most obvious thing in the world and the easiest to do. Still, it was not that easy for him... he bought a bow in some shop for five silver coins and then resold it at another shop after spending more than five coins on it for fifteen. There was a bit of walking in his business, but that much was fine. He only had to be cautious of people watching and perhaps tailing him thanks to his black hair.

"Here starts the journey of the strongest merchant," Raiden thought.