Breaking the Second Attribute limit (i)

Five months had passed since Jonan began practicing the Battle Art "Mirage of the Forgotten Path."

With each passing day, his movements on the ground grew more graceful, as if he were a phantom. His shadow distorted and blurred, vanishing the moment he moved. He could feel it, by tomorrow, he would master the first step of the Battle Art, breaking through his second limit.

This breakthrough would allow him to remain in his shadow form indefinitely, dependent only on his stamina.

After completing his daily practice of the Battle Art, Jonan moved on to the basic movement postures of the Starfall Family. These exercises have helped him to relax his body and mind, revitalizing his spirit.

It was a custom that had been passed down through the Starfall Family, a way to make oneself with the heavens and bring balance to one's body and spirit. The postures were simple yet vital, each one a stepping stone towards greater understanding and self-discipline.

Once he completed his training, Jonan made his way back to the castle and headed towards the training grounds.

While most of the family members practiced alone in their respective fields, the training grounds were primarily reserved for the younger generation of the Starfall Family. Here, they studied common knowledge, and literacy, worked on their cultivation basics, and practiced the Basic Movement Postures.

The younger generation was not yet taught any Battle Arts, as these were tailored specifically to the weapon affinity they would awaken in the future.

Teaching them Battle Arts prematurely could cause complications down the line. Prematurely training them could lead to a mismatch between the practitioner and their weapon affinity, which could not only hinder their growth but also cause their weapon affinity to be ruined. The Starfall Family understood the delicate balance between training and readiness.

Aside from the youth, the training grounds also served as a space for family members to engage in discussions and sparring sessions. Elders were present to maintain order and prevent any unfortunate accidents. They were also available to offer guidance to anyone seeking instructions. The atmosphere in the training grounds was a mix of focus and camaraderie, with the older generations imparting wisdom to the younger ones while testing their limits.

Jonan headed towards one of the instructors, a renowned expert in breaking attribute limits. He had questions and concerns about surpassing his own limits, particularly since his breakthrough in intelligence had been an accidental one, an unconscious event.

While it might seem trivial, breaking any attribute limit was no small feat. Jonan knew this journey would be a challenge, and he was eager for the guidance he needed.

He found the instructor he was looking for, Master Vega, a staunch man with a black mustache, always wearing a somber expression, he was standing near the edge of the training grounds, observing a group of younger warriors practicing the basic movement. Vega was a man of few words but had a presence that demanded respect.

His dark eyes, sharp and focused, seemed to pierce through any pretenses, and his calm demeanor spoke volumes about the depth of his experience.

"Master Vega," Jonan said respectfully as he approached the instructor. "May I speak with you?"

Vega turned, his gaze briefly scanning Jonan, his old student, whom he taught in his initial days, before he nodded. "Speak."

There wasn't an ounce of emotion good or bad found in Master Vega's face, Jonan hesitated for a moment, unsure how to phrase his concerns. "I've started practicing the basic movements posture again, I have also started learning a battle art for helping me break through the attribute of dexterity, I just needed some advice on your side, Master Vega."

Master Vega raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. At first, he didn't notice, but after looking at Jonan clearly, he noticed Jonan's physique to be in a better shape than before. "So, some good came from that incident after all," muttered Vega under his breath.

Jonan flinched upon hearing it, not expecting Master Vegas to be so direct in his words, but at the same time he shouldn't be surprised, as he was known for his ruthless demeanor."

"What concerns do you have about your training? I remember you being far more knowledgeable than these kids when it comes to building your physique. Everything was taught to you long ago, God knows why you suddenly stopped playing childish games with your wasted peers," said Master Vega.

Jonan gritted his teeth, enduring Master Vega's insults, which were also aimed at his poor missing friends. Though he wanted to retort, he held himself back, knowing that Master Vega held a prestigious position within the Starfall Family. He couldn't afford to make an enemy of him, especially when he needed guidance from someone who had trained countless family descendants.

Jonan interrupted Master Vega, fearing he wouldn't be able to endure any more of his insults, and quickly got to the main topic. "Master, I came to you regarding breaking the attribute limit. I feel that I am close to surpassing the dexterity limit, but I am unsure of the next steps involved and unaware of any precautions I need to take."

Vega studied him in silence, a bit stunned. But, finally, he responded, while scratching his chin.

"Hmm," Master Vega mused, inspecting Jonan's physique. "You've been putting in solid work on the Basic Movement Postures. There's no need to waste any more time on them. Move on to the Intermediate Movement Postures. It was a wise decision to start with dexterity, given our stockpile of elixirs for physique. But breaking through the physique attribute using the Intermediate Postures will serve you better in the future. As for your dexterity, you've come quite a long way, but I must say, I'm relieved you weren't foolish enough to try breaking your attribute limits on your own. Who knows what could have happened if you had."

Jonan was both shocked and enlightened. He couldn't believe how easily Master Vega had assessed his physique, pinpointing both his strengths and weaknesses. But what surprised him the most was that, instead of expressing any awe or admiration for his progress, Vega remained as stoic and unmoved as ever. It felt as though Jonan's hard work meant little to the stern old man as if it was all just expected, nothing remarkable at all.

Jonan felt a fleeting need for acknowledgment. After all, he was still young and not yet fully mature. But he quickly let go of his insecurities, understanding that it was expected of those from the Starfall Family to rise above such emotions. Pride and recognition were luxuries reserved for those who had time to indulge. For him, the path forward was the only thing that mattered.

"Thank you, Master," Jonan said, steadying himself. "Can you please help me understand the process of breaking through the dexterity attribute limit further?"

Master Vega regarded him for a moment, his dark eyes sharp as ever. There was no smile, no sign of approval, but Jonan knew that the old man's words carried more weight than any gesture of praise could. Vega had never been one to coddle or flatter, his guidance was rooted in practicality and results.

"You've come a long way, Jonan," Vega began, his voice low but firm. "Breaking the dexterity limit isn't just about pushing harder or moving faster. It's about refining every aspect of your body and mind, sharpening them to their maximum potential. Dexterity isn't just speed, it is precision, flexibility, and control. Without a deep understanding of those elements, one can't truly breakthrough, but I can see that you have already completed those steps, you are just at the final juncture."

Jonan listened intently, his focus unwavering. He had already learned the basics of controlling his movements, but Vega's words struck him with a new depth of meaning. 

Master Vega continued, his gaze never leaving Jonan. "To break through the dexterity limit, you'll need to fully embrace the concept of fluidity. Every motion, every muscle, every breath must be in harmony. The Intermediate Movement Postures will help you refine this further. They will teach you how to channel your energy into your limbs more efficiently, how to focus that energy with pinpoint accuracy."

Jonan nodded, absorbing Vega's words. The idea of using Intermediate Movement Postures as a support for his break though in dexterity was not something he could have come up with, he could finally understand that being born into such a great family has many perks.

"You will also need to push your stamina to its limit," Vega added his tone just as rough and deadpan. "Dexterity demands endurance. The more you can push your body to its limits without losing form, the stronger your dexterity will become. But be cautious. Pushing too hard too quickly can lead to injury or imbalance. Listen to your body and let it guide you."

Jonan's mind raced as he processed the information. Everything was getting clear to him now, what had been holding him back, he didn't know what kind of support Intermediate Movement Postures would bring, but he would certainly try it, and also try improving his stamina at the same time.

Master Vega seemed to sense Jonan's uncertainty. "You'll find your way, kid," he said. "Everyone reaches their breakthrough at their own pace. It's important that you don't rush for this and don't compare yourself to others and also don't expect immediate results. Real growth takes time, and the breakthrough will come when you least expect it."