issei part 1

Chapter 14

Issei Hyoudou sat cross-legged on the grassy field, sweat dripping from his forehead as he stared at his hands in frustration. The past week under Steven's guidance had been... enlightening, to say the least. Unlike the brute-force physical training he had undergone with Victor, this was entirely different. Steven's approach was methodical, almost surgical, in breaking down the essence of mana control.

"Alright, Issei," Steven said, his voice calm but firm. "Forget everything you know about raw power for now. This isn't about boosting your parameters or unleashing flashy attacks. This is about precision and refinement. Close your eyes."

Issei complied, shutting his eyes tightly.

"Good. Now, imagine mana like a thread inside you. It's formless now, scattered, but your goal is to collect those threads and spin them into something tangible. Start slow. Feel it."

Steven's analogy wasn't lost on Issei. He focused inward, searching for the elusive energy he had always taken for granted when boosting his strength. It felt wild and untamed, like an endless ocean crashing against the walls of his body.

"I can feel it," Issei muttered. "But it's like... everywhere."

"That's because it is," Steven replied. "Mana is your essence, your life force, but if you let it run wild, it's useless. Control it. Picture a spindle in your mind and draw the threads to it. Weave them together."

The first few attempts were disastrous. Issei's mana flared uncontrollably, creating wild bursts of energy that dissipated into the air. Steven watched with a mix of patience and slight exasperation.

"You're trying too hard," Steven said. "Control doesn't mean suppression. Let it flow naturally, but guide it. Think of it like taming a wild horse. Force will only make it buck harder."

Issei groaned but tried again. This time, he approached the task with a gentler touch, envisioning the mana as threads floating freely inside him. Slowly, he imagined a spindle, drawing the threads toward it. They resisted at first, slipping through his mental grasp, but with persistence, he managed to collect a few strands.

"Yes!" Issei exclaimed, only for the threads to snap apart immediately. "Damn it!"

Steven smirked. "Better. You're starting to understand. Now keep at it."

The days blurred together as Issei continued his training. Steven was relentless but fair, pushing Issei to his limits without overwhelming him. Each morning began with meditation and mana-weaving exercises. Afternoons were spent testing Issei's control through practical applications, such as forming small, stable webs of mana between his fingers.

"Don't just weave it," Steven instructed one day, watching Issei struggle to form a coherent web. "Refine it. The threads need to be strong and smooth, or the entire structure will collapse. Think of it like spider silk—thin but incredibly durable."

Issei gritted his teeth, sweat pouring down his face as he focused. He envisioned the threads becoming finer, more uniform, and slowly, a delicate web began to form between his hands. It was small and shaky, but it held together.

Steven nodded in approval. "Good. That's progress. Now, keep it stable."

The web trembled as Issei tried to maintain it. He felt the strain on his mind and body, the effort of keeping the mana threads tightly woven. After a few seconds, the web disintegrated, leaving him panting.

"You'll get there," Steven said. "This is the foundation. Once you master this, everything else will follow."

By the end of the first week, Issei could form small, stable webs consistently, though they were far from perfect. Steven decided it was time to increase the difficulty.

"Now that you can weave the threads," Steven said, "it's time to refine the texture and density. A proper mana web isn't just stable; it's efficient. Too loose, and it'll fall apart. Too tight, and it'll consume more energy than it's worth."

The next phase of training involved creating webs of varying densities and textures, a task that required an even greater level of control. Issei struggled at first, but Steven's constant guidance and encouragement kept him going.

"You're improving," Steven said one afternoon as Issei demonstrated a web that was both stable and moderately dense. "It's not perfect, but it's a solid start. Keep this up, and you'll be weaving mana like a pro in no time."

Issei couldn't help but smile at the praise. For the first time, he felt like he was truly grasping the intricacies of mana control. It wasn't just about raw power or brute force; it was about finesse and precision, qualities he had never associated with himself before.

By the end of the first month, Issei had made remarkable progress. He could create intricate webs of mana with relative ease, and his control over the threads had improved significantly. Steven watched him with a satisfied expression, knowing that the foundation had been set.

"Not bad, kid," Steven said, clapping Issei on the shoulder. "You've come a long way, but this is just the beginning. The next phase is going to be even tougher."

Issei grinned, his confidence renewed. "Bring it on. I'm ready."

The second month of Issei's training began with a new challenge: mastering tree walking and water walking, exercises designed to further refine his control over mana.

Steven stood at the edge of the training field, a tall oak tree in front of him. Issei, now more confident in his ability to weave mana, stared at the tree with a mix of determination and apprehension.

"Alright, Issei," Steven began, gesturing to the tree. "Tree walking is a foundational exercise in mana control. The idea is simple—you use mana to anchor your feet to the tree and climb it without your hands. The trick is maintaining just the right amount of mana flow. Too little, and you'll slip. Too much, and you'll damage the tree or lose your balance."

Issei raised an eyebrow. "And you're sure this is safe?"

Steven smirked. "Safer than drowning, which is why we're starting with this before water walking. Now, focus your mana to the soles of your feet. Visualize it as a thin layer that clings to the surface of the tree."

Taking a deep breath, Issei concentrated. He felt the familiar threads of mana within him and directed them to his feet, forming a thin, sticky layer. Tentatively, he placed one foot on the tree trunk, then the other.

"Good," Steven said, watching closely. "Now, start walking. Keep the flow steady."

Issei took a cautious step upward, then another. He felt the mana clinging to the tree, holding him steady. For a moment, he thought he had it—but then his mana flow wavered, and his foot slipped. He yelped, scrambling to grab the trunk before falling to the ground.

Steven crossed his arms. "You're rushing. Mana control isn't about speed; it's about consistency. Try again, but this time, take it slow."

Grumbling, Issei got back to his feet and tried again. This time, he moved more deliberately, focusing on maintaining a steady flow of mana. Step by step, he climbed higher, his confidence growing with each successful step.

By the end of the first week, Issei could climb the tree with ease, even managing to walk upside-down along the underside of a sturdy branch. Steven nodded in approval, impressed by Issei's progress.

"You're ready for the next step," Steven said. "Water walking."

The two of them moved to a nearby pond. The water's surface glistened in the sunlight, and Issei felt a pang of nervousness. Steven noticed and clapped him on the back.

"Relax," Steven said. "The principle is the same as tree walking, but instead of anchoring yourself, you're creating a constant stream of mana to counteract the water's surface tension. Too weak, and you'll sink. Too strong, and you'll be pushed away."

Issei frowned. "Sounds... tricky."

"It is," Steven admitted. "Which is why I want you to start by standing still. Once you can hold your balance, then you can try walking."

Issei nodded and stepped to the water's edge. He focused his mana on his feet, forming a steady stream. Carefully, he placed one foot on the water's surface. To his surprise, it held. He placed his other foot down and stood there, wobbling slightly but staying upright.

"Not bad," Steven said. "Now, try moving."

Taking a deep breath, Issei lifted one foot and took a step forward. The water rippled beneath him, and for a moment, he thought he had it—until his mana flow faltered, and he plunged into the pond with a loud splash.

Steven laughed as Issei surfaced, sputtering. "Don't get discouraged. You've already made more progress than most would in this time."

The next few days were a cycle of trial and error. Issei learned to fine-tune his mana flow, adjusting it to match the water's resistance. By the end of the second week, he could walk across the pond without falling, though his movements were still unsteady.

Steven decided to introduce a more advanced concept: creating a web-like structure beneath his feet for added stability. "This technique is similar to what you've been practicing with mana threads," Steven explained. "The difference is, you're weaving the web in real time and using it to support your weight."

Issei found this far more challenging. Unlike weaving threads in a controlled environment, creating a web on the unstable surface of the water required a level of precision he had yet to master. Still, he persisted, and by the end of the third week, he could create rudimentary webs that allowed him to move more confidently across the water.

On the final day of the second month, Steven observed Issei's progress with a satisfied smile. Issei stood on the pond's surface, weaving mana webs beneath his feet with ease.

"You've done well, Issei," Steven said. "You're ready for the next step."

Issei grinned, his confidence soaring. "What's next?"

Steven's expression turned serious. "The witch doctor."

"The what now?"