Six Months Later
The soft glow of dawn broke over the jagged peaks of the mountain range, painting the sky in streaks of gold and crimson. Morning mist curled lazily around the tavern perched high on the mountainside, its wooden beams now weathered from the passing seasons.
In the open courtyard behind the tavern, Rai stood in silence, his right hand extended, palm open.
A solid blade of energy hovered above it—clean, sharp, and perfectly stable. Unlike before, there was no flicker, no wild bursts of uncontrolled power. The edges shimmered with a soft glow, the union of light and dark now harmonized.
With a flick of his wrist, Rai spun the blade upward and sent it flying toward a tree stump fifty feet away. The energy blade sliced clean through the thick wood, embedding itself into the stone behind it before dissipating into the air.
"Nice cut," Vael's voice called out from the tavern steps.
Rai turned, a smug grin on his face. "Took me long enough."
Vael approached, arms crossed, his sharp gaze scanning Rai's work. "You've got complete control over your energy now. Took less time than I expected."
Rai smirked. "You're welcome."
Vael chuckled under his breath but didn't argue. Instead, he pulled a flask from his coat and took a sip before gesturing toward the tree stump.
"But a sharp blade isn't enough. Strength isn't just about what you can destroy—it's about how much you can endure."
Rai raised a brow. "That sounds like the lead-up to something awful."
"Oh, it is."
Extending the Training
Vael walked toward the training ground's center, stopping beside Rai.
"You've come far, but you're not finished yet."
Rai tilted his head. "I figured. You don't seem like the type to throw a party after a job well done."
Vael smirked. "Damn right. You're staying here longer. Another six months, if you're willing."
Rai blinked in surprise. "Wait, really? I thought this was a one-year deal."
Vael's expression hardened slightly. "It was. But you're ahead of schedule. And considering what's out there waiting for you? You'll need more than just an energy blade if you want to survive."
Rai hesitated for a moment before answering. "I'm in."
Vael nodded approvingly.
"Good. These next six months are going to be different. Less about offense—more about survival. We're going to focus on two things: energy reinforcement and healing techniques."
Energy Reinforcement Explained
Vael dropped into a crouch, grabbing a fist-sized rock from the ground. He held it out to Rai.
"Hit this with your energy blade."
Rai shrugged and extended his hand, conjuring the glowing blade again. In a flash, he swung, the blade slicing through the rock.
It split cleanly in two.
"Alright. Now watch this."
Vael picked up another rock, this time channeling a faint black and gold aura around his palm.
Rai watched as the energy seeped into the rock, strengthening its core.
"Now try again."
Rai repeated the strike—but this time, the blade bounced off with a sharp clang, leaving only a scratch on the surface.
Rai stared. "What the—"
Vael grinned. "That's energy reinforcement. It's not just for weapons—it's for your body, too. You can use it to harden your bones, strengthen your muscles, and even dull pain. Every high-level warrior uses it. Without it, one good hit from a Celestial Weapon would turn you into dust."
Rai's mind raced with possibilities. "So if I can use this on myself…"
"You'll last longer in a fight. But it's not simple. It takes precision and stamina. Burn through your energy too fast, and it'll leave you wide open."
Rai clenched his fists. "Alright. Let's do it."
The Art of Healing
Vael wasn't done. He turned toward the tavern and gestured for Rai to follow.
Inside, Vael pulled out a small wooden box filled with crystals, each one glowing with a faint silver hue.
"Healing is trickier. It's not just about channeling energy—it's about restoring balance inside the body."
He tossed Rai one of the crystals.
"These are neutral energy amplifiers. Humans use them for basic healing, but you've got a hybrid core—you can do more."
Rai frowned. "Like what?"
Vael's gaze darkened slightly. "Like stopping yourself from bleeding out after taking a blade through the stomach. Healing isn't about fixing a scratch—it's about keeping yourself alive long enough to win."
Rai rolled the crystal between his fingers, feeling the faint pulse of energy within.
"So I need to master this, too?"
"If you want to survive, yes. High-level warriors know how to heal mid-fight. It's what separates the dead from the living."
A New Goal
As the sun dipped behind the mountains, casting long shadows across the tavern grounds, Rai stood outside, looking up at the sky.
Six months ago, he could barely control his energy. Now, he could forge weapons from thin air.
But Vael was right.
It wasn't enough.
He needed to be stronger—not just to fight, but to survive.
Vael appeared beside him, the faint flicker of his black flames dancing along the edge of his fingers.
"Six more months, kid. If you make it through that, you'll actually stand a chance out there."
Rai grinned. "Then let's get started."