Progress and Goodbyes

Auren wakes up, his body aching to move. Despite having only slept for a few hours, he feels well-rested, thanks to the use of Zetsu, which, surprisingly, is almost as effective as sleep in relieving his fatigue.

When he joins his fellow students at breakfast, he immediately notices the stares. Everyone is eying him and No. 24—clearly aware of their special treatment, some jealous.

I might as well join 24. Becoming a complete outsider might not be smart.

"Good morning. How's your progress?" Auren asks as he takes a seat beside her.

"Not bad… I ended up practicing almost the entire night. Despite that, I don't feel tired. I think Zetsu is more useful than I initially thought," 24 replies, visibly pleased.

So she's also a Nen addict like me… I understand her very well. Why would anyone slack off when something this magical is within reach? You'd have to be insane. It's like turning your back on a once-in-a-lifetime gift.

Auren continues his training with the same discipline. His physical condition keeps improving rapidly. His sparring matches with 24 grow more intense and complex, both winning and losing an equal number of spars. Meanwhile, both his Ten and Zetsu steadily advance.

It takes nearly two months before Auren starts feeling dissatisfied with his progress. He notices that No. 4 and No. 6 have also managed to learn Ten and Zetsu.

Master isn't teaching us anymore. Is he waiting for the others to catch up? Should I try learning Ren on my own? But it took Zushi a long time to learn Ren—even with help. Maybe it's too early for six-year-olds to learn about it. I shouldn't be dissatisfied. I still have plenty to work on. Sword techniques, physical training, schoolwork—they're all important. But Nen… Nen is everything. I… need to be patient!

Exactly three months after their training began, their master surprises everyone by entering the dining hall during breakfast.

He walks up behind a small, sickly-looking girl—No. 20.

"Number 20," he says, "you have failed to even grasp the basics of meditation. Your body is still not capable of running ten laps properly. You will be excused tonight after meditation. However, since I'm satisfied with your attitude, I plan to assign you as administrative staff for my work as an Elder. You'll transfer to another school, where you may continue studying the sword if you wish—but your primary focus will be work."

To Auren's surprise, No. 20 smiles.

"Thank you! I dislike fighting, training, and swords. If I can learn a normal job, I'll be satisfied."

"Good," Lidor replies. "I don't want weak workers either, so make sure you don't slack off completely. You can rest until tonight. I'll teach you one final meditation technique as a parting gift. It's focused on general mental development—it should prove useful."

Then, turning to the rest of the students, he announces, "Say your goodbyes to No. 20 before tonight's meditation."

The day goes by quickly. Auren continues Lidor's daily training regimen, sparring with No. 24 and practicing Ten and Zetsu with precision and focus. He now sits alongside 24, 4, and 6 during sessions. A few of the others are beginning to open their Aura nodes, but none have yet succeeded in unlocking all of them. Despite being unable to progress himself, the gap between the four top students and the rest is slowly becoming more obvious to Auren.

To Auren's surprise, Lidor approaches their group with a slight grin—rarely seen on his normally stern face.

"You've all been very patient these past months. I expected you brats to complain, especially since I stopped teaching you new techniques—but instead, you've used your time well. I can read your Auras. I see genuine progress and I am satisfied with your progress. To keep you motivated, I'll say this: in a few more months, I will teach the next step to whoever I deem ready. But slack off with your Ten and Zetsu, and you'll have to wait even longer. If any of you try experimenting on your own, I'll stop teaching you altogether. Don't disobey me. I know best how to guide your training."

"Yes, Master," they respond in unison.

Not bad. I can wait a few more months. It's not like I'm wasting time. My Ten and Zetsu are improving steadily. Building a solid foundation isn't a waste—it's necessary! I need to spend at least eight hours a day training with Ten, pushing myself until I can't keep it up anymore. Then use Zetsu to recover my Aura. The rest—sixteen hours—are for sleep, training, study, and short breaks. I can't maintain Ten and Zetsu constantly yet. Eventually, it overwhelms my body and mind. But I'll get there. I'll reach the point where I can keep it up the entire day. Even if it takes years—I'll do it.

Finally, Lidor walks back to the center of the room.

"That's all for now. Head off to bed. I'll see No. 20 off. Most of you will end up like her anyway—I need useful workers. Your futures look very bright," he says with a smile.

Somehow, that smile scares me… Well, I should mind my own business.

As Auren and the others leave the meditation room, Elder Lidor walks into one of the backrooms of the mansion with No. 20.

I'm interested, but I won't spy on them… that would be suicidal. I need more tools if I want to learn Master's secrets. Still, I'm curious about that technique he mentioned….

Auren returns to his private room and trains late into the night, finally collapsing into bed and falling into deep sleep.

The next morning, before heading to breakfast, Auren steps into the bathroom and lifts his shirt to look at the mark on the left side of his chest.

Looks… the same? I expected something to change. Maybe I'm just being too suspicious.

Time slowly passes. Auren continues to train hard, pushing himself daily, while Master Lidor remains the same—watchful and consistent- but withholds any further progression in their Nen training. Though he observes their progress closely, he makes no move to teach them anything new.

Should I risk it and try to learn Ren by myself?

But… Master Lidor might notice the change in my Aura. I can't risk it. I need to be patient!

Another three months go by before another student is dismissed—just like No. 20. Auren notices nothing unusual about the departure either.

However, the very next day during Meditation practice, Master Lidor calls Auren, No. 4, No. 6, and No. 24, summoning them to the main hall—the large training space where they practice their sword techniques daily. The rest of the students remain behind in the meditation room.

"You have done well," Lidor begins, standing in front of them. "I deem all of you ready for the next step."

Did… he wait this long just so No. 4 and No. 6 could catch up? I feel slightly mistreated. Well, not like I can change anything. Maybe Master wants to put more pressure on me and No. 24. I think he's trying to create a rivalry—turn this into a four-way competition. He probably thinks that will push us further.

"Now… observe me closely. What I will show you is the next step in Nen mastery. This technique is called Ren. It is more advanced than Ten and Zetsu, and it is the foundation of Nen combat. Ren means to refine and enhance your Aura. Through Ren, you force your body to generate a much larger amount of Aura than you normally would during Ten. Then you project it outward—like a controlled explosion."

He pauses for a moment before continuing.

"This outward projection surrounds your body with a much denser field of Aura, increasing both your durability and your physical strength. If you strike a non-Nen user while using Ren, the result will almost always be fatal. That's why I forbid you from using it without my express permission."

"Now—watch carefully."

Elder Lidor breathes calmly. A moment later, his Aura flares outward, violently flooding the room. His once serene and quiet presence turns overwhelming. His entire body radiates energy and danger.

Auren's body instinctively tenses up. Every part of him tells him to move away—but he holds his ground, eyes wide with awe.

I can feel the strength of his Aura just by standing here. Even while using Ten, he feels like a terrifying opponent. I wouldn't survive a single strike. Whatever Master is planning, one thing is certain—his Nen mastery and sword skills are real.

Lidor repeats the process several times, deactivating Ren and then flaring it back up again, giving them ample opportunity to observe how he manipulates his Aura.

"That should give you a clear idea of your next goal," he says at last. "From now on, you are forbidden from entering the meditation chamber and training with the others. You will train here. Also, you are forbidden from speaking of this technique to anyone. Understood?"

"Yes, Master," they all respond, barely able to hide their excitement.

"I'll observe your progress again in three months. Let's make it interesting. Anyone who manages to master Ren to a certain degree by then will earn a reward—something to put them ahead of the others," Lidor adds with a familiar, scheming grin, before leaving the hall.

I know he's toying with us—but I want that reward regardless.

Auren leaves the hall, walking outside and into a quiet corner of the yard.

I don't want them watching me. I need to focus.

He sits down, steadies his breath, and begins the routine—calmly using Ten to form a layer of Aura around himself. Then, concentrating, he visualizes his Aura bursting outward—an eruption of power, his Aura getting violently pushed out of his body.

For a brief moment, his Aura spikes. A noticeably larger amount is generated, pulsing outward—before his body wavers, and the output collapses. His Aura quickly returns to the steady flow of Ten.

I did it! Only for a few seconds—but that was Ren. The rest is just practice!

Two hours later, soaked in sweat, Auren stumbles into the bathroom. His body is aching, and his Aura feels completely depleted. He uses Zetsu to recover as fast as possible. Standing under the cold shower, the water runs over him as he trembles—not just from exhaustion, but from something else too.

Ren… This is everything I needed! Once I master it, only a few things remain. My Hatsu… and the advanced techniques. I already know about them. I even know the training methods. The only thing I lacked was access to Nen. But now… now I'm officially allowed to learn Ren. I can use my knowledge freely. I'm done relying on others. Master still has plenty to teach—but from here on out, everything depends on me!

Still unsteady, but filled with excitement, Auren drags himself to bed and falls asleep almost instantly.

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