Returning to his training field, Jonan pondered Master Vega's words. He was certain that before attempting a breakthrough, he needed to start practicing the intermediate movement postures and work on increasing his stamina.
The postures wouldn't be difficult to begin with, as he had already memorized their contents while studying in the library, so there was no need to search for them again or ask for guidance. However, having someone to personally instruct him would make the learning process smoother and help him master the movements more effectively.
Jonan knew in his heart that if he asked for guidance, no one would refuse. However, he preferred to keep his actions discreet.
Master Vega was not one to indulge in gossip, which was one of the main reasons Jonan had specifically sought him out for guidance on breaking the attribute limit. While he was there, he also inquired about the conditions for surpassing the limits of other attributes.
Master Vega satisfied his curiosity, explaining the requirements for breaking the attribute limit across different attributes except for intelligence, which was expected since no one knew about it, and breaking through just two attribute limits would make one a genius, let alone three, which are only found in either some fortunate individuals or heirs of the great clans.
Jonan was still troubled with stamina. He knew that in the past five months, he had drastically increased his stamina from before, but now he saw no further possibility of improvement. Any further gains would take far longer, and time was something he didn't have, he wanted fast results.
Finally reaching the field, he removed his shirt and sat cross-legged, breathing periodically with concentration as mentioned in the intermediate movement posture. A special breathing method was also part of the intermediate movement posture exercises. He had to perform these specific exercises with their designated breathing techniques, creating a certain rhythm within his body, and altering it in wondrous ways.
Jonan could feel something change within him. He knew it was a good change, but he couldn't quite grasp what it was.
After practicing the intermediate movement posture exercises for over two hours, he finally stopped. While he wasn't tired, he understood that more wasn't always better and that there was a limit to how long a person could train effectively.
He stood up and suddenly broke into a sprint, pushing himself to find his limits in stamina. After running continuously for over four hours, he finally stopped, controlling his breathing as he heaved heavily. Though his stamina had improved significantly from before, it still wasn't on par with his peers. He had seen some of his step-brothers run for days without stopping, while he was exhausted after just four hours.
Frustration crept in. He knew that, given enough time, he could reach their level. But unlike them, who had been training since childhood, he had spent those years in leisure. Despite pushing himself relentlessly for the past five months, he was barely managing, yet could not even keep up with them.
There was more time for Jonan to continue working out, but he wasn't in the mood. Before, he had a clear direction, but now, he felt lost. He was on the verge of breaking through the dexterity attribute, yet he couldn't see what more he could do to increase his stamina quickly.
It seemed logical to return to his quarters and strategize. Should he start climbing mountains? Or perhaps take up swimming? Both were excellent exercises, but they wouldn't bring the fast results he desired. From what he knew, building stamina took time, and despite his relentless training, it still felt insufficient. Five months should have been enough to break through at least one attribute limit—after all, members of the Starfall Family typically achieved their first breakthrough upon reaching their coming of age.
Lost in thought, Jonan wandered aimlessly, his mind consumed by frustration and uncertainty. It wasn't until the sudden rustling of bushes disrupted the stillness that he snapped out of his stupor.
His eyes sharpened, instincts flaring as he caught movement from the corner of his eye, a Raging Horned Antelope.
The beast stood with its muscular, brown-leathery body, and white and black striped patterns etched onto its fierce face. Its hooves dug deep into the ground, and its sharp canine teeth were visible even with its mouth slightly open. He recalled reading about these creatures—they were classified as low-grade beasts, yet they possessed a special nature. Two things made them dangerous: they always attacked headfirst with their horns, regardless of the consequences, and they were unnaturally fast.
Just as these thoughts registered within him, the air whistled beside him, a razor-sharp gust passed within inches of his body. Jonan had barely stepped aside in time, yet a sharp pain flared across his forearm. Looking down, he saw a shallow graze, blood beginning to seep through the cut. A second slower, and the beast's piercing horns would have ended him.
Adrenaline surged through Jonan's veins. A cold realization struck him, his training over the past five months had saved his life. Without it, he would have been nothing more than another corpse beneath the beast's charge.
But the danger was far from over.
The Raging Horned Antelope snorted aggressively, nostrils flaring as it pawed the ground. It was breathing heavily, preparing for another attack. Jonan's first instinct was to run, but he knew better. If he slowed even slightly or faltered due to exhaustion, he'd be gored without a chance to retaliate.
His muscles tensed as the beast launched forward again, a blur of motion far faster than he expected. Jonan threw himself to the side, barely avoiding the lethal charge. His heart pounded from fright, he needed a way to fight back.
Worst of all, he had no weapon at the moment, bashing his brain into overdrive, he was trying to find a better way to escape or at least put up a fight with the beast.
The beast attacked again, and In a split second, Jonan changed his stance, dodging wildly, he timed his movement precisely, angling his body at the last moment to let the antelope's momentum work against itself. As the beast rushed past him, Jonan pivoted sharply, his leg muscles coiling like a spring before he lashed out with a powerful kick to its hind leg. The impact was solid, sending the creature skidding forward, momentarily destabilized.
A sharp thrill ran through him. His movements were sharper and cleaner. While fear still gripped him, a sense of joy surfaced, he was finally tasting the fruits of his labor. He wasn't weak anymore, not strong enough yet, but no longer helpless either.
It was a great feeling.
The antelope recovered with alarming speed, snarling as it charged yet again. But Jonan felt something different this time, his body was lighter, faster, and his vision clearer. He wasn't just reacting anymore, he was anticipating the beast's movement.
As the beast closed in, Jonan sidestepped with a speed he hadn't possessed before. His breath synchronized with his movements, instinct guiding him as if his body knew what to do before his mind could even process it. A realization struck him, somehow without his understanding, playing around the gates of life and death, he had not only somehow increased stamina that he could feel, but was also on the verge of breaking through his second attribute limit of Dexterity.
A surge of energy flooded his limbs. He could feel it, the dexterity attribute limit was shattering.
His body adapted in real time, adjusting to the increased fluidity and speed. As the Raging Horned Antelope lunged again, Jonan didn't dodge the same way, this time, he moved with precision, letting the beast's horn barely graze past his shoulder before he twisted mid-air, and kicking it, delivering a decisive blow straight to its exposed throat.
The impact sent the beast staggering backward, gasping for breath. Its fierce eyes dulled as it collapsed onto the ground, defeated.
Jonan stood there, panting, his body trembling, not from exhaustion, but from the excitement of breaking through. He clenched his fists, feeling the newfound agility within him. His hard work had finally borne fruit.
He had done it. He had finally broken through his dexterity attribute limit.
Looking down at the fallen beast, Jonan exhaled slowly, his lips curling into a determined smirk.
This was just the beginning.
He now understood the difference between training and real battle. And if he wanted to stand on equal footing with his stepbrothers, he would need to push himself even further.
While training behind safe doors can help him easily break through other attributes too, he finally now understood, that it would take too much time, and his step-brothers weren't sitting, they were also getting stronger with each passing moment.
One thing had become clear to him, that only life-and-death battles could help him progress faster. While training this way meant that a single wrong step would lead to certain death, it was a risk he was very willing to take.