While the school thrived, Hanna continued her relentless pursuit of creating her new magical discipline. Days turned into weeks, and her efforts bore little fruit. She tried altering her approach, tweaking the spells, and changing her methods of wielding the weapon, but the results were always the same: no breakthrough.
Magic required incantations and even then the power would come like a blast unsuitable for her battle with the sword. Even with the changes, there was not much of a breakthrough and the results would be the same.
Her frustration grew, but so did her resolve. Every failure reminded her of how far she had to go, but it also reinforced her belief that success was still within reach. She often thought of Rei and how effortlessly he seemed to excel in everything he did. That thought was both a source of motivation and a bitter reminder of how much she had to prove.
Hanna knew that while Rei worked to reshape the school and forge bonds with others, she had to find her own path. The road was difficult and full of uncertainty, but she clung to the hope that someday, her efforts would yield the extraordinary results she dreamed of. And when that day came, she would stand before Rei—not as someone overshadowed by his accomplishments, but as someone who had carved out her own legacy. Until then, she would keep trying.
While Rei observed all the changes happening around the school—the formation of camaraderie among the children, the adventurer-guild-style groups, and the bonds forming between the elders and students—he didn't bother with it too much. Rei understood that teamwork and camaraderie naturally came from shared responsibilities and tasks. After all, in his previous life, he had experienced similar things during internships and jobs.
However, one thing genuinely surprised Rei: the emergence of educational equality. Before the new regime, there had always been a noticeable gap—boys often struggled more with theoretical studies, while girls tended to find practical applications more challenging. Yet, the bias Rei introduced against girls in terms of task allocation inadvertently created a balance. The boys, who were assigned fewer tasks, caught up in their theoretical studies, while the girls, who were pushed into more hands-on roles, started excelling in practical skills. Progression between the genders was now equal; neither group was ahead nor lagging behind the other.
The Teachers noticed it too however they mistakenly guessed that Rei knew about it happening all along and started looking at Rei in a new light when in reality even Rei had not expected it.
One day, during a training session with Kaiser and Luster, Kaiser looked up from his stance and asked, "Hey, Rei, why do you hate girls? I mean, by the way, you handle things, it seems like you really despise them."
Rei paused for a moment, narrowing his eyes as if recalling a painful memory. "Because," he replied, his voice cold and resolute, "they're manipulative witches. They use others like toys, play with them until they're no longer useful, and then discard them."
Luster squirmed uncomfortably, his hands fidgeting as though he wanted to say something but couldn't find the courage. Kaiser, on the other hand, simply observed Rei's expression, noting the hardened look in his eyes—a look that told him convincing Rei otherwise was impossible. He decided not to argue.
Instead, Kaiser gave a sheepish laugh and said, "Okay, well, this training really helps, man. I mean, I one-upped my father yesterday with my strength!"
The tension eased slightly at his words, and Rei smirked faintly. "Good. Keep it up. There's a long way to go."
As Rei continued to train Kaiser and Luster, the two boys began to grow more knowledgeable and powerful under his guidance. Rei also kept creating and distributing his educational books to the school, ensuring that the children continued learning valuable skills in both academics and physical training. While Rei made books on almost every subject he did not make a book on biology as it wouldn't be helpful in this world but he did give an explanation to Luster who was curious about why trees are green and grow the way they do. On the other hand, Kaiser was very interested in quantum physics so Rei would often tell him about that.
Over the months, Kaiser's progress became evident. His endurance improved, his strength grew, and his focus sharpened. He was visibly maturing into a strong individual. Luster, while improving, began to struggle emotionally. He couldn't help but feel overshadowed by Kaiser's rapid progress and the occasional praise Rei gave him.
After four months of training, Kaiser suddenly stopped mid-session, his expression bewildered. "Rei, I'm feeling a cold sensation," he said, rubbing his arms as if trying to dispel the chill.
Rei raised an eyebrow, a spark of interest igniting in his gaze. "Wow. To awaken this soon..." He turned to Luster, who was watching with wide eyes. "Come on, Kaiser. It's time to take you to the second stage. Luster, keep working hard."
Luster's expression darkened with frustration. The feeling of being left behind burned within him, and as Rei and Kaiser left, he clenched his fists and silently vowed to train even harder.
Rei took Kaiser to another part of the forest, where a sparkling river meandered through the landscape, its surface reflecting the golden rays of the sun. Kaiser stopped in his tracks, his mouth slightly agape. "Wow," he breathed. "It's so beautiful."
"Yeah, it really is," Rei said, allowing himself a brief moment of appreciation. Then his tone shifted back to business. "Now get back to work."
Kaiser nodded, his focus returning as he prepared for the next challenge. The goal was to create a Qi field around his body—a protective layer of energy that marked the beginning of true mastery over his inner power.
At first, Kaiser struggled. His brow furrowed in concentration, sweat dripping down his face as he tried to summon the Qi field. His breathing grew heavy, and eventually, he collapsed to his knees, panting with exertion. "I... I can't seem to get it right," he said, frustration evident in his voice. "Why is this so hard?"
Rei stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder and squeezing it gently. "Don't be discouraged, Kaiser. Controlling your Qi is a delicate skill that takes practice. Remember, even the greatest warriors started as beginners."
Rei crouched beside him, demonstrating the technique once more. The shimmering Qi field around Rei's body pulsed softly, almost transparent, but its energy was palpable. "Watch closely," Rei instructed. "You're trying too hard, tensing up. Qi isn't something you force; it's something you guide. Relax and let it flow naturally."
Kaiser nodded, taking a deep breath to calm himself. He closed his eyes, focusing inward on the sensation of Qi moving through his body. Slowly but surely, a faint shimmer began to form around him. The glow was weak and unstable, but it was there—a testament to his progress.
"That's it," Rei encouraged. "Keep breathing, keep focusing. Feel your Qi. Let it become a part of you."
Kaiser's concentration deepened, and the field around him grew more defined. It flickered occasionally, but it held. His breathing steadied, and his posture straightened as the energy coursed through him.
When he finally opened his eyes, they were filled with a mixture of exhaustion and exhilaration. "I... I did it," he said, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Rei nodded approvingly. "You've taken the first step, Kaiser. Now, the real training begins."
Back at the training area, Luster pushed himself harder than ever. Fueled by the desire to catch up and prove himself, he practiced tirelessly. His hands were blistered, his body sore, but he refused to stop. Every swing of his weapon, every repetition of his drills, carried the weight of his determination.
He couldn't let Kaiser outpace him. More than that, he couldn't let himself fall behind in Rei's eyes. Luster knew he was still far from awakening, but he vowed that when the time came, he would surpass all expectations—even his own.