After the events of the previous chapter, Falcon and Kang returned to Kang's cabin to begin training the next day. The air was filled with cold winds in the middle of the forest, and as they walked, several predators appeared, which Falcon easily killed. Then, as they walked, the following conversation began:
Falcon:
"Kang, I'll tell you about the power system in our world so you can have an overview before tomorrow's training."
Kang then looked at Falcon completely.
Kang:
"Alright, let's go."
Falcon:
"Let's start by talking about the power system. There are three types of power in this world. The first is spiritual energy, but we call it 'Ryo.' Ryo has levels, and each level enhances the body in a different way."
Falcon then began explaining the Ryo system.
"The first level of Ryo is the transparent blue aura. This is the natural level, and it doubles your strength by two times. It lasts for 10 minutes and allows you to sense the energy of people near you, making it easy to locate them if they are using invisibility or any other technique. However, if the person is stronger than you, you won't be able to locate them if they vanish.
The second level is when the aura turns green with a grayish tint. This level increases your energy sense up to three times the first level's range, and you can use short-range teleportation as long as you know the details of the place well. The downside of this level is that it reduces your endurance and consumes 20% more energy. This level multiplies your strength by three times.
The third level is when the aura turns reddish with a grayish tint. This allows you to sense energy over vast distances, up to the edges of a region. If the person is ordinary, your sensing ability will be similar to the second level. Teleportation also becomes possible over very long distances, such as teleporting from one region to another. This level multiplies your strength by five times, but it also has a downside, as it reduces your endurance and consumes 30% more energy."
Kang:
"Amazing! Does that mean I can teleport anywhere?"
Falcon:
"Exactly. But don't get too excited, because teleportation requires you to know the place well. Like what happened with Edo, who knew the forest's location, but strangely, he sensed my presence even though I didn't use enough energy for him to feel me, even with the third level. It seems that this is the secret to his speed in teleporting."
Falcon continued his explanation, saying:
"The second type of power in this world is curse marks. These marks are divided into six categories:
Destructive and physical power: To increase your strength in combat or in any general moment.
Speed: To increase your movement speed and reaction time.
Endurance: To enable you to withstand hits or use attacks with less fatigue.
Defense: To reduce the power of the attacks you receive.
Energy enhancement: To restore energy when your spiritual energy is depleted.
Mixed mark: A combination of all abilities at half their effectiveness."
Kang (excited):
"This is amazing! Can I use these marks?"
Falcon:
"The marks don't require energy to activate, but they only last for a short time. You can use them again after 3 minutes of use."
Then, Falcon moved on to explain the third type of power in this world: magic and elements.
"Magic is divided into five elements: fire, lightning, wind, ice, and water, with darkness being exclusive to Edo and his followers. Each element has different advantages, and you can combine the Ryo aura with an elemental aura, but there are conditions and consequences. Elemental techniques are stronger than Ryo techniques, and you can merge the element with Ryo to enhance the power. But you must first master Ryo before you can combine any element."
Kang:
"Now I understand! I'll get stronger and stronger!"
Falcon (with a small smile):
"Don't rush, Kang. Your father said the same thing, but he regretted it later. Don't think things will be that easy."
Kang:
"Okay, no problem. Let's sleep now, and I'll start training tomorrow."
Morning came, and the sun rose, its rays filtering through the tree branches, lighting the path Kang would take in his first training session. After a night of preparations and talks with Falcon, Kang was ready to face the big challenge. His heart raced with excitement, but he knew the path wouldn't be easy.
Falcon:
"Today, we start your training, Kang. Your training will focus on the first level of Ryo."
Kang (enthusiastically):
"I'm ready! Let's begin the training! I'll master Ryo as quickly as possible!"
Falcon (with serious guidance):
"Start first by deep breathing. You must focus all your attention on your inner energy. Ryo is not just a power you can control instantly. You have to learn how to handle the energy flowing through your body."
Kang sat on the ground in a meditative position and closed his eyes, trying to calm his thoughts and focus on breathing first, then on his inner energy flowing through his body. But instead of feeling calm, he started feeling strange tingles in his limbs, as if his inner energy was moving erratically between his cells.
Kang (panting):
"Why does it hurt? Why can't I calm down?"
Falcon (in a low voice):
"Ryo requires internal balance. You can't tame it with force; you must harmonize with it calmly. Let it open in your heart, and let your energy resonate with nature."
The more Kang tried, the more the pain increased, as if his inner energy refused to cooperate. He began to feel as though his body was collapsing, and his mind started to cloud.
Kang (opening his eyes, exhausted):
"I can't... I can't bear this pain!"
Falcon (with a firm voice):
"Pain is part of the path, Kang. Don't expect progress without facing it. The more you feel the pain, the closer you are to success. Ryo isn't controlled by physical strength, but by patience and flexibility."
Then, suddenly, Kang began to feel something different. The pain started to fade gradually, as if his inner energy was flowing slowly through his body. He started feeling something strange, as if his energy was becoming more stable, as if there was a balance between him and Ryo.
Kang (grimacing, still holding onto his teeth):
"I feel something... there's something flowing... but the pain... it's still here."
Then, unexpectedly, a faint blue light began to appear around him. It moved slowly, then became clearer with every breath. The blue aura appeared and disappeared, but this time, it remained steady for a longer period.
Falcon (with a small smile):
"You're on the right path, Kang. This is the beginning of the first level of Ryo. Keep pushing... and endure the pain. This is the way, the way to become stronger."
But Kang knew that the real work had only just begun. Ryo was not the only challenge. First, he had to master his inner energy, and only then would he be able to merge the elements and achieve full power.
Falcon (with a firm voice):
"Ryo is the foundation of everything. You can't control any other power before mastering this energy. Keep training, and every time you feel pain, remember it's the path to true power."
As time passed, Kang felt something different in his heart. Despite the pain, his determination began to grow stronger. His suffering was part of the journey, and he knew that this inner struggle would make him stronger in the end.
What will happen next?
Will Kang be able to fully uncover the secret of Ryo? Will he continue to suffer, or will he finally find his way to true power? The questions remain open, but he won't stop until he reaches his goal.
This is how Kang's journey with Ryo begins, a journey filled with challenges, pain, and rewards that will make him stronger with every moment.