Chapter 11: Let the Bout Commence!
The group finally make it to the training facility
They finally see Geni waving next to another Hunter
Geni: Hello Ji-hu. I'm glad you all made it.
Ji-hu: Hey Geni. How are you doing?
Romy: Did they question you too much?
Geni: I'm quite alright no need to worry. The questions they asked were very simple and they did not force anything out of me.
Atlas: That's cool and all, but can we get started so we can finish early?
?: Your attitude toward your training is unsatisfactory. I'll be sure to train you until you drop dead.
Meihua: I'm guessing you must be Hunter Hana. It is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance.
Hana: That would be correct. I've been called upon to handle your training and watch over your dungeon mission. I am Top ranked #12 and my Sacred Art is electrokinesis. I have achieved Ascended Absolute Mastery.
Romy: I hear you're super young despite being so high in the rankings. Is that true Hunter Hana?
Atlas: Oi don't ask for someone's age, it's rude.
Hana: It is alright, I am 22 so yes compared to the rest of the Top 10 I am quite young with some exceptions.
Romy: WOWWW THATS SO COOL!
Hana: I ask that you take this training seriously. You all will be tested to the brink of your capabilities. I will not go easy on you as Ms. Eui would have with her carefree nature. I am strict and will not tolerate laziness.
Everyone looks at Atlas
Atlas: Oh come on I'm not that lazy.
Ji-hu: Alright so Hana what exactly are we gonna do?
Hana: Hunter Ji-hu, although I am young I ask that you call me either instructor or Hunter Hana.
Ji-hu: Surprised. Oh sorry Hunter Hana. I'll do that.
Romy: Hunter Hana?
Hana: Yes Hunter Romy?
Romy: I am not in the same class of Hunter as the others. I'm more of a supporting mage. Will my training still be the same? I did bring my boo-
Hana: Raises hand. Yes. While you may be more adept at your ranged capabilities you are still a draconian and will require hand to hand fighting ability in the case of emergency. I will help with whatever Draconian technique you wish to train with.
Geni: And I will be working with Ji-hu in his Rift space.
Romy: Boo. You're so lucky Ji-hu.
Geni: While he may not be undergoing the same physical training as you all his mental ability will be tested like never before. Think of it as if he were learning all the knowledge of a single race all at the same time.
Everyone deadpans even Hunter Hana
Hana: I have already read up on all of your abilities and will test each of you personally. I will set the rules and conditions for each bout. Are there any questions?
Everyone shakes their head
Hana: Very well let us begin.
The first bout begins with Meihua and Hunter Hana
Hana: Hunter Meihua, since you are physically stronger than me your goal will be to touch any part of my body. Refrain from reaching for inappropriate areas. I will not be using my Sacred Art.
Meihua: Understood.
Hana: You will have 5 minutes. Begin
Meihua immediately bursts forward with her hand reached out while leaving behind a small crater
Hunter Hana disappears and Meihua is left confused looking around quickly to find the missing Hunter
Hunter Hana reappears next to Meihua as Meihua whips around trying to grab her arm yet Hunter Hana disappears once more reappearing a few feet away
Meihua: She isn't using her Sacred Art? May I ask how you are so fast despite not using your Sacred Art.
Hana: It is due to extreme training and certain circumstances occurring as a result from my Sacred Art. Please continue.
Meihua grimaces realizing how difficult this task would be
An insurmountable wall appears before Meihua, but in reality it's more like her goal appears far away at an unreachable distance as it keeps moving farther the closer she gets
Meihua: How can I even compete with this Monster of a Hunter? She moves like she has the Accelerate Sacred Art at a high skill level. That's without even using her abilities.
After a few more grabbing attempts time begins to run out. Meihua decides to make a last ditch effort
As Meihua burst forward once more Hana prepares to dodge
Meihua: Stop
And in that moment not one person could tell, not even Meihua herself, but Divine Intervention allowed for her progression to increase 10th fold and gave her the ability to use Divine Speech
Hana seems to freeze for less than half a second before disappearing as Meihua misses her hand once more
The clock hits 0 as 5 minutes have passed
Hana: How curious. I felt my body freeze. Although minute it was still not of my volition.
Hana: Hunter Meihua, I must ask what part of your Sacred Art you used to halt my motion. If I remember correctly Divine Intervention does not have such properties.
Meihua: I'm surprised that it actually worked. You are correct it does not.
Hana: Slightly Shocked. What are you implying?
Meihua: I only recently discovered this, but due to our certain set of circumstances it seems I've unlocked another ability.
Meihua opens her mouth as Hana finally gets a look at the markings surround Meihua's mouth
Hana: You have Divine Speech? That was not in your file.
Meihua: It seems I have evolved due to a set of unforeseen circumstances.
Hana: Sighs. You have still failed although not due to Sacred Art usage. When we conduct another test I will count this hidden ability of yours as part of your Sacred Art, understood?
Meihua: Yes Instructor. I understand.
Hana: Very well, Hunter Atlas you're up next.
Atlas: Che. Fine fine. What'd I gotta do to pass this?
Hana: Due to you being a physical fighter yet still possessing elemental capabilities this will be a ranged test.
Atlas: Hah?
Hana: In short your task will be to fire any sort of attack at me from 10 feet away. I will not even move, however, I will use my passive ability.
Atlas: That's it? I think you're underestimating me lady.
Hana: Anger marks. You will address me as Instructor or Hunter Hana.
Atlas: Jeez alright. When do I start?
Hana: You have 5 minutes. Begin.
Atlas steps up about 10 feet away and starts lighting up his arms
Atlas: I won't get blamed for hurting you right Hunter Hana?
Hana: Not at all.
After a moment of pondering Atlas puts his hands together and throws multiple fire projectiles at Hana while smirking
All the fireballs dissipate and disappear
Atlas: Shocked. Hey what the hell happened?
Hana: I did inform you that I would be using my passive ability. Although it isn't very powerful it has its uses.
Atlas: Well what is it?
Hana: That is for me to know and for you to find out Hunter Atlas.
Atlas: Che. You think some little passive ability is enough to stop me? You got another thing coming.
Romy: Oh boy he's getting angry again.
Meihua: He feels incompetent and wants to prove her wrong. I felt the same as well.
Romy: Sigh. You both were always the most competitive.
Atlas charges a large fireball and throws it at Hana then immediately starts throw smaller projectiles at her
The fireball and projectiles all dissipate as Atlas looks on frustrated
Atlas: She's definitely toying with me. She thinks all I got is brute force. Well let's think outside the box then.
The clock hits the 1 minutes mark
Atlas: Hunter Hana?
Hana: Yes?
Atlas: Am I allowed to damage the floor?
Hana: As long as you use projectiles, yes.
Atlas: Great.
Atlas begins conjuring another giant fireball as Hana looks on unimpressed
He then pushes it into the ground sending it forward breaking up the platform
Hana watches as the fire dissipates once more, but then quickly moves her head out of the way
Atlas: HAHA! I got yah Hunter Hana. That means I passed, right?
Hana: Surprised. You created a diversion fully knowing it wouldn't work then used your fire and created a physical projectile from the pieces of the platform. Simple yet effective. Well done Hunter Atlas. You passed.
Atlas: HELL YEAH! Suck it Mei!
Meihua: Sigh. He's not going to let me live this down is he?
Romy: Laughs. Yeah no he's not.
Hana: I must ask, did you figure my ability out Hunter Atlas?
Atlas: Nah I just prayed on a solution and it paid off.
Hunter Hana sighs as she motions for Romy to come
Hana: Hunter Romy please step forward.
Romy: Alright, wish me luck guys!
Atlas: You'll own her don't worry.
Meihua: Just do your best.
Romy nods and walks forward
Romy: Hunter Hana what will be my test?
Hana: Due to your mage-like nature your challenge will be simple. In fact, you may use either of your Sacred Arts to complete this task.
Romy: Wait what?
Hana: Your task is to halt my movement. I will only move back and forth and I will not move at the speed I did for Meihua. Is that clear?
Romy: Nervously. Uh, Yes ma'am.
Hana: Very well. You have 5 minutes, begin.
Hunter Hana begins moving back and forth just as she said
Romy looks on confused wondering how she could use her abilities
Romy: I just have to stop her right? So I can throw things at her however I want.
Romy begins constructing Geo constructs and throws them at Hana
Hana simply dodges and continues to move on
Romy: She can dodge those? Ohhh no what am I gonna do. I can't even use my ecokinesis.
Romy continues to fruitlessly throw geo constructs at Hunter Hana at a rapid speed yet she fails to hit or stop her from moving
1 minutes hits the clock as Romy begins to tire and starts to get frustrated
Romy: Ugh. If only I could grab her with some roots or something ANYTHING. Why can't I get stronger like Atlas and Meihua? What purpose do I hold if I can't use half of what makes me special?
Hana: She seems upset. Lack of progress may hinder her learning. Noted.
Romy: Hunter Hana I don't think I can do this. I'd like to forfeit.
Atlas: WHAT!? ROMY COME ON YOU CAN DO THIS. AT LEAST TRY UNTIL THE END. WHAT KIND OF BULL IS THAT!?
Meihua: I didn't realize how terrible her self-esteem was. Atlas was always a natural at everything and being in his shadow as the youngest must have taken its toll.
Romy: I CAN'T. I'M NOT LIKE YOU ATLAS. I CAN'T JUST MAGICALLY BE GOOD AT EVERYTHING!
Atlas flinches suddenly realizing how terrible his sister actually felt all this time
Atlas: At … at least try. Don't give up just cause things look hard. You never gave up after all these years so why start now?
Hana: You have 30 seconds left Hunter Romy.
Romy: Fine! I won't give up then. But you gotta help me train you crappy older brother.
Atlas smirks as Romy begins conjuring Geo constructs again
She then tries her hardest to use her Ecokinesis but fails so she throws her constructs as fast as she can while sending the platform forward in order to tumble her
Hana: It seems this is as far as she can go. I'm sure she'll improve since she's spoken of in the prophecy, but it will be difficult to get through her wall of issues.
As the clock hits zero Romy tears up slightly feeling beaten down
Atlas climbs onto the platform to give her a hug
Atlas: Hey. You did your best, that's all that matters. Besides, you're here to improve, not win immediately. You always like working hard so don't worry you'll get there.
Romy: Slightly upset. Easy for you to say. You won against her.
Atlas: To be honest. She kinda pissed me off and I feel like she expected me to be just a brute with no brain. Also Mei lost too.
Anger marks appear on Meihua as Hana steps forward
Hana: That would be a correct statement. These tests were all for me to see your thinking capabilities, attitudes, and skill sets so that I would know how to train you all efficiently.
Meihua: I see. So the goal was never to win, but for you to learn how to teach us?
Hana: Once again, that would be correct. Winning would be a bonus for any one of you. As for your assessments.
Hana: Hunter Meihua, you have impressive strength and speed, but when it comes down to an opponent with a higher skill set you immediately try to overcome them using whatever they are using instead of looking outside of the box for an easier solution. You chose to chase me despite my speed and only chose to use a last ditch effort with a skill you did not know would work. Which it didn't. If this were a real scenario you would have perished and so would your comrades.
Meihua: Grimaces. Thank you for your assessment Hunter Hana.
Hana: Hunter Atlas, while you proved me wrong in my assessment of your thinking capabilities, your brash nature can easily prove to be a liability on the battlefield. Being able to listen to others and keep a calm mind can be the difference between life and death. Even though you have exceptional skill and natural born talent you still lack experience and respect.
Atlas: Annoyed. Thanks I guess.
Hana: Hunter Romy. You have extreme self-esteem issues and have extreme doubt in your capabilities due to previous expectations of yourself. If you only look at what you can do now you will shackle yourself to that image. Improvement will only come when you leave that part of yourself behind to create the new you. You have exceptional potential and just because your brother seems better doesn't mean you can't be better yourself.
Romy: Sadly. Yes I understand Hunter Hana.
Hana: Very well. Now that I know how you all operate and how I should operate we will begin with the training. Are there any questions?
Atlas raises his hand
Hana: Yes Hunter Atlas?
Atlas: How long is this gonna take?
Hana: Sigh. These kids are going to make me age faster.
We come to Ji-hu and Geni training in the rift space
Ji-hu: So. What exactly are you going to teach me? You were kidding about the whole "Learning the knowledge of an entire race" stuff right?
Geni: Softly laughs. Of course Ji-hu. You do not need to know the entirety of my race's history just to use the rifts properly. I simply fooled young Romy so that she could focus on her training.
Ji-hu: Oh. I guess we shouldn't tell Romy then haha.
Geni: Yes that would be ideal. Back to the topic at hand. I will be teaching you how to incorporate your rift abilities into your fighting technique. Essentially after we are done you should be able to seamlessly fight the Abyss while using the rifts. Not as a tool, but as an extension of your being.
Ji-hu: That sounds sick. I'm guessing this is what your planet's fighters used?
Geni: That would be correct. One simple trick all the warriors could use was to punch through a portal and out of another. Ideally you can use this to surprise your enemies Abyss or not. Not only can you use this to punch and kick from a distance, but you can also shoot from different angles and send attacks from areas your opponents would never expect. Being able to simultaneously control multiple portals at once will be difficult, but I know you'll be able to do it Ji-hu, so we shall start with this skill.
Ji-hu: Ok I think I get the gist. I've never thought of being able to do that since I didn't know I could even send portals elsewhere, but I'm guessing it's all in the imagery?
Geni: Yes. While I see that you use tearing motions to open portals you truly never needed to physically move to access the rift. Merely thinking of where a portal can go or open will allow a rift user to perform said action. It is what would make us so efficient in day to day objectives.
Ji-hu: So I just think of a portal at a distance then stick my hand through?
Geni: For starters yes. But eventually you should try to open multiple portals at the same time and at different sizes. One of the greatest strengths of a rift bearer is their unpredictability.
Ji-hu: Ok I guess I'll try the easy part first then.
Ji-hu opens a portal near him and sticks his hand inside
Then he tries to concentrate on opening another portal a few feet away
Although a small glimmer of a portal opens in immediately shuts once more
Ji-hu: Dangit. I almost had it.
Geni: It is alright Ji-hu. You shouldn't expect yourself to get it immediately. Even you opening your rift vault was impressive enough. Just return to a calm state of mind and focus on the space around you. Analyze and feel your surroundings then access the rift aura within you.
Ji-hu: Deep breath. Ok ok. Calm, focus surroundings, open rift. Got it.
Geni: Try not to rush this process Ji-hu. Small steps first then you will be able to leap.
What seems like hours passes by as Ji-hu slowly makes progress, but still hasn't put his hand all the way through
On the final attempt Ji-hu breathes out heavily exhausted yet preparing to start once more
Geni: Ji-hu I think you should rest. Over exerting yourself will not have a positive outcome.
Ji-hu: But I can't Geni. I need to make progress and catch up to others in strength. I need to be strong enough. If I can't do such a simple task what am I good for?
Geni: Sigh. Ji-hu, let's take a quick break so that I may show you something. Then you can go back to your training.
Ji-hu: Reluctantly. Alright…
Geni walks over and opens up a space within Ji-hu's domain and motions for Ji-hu to step forward
A visual image of a planet appears as Ji-hu looks on in awe
Ji-hu: What is this Geni?
Geni: This is what my planet looked like. But the important part is what's to come.
The image shifts as two figures slowly appear in what seems to be a training room
As Ji-hu peers closer an image of an abyss absent Geni who seems to be training appears next to another person
?: Why do you keep doing this? You never cared before so why now?
Geni: I have a prophecy to fulfill Agemo. I'm the only one who can accomplish this. And if I want to survive outside of our solar system then I need to train.
Agemo: But you're overdoing it. You won't make any progress if you just break your body. It will have the opposite effect.
Geni: But I have to get stronger.
Ji-hu continues to watch relating with the younger Geni
Agemo: I'm just saying. If you keep breaking your body to perform attacks your body can't handle... you will die. You weren't built to be a rift warrior. Only Klynth was offered to become one. You can't expect your body to fulfill your wishes just because you want it to. We have limits and you are reaching yours already.
Geni: Sister. Please leave.
Agemo: Wait Geni. I'm just-
Geni: LEAVE.
Agemo appears to be hurt and looks at Geni with awestricken expression
Geni: Leave if you have nothing else to say.
Agemo appears reluctant but leaves Geni alone as the apparition slowly disappears and the room fades away
Ji-hu: What was-
Geni: That was the last time I was able to wield the rifts. And the last time I ever saw my sister.
Ji-hu: I'm sorry for your losses Geni, but why did you show me this?
Geni: Ji-hu. I know more than anyone how much you want to improve. You found yourself in a world of powerful warriors who could outdo you in every aspect and no matter how much you trained you could never improve. Unlike me you didn't let your anger push others away, but I don't want you to make a mistake similar to mine. I'm hoping you never lose those close to you, but in this cruel universe we live in, anything can happen. Please listen to me, not just as your teacher, but as someone who cares. I may not have the same care that Meihua has for you, but meeting you has made me realize how similar you are to me. And I'd rather not see you suffer because of simple mistakes.
Ji-hu stays silent while grimacing at the story Geni shared
Geni: You and I are different in a way that you have a chance to improve and keep the people close to you safe. I don't want you to lose that due to your blinded feeling of incompetence. Please.
Ji-hu: Alright. You win Geni. Let's call it a day and go eat.
Geni: Thank you Ji-hu.
Ji-hu: I'm sorry Geni. I really do want to get stronger, but I didn't mean to ignore you.
Geni: No no Ji-hu. You did nothing wrong I … I just wanted to prevent you from doing so. Your progress since I arrived here on your planet has been incredible. You have no idea how great your accomplishments are and I wish that you would acknowledge that part of yourself. There is no shame in working hard, but rest is just as important. I believe finding the balance between those two is what makes a great warrior.
Ji-hu: Softly laughs. Ok ok. Thank you Geni. I'll take more breaks.
Geni: And Ji-hu?
Ji-hu: And I'll take care of myself?
Geni: Correct
Ji-hu: Right right. Sorry hehe.
Geni: It is quite alright Ji-hu. I've learned a few things from myself. And made many mistakes.
Ji-hu opens a portal back into the training room as the duo walk back in to find the others on the floor breathing heavily while Hana looks on with an unreadable expression