Siyash urged Pippin to go forward. He did this because he was still exhausted from the last training and wanted some more rest so he could give this test everything he got, and he was also curious about her strength.
"Hey guys the cripple wants to try, we finally get to see a lesser human in action." Kun whispered as Pippin walked over to the machine.
Little giggles came from the twins when they heard this, they both had a score of [20] which established their position as the best along with Kun.
'Mtch… foolish kids, little do you know all this won't matter in the real world.' Siyash thought, shaking his head pitifully.
'When you realize that being the best looking, the strongest or the fastest won't give you the essentials of life that's when you've grown up.'
Pippin got into position then let out a breath, she turned to Mr Zhang and he nodded at her to proceed.
Then she performed the two step technique, it was perfect, just like the one Mr Zhang had demonstrated.
Then as she threw the punch a faint aura of Qi could be seen forming on her fist. It slammed the machine, and the numbers went up immediately.
[22]
'I knew something was special about her.' Mr Zhang smiled, giving her a thumbs up.
The kids were surprised as well, but Kun stood out, his jaw slacked wide open, forming an 'O' shape and his eyes popped out like he'd seen a ghost.
He couldn't be less shocked as he had been at the temple for a while, and worked hard to get a score of [22] but someone who just came in with no prior training matched him.
Pippin smiled pleased with her score as she returned to the line. It was time for Siyash.
"Go Siyash!" Halls cheered.
"If that's what your little sister could do then I expect wonders from you!" He added louder this time.
'What? Really? Didn't you notice I couldn't keep up with you guys earlier?'
But Halls was sincerely rooting for him with a wide innocent smile spread across his face. He acted too happy for a guy, and it was more strange because he was an orphan.
Siyash walked over to the machine. 'I've regained some energy, I should be able to pull this off.'
He focused, remembering Mr Zhang's demonstration of the two step technique and got into position, then he recalled his sister doing it.
He got into motion, picturing himself in their bodies as he performed the technique, followed with a punch to the machine.
'Hmm, perfect movement.' Mr Zhang thought, staring at the numbers going up on the machine.
[10]
'Haa… I didn't expect much from an attack with no Qi. He has a good talent just like his sister, but his weak body is in the way.'
Siyash's chest heaved up and down, like he just finished a marathon, but he performed three movements like everyone else.
'So that's it, half of the others attacks, not bad.'
"Haha, no way!" Kun giggled quietly, "So this guy is unfortunate just like his sister. If Mr Zhang still teaches this guy then he'll be wasting our time too."
****
The day had ended and Siyash felt fulfilled because he learned a lot about this new world and got information that could increase his magic.
With a smooth start like this, he was sure that he would surpass the strength he had in his former life.
The day's routine had taken a toll on everyone, and they retired to their rooms.
Siyash stood by the window pondering, and his sister lay down smiling from her earlier accomplishment.
'I can't blame her, she deserves to be happy especially after losing her family.' Siyash felt empathy for the girl, but something felt wrong, he was disappointed.
He slapped himself across the face, grunting in frustration.
"This is my body now, why does it still have emotions towards her?" He grumbled, grabbing two fists full of his hair.
"Why does it keep reacting anytime it sees her was this guy attached to her or something? I wonder how long it's going to take for these feelings to disappear, so I can do what I wish." He mubbled rubbing his face.
Siyash got into the meditating posture he learned earlier, then practiced the dark Cultivation technique. Absorbing the dark energy around him into his mana core.
'I feel good, but I can't tell how fast I'm progressing.' Siyash thought. 'I wonder if there's objects on this planet that can help measure one's progress like in Dotham.'
Then it clicked, there was actually a way to measure one's progress in this world. He got up, heading towards the door.
He turned to Pippin. "Don't tell anyone that I left, I'll be back soon." Siyash instructed, he shook his head at his statement remembering she couldn't speak.
"I want you to keep this between us okay?"
Pippin nodded, then Siyash left the room, she had a curious look, wondering why Siyash would leave by this time and where he would be going.
He moved quietly through the hallway, luckily for him everywhere was quiet and that meant the others should be asleep.
Then he arrived outside, the cool night air brushed his skin as he walked across the courtyard.
He arrived at the spot they trained earlier, standing in front of the measuring machine.
'So… it absorbs energy from attacks, and gives a score. That means…' Siyash lifted his hand, dark energy twirled at his finger tip.
'It should be able to measure the strength of my magic.'
With his hand pointed at the pillar he shot out 'Dark impulse.' A small line of energy left his finger and struck the machine.
No sound was formed, just like with the punches, the energy was absorbed and numbers started to appear on the machine.
'I can feel it, my dark attributes have increased, it must be because of the cultivation technique, this is great for a start.'
[19]
The score appeared on the machine, making Siyash grin smugly. This score meant he was among strongest in the ranks of a single hit.
And dark impulse was a skill he could use five times.
So if any of them got in combat with him, he was sure to win.
Satisfied with this result, he decided to leave so he could practice the cultivation technique before he sleeps.
But then...
He took one more glance at the machine, then approached it, taking the stance Mr Zhang demonstrated earlier.
'If two step shift enhances techniques, what if I used it, while throwing a punch infused with dark impulse, would it create more damage?'
Siyash wondered.
Like before he focused on his movements, controlling the pace of his leg work, then as he threw the punch, he gathered dark energy around his fist.
Siyash's fist hit the machine, at the same time the dark energy coiled before being absorbed by it. It looked like a solid hit, with more power than before.
[36]
Siyash looked at the number speechless. It was now that Mr Zhang's teachings made sense to him.
He had no Qi, but the skill improved his regular punch, so he came to the conclusion that the same would be done for magic, and it did.
What he expected as a result of mixing the two step technique with dark pulse was a score of twenty eight, but it turned out the footwork added more to the magic skill, and improved the power of the attack, giving a score of thirty six.
'I knew using that technique with magic would work, this is a perfect mix.'
He felt accomplished as a wide grin formed on his lips, this was his first step to becoming a magic fighter.
He wanted to try the technique again, but he felt his body exhausted, he knew the results won't be as good as the previous.
But then…
He heard movements coming from the temple. Quickly, he dashed to the side making his way in the shadows to the temple's side.
He could tell it was one of the children, but the figure was unknown to him due to the darkness.
He decided it was best to retire to his room so he wouldn't cause any trouble.
*****
The next morning while the sky was still dark, Mr Zhang rose before the others, he had a routine to follow, so lots of sleep wasn't his thing.
He got out to the courtyard and headed towards the measuring machine.
There were no numbers on it as they cleared after some time.
So Mr Zhang went to the back, where the numbers were recorded so he can take notes of who improved the most.
But then he saw something strange, something that caused him to pause and widen his eyes.
'What… who had such a score… and when was this recorded?'