- Next Day At Training Grounds -
"Junior brother Kori. It's been a while, how is your training going?"
"Senior brother Kavi. My training is going great."
Ah. He's asking about my training. I know where this is going. I avoided running into him ever since he asked me for a rematch.
"Anyways, what are you doing here senior brother."
The temple has separate training grounds for seniors. The disciples do basic physical training for three years from the age of twelve. After that they move to a different location to focus on aura training along with physical training. It's near the mountains where natural energy is pure.
"I heard about brother Ryuk. I was told you were with him. What happened yesterday?"
"Oh, that. He just fainted because he was exhausted from the training."
Ah! I never told him about the secret training with brother Ryuk. I was afraid he also might ask me to train him. That's not something I can handle right now, I got my hands full with brother Ryuk and given yesterday's incident I need to be more careful of my methods.
"Is that so? That sounds like something he would do. He really needs to stop pushing himself so hard.
Now that I'm here…"
No, it's coming.
"What do you say about fighting me again, junior brother?"
"Haha. You're so funny senior brother. I don't think I'm strong enough to fight you again."
"Nonsense. You look way stronger than the time we fought.
What happened to the young warrior who challenged me that day without even thinking of how strong he is."
"Ha ha. That was just an impulsive thing. I have learned my lesson to not fight those who are stronger than me."
"Hmmm. That is boring. I liked you more when you were cocky. Whatever, get stronger fast. I wish you good luck with your training junior brother and hope we can fight one day without holding anything back."
"I'll do my best senior brother!"
- Later That Evening -
"Junior brother, I'm ready to start our training."
"Oh! Are you sure senior brother? I think you should rest for the day."
"No, I'm fine, let's start the training."
"Okay."
- Five Minutes Later -
"How are you feeling senior brother? Do you feel any pain or discomfort?"
"Not at all. I'm doing great."
"Oh, Okay."
- Another Five Minutes Later -
"How are you feeling senior brother? Do you feel any pain or discomfort?"
"I'm doing great Kori. Thanks for the concern."
- Another Five Minutes Later -
"How are you feeling senior brother? Do you feel…"
"I don't feel any pain Kori. What is going on? I told you yesterday it wasn't your fault."
"Sorry senior brother, I'm just trying to not go overboard."
"Sigh! I know I should've told you that training was hard for me but that was my only hope. I couldn't just stop trying just because it was hard.
I know how you felt thinking it was your fault. I know it was unfair to put such responsibility on you. But through our time I have never blamed you for it and I never will."
"Senior brother…"
"I know I'm asking a lot but please stop feeling guilty for the choice I made."
"But senior brother, I was incharge of your training and I get that you trust me but that doesn't mean I should put your life at risk."
"That is true Kori. Maybe I was wrong to force you into training me. It's all my fault."
"That's not what I'm saying, senior brother."
"There it is again."
"What are you talking about?"
"You can't help but blame yourself."
"I'm just trying to hold myself accountable."
"It's not accountability you idiot. You're just a kid. I forced you into training me. I know your idea was extreme but I was the one who accepted to go through with it even if at the cost of my life. If anything, I should be the one held accountable for all of this."
"But you don't understand senior brother…"
How should I tell him that I'm not a kid and the only one who should be held accountable is me.
"I do understand Kori. But it seems you don't, so I suggest we shouldn't do this anymore."
"But senior brother you're still at risk with two aura centres."
"I'm sure I'll figure out something."
"But senior brother…"
No, I can't stop now. Who knows what might happen if he has to do it himself.
"Alright then. Here's what I propose, you can still show me how to train but I'll decide when to stop."
"Senior brother. That. That sounds great."
"It's decided then. From today onwards you are not my master but just a junior brother who has innovative ideas for my training and I'll be incharge of my own training."
"Great. Just promise me not to overdo yourself."
"Sure. It's a promise that I, Ryuk Kiyoshi will keep as long as you're here."
"That sounds insincere. Just say you promise, with and without me."
"Okay! I promise won't go overboard on my training when I'm with you or by myself."
"That's better."
- Next Evening -
"Kori, how are you? I'll be doing my regular training. You can just go back to dorms."
"Actually, I have something to show you senior brother."
"What is it?"
"It's a new aura training. Now that you have two aura centres, you need a different method of training.
Just follow my instructions."
Now that brother Ryuk has two centres. It's going to be difficult to store energy and if he's not careful one might overpower the other causing internal harm.
"As you know aura centres flow in one direction only. Your first centre was clockwise and the new one is anti-clockwise. Thus you need to keep both centres at the same aura level otherwise the bigger one will start consuming aura from the smaller one until it vanishes."
"Is that so? That means I'll just have to keep them balanced right?"
"Yes. Once both are at the same level you'll have to convert energy into aura simultaneously."
"Sounds easy."
"That's not all senior brother. Once both centres reach the aura level of a first gen Martial Master or above, you'll have to keep balancing the aura at all times even while sleeping."
"While sleeping? How does that work?"
"I'll tell you when the time comes. For now I'll show you how to balance your aura.
Sit down like me with your feet over the other thigh. Start absorbing the natural energy through your breathing."
"Alright."
"Now convert it into aura and at the same time exert the aura stored in your first centre. Try to make it into the same level as the second centre."
"I'll try."
"After you do that, exert all the aura out from both centres at the same time. Keep repeating the same as long as you can. Don't go overboard."
"I won't. Thanks Kori. I can train on my own, you can go back now."
"Okay. Senior brother."
Aura centres work as any other part of the body. Most people think that the more aura they can store the stronger they can become. But that's not entirely true, there is a difference between a bigger and a stronger aura centre.
As the muscles grow stronger with the physical training, the aura centre grows stronger when constantly pushed to its limits. In order to reach the Martial Grandmaster level, one has to turn the aura centre into a part of their body. A living part that is synchronous with the entire body.
Brother Ryuk's situation is complicated where something like this would be exponentially hard for him to achieve. Both centres are constantly at war with each other to absorb the aura so he has to keep balance at all times.
"That's a relief. Now I have more time for my training."