Trunks nodded, his respect for Turles deepening as he watched the man stand completely unfazed by the harsh environment.
However, curiosity got the better of him. "Mr. Turles, you said Super Saiyan is just the floor? What does that mean?"
A slight smirk played on Turles's lips. "Do you really think Super Saiyan is the only transformation our race has?"
"Since you asked, I'll give you a proper demonstration."
"HA!"
In an instant, Turles completed the Super Saiyan transformation. "This is the standard Super Saiyan—the form you've already achieved."
Trunks gulped as he felt Turles's terrifying Ki. "So strong..."
"I call this stage Super Saiyan 1. From here, the path splits. One way is a flawed evolution, which looks like this."
"HAA!"
With a low shout, the golden aura surrounding Turles flared outward. A far more menacing pressure radiated from him as his physical form underwent a drastic change.
His already fit physique expanded, becoming hulking and massive. The muscles in his arms, chest, abs, and legs swelled, turning him into a mountain of a man.
"This is Super Saiyan Second Grade. It's a powerful but ultimately flawed state."
"And then there's this. HAAA!"
Turles grew even more massive, looking like a literal iron titan. In this form, his power radiated with such intensity that Trunks instinctively recoiled.
"So... so terrifying..."
"In this form, you completely sacrifice speed for raw power. While it significantly boosts your strength... what's the point if you can't hit your target?"
"Next is the perfected version of Super Saiyan 1. This will be your primary goal."
As Turles reverted to his lean, standard Super Saiyan appearance, confusion flickered in Trunks's eyes. "Isn't this just the regular Super Saiyan form?"
"No. This is Super Saiyan Full Power. It allows you to utilize the energy advantages of the form to their maximum while minimizing the strain on your body."
"This form can provide a 70x multiplier to your strength, vastly improving both power and speed. A regular Super Saiyan wastes Ki just by maintaining the form; in this state, you conserve that energy, allowing you to stay transformed much longer."
"I see..."
"And finally," Turles continued, "there is the level that surpasses a Super Saiyan. I call it Super Saiyan 2."
"HA—!!!"
Turles's eyes narrowed as he clenched his fists. An explosion of power erupted, the sheer pressure forcing Trunks to slide backward across the white void.
Trunks was forced to transform into a Super Saiyan just to stay on his feet. The hundreds of billions in power level radiating from Turles were more than a "small fry" like him could withstand up close.
The golden flames roared. Snap! Crackle!
Lightning began to spark and dance around Turles's body. His hair stood even sharper than before, save for a single strand that fell over his forehead, and his gaze became cold and majestic.
"This is Super Saiyan 2."
Once the demonstration was over, Turles reverted to his base form. Trunks finally let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. The pressure had been suffocating.
"Alright. Your goal for now is Super Saiyan Full Power. But before that, you need to raise your base strength. Get adjusted to the gravity and thin air. I'll start your training shortly."
Turles then sat cross-legged and began to meditate. He pulled up his system interface to look at the "Divine Dimension" attribute points he had picked up.
Tsk, I really can pick up anything. But 'Dimensions'? That sounds high-level.
As he read the description, Turles's expression turned serious. Well, that's unexpected. It looks like I'll need to have a proper 'chat' with those so-called Gods in the future...
BOOM!
A month later, Turles was sparring with Trunks, keeping his own power heavily suppressed.
"Too many wasted movements! And don't rely solely on Ki sensing—some enemies can't be sensed at all!"
"Yes, Master Turles!"
"Your tells are too obvious! Don't telegraph your target. A move your enemy can see coming is useless!"
"Understood!"
Under Turles's brutal regime, Trunks's combat experience was skyrocketing. Since Turles could heal him, he didn't hold back at all. He fought to kill.
Trunks spent his days in a cycle of pain and growth, essentially "repeatedly crossing the line of death." If this were Huaxia, the Black and White Guards of Hell probably would have come up to complain, considering how many times he had practically knocked on the gates of the underworld.
As their figures blurred through the air, Turles nodded inwardly. Trunks had great talent; he just didn't know how to unlock it. After all, how strong could someone be when they were trained by a half-measure?
I'm looking at you, Future Gohan. Gohan's childhood dream was to be a scholar, and in a world this dangerous, being a scholar was a luxury. He hadn't been serious enough about martial arts until it was too late... and by then, the damage was done.
With a swift strike to the side of Trunks's neck, Turles ended the sparring session.
As Trunks regained consciousness, Turles spoke. "Your foundation is solid now. What you need is to raise your base power level and master Super Saiyan Full Power."
"As for Super Saiyan 2, that requires either intense rage or reaching a point where your base is so high the change happens naturally. Don't worry about that for now. I've taught you the basics; the rest of the time here is up to you. I'll spar with you once a week to check your progress."
"And if you haven't made any significant progress... Heh heh heh... Sonny, you can imagine the consequences for yourself!"
Trunks broke into a cold sweat at Turles's sinister laughter. Wait, is that how a normal person laughs?
"I understand, Master Turles!"
Watching Trunks run off to continue his solo drills, Turles nodded in satisfaction. "He's a good kid—diligent and obedient. But the future won't stay peaceful forever..."
The threats of Majin Buu and Zamasu were still waiting for Trunks. All Turles could do was help him build a sturdy foundation and teach him the secrets of transformation. Some things, he would eventually have to face alone.
"Now, it's my turn. Super Saiyan 4... I wonder if it's possible in this universe."
With that thought, Turles closed his eyes to settle his state of mind. Since he didn't have the requirements for Super Saiyan God yet, Super Saiyan 4 was the logical pursuit.
"I'm looking forward to this..."