"Whoosh~" Ernanfo forcefully exhaled with a pursed lips that created a whooshing sound. Currently, he was practicing the first form of his magic-like breathing technique called Enzen Breathing. Every cycle of his breath softens his muscles, thus, making large passages for energy to flow through and revitalizing him. While in that state, he remained dormant and passive, shutting all senses. He used this since his body was greatly damaged from the fight earlier and needed an immediate response. Although, in exchange, he has to eat tons of food afterward.
In regaining stamina, he has to use the second form of Enzen Breathing. In that state, he could easily step into the first form, third form, or just stop the breathing technique. It was a versatile form that would make him passive-active. It would quickly bring him his stamina back but not as fast as the first form and also, it only applies to stamina and not to vitality, again, unlike the first form. The second form is great in battles that are prolonged or battle of attrition.
Lastly, the third form is where he would speed up the flow of energy not for revitalization but for strengthening the body and helps the tightening of each muscle. It greatly improves one's all aspects of skill such as reflex and coordination and body such as muscle strength and flexibility. The third form is best at heated combat. Although the word heated may not just be a metaphor as it would literally increase his body's temperature. One could guess that the third form can only be used for a short time, a few minutes, but Ernanfo already exceeded that limit by multiple levels and can maintain the third form for two to five hours.
Based on its function and benefits, Enzen Breathing is not only a technique of breathing but more than that such as the conscious control of the heart and other organs which is impossible for normal humans. It greatly emphasizes breathing, therefore its name.
The first and second forms were taught to disciples which afterward if they mastered it, they can begin to practice the third form. However, none of the four direct disciples had yet mastered any of the two while the ordinary disciples were not yet eligible to learn this technique until they finished the prerequisites.
In short, each of their techniques and skill largely depends on this breathing technique. This is the legacy of the Fellnigh Dojo which was passed onto Ernanfo at such a young age. However, only he had exceeded even the limits of this technique.
Enzen Breathing was not only the emptying of the mind but also the senses when practicing which was greatly applied to the first form, that is the reason for its extraordinary effects. Once the mind is completely emptied and senses shut down, there will be an unknown energy that will enter one's body without them knowing. It was like a connection to an otherworld...
But Ernanfo made a few tweaks while being unaware of it. Instead of just emptying the mind, he would empty it then unconsciously fill it with rage. Thinking how his wife was taken away and how his daughter was forced to accept a sad fate and how all his hopes were broken, his supposed empty mind was filled with rage that became a fuel instead of disruption...
The destruction of the Fellnigh's first dojo was not publicized since the existence of such a dojo was a secret in the first place. The neighborhood only knew the earthquakes last night but never once relate those to the mysterious dojo.
The sun was rising and shining in front of the destroyed land of the dojo. The disciples including Greg and the other three direct disciples helped excavate the broken land as a part of their muscle training. As expected, the direct disciples had harder and more complicated tasks. The land was wide enough to accommodate space for the debris and broken walls excavated from the underground. They also inspected if there are things that could still be salvage, untouched rooms, or if the whole underground could still be restored.
The time was a few minutes past 7 o'clock, it was also the time Renir began his tests. Sweats were sprinkled over the dry soil everywhere. Even the weakest ordinary disciple had the capability of a professional athlete if revealed their power out for the world to see. Their moves hastened and strong, efficient for time.
Ernanfo, on the other hand, was still recovering in the only untouched building of that place which is his residence where he sleeps and does his daily routine. His residence wasn't that peculiar and extravagant as the master building. It was just cleaner and refreshing to look at with plants and flowers arranged, decorating the surrounding field.
Fellnigh's symbol of power was sitting on his comfortable chair in his comfortable home clothing as he continues to breathe in and breathe out, practicing the Enzen Breathing, First Form. His right fist was covered in bandages. If touched, one could feel that fist was warm and pulsating like a heartbeat. Its veins were popping out every time he exhaled and fading back every time he inhaled.
No matter how noisy it was, hot, cold, distracting, and so on, it wasn't enough to disturb a man who shut down all his senses. After exactly half an hour, Ernanfo's body began to cool down a bit and the pulsation attenuating. There was still a minute before his eyes opened, calm and serene.
As if scripted, there was a knock on the front door right after he opened his eyes. Steadily, he stood up, walked to it, and opened. There he saw the slender and slightly petite Rea. In front of the tall Ernanfo, she was like a child.
With a solemn expression, closed to a grave one, "Master, the Boss had come." she said as if she was disclosing a revelation.
Ernanfo simply nodded and walked out without changing, Rea followed right after in silence.
The noisiness was gone in the field of work. The cause of that silence was obvious.
That was because the big boss of Fellnigh is here. The one that even their great master bows his head to and the one who controls the entire country in the shadows.
No one dared to speak or move as they stood in a neat square formation if looked from a bird's point of view. Nal was already awake as he wasn't spared of the harsh muscle training, cleaning the destroyed dojo and the underground below.
The four direct disciples were proud but only towards other ordinary disciples and normal outsiders. But in front of the big boss and his bodyguards who were like seniors to them because those bodyguards already graduated from being Ernanfo's direct disciples, so none of them couldn't lift their heads high. But most of all, the stare from the big boss, under the shade and comfort of an umbrella while drinking a carbonated drink, was a great source of intimidation, especially with his sharp eyes.
A man with the face of a complete veteran, filled with facial hair was one of the two bodyguards of the big boss and graduated direct disciples of Ernanfo. He was the man on the right that held the umbrella. The other one who held a bag of chips was a girl, a cloth covering her face. Through this clothing, her eyes could be seen. Clear cyan pupils, long eyelashes, and her body voluptuous, especially that she was wearing such a tight outfit, accentuating her curves, she was clearly a beauty underneath. Also, wavy blonde hair was flowing behind her.
The majority of the ordinary disciples were men who were greatly tempted to drink the poison for its sweet taste. However, even if to the point of insanity, they couldn't look as if there were a mysterious force that forbids them to turn their eyes.
Finally, there was the big boss.
There were three elites under him and one of those three was Ernanfo. If Ernanfo was the Symbol of Power, the other two were the Symbol of Wealth and Symbol of Intellect.
However, their fame and influence couldn't be compared to the infamous yet mysterious pinnacle if the Fellnigh Gang, their boss, the Symbol of Fear...
Ernanfo was just a few meters away and then he was noticed. Rea immediately joined the square formation with hurry yet unnoticeable, without presence.
The two bodyguards bowed towards Ernanfo as they saw him. It was an action out of great respect and admiration. However, Ernanfo only gave them a glance and bowed to greet the boss.
Fellnigh's boss had sharp eyes and long hair. He was considerably tall but still shorter than Ernanfo. He was decent-looking and looked as if he was at the same age as Ernanfo even though he was younger by age.
"What happened here?"
He had a simple smile as he took a sip out of the carbonated drink in his hand.
"It was a result of a battle this morning, boss."
The boss was always and just called "boss" all the time.
"Looking at you, it's as if you were defeated. Looks like you found the right person. So where is he, where's Renir?"
However, he obviously had a name which was hidden except for his trusted companions.
"Boss, you're right. I was defeated and he escaped."
He goes by the simple name of Sceke.
"Hm?"