Chapitre 24: Friends?
While the other students returned to the dorms or chatted with each other, Ryo focused himself on training under Kuryu's tutelage. He chose a large garden overgrown with lush trees and away from the crowds.
Ryo started the series of exercises that Kuryu ordered without complaining at all.
"97, 98, 99, 100!" Ryo exclaimed as he forced his remaining strength to finish the push-up.
[You good?] Kuryu asked.
"Yeah, I'm good, let's begin the real thing, shall we?" said Ryo. He spoke with ragged breaths after he completed the series of mandatory training menus.
[Your nature energy inside you is terribly unstable] Kuryu replied.
"So, what should I do?"
[Now sit cross-legged, then feel the fire and wind energy within your body]
"Okay," Ryo sat cross-legged like a recluse and concentrated, "I can feel the fire and wind energy in my body moving erratically between the 3 gates. They seem calm but are fighting for each other's place."
[That's because you opened the third gate before you could master the second, divide your energy into proper ratio, it will balance your body as well."
"Ratio?" Ryo muttered while thinking of the Golden Ratio in mathematics.
"Ah! I got it!'
After he understood his point, he divided the fire and wind energy into seven to three. That way, he managed to open the second gate completely, and all the energy in his body reached a harmonious balance.
He also concentrated his fire energy in the first gate, and focused his wind energy in the second gate. They were able to flow without needing to dominate one another. After that, he flowed the combination of wind and fire to the third gate, as he felt his body become lighter and stronger.
Ryo smiled in satisfaction as he sensed a significant change. "I see now! This gate is not just an energy entrance! But also to control, right?"
[Haha, that's right,] Kuryu replied with great satisfaction.
"Hey, I'm a little curious what happens when fire and wind are combined. What will it be?"
[Whatever it is, it's big, of course. But don't try it if you don't know what you're doing. Unless you want to die, that is.]
Ryo sat pensively as he rubbed his chin. He imagined the fire getting bigger as the wind blew into it. However, the fire would go out if the wind got too big and completely overpowered it. When Ryo's eyes opened, a big smile appeared on his face.
"Hehe, looks like I got an interesting idea,"
[I have warned you, kid. Don't do anything stupid]
"I know, I know, I need to get stronger so my energy won't backfire on me,"
[Good, now try to set the Fourth Gate,]
Ryo chose to fully concentrate on gathering fire and wind energy until it filled the third gate. However, he couldn't master it yet, so he didn't dare to open the fourth and fifth gates.
When he thought he had enough of meditation, he switched to swinging the sword. This time each of Ryo's movements were sharper than last time, and even caused booming sounds of air as if splitting it open.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
The leaves surrounding Ryo flew as he swung his sword. He was so focused that he didn't notice the sun was about to set.
"One thousand!" Ryo exclaimed and ended the swing with a burst of energy. "Fyuhh, It feels more like a meditation when I do this basic swing,"
[Good then. It means you are now starting to get used to tempering yourself. You won't need my assistance to train anymore soon]
"Yeah, I guess so... So, what's next?" Ryo asked. He wiped the sweat that was pouring down his cheeks.
[Rest and clean yourself. Your whole body is reeking sweat. Yuck.]
"Oh, come on now! Try to be a human, and I'm sure your sweat smells like a rotten swamp!" Ryo replied while flicking the back of his sword.
Kuryu didn't answer his taunt and only displayed Ryo's progress status.
[Integration Complete]
[Name: Ryo]
[Race: Unknown]
[Dark Sovereign Mastery: 0.010%]
[Element Mastery: Fire: 3% Wind: 1%]
[Title: -]
[Weapon: Heaven's Cursed Blade]
[Handler: The Great Dragon Sage]
Ryo smiled brightly when he saw the ability status that had finally shown some progress. Although he got very tired, he was very satisfied with the rapid progress, and thus he returned to the dormitory.
Ryo opened the door to his room and was greeted by a sinister smile from Lucas, who was drinking his favorite tea. But the man lost his smile as he took in the stench.
"You look like a rat that crawled up from the gutter," Lucas said. The young man pinched his nose.
"Oh? I'm sorry, I just finished my training today. Unlike, a certain noble who just sits and idle by," said Ryo as he took off his sweat-drenched shirt.
Lucas was instantly annoyed and looked at Ryo sharply, "What did you say?!"
But Ryo ignored him. Instead he took a change of clothes and pants, then entered the bathroom and closed the door loudly.
"What an annoying brat!" cursed Ryo as he tapped the knob and let his body showered in warm water.
After he finished showering, he took a look at the mirror wall in front of him. He realized that his body underwent a massive transformation. His overall body muscle got improved. He got a ripped six pack and broad chest, and even his arms looked even sturdier. Everything was in perfect shape in just a matter of a short time.
"Wow, is this my body?" asked Ryo himself in disbelief.
[Of course, it is] Kuryu suddenly chirped.
Ryo jolted and almost slipped on the wet part of the tiles.
"Woah!!!"
[What's wrong?] Asked Kuryu while he felt Ryo's awkwardness.
Ryo immediately covered his body with a bathrobe and tried to enter his subconscious dimension where he met Kuryu for the first time.
And it worked. Ryo was surprised to be able to send his consciousness to meet Kuryu in the infinite white dimension. Ryo approached Kuryu, who stood still with all his mightiness.
"The hell is wrong with you?" said Ryo with a curt tone.
[What?]
Ryo sighed heavily and in disbelief. "I guess you don't understand anything about privacy, huh? Since you are an omniscient being."
"Oh, pardon me, I didn't consider that since it's been a long time since I'd bonded with someone's mind."
"It's my fault as well, I thought you could turn off your Omnisight while I'm doing my private stuff,"
[Apologies, I guess?]
Ryo shook his head and put his arms on his hip.
"Well, from today ahead. I beg you to retract yourself from my consciousness while I'm doing my private stuff, you get it?"
[I get it, now get back to your body before things go wrong.]
Ryo got back to his body and regained his consciousness. He gasped a single sharp breath. Kuryu was right, Ryo could feel immense dizziness, and everything was out of balance in his gaze.
After that, he stabilized himself and wore a simple T-shirt and trousers before walking out of the bathroom.
"Oh yeah, Anna was looking for you. I met her at the gym when you went somewhere," Lucas said when Ryo had just come out of the bathroom and dried his hair with a towel.
"Wait, you guys know each other?"
"Not really, I just met her, and she started blabbing about you. Well, she was a quite charming lady, but you better be careful around her. She is not a simple person," Lucas replied.
"How'd you know?" asked Ryo.
Lucas smirked and set down his teacup in its saucer. "Let us just say, I've met with various types of humans and beings, thanks to my nobility. Thus, I'm certain she has some secret."
Ryo rested his back on the wall and thought back to his first impression of her. Lucas was right. Anna was not a simple woman, but he did realize everybody had their own condition.
"Well, but it doesn't mean she is an evil person or something. No need to worry about me and just do your own things, O noblest one," replied Ryo with a wide smirk on his face.
"We will see," Lucas said in such a benign yet malicious smile.
"Well, goodnight. Tomorrow is gonna be hectic."
Beep, beep, beep!
Ryo's alarm rang so loud it woke him up at 4.30 AM. Ryo immediately sat up on his bed and wore his spare training jacket and trousers to start his routine.
"Why so noisy? It's still early!" said Lucas, who was still in his half-dream-world.
"Oh shit, I'm sorry. Sleepy pig," teased Ryo while he put his shoes on.
"Scram!! You got the talent to piss me off!" said Lucas. He threw his pillows at Ryo's head.
He immediately closed the door and ran off the dormitory. Ryo started to get the rhythm and finished his daily training without so much sweat.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
His WristNect suddenly rang loudly, making Ryo excited about what it might be. So, he opened the chat inbox.
[From: Administrator]
[Class assembly will begin at 9.00 AM. venue; Gymnasium.
Your abilities and skills will be appraised by the teachers and the system.
Do your best so you can enter the Upper Class and get special privileges.]
Ryo smirked and got hyped up when he read the message.
"Finally!"
Cadeaux
-- Cadeau
reçu État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone