"Meet Gray, this is Eileen, my sister."
A girl stood in the doorway. She gave Gray an appraising look and snorted disapprovingly. One glance at her was enough to tell she'd been through a lot.
"Raine, are you collecting strays again? We can't feed everyone."
"Don't worry. He'll be useful. For now, let's begin training."
Raine and Gray moved deeper into the forest, stopping in a clearing.
"Gray, I see you already know how to harness your inner energy. The way you extend your blade... It's surprising. I'd have a harder time doing that."
"Hah, what good did it do me? That guy didn't even notice."
"You're too tense, Gray. You're clearly straining to take down monsters. Try something different—let your energy flow freely, without resistance. Watch closely."
Raine sat on the ground and closed his eyes. After a moment, a whirlwind of energy began swirling around him—visible even to those without his abilities. Droplets condensed in the air, and a mist began to form.
"Whoa..."
Gray suddenly remembered his village. There had been a man there who could summon rain during droughts and performed tricks for the children.
"Now it's your turn. Just sit and feel the energy inside you, like blood flowing through your veins. Imagine releasing it."
"Easier said than done... Alright, I'll try."
Gray sat down. At first, nothing happened. But then... The leaves around him rustled faintly.
"Not bad for a beginner. And you said you couldn't do it."
"Ugh... My head's spinning..."
"Of course. You'll get used to it."
And so, Gray began living in the village, training with Raine.
Every day, he returned to the same spot. First meditation, then sword practice and throwing weapons. Raine showed him how to walk on vertical surfaces and water. Gray tried to replicate it, but he expended too much energy. He also focused on basic physical exercises: push-ups, squats, sit-ups. Sometimes, he stayed there half the day.
A few days later:
"Time for a spar. I can see you're itching to test your strength against me. Attack."
Gray channeled his energy into his blade and lunged. But every time he struck, Raine parried or dodged. Then—a kick came from the left. Gray was sent flying several meters.
"What the—? But Raine's standing right in front of me..."
Beside Raine stood... another Raine.
"What is this?" Gray asked, stunned.
"A water clone," Raine replied. "You've gotten faster, Gray. But you've only fought monsters. You don't know what to expect from humans. Get up. Training's not over."
For the first time in a long while, Gray felt something akin to joy.
"Gray," Raine said during another session, "Do you know why you can't beat me? Look at your muscles—you're stronger than I am."
"Magic?"
"If only... It's Spirit Force. I can become several times stronger than usual. Without it, I'm just an ordinary guy who knows a few tricks."
"So how do I train this 'Spirit Force' of yours?"
"Hmm... Truth is, there's no training that increases Spirit Force directly. Remember fighting monsters? At first, it was hard, then it got easier, right?"
"Yeah, so what? My strength stopped growing no matter what I did..."
"Exactly. It's called the Principle of Necessity—your strength grows only enough to overcome a challenge. Remember my fight with Pike? Neither of us grew much stronger—there was no need. Though I did show him my skills..."
"Then what's the point of training if I won't get stronger?"
"Hah... Well, you'll learn techniques, combat tactics, energy control... Don't worry, I'll drill you so hard your Spirit Force will have no choice but to grow." Raine smirked cryptically.
"And one more thing. Finish off your enemies so they don't grow stronger after fighting you. Just a tip..."
"So that's how it is... Spirit Force... Now I get why Pike wiped the floor with me. He didn't give me a chance to grow stronger..."
The next day:
"Gray, I have your first mission."
"What is it?"
"What you do best. Hunting monsters."