So, why was an obstacle course the training routine of the flow?
Well, it was simple.
The flow entailed the power gained from movement and momentum. That was why Reve's [Morai] was a 'moving skill'.
As long as he moved, he would be capable of dishing destructive capabilities.
There were other technicalities involved with this skill, though. One simply couldn't convert speed into power. They would need techniques, specific movements that can guarantee an instant win.
For instance, Reve mirrored The Shadow's heel kick and double kick.
His friend, Nikan, had made him understand that was not the only skill viable, so he wondered what the first generation might develop.
Hence, he didn't teach them what he knew… not yet, at least. Through their obstacle course, they would come to adapt to their intrinsic skills.
He also planned other training routines for them, but they had to spend a month on this course before advancing towards the next routine, which was relatively smooth.
For the next routine, they had to battle an aquatic beast on an artificial lake. The artificial lake was in the works.
Reve and Marya had already begun digging up the space required for it. Next, Marya would set up the enchantments and Reve would locate the best beast for the task.
'Next year is going to be so much fun.'
Based on his calculations, the first generation would start seeing the fruits of their efforts soon. It wouldn't be that visible, but gradually, they would become a force he would be proud of.
Marya appeared beside Reve as he went deep in thoughts, "You have arrived!"
"Yes. I suppose everything is ready, isn't it?"
"Yes, the site is ready for the ritual. Dorian is waiting for us, along with the other chosen ones."
Reve arrived at the lake, the site he had chosen for what he was about to do.
He noticed Dorian and the other guys. They were the best of the first generation, so it made sense that they would be the one to enjoy his plans.
"We greet Kimon," they bowed upon seeing him.
Reve simply nodded his head, "Strip yourself. Leave your underwear."
The group complied with his instructions.
After they were done, the training had already finished and the rest of the first generation gathered around the lake watching Kimon.
Reve gave further instructions, "Submerge yourself in the lake. I shall begin the process randomly. I advise that you meditate."
The group of three did as he instructed.
As they closed their eyes, Marya moved closer to him.
Her wet dress flowed beautifully on the lake and her face had few water drops on it.
She said seriously, "I have everything we need."
"Good. Let's start."
He moved towards Dorian, who was still submerged, and brought him out gently.
Marya placed a huge leaf pad beneath Dorian, allowing him to float above the water's surface level.
Holding a calabash bowl which contained the blood of an unknown creature, Reve dipped his hands in it.
He painted a slash on Dorian's forehead. Quickly, he proceeded towards his neck and his joints.
Reve gave the calabash back to Marya, who then gave it to the person she deemed as her apprentice.
"Dorian Kimonag, the first warrior. You have slumbered in a still void for ages."
Reve pronounced his words with a hypnotic tone. He whispered quietly to Dorian, but the others could still hear it. Some of them fell asleep upon hearing his voice.
This was the effect of Reve's [Phantasia].
He could make his target's mind weary. Nonetheless, that was merely a side-effect.
Reve touched Dorian with his right index finger.
As soon as he did that, Dorian's head pointed upward. The two of them stopped moving, even their breaths ceased. It seemed like they had been eternally locked in that moment.
Seeing this, Marya muttered, "It seems like it has begun."
.
.
.
.
Reve appeared in a dark void.
He flew around for a while before halting.
'I was right. Not everyone has developed their mindscape. Dorian's mindscape is dormant. It would need a little nudge. Hmmm…'
What came into view was a large door that was infinite. The simple style of the door complemented the unknown markings that existed on some portions of it.
Reve recognized some symbols pertaining to him. Symbols like Kimon's mask, and the weird frost tree, and an inscription of his true form.
He smiled as he thought, 'He is truly loyal. Even in his mind, he remains honest towards his ideals.'
'Disregarding the other symbols, what is scary is this frost tree? Truly, the mind is mysterious. How does it know of the frost tree?'
'Hmmm… This would need further deliberation. Right now, I have not the time for that.'
With a snap of his hand, Reve appeared in the outside world.
He felt a wave of nostalgia hit him as he looked at the position he and Dorian were in.
He didn't know when he started speaking. The words that flowed out of his mouth were words that were once directed at himself.
"Body. Soul. Energy… the three main cores of existence. Another particularly marvellous core is the mind, which has the traits of the three main core. It is also known as the regulator… maintain the body, house the soul, harness the energy."
"The mind possesses limitless potential. At the same time, it does not. It is up to one's utilization."
Reve hit his chest and coughed out a blob of blood closest to his heart.
As he followed the procedure of the ritual, he painted his right index finger with the blood and touched Dorian's forehead once again.
This time, Dorian continuously shook.
"For you aspire to shed your ignorant self, I shall acquiesce and grant your power… yet not power. A new path to traverse, one as cold as the hellish polar region… as rugged as Arcadia's highest mountain range… as elusive as the lurkers of the cosmos. The path of the mind!"
His energy penetrated the focal point of Dorian.
"Beware. For you have asked for power. A cost shall be demanded… that is, if you can bear the hellish pain that precedes this moment."
"Let's begin. [Phantasia]!"
His skill activated the moment he punched a hole into Dorian's mind wall.
So, why was an obstacle course the training routine of the flow?
Well, it was simple.
The flow entailed the power gained from movement and momentum. That was why Reve's [Morai] was a 'moving skill'.
As long as he moved, he would be capable of dishing destructive capabilities.
There were other technicalities involved with this skill, though. One simply couldn't convert speed into power. They would need techniques, specific movements that can guarantee an instant win.
For instance, Reve mirrored The Shadow's heel kick and double kick.
His friend, Nikan, had made him understand that was not the only skill viable, so he wondered what the first generation might develop.
Hence, he didn't teach them what he knew… not yet, at least. Through their obstacle course, they would come to adapt to their intrinsic skills.
He also planned other training routines for them, but they had to spend a month on this course before advancing towards the next routine, which was relatively smooth.
For the next routine, they had to battle an aquatic beast on an artificial lake. The artificial lake was in the works.
Reve and Marya had already begun digging up the space required for it. Next, Marya would set up the enchantments and Reve would locate the best beast for the task.
'Next year is going to be so much fun.'
Based on his calculations, the first generation would start seeing the fruits of their efforts soon. It wouldn't be that visible, but gradually, they would become a force he would be proud of.
Marya appeared beside Reve as he went deep in thoughts, "You have arrived!"
"Yes. I suppose everything is ready, isn't it?"
"Yes, the site is ready for the ritual. Dorian is waiting for us, along with the other chosen ones."
Reve arrived at the lake, the site he had chosen for what he was about to do.
He noticed Dorian and the other guys. They were the best of the first generation, so it made sense that they would be the one to enjoy his plans.
"We greet Kimon," they bowed upon seeing him.
Reve simply nodded his head, "Strip yourself. Leave your underwear."
The group complied with his instructions.
After they were done, the training had already finished and the rest of the first generation gathered around the lake watching Kimon.
Reve gave further instructions, "Submerge yourself in the lake. I shall begin the process randomly. I advise that you meditate."
The group of three did as he instructed.
As they closed their eyes, Marya moved closer to him.
Her wet dress flowed beautifully on the lake and her face had few water drops on it.
She said seriously, "I have everything we need."
"Good. Let's start."
He moved towards Dorian, who was still submerged, and brought him out gently.
Marya placed a huge leaf pad beneath Dorian, allowing him to float above the water's surface level.
Holding a calabash bowl which contained the blood of an unknown creature, Reve dipped his hands in it.
He painted a slash on Dorian's forehead. Quickly, he proceeded towards his neck and his joints.
Reve gave the calabash back to Marya, who then gave it to the person she deemed as her apprentice.
"Dorian Kimonag, the first warrior. You have slumbered in a still void for ages."
Reve pronounced his words with a hypnotic tone. He whispered quietly to Dorian, but the others could still hear it. Some of them fell asleep upon hearing his voice.
This was the effect of Reve's [Phantasia].
He could make his target's mind weary. Nonetheless, that was merely a side-effect.
Reve touched Dorian with his right index finger.
As soon as he did that, Dorian's head pointed upward. The two of them stopped moving, even their breaths ceased. It seemed like they had been eternally locked in that moment.
Seeing this, Marya muttered, "It seems like it has begun."
.
.
.
.
Reve appeared in a dark void.
He flew around for a while before halting.
'I was right. Not everyone has developed their mindscape. Dorian's mindscape is dormant. It would need a little nudge. Hmmm…'
What came into view was a large door that was infinite. The simple style of the door complemented the unknown markings that existed on some portions of it.
Reve recognized some symbols pertaining to him. Symbols like Kimon's mask, and the weird frost tree, and an inscription of his true form.
He smiled as he thought, 'He is truly loyal. Even in his mind, he remains honest towards his ideals.'
'Disregarding the other symbols, what is scary is this frost tree? Truly, the mind is mysterious. How does it know of the frost tree?'
'Hmmm… This would need further deliberation. Right now, I have not the time for that.'
With a snap of his hand, Reve appeared in the outside world.
He felt a wave of nostalgia hit him as he looked at the position he and Dorian were in.
He didn't know when he started speaking. The words that flowed out of his mouth were words that were once directed at himself.
"Body. Soul. Energy… the three main cores of existence. Another particularly marvellous core is the mind, which has the traits of the three main core. It is also known as the regulator… maintain the body, house the soul, harness the energy."
"The mind possesses limitless potential. At the same time, it does not. It is up to one's utilization."
Reve hit his chest and coughed out a blob of blood closest to his heart.
As he followed the procedure of the ritual, he painted his right index finger with the blood and touched Dorian's forehead once again.
This time, Dorian continuously shook.
"For you aspire to shed your ignorant self, I shall acquiesce and grant your power… yet not power. A new path to traverse, one as cold as the hellish polar region… as rugged as Arcadia's highest mountain range… as elusive as the lurkers of the cosmos. The path of the mind!"
His energy penetrated the focal point of Dorian.
"Beware. For you have asked for power. A cost shall be demanded… that is, if you can bear the hellish pain that precedes this moment."
"Let's begin. [Phantasia]!"
His skill activated the moment he punched a hole into Dorian's mind wall.
