Aziz led Jabari into his dining room, where two bowls of what looked like vomit-green oats sat on the table.
It looked disgusting.
But Jabari had grown up eating stale food and dirty water – appearance meant nothing to him. What did matter, though, was the smell wafting from the bowls, which was nothing short of heavenly.
Aziz, catching the way Jabari's eyes lingered on the food, smirked. "Judging by the starved look on your face, I'm guessing you didn't eat breakfast at the student cafeteria?"
Jabari blinked, confused.
Aziz sighed knowingly. "Let me guess. No one bothered to tell you about the student cafeteria during your induction?"
Jabari shook his head, still eyeing the bowls of suspiciously green liquid oats.
"Help yourself," Aziz said, amused by the visible saliva forming at the corner of his apprentice's mouth.
Jabari didn't need to be told twice.
He immediately dug in, activating his spirit to enhance his taste buds as he took his first bite.
The moment the food hit his tongue, his eyes widened.
Then, he looked up at Aziz with pure awe.
"This is INCREDIBLE!"
Aziz chuckled. "It's an Ulo breakfast delicacy called Ile. Doesn't look the best, but it tastes surprisingly good."
Jabari eagerly devoured the rest, his earlier reservations about its appearance vanishing entirely.
As soon as they finished, Aziz leaned back in his chair. "Now that we've eaten, it's time to get down to business."
Jabari immediately straightened, giving his mentor his full attention.
"How much do you actually know about Beast-Warriors?" Aziz asked.
Jabari frowned slightly. "Only that they're the strongest warriors in Ulo… and that you need to attend the Beast-Warrior Institute to become one."
Aziz smirked. "That's true, but that barely scratches the surface."
He continued, his tone taking on a more serious edge.
"Beast-Warriors are unique to Ulo. The rest of the world has coveted the formula for a long time, but due to several factors, none of the other forces in the world dare go too far in trying to obtain it.
"There are five types of Beast-Warriors, each corresponding to one of the five elements.
"While all Beast-Warriors see a significant increase in overall physical fitness, the specific physical attribute tied to their chosen element experiences a drastic improvement."
Jabari listened intently as Aziz broke it down further.
Fire Elemental Beast-Warriors – superior strength.
Earth Elemental Beast-Warriors – unmatched endurance.
Water Elemental Beast-Warriors – exceptional flexibility.
Wind Elemental Beast-Warriors – extraordinary speed.
Lightning Elemental Beast-Warriors – enhanced reflexes and dexterity.
"To qualify for a vial of elemental Beast blood," Aziz continued, "you need to reach the Five-Star level in the physical attribute tied to your chosen element."
Jabari nodded slowly, digesting the information.
Aziz smirked. "As you probably guessed, three of the five selection tests directly correlated to the elements.
"The weightlifting test was for Fire.
"The 100m sprint was for Wind.
"The reflex test was for Lightning."
Jabari realised something. "The other two elements… weren't tested?"
"Exactly," Aziz confirmed. "Water and Earth have separate assessments."
He leaned forward. "As your mentor, it's my job to help you pick an element and train you to the Five-Star level in that attribute."
Jabari listened carefully as Aziz explained further.
"At the end of each month, there's a Monthly Assessment. If you pass and reach the Five-Star standard, you can apply for your vial of Beast blood."
Jabari's brows furrowed slightly. "If that's all it takes, then… why didn't I qualify for a Lightning elemental vial? I set a record in the reflex test."
Aziz's smirk widened slightly.
"When I spoke to Grand Elder Nala, she explained that while you technically qualify, the potency of the Beast blood would do more harm than good to your malnourished and underdeveloped body.
Besides," he continued with a knowing smirk, "we both know you only reached the Five-Star level in the reflex test because of your bloodline ability."
"To truly qualify," Aziz continued, "don't you think you should reach that level naturally?"
The slight mockery in his mentor's tone made Jabari scowl.
Aziz ignored it. "So, with all that said-" he gestured casually "-which element appeals most to you?"
Jabari fell silent, deep in thought.
'With my bloodline ability, the most obvious choice is Lightning.'
His ability already heightened his senses. If he trained in Lightning, his reflexes and dexterity would improve even further.
And then there was Aziz's footwork technique.
Even though it was designed to increase movement speed, it clearly required an extreme level of body control. Lightning's enhancements would allow him to master it more easily.
It was the perfect choice.
But for some reason, he hesitated.
"Is it possible to take the blood of more than one element?" Jabari asked, a faint hope glimmering in his eyes.
Aziz crushed that hope instantly.
"According to what I've been told, anyone who tries to ingest the blood of more than one elemental Beast will implode."
Jabari's excitement died on the spot.
'With [Empyrean Breathing], my body will strengthen in all aspects. It's a shame I can't absorb Beast blood for every element…' He sighed inwardly, feeling a sense of helplessness.
"I guess I'll choose Lightning," Jabari said aloud, resigned to his decision.
Aziz raised an eyebrow. "Do you realise how many people – not just in Ulo, but all over the world – would kill for this chance? Children and adults alike?" His voice turned sharp. "Don't let your greed blind you to the privilege you have."
Jabari clenched his jaw but forced himself to nod. His mentor was right. There was no point in dwelling on what he couldn't have – he needed to focus on what he could.
Seeing that Jabari had settled down, Aziz continued.
"And just because each element specialises in one attribute doesn't mean that's all it enhances. If that were the case, the entire world wouldn't covet the formula so desperately.
"Even the weakest Beast-Warrior will reach the Five-Star level in their worst attribute upon transformation.
"Lightning Beast-Warriors excel in precision and reflexes, but they also experience a significant boost in speed, second only to Wind.
"As for endurance – your weakest attribute – it will still surpass even the fittest ordinary humans."
Jabari's pulse quickened, his blood pumping with renewed excitement.
That kind of strength will bring me one step closer to saving Inayah!
Aziz smirked knowingly. "Now that you've chosen your element, I can explain how your training will be structured."
Jabari leaned forward, listening intently.
"We'll be training for at least twelve hours a day – thirteen if you include your sessions with that August brat."
Jabari's eyes widened, but Aziz ignored him and continued.
"From six a.m., you'll train with August.
"At eight, we'll do an hour of reading and writing. With your bloodline enhancing your cognitive abilities, that should be enough.
"Next, we'll spend three hours developing your control over your bloodline ability – working toward the perfect fusion of all five of your senses with your 'spirit,' as you call it.
"The remaining eight hours will be spent teaching you how to walk."
Aziz smirked. "Oh, and don't worry about meals – you'll eat here. No wasted time."
He leaned back. "Any questions?"
Jabari stared at him, his face a mixture of confusion and disbelief.
"…Just two."
Aziz gestured for him to continue.
"Firstly, I don't know how to tell time….
And second question." Jabari frowned. "I already know how to walk, so why do I need to learn that?"
Hearing Jabari's first point, Aziz palmed his face.
He had completely forgotten that Jabari was from the slums, where no one would have bothered to teach him something as basic as telling time.
"Don't worry," Aziz said, sighing. "I'll include it in our study sessions. Oh, and about waking up on time…
I'll make sure you get a shock each morning so you don't oversleep."
Jabari's entire expression changed.
His eyes widened. "That shock I got this morning was from YOU?!"
Aziz grinned.
"I thought I had injured myself! Why didn't you tell me you were going to do that?!"
Aziz shrugged. "Didn't seem like it'd be as fun." His grin widened. "And judging by your reaction, I was right."
Jabari scowled. "Sadistic old fart."
Aziz snorted. "Says the shameless brat who uses nudity as a weapon."
Jabari smirked. "Nudity is freedom!" he declared sincerely.
Aziz rolled his eyes. "Arguing with someone so shameless is pointless."
Jabari grinned, sensing victory. "Then stop arguing."
Aziz sighed. "Anyway, back to your second question."
Jabari nodded. "Yeah. Why do I need to learn how to walk when I already know how to walk?"
At some point – without even realising it – Jabari had started to lower his guard around his new mentor to the point where he could laugh and joke with him.
"My movement technique is part of a martial art I created called the [Cloudy Demon Style,]" Aziz began, his voice carrying a hint of pride.
"To keep things simple, it allows the user to control their entire body, ensuring no energy is wasted during movement. It also enables them to draw upon their body's stored energy to enhance speed and strength as needed."
Jabari listened intently, already captivated.
"There are three levels of mastery," Aziz continued.
"First is the Initial Stage, which grants perfect control over your muscles.
"Next is the Advanced Stage. At this level, you gain a basic grasp of controlling the cells within your body. This allows you to utilise 100% of your body's power while only expending a fraction of the usual energy required to achieve the same feat.
"Finally, there is the Perfect Stage. At this level, your control over your cells allows you to channel energy between them freely, effectively shattering your body's limits. The result? An inconceivable increase in physical ability."
Aziz's eyes gleamed. "When you copied me yesterday, you skipped the Initial and Advanced Stages, aiming straight for the Perfect Stage.
"But because you couldn't redistribute energy across your body, all the strain fell entirely on your legs – resulting in severe damage.
"And to make matters worse, your body is still heavily underdeveloped, which only added to the strain."
Jabari exhaled sharply, realising just how reckless he had been.
Aziz smirked. "So, before we get to any of that, your training will begin with something simple – learning how to walk with perfect efficiency, using only the muscles that are absolutely necessary."
Jabari frowned. "And how do I do that?"
Aziz's smirk widened.
"With this."
In a flick of his wrist, he produced a thin, six-inch needle.
Jabari's stomach dropped.
But what really made his skin crawl was the crackling purple sparks of electricity flickering along its length.
Jabari immediately took a step back. "What do you intend to do with that?"
Aziz smiled innocently.
"Oh, nothing much. Just stick it in your corpus callosum."
"…My cor-what now?!"
"The part of your brain that-"
"You want to pierce my brain with that?!" Jabari stared at him as if he had lost his mind. "Are you insane?!"
Aziz stroked his chin, looking up at the ceiling as though deep in thought.
"What was it you called me again?" he mused. "Oh yeah…
That was it…
A sadistic old fart!"
Jabari's expression instantly changed. "No, no! I called you a wise young saint!"
Aziz smirked. "Then, as your wise mentor, you should probably listen to my advice."
Jabari opened his mouth to protest-
But all he saw was Aziz flick his wrist.
And then-
Pain.
A wave of agonyripped through his body.
Before he could even process what had happened, his vision blurred-
And in the next instant, he collapsed onto the floor of the training hall.
He twitched, struggling to breathe as his entire body pulsed with residual shocks.
Aziz, entirely unbothered, crouched beside him.
"The brain is incredible," he said conversationally. "It controls every action the body makes. But what most people don't realise is that whether they're walking, running, or even lying down, they subconsciously engage unnecessary muscles, wasting energy without even realising it."
Aziz tapped the needle lightly. "This little tool reads your brainwaves to detect what action you're trying to perform.
"Every three seconds, it sends an electric shock through every muscle in your body.
"The only way to stop the pain? Learn to adapt – until you're using only the muscles necessary for that action."
Jabari twitched violently as another shock tore through him.
"Right now," Aziz continued, "you're lying down, but because you're still engaging unnecessary muscles, you're being zapped every three seconds."
Aziz smirked. "You'll need to test and adjust until you're able to lie down without triggering the shocks."
Another surge of electricity crackled through Jabari's body, making his limbs spasm.
"The best part?" Aziz added. "These shocks also function as Electrical Muscle Stimulation.
"So, while you suffer, every muscle in your body is being tempered simultaneously.
Nailing two birds with one stone."
Jabari's body convulsed again as another jolt tore through him.
Between shocks, his lips moved slightly as he muttered something under his breath.
Aziz cocked his head. "Hmm? What was that? Speak louder."
Jabari barely managed to turn his head, glaring directly into his mentor's crimson eyes.
Through gritted teeth, he growled.
"You…
Are…
A…
SADISTIC OLD BASTARD!"
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