The next day Ben went to the facility again for training. He wanted to check his progress and correct any errors. He went to the apparatus and it started scanning the 'Script Masks' on both the inscriptions. In a few minutes it displayed the results. " Congratulations you have completed 90% of the 'Script Mask' successfully masking the energy output by about 95%. The next 5% can be achieved without the use of this facility." Ben was taken aback. He was expecting to complete the technique in another 3-4 days. But took him barely a day. He wanted to make some clarifications regarding the rest of the time he had in the facility. So he went to the concerned office.
Catherine was there today as well. She saw Ben. She smiled at him. She knew that the Hughell corporation had eyes on him and that he could be a potential celebrity in the future. Hence, she had to show courtesy. Ben also smiled back.
Ben: "Good morning Ms. Catherine. How are you?
Catherine: Good morning, Ben. I am good. How was your training? Do you feel stumped?
Ben: Well actually I have gone to the 90% mark of the 'Script Mask'. So I was going to ask you about the remaining time I have in the training room.
Catherine: You hit the 90% mark in 1 day?
Ben: Yeah, after all I am a Shamanic meridian wieldier.
Catherine: Oh yeah!! I forgot about that. Still 1 day is a pretty good time even for a Shamanic meridian person. Good for you.
Ben: Thanks. The thing I wanted to ask about, the remaining time I have in the use of the training chamber.
Catherine: Yes, that can be adjusted, no worries. But it can only be kept apart for 30 days, after which it will expire.
Ben: I am planning to look for another technique as well.
Catherine: Ok, that's good. Go ahead. See you.
Ben: Thanks for the clarification. See you."
Ben soon immersed himself in the techniques. 'Next, I need one technique for attacking. It should be sustainable for using for long time. That is the aura expenditure should be efficient relative to the damage done by the technique and it should be able to by pass defenses effectively. That is a tall order for techniques. But I need to check. I can put the criteria in this. I only have a little over 7 million now. I have to be prudent.' Thinking this Ben began to search through the repository.
There were preparatory techniques where the technique stored aura or materials in the body which was released when necessary. There were techniques where the aura was given different properties through various ways. As fascinating as they were, many of them could not be practiced by Ben due to the neutral nature of his aura.
As he was wading through all these, he found one. 'Impact Pulse'- That was the name of the technique. It was a technique suited for neutral aura wielders. Some thing which had to do with delivering high speed long ranged punches.
Ben decided to take it. But when he saw its price he was horrified: 'What?!!! It is 5 million mudras. What kind of techniques is it?'
He asked the question on the device and it gave the explanation: " This is a technique that is compatible with various types of meridian seeds and can even be taught to companion beasts of beast masters. It also can be scaled up across multiple realms through one's effort with consistent training and hence the high cost."
Ben began to think 'If I purchase this technique, my savings will come down to about 2 million. Then I can barely buy a defensive technique. On the other hand, I haven't found a proper technique for offense that is this compatible with me. But a technique that can be scaled up is really important. Some that has a long range, I really could use that. They have also said it has 3 levels and the last level can bypass certain defenses. That is also important. Well, before I purchase, let me look through the defensive category and then I will decide.'
So Ben began to look through the defensive techniques. There were some techniques in the Shamanic variety. But the did not want to create 'Script mask' again. ' I am going to have to expand the script mask for my Shamanic script lot of times. I will avoid the Shamanic type for the time being. That leaves me with the techniques for neutral aura or techniques which require external resources. Well I will stick with the neutral techniques.'
He searched through the repository for a while. After quite some time, he did find a technique. It was something which he had seen previously. It was named 'Humming Shirt'. " Humming shirt is a defensive technique which passes aura through the dermis layer of the skin. This aura will be vibrating at different frequencies depending on the part of the body. A thin layer of aura is also used outside of the body and this reinforces the technique overall."
Ben contemplated, 'This is a low level technique that utilizes the primary meridians. The techniques which utilizes the secondary and penetrated meridians are much more complicated and require more payments and also mastery over the first level. But I only need this technique. I can use the manifestation of Aether Lupis technique along with this for further defense. And the cost for this is 1 million mudras. That is good for the budget as well. Haa…. I will only have 1 million left in my account after the training. That is only if I am able to master the techniques properly. Any way, I will purchase both the techniques. I have 39 hours remaining. I will try to learn as much as possible and if it is required, I purchase further time in the chamber.'
Ben decided to purchase both the techniques first and did the same, bring his balance to 1 million mudras. He called his parent to tell them that he would be spending more time in his training.
He also informed his friends as well as Mahaansh. He was reminded by Mahaansh that the mission for the final year will be issued in another 3 months and that he should be mindful of the time. Ben also asked if there were some learning opportunities. Mahaansh assured him that he would inform Ben if such an opportunity came.
After taking care of these matters, Ben decided to immerse himself in training. He first decided to train in the offensive technique- ' Impact Pulse'. This was because it was the most difficult technique and he could see how much time he would need to master it and adjust time accordingly.