The sounds of spoons clashing against plates fill the place. Six tables... three on each side in a room slightly smaller than average. Murmurs and unintelligible chatter dominate the atmosphere. Here, razin and his friends are discussing their matters..
"Can you tell me more about the thoughts you were having?" verina directed these words at razin... while drinking pure water, "I still don't understand it to be honest," said razin, and continued, "I was getting thoughts like 'I lost to verina, will I lose to tark too?' and these thoughts kept echoing in my mind... so many things were running through my head at that moment that I started to suppress myself hoping those thoughts would go away," verina heard these thoughts and was upset but expected something like this to happen.
"It seems you haven't completely overcome these thoughts... and the activation of my energy core awakened them strongly again, that's natural, it's impossible to overcome your own jealousy with just one conversation I gave you, so don't worry," said verina calmly while taking a bite of her food. "Yes, true... the internal thoughts of the human self... very evil... not easy to overcome," said tark supporting verina with a sharp tone. Both of them agreed on the same thing... razin also didn't see their words as wrong. He already realized this when verina helped him before... but, his feeling is different this time. He doesn't feel jealous at all... and he doesn't feel that the voice he was hearing inside his head came from the depths of his heart. "I know what you mean... I totally understand both of you... but... I really don't feel any of what I heard from within me... I don't feel jealous... and I don't want to compete with tark... yes... I'm really not convinced by all these thoughts... and I'm honest with myself... I'm not trying to convince myself of anything... no... the truth is I really don't feel like the words going through my mind are true," razin replied to them seriously while ignoring his food. "But how can that be? These are thoughts in your mind... are you really not convinced by them? Is that the truth, razin?" said tark.
"Yes... I'm very serious about what I'm saying... I really don't feel that the words are true... and I don't feel any desire to compete with either of you... I was truly very, very happy when verina successfully activated her energy core, I don't know what these bad thoughts were that came to me... but they really don't represent my true thoughts," said razin firmly... but he was worried. "Hmm... could it be something like manipulation?" said tark in a puzzled tone... "Someone manipulating your mind or something like that... or someone controlling your thoughts from the inside?" tark wondered while looking at the two of them. "...That's unrealistic... I don't think something like that is possible," verina replied quickly to tark, seriously. "Why?" tark and verina began to debate the matter while razin looked at them.
"True, techniques are generally linked to learning... and we still haven't learned much about them, but in my opinion... I think techniques are linked to materializing things. Not long ago I read a book from the library with a simple explanation of the technique system. It talked in general about basic techniques and some general stuff," said verina.
She took a break to drink water and continued while the two listened attentively. "The common link between all the basic techniques is that they deal with things materially... all the basic techniques interact physically with things. Of course, I have no knowledge of advanced techniques... but based on this pattern... I don't think techniques allow something like mental manipulation... there's no hint of such a thing. Also... techniques rely completely on imagination and understanding. I don't know if anyone could imagine a way to control someone else mentally... and if there is, he's a rare genius... and I don't think he met razin or even knows about him," said verina seriously while eating her food.
"Your words make a lot of sense... but... razin insisted that he's not convinced by these thoughts... so... what's happening with him then?" tark wondered, putting his hand on his chin. razin spoke, "I see that verina's words were logical... but at the same time, I'm surprised that you two thought something was controlling me... your imagination is really wide... but... I can't say anything... I see your thinking is logical... there's no good explanation."
"Maybe it's not mental control, but there could be something else... like a specific external force affecting razin's thoughts partially. It wouldn't be an individual's action... but rather the action of the whole world," said verina with complete seriousness while staring at razin. "An external force?... That's really strange... I feel like this is starting to get annoying because I don't understand what's going on... I don't like dealing with things I don't understand... it really irritates me and pushes me strongly to try to uncover its secret... but I still have a long way to go before thinking of something deep and dangerous like trying to uncover the world," said razin with a slightly annoyed tone.
"What do you think about changing the subject?... It seems these thoughts haven't come back to razin since they happened... maybe it was a temporary effect of my energy core activation or something like that," said verina trying to change the subject so they could enjoy their time more. "Yes, good idea." "I agree." The two agreed to change the subject and began discussing many things afterward and enjoyed their food. "Verina!... Can you tell us about your experience with energy core activation!" said razin excitedly... wanting to know more about verina's experience!
"You did something amazing when you finished... suddenly a strong wave of wind came and knocked us all down!" said razin with great excitement. "Really?!... When that happened I was very tired... maybe I would have boasted about it in front of everyone if I had been in better condition at the time," verina smiled mischievously. "You're so arrogant," tark said jokingly. "Yes, I am Alethiarian as you know," verina laughed and the two laughed with her words.
"How was the feeling... you struggled a little... you spat blood... was it difficult?" razin asked curiously. "Hmm... yes... maintaining that state for one minute is not easy at all... because you have to maintain the balance of your heart's beat... and the blood that flows from and to it... and you have to consider your brain because it needs blood... and pass blood to your energy core... the normal blood in the human body isn't enough to provide all these organs equally and naturally... so trying to do all this at once makes all organs receive less blood than usual... and that's the exhausting part... and the difficulty is maintaining the balance between everything," verina explained very seriously.
"If verina struggled with it, that means everyone else will struggle even more too," tark said commenting on her words. "Yes, true," razin supported his words. "I believe that everyone who tries... will succeed... all it takes is trust and patience," said verina optimistically and encouragingly... everyone smiled.
They continued their conversation about various topics that came to their minds... and finished their plates... about an hour passed. "Verina, how do you feel after activating your energy core?... Is it different?" asked tark curiously. "I don't feel much difference... but I feel the energy focusing in my energy core... that's the only different feeling, but it's not annoying... in fact, I got used to it after just a few minutes," verina replied quickly. "Amazing... verina, do you feel like you can perform a technique or something like that?" asked razin curiously. "Hmm... it's not easy... I have to learn the techniques before trying to perform them... also, I think my core's current size is very small... so if I could do a technique it would be very weak... but..." verina said, explaining to razin.
"Verina... what about the launching technique?... When the teacher explained it, he said it's a technique that depends on breathing... or something like that. So it's not like summoning... you don't need to understand anything to perform it... I think... all you need is to control your arteries, right?... and you're already good at that," said razin excitedly to verina. "Ah... yes, maybe you're right! And also it won't be very weak as long as it's a launching technique, right?... Maybe it won't be very powerful for many reasons... but at least we'll be able to feel it," said verina excitedly. "So what do you think?! ...Will you show us outside?" asked razin, very excited. "Alright, alright, I'll show you," said verina smugly but jokingly.
They all left the restaurant and stood in a slightly empty area... they placed a log in front of verina to try it out.
Verina readied herself and closed her eyes, focusing on directing the energy toward her right arm... she extended only her right arm toward the log and shut her eyes. She imagined the energy flowing from her small energy core through the core arteries to her hand... her expression calm and focused.
Moments later, she opened her eyes, "Release," Verina raised her voice. As soon as she finished the word, she released a medium-strength burst of air toward the log, knocking it over. "Amazing, amazing!" "Wow!" Tark and Razin were astonished, and Verina was thrilled because she was the one who did it. It was her first time using a technique! "This really feels great!.. I finally used a technique!.. I feel like all my effort paid off!" Verina said enthusiastically. "You're amazing, Verina!!" Razin replied with excitement. "You both have to give it your all and activate your energy cores so we can compete with techniques, okay?" Verina said, encouraging them both. "Yes," "Of course," Razin and Tark both agreed eagerly.
"It was truly a great night," said Razin. "Yes, I agree," the two responded to Razin's words. Everyone had a great time, enjoying themselves and discussing everything on their minds. That conversation strengthened the bond between Tark and the other two.
They arrived together at the dorm building, with the wind gently pushing them... they stopped in front of the building's door. Each of them would head to their own room now to end the day.
They parted ways after saying "See you tomorrow," and each went to their own room.
— In the middle of the night... it was a quiet night with a soft breeze. The cold air filled the place. It was an ideal night for Razin after the time he had spent with his friends, so he decided to continue his excellent progress toward activating his core. He had completed two steps in two days… all that remained were two more steps.
He closed his eyes and began to focus... imagining his heart. "All I have to do is reduce the blood filling the heart area… not too much, of course." Razin focused, closed his eyes, and inhaled and exhaled slowly. Suddenly, his concentration was broken. "Do you really think training matters after you failed in front of her... loser… you've already lost." These inner voices cut Razin's focus again... the echo of the voices in his head grew louder...
The echo rose more and more... the words tormenting Razin grew stronger in his mind. He didn't understand what was happening or why these words existed. "What is really happening here! I can't concentrate!... Ahh it hurts, it hurts, it hurts!" Razin went mad from it and started moving around wildly in his room. "Stop please! Stop!" He hit his head on the table... the pain grew. "Why is this voice coming from the depths of my soul?.. Why? This isn't me!.. Was Tark right?.. But why… and how! This is really driving me insane, what is happening!!" Razin began pulling and tearing at his hair in agony. "Weak." "Loser." "No!! I'm not!! Like that!!" Razin started screaming. "I wish my friends well, you scum inside me!!" Razin stopped moving… he lost hope… he wouldn't be able to complete the third step today.
Razin sat on his bed, his spirit empty. "This is really annoying... I can't!... Why did the voices come back now, of all times?" Razin thought to himself... despite the escalating thoughts in his mind and the pain. "These aren't my thoughts, I'm sure!.. But... how? If they're not mine, does that mean they belong to someone else? But... how? Can techniques really do something like this? Also, if someone is doing this… why me? Is it because of my beat?!" Razin continued wearily, "This beat has really worn me out. I haven't benefited from it at all so far… all it brings me is pressure and madness!" Razin was clearly very upset… his patience had run out.
"I can't progress like this… if this thing keeps showing up, it's a problem," Razin said while sighing. "I'm sure these thoughts aren't mine… and I don't care about the words they say… they won't trick me into returning to competition… but… they're distracting me. I can't focus or make progress if they keep showing up every time I train." Thunder roared in the background. "Thunder?.. Is it raining?" Razin looked out of his room window into the dark sky. "No… no rain… thunder without rain? That's not normal, right?.. It doesn't happen often." Razin returned to his bed and lay down calmly. "Maybe I should rest today... I'll discuss this problem with my friends tomorrow and find a way to fix it."
"I didn't succeed today… but I think that's not a big deal," said Tark.
After a training session and some focus, Tark didn't manage to pass the second step, but he wasn't upset. He knew the average for normal humans was much longer than that, so he was still in the safe zone. "I wonder what Razin and Verina are doing now," Tark said curiously as he washed his hands and face. "I really got lucky with two amazing friends," Tark smiled. "They helped me a lot... especially Verina. I feel much better now and with a clearer mind… I have no worries… I'm confident I'll complete all the steps in the end as long as I have friends like them." While smiling, a memory flashed in his mind that changed his expression. "Wait for me, sister… I won't let Father do anything to you." Tark sighed and laid on his bed to sleep. "It was a great day!"
"I feel empty now… I should ask the professor what I should do," said Verina as she sighed, getting ready for bed. Verina felt like she didn't have anything specific to do… she had completed her energy core activation very early… and more than three weeks remained until the professor's deadline expired.
"The professor will probably wait until the end of the month before starting the next step… that's really boring," Verina sighed in frustration. "I don't want to sit around doing nothing all this time… maybe… I should learn something on my own?.." she said while placing her hand on her chin and playfully circling her legs on the bed. "Hmm... can I learn the basic techniques just from library books, I wonder? Maybe I should try and research it tomorrow," Verina said, convinced by her own words. She immediately shifted her thoughts. "Hmm... I wonder what's happening with Razin…" her expression softened. "Will that thing come back again? I hope not… Razin is doing his best to suppress his negative thoughts," Verina smiled.
Verina closed her eyes at the same moment Tark and Razin did… they all fell asleep peacefully… each in their own room.
— The morning of the ninth day since the techniques lecture arrived... the weather was mild, neither cloudy nor hot… just perfectly balanced.
Razin closed his room's door… left the dorm building heading toward the main building… crossing the garden and the school's large yards. He stopped by the cafeteria and grabbed a light meal before continuing on his way… eating as he walked. On the way, he ran into Verina and Tark, who both seemed very cheerful despite what had happened the night before.
"Did you see the news?" Tark asked curiously. "Yes, yes!" Verina replied enthusiastically. Razin looked at them in confusion. "What happened?.. What news?" Razin asked with curiosity. "Hmm… so you really don't know?" Tark said with surprise. "No, no, tell me!" Razin became excited, clenching his fists. "The school will hold friendly matches between the second and third-year students," Tark said excitedly. "Hmm… nothing for us? First-year students?" Razin said, disappointed. "Maybe not now… we're still new at the school and not everyone has activated their cores yet… but I believe there will definitely be events for us later," Verina explained to Razin.
"By the way, Verina, what are you going to do now?" Razin asked curiously while looking into her eyes with a serious but gentle gaze. "...I'll ask the professor about it during today's meeting," Verina replied.
The meeting time came, and they headed to the hall… they sat, and it was a usual meeting… just a session to ask questions and so on… of course, there was no progress from any students today. Verina began to worry since Razin had made no progress either… the issue they discussed the night before had returned… but she didn't give it too much thought. Just before the lecture ended, Verina, sitting beside Razin, spoke while Razin was watching her.
"Professor… well, you know… I've completed activating my core, and there are still three weeks left until the end of the month… so… what should I do during that time?"
"Hmm… that's a good question… usually students don't activate their cores this early, so it's not a common issue… but you're special. Hmm... I advise you to read the library books until we move to the next phase… they'll benefit you a lot… and if you study them seriously, you might even be able to use some basic techniques because of it…" the professor replied seriously. "Really?.. That's great! Thank you, sir!" Verina said formally. "Don't mention it… well done. You're truly an outstanding student," the professor praised her. Verina smiled… and Razin smiled too, because it made him happy to see his friend being recognized.
"Also… since you've already activated your energy core… I'll tell you all something important, so pay attention," the professor said seriously, catching everyone's attention. "Verina… you've already succeeded in activating your core… and we've already seen your second beat. This phenomenon happens during the first activation of your core."
"The first?.. What does he mean?" Verina wondered in her thoughts.
"Yes, just as you heard… the first. Okay… when you activate the core… you're essentially filling it with fuel… which means this fuel runs out from time to time," the professor said. Everyone was surprised, and Verina became curious. "On average… and this depends on the core's size… the fuel runs out about once a week. By the way, the fuel is blood, as you know… that's basic," the professor continued. "On average… the fuel runs out once a week… and when it does… the energy core becomes dormant again. To reactivate it, you need to repeat the activation ritual you did yesterday," the professor explained to all the students.
"Seriously… how exhausting… I have to do all that again every week?!" Verina said with mild fear and frustration.
"You won't release another air wave… that only happens during the first activation… don't ask me why, we only know the basics about techniques," the professor said jokingly and a bit sarcastically.
"Also, don't worry… practicing core activation every week makes it much easier over time… you might struggle the first time, but if you succeed, that's a good sign… most likely you won't suffer much in future activations," the professor encouraged the students.
This was interesting information for everyone… especially for Verina… which meant she would need to reactivate her core again in about six days. But her confidence was high, so she wasn't too worried.
The meeting ended, and Verina split from Razin and Tark. "I'll go to the library… I want to read more about techniques," Verina told her friends. "Alright then… once you're done, I want to discuss something with you," Razin replied.
They all parted ways… Razin went with Tark to the garden, and Verina headed to the library. Razin and Tark talked casually about normal things that young friends would say. Meanwhile, Verina picked up a book about basic techniques and started reading… maybe it wasn't as easy or useful as expected… but she read it anyway.
Verina looked around… the library was full, and almost all the students were older than her. The place was quiet, and everyone was focused on their books.
She read the first ten pages of the Basic Techniques book… so far, the book was very general. It hadn't gone into detail about anything… the first ten pages were just an introduction… but Verina hadn't expected much more.
Razin told Tark about it… the issue had returned again. He said that when he decided to start training, the voices returned inside his mind… Tark became very worried and insisted that they go discuss the matter with Verina.
Tark and Razin headed to the library… searching for Verina to bring her with them… the library door opened, and Verina glanced at it naturally… but then she saw the red and black-haired boys… they were gesturing for her to come with them… so she got slightly worried… she thought something bad might have happened.
But at the same time, their expressions were relaxed, so she didn't worry too much and changed her expression to a smile after realizing the situation in just a few seconds.
"Verina… the same problem… it came back again…"