Morning came with the smell of miso soup and burning purification herbs.Kial barely had time to stretch before a paper charm slapped onto his forehead.
"OW—!?"He stumbled back, chi crackling instinctively.
Seiko Ayase stood in front of him with her usual calm expression."Good. Your reflexes respond naturally. We'll sharpen them."
Momo crossed her arms. "Grandma, go easy on him. He literally fought a monster last night."
Seiko raised a brow. "And you think the next one will be polite enough to wait until he's rested?"
Kial groaned. "…Fair."
Training Session 1 — Psychic Pressure
They moved to the yard. Momo cracked her neck, eyes glowing faintly as telekinetic force swirled around her.
"First test," she said. "Stay standing."
A sudden invisible wave slammed into Kial like a truck. He dug his heels into the dirt, chi flaring around his arms.
"—ngh! You're strong!"
"This is barely 30%," Momo replied casually.
She increased the pressure. Kial's knees dipped. Dirt cracked under his feet.
"Use your chi to stabilize your stance," Seiko called out. "Not to overpower her — to endure."
Kial growled, letting the golden energy flow into his legs, anchoring himself deep into the ground.
The next wave hit.He didn't fall.
Momo blinked. "Not bad."
Training Session 2 — Turbo Speed Adaptation
Okarun crouched low, Turbo Granny energy sparking across his limbs… and then he vanished in a blur.
Kial barely saw him before—
WHAM!A controlled tap to Kial's shoulder spun him around.
"Dude—! Warn me!"
"I just did," Okarun smirked, already gone again.
He shot from wall to wall, speed bending leaves and kicking dust spirals into the air. No light trails, no blasts — just pure, terrifying velocity.
"Kial," Seiko said, "your task is simple:Touch him once."
Kial braced himself, chi sharpening his senses.
Okarun zipped behind him—Kial whipped around—Missed by inches.
"Tch…!"
"Come on!" Okarun teased as he darted overhead. "You're not slow — but you're not Turbo Grandma slow."
Kial inhaled sharply and shifted his chi to his perception, enhancing focus, narrowing everything to the sound of Okarun's footsteps and the air displacement—
There!
Kial's hand shot out—His fingertips brushed Okarun's sleeve—
TAG.
Okarun froze mid-step, eyes wide. "No way…!"
Momo whistled. "Okay that was actually sick."
Training Session 3 — Spirit Techniques
Inside the house, Seiko lit incense and placed salt circles on the floor.
"Sit," she said.
Kial sat.
Seiko placed a talisman on his wrist. It glowed faintly.
"This charm detects negative energy. The hybrid creature emits it constantly. You must learn to sense it — without relying on sight or sound."
She blew out the candle.
Darkness.
Kial closed his eyes.
At first he sensed nothing… then, slowly, the talisman pulsed, reacting to Seiko's controlled release of corrupted aura from an old, sealed artifact.
Kial's skin tingled.Then burned.Then froze.
He grit his teeth. "It's… cold and heavy at the same time…"
Seiko smiled faintly. "Good. Chi users are supposed to be attuned to both life energy and spiritual corruption."
She intensified the aura.Kial's chi flickered like a flame in a storm.
Momo put a hand on his shoulder. "Don't force it. Feel it."
His breathing steadied.The chi stabilized.
Seiko nodded. "You'll need this sensitivity. That hybrid hasn't left the city… And it's not alone."
Kial's eyes snapped open.
"What do you mean — not alone?"
Seiko gathered the talismans, her expression grave.
"That creature was a scout. Something larger is coming."
Okarun's smile faded. "You mean… like an army?"
Seiko didn't answer.Outside, faint thunder rolled through the sky.
Kial clenched his fists.
Then he stood.
"Good," Seiko said calmly. "You're ready for the next step."