The morning air was crisp, but the grand courtyard of the mansion was already heating up with the start of training. Marito called Rio aside while Gyau and Kawsoki were still relaxing in the hot spring.
"Rio, come here for a moment," Marito called out. "I'm going to teach you how to utilize Air. Once you master this, you'll be able to effectively contain and control the power of Lord Shizen within you. Not only that, but your ability to sense other Lord Shizen energy signatures will become far more acute."
Rio approached, his heart racing with anticipation. "I'm a complete beginner, though. Where do I even start?"
Marito gave a simple, knowing smile. "It's easier than you think. First, sit still for a while. Then, I want you to sprint back and forth across this field until you're exhausted. Once you're out of breath, sit back down and reflect."
Rio blinked, confused. "Why do I have to do all that?"
"Because only when your physical stamina is depleted can you truly tap into your Air," Marito explained. "Of course, just being tired doesn't mean you'll instantly know how to use it, but it's the necessary first step. Now go. Come back to me when you're soaked in sweat."
Just then, Gyau came rushing out of the hot springs, practically throwing himself at Marito's feet. "Teach me too, Marito-san! Please, I beg of you!"
Marito raised an eyebrow. "I thought you were just along for the journey?"
"That's true, but I feel like my life is in danger!" Gyau pleaded, eyes wide. "According to what Anne-ma said about those two from last night, they aren't dead. Since I was the one who helped find the candles, what if they come back to haunt me out of spite? I need to be able to protect myself! Please!"
Marito chuckled at Gyau's desperation. "Alright, alright. You can join them."
"Tysm!" Gyau cheered, his energy returning instantly.
Before long, Rio, Kawsoki, and Gyau were all sprinting across the field under the morning sun. Gyau, fueled by a sudden burst of competitive spirit, surged ahead of the others, shouting back over his shoulder.
"I'm going to become a powerhouse! Just you watch! I'm going to master Air before any of you!"
He continued to run laps at full speed, determined to wring every drop of sweat from his body to unlock the secrets of Air.The three of them were completely spent, their clothes clinging to their bodies, soaked with sweat. Gyau, being the most enthusiastic, stumbled toward Marito, gasping for air.
"Marito-san... I'm... I'm drenched," Gyau wheezed. "My energy is completely gone. What's the next step? Tell me!"
Marito looked at Gyau from head to toe and casually pinched his nose with two fingers. "Go take a shower."
Gyau's eyes nearly popped out of his skull. "What?! But you just said I could only use AIR when my stamina was depleted!"
Marito gave a nonchalant shrug. "Oh, that? I was just talking nonsense to see if you remembered how I taught you before. Besides, you guys reek. You're stinking up the whole courtyard. Go. Wash up. Now."
Rio, suppressing a smirk as he headed for the bath, asked, "Where's Anne, by the way?"
"She headed up to the mountain," Marito replied shortly.
Once everyone had bathed and returned, refreshed but curious, Marito's demeanor shifted. The playful glint in his eyes vanished, replaced by the aura of a seasoned master. He signaled for the three friends to sit in front of him.
"Alright, listen up. I'm going to explain this clearly. AIR is an energy that remains invisible to those who do not possess it. They can only see it if we intentionally allow them to. With AIR, you can harden your body beyond the strength of steel and exert absolute control over other energy forms."
As he spoke, Marito picked up a plain, flimsy piece of paper from a nearby table. "The first thing you must master is Focus. Let me show you what true focus looks like."
Marito held the paper between two fingers. For a split second, the air around his hand seemed to warp and vibrate with suppressed power. With a casual flick of his wrist, he launched the paper toward a solid brick wall.
"BOOM!"
The paper hit the wall with the force of a cannonball, blasting a massive, jagged hole right through the masonry.
"Whoa! That was insane!" Gyau shouted, his jaw dropping in disbelief.
"That is the power of consolidating AIR into a solid form," Marito said calmly. "Turning a soft piece of paper into a blade sharper than any sword is the very foundation of AIR. Now, it's your turn to try and replicate that focus."