Chapter 21 - Training

Andric had reincarnated with the knowledge of a supremely powerful magician. He used his expertise to analyze the martial system and find ways to exploit it. Farvald, on the other hand, was just an ordinary town youth. Despite his limited resources, he had fought hundreds of times with the members of his town. He had opened his first meridian by chance and continued to practice martial arts, mastering his mortal techniques even when others would’ve paused their training to cultivate diligently.

After their fight, they went back inside the tavern. Andric sat at his table, quickly finishing his meal and ordering more. He had noticed that ingested food could be converted to spirit energy much faster than absorbing it from the atmosphere. While this energy couldn't increase his martial stage, it was great for healing.

Having reached the Novice realm, Andric discovered a few things about the martial way. He could now sense the realm of martialists who were at his level or below. When he fought Farvald, his danger senses told him Farvald was in the early stages of the Human realm. However, with Farvald’s uncle, he could only tell that he was somewhere in the Novice realm.

Andric also realized his body could generate spirit energy. While he might have generated some at the Human realm, it was now noticeable at the Novice realm. This generated spirit energy couldn't be used to advance his stage or realm, but it slowly filled him even without meditating. The limit on how much spirit energy he could hold could only be increased through diligent practice.

After eating, Andric found a secluded area outside to practice his Burning Palm. Standing next to a tree, he circulated his spirit energy and thrust his palm at the trunk. His strike cracked the bark and left a charred mark. Practicing the Burning Palm Technique for several weeks had allowed him to use it almost freely, and his insights from fighting Farvald had enabled him to unleash its full power. He quickly circled the tree, throwing multiple Burning Palms and leaving black marks wherever he hit.

Mastering the first rank of the Burning Palm Technique meant he was ready to move on to the second rank, followed by the Flaming Fist Technique. The second rank of the Burning Palm Technique required more spirit energy and a specific form. While the first rank was versatile, the second rank could only be used with a straight hand. As martial techniques increased in rank, they became more rigid, limiting their use. The first rank only used wrist muscles, while the second rank required specific hand and wrist muscles, making it more powerful but less flexible.

Andric practiced the first rank a few more times before reviewing the second rank in his technique book. Confident he could master the new muscle movements within a few days, he continued practicing. Less than a week later, he could perform the second rank, capable of lighting bark on fire. Although stiffer than the first rank, none of his accuracy, speed, or power was affected. The technique's strength lay in its burning temperature, which increased with each rank.

Next, Andric read the first rank of the Flaming Fist Technique. Similar to the Burning Palm, it covered the user's knuckles with fire, making it less surprising but stronger offensively. Using both techniques together would significantly increase their power. After a few days, he mastered the first rank of the Flaming Fist Technique, memorizing the chant, muscle formation, and spirit energy movement.

During this time, Andric also reached the second stage of the Novice realm. While most of his energy had gone towards mastering techniques, the increase in his martial stage was a welcome surprise. His spirit energy's strength had increased, even if it wasn't as dramatic as advancing from the Human realm to the Novice realm.

With two techniques mastered, Andric turned to the Silent Gallop Technique. Although a movement-type martial technique, he believed its greatest use was moving silently. After ten steps, he was pleased that none of his landings made a sound, even on grass. The second rank allowed for longer steps but limited vertical movement.

To compensate for this, Andric found the Heaven Charging Spring Technique, which increased his jump height by about five feet. Mastering the first rank allowed him to jump fifteen feet, and he decided to work on the second rank. Despite the technique's limitations in combat, the extra height was useful for leaping over small buildings and into trees.

After mastering the second rank of the Heaven Charging Spring Technique, Andric practiced using multiple techniques simultaneously. This was no different from using two spells at once, something he had done for hundreds of years. With the Silent Gallop Technique in his legs and the Flaming Fist Technique in his arms, he dashed through a barren field, throwing punches and watching flames trail from his knuckles.