161 A warrior's growth (2)
Suddenly, Warrior Jean paused, his demeanour suggesting he awaited their questions. Promptly, Grim raised his hand into the air, seeking clarification, and asked, “And how will we recognize when we have reached our limit and are prepared to form our first container?” Acknowledging Grim’s question with a nod, Warrior Jean replied, “You will know that you have reached your limit in the same way you understand that your stomach is full and you can no longer continue to eat. It is an instinctive feeling. When your body communicates to you at that moment, you must listen and refrain from consuming any more Vylkr energy.”
After Warrior Jean concluded his speech, Orion raised his hand, eager to pose his own question. Only when he received a nod of recognition from the warrior did he proceed, “What if we want to form another container once we reach our next limit?”
Warrior Jean’s smile widened, gratified by the attentive audience before him. Their inquisitive nature prompted him to provide a more comprehensive explanation. “A warrior with a three-star potential can reach their limit three times, forming three containers in total. When you reach the first limit, you have the choice to form a container using your heart. If you decide to do so, then for the second container, you can opt for your brain to break through the second limit. However, if you wish to maximize the benefits of your first container, you can still use your heart as a second container. The same applies to the next limit, enabling you to reach your full potential and unlock the limits of your inner strength as a warrior.”
His gaze shifted to Tala, focusing on her intently. “For warriors with a four-star potential, you have the option to continue until you reach your final limit and attain your full potential. The decision of which container to use, whether to focus on one and reap its extreme benefits or alternate between the two for maximum gains, is entirely up to you. However, it’s crucial to be cautious when choosing a container because once the decision is made, it cannot be changed or undone.”
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Orion and the others nodded in understanding as Warrior Jean had effectively conveyed the information to them all. Simultaneously, Orion couldn’t help but release a tired internal sigh when he contemplated how sceptical some individuals, particularly the other warriors, were about his awakened six-star potential for inner strength. Their doubts were not unfounded, because if such a feat were possible, it meant they had only scratched the surface with their own potential. Now, with his presence, they had the opportunity to witness his remarkable growth and observe the stark contrast between their abilities and his. However, beneath the surface, Orion felt a hint of weariness. Every step he took forward had to be meticulously chosen, now knowing the true reason behind the special attention he received.
And as for the mysterious form Fiona had chosen to intimidate him with earlier that day, Orion was filled with curiosity and anticipation. He couldn’t wait to discover what it was, firmly believing that Warrior Jean had deliberately withheld the information because they weren’t yet prepared to comprehend its nature.
“Alright, that’s all for today…” Warrior Jean’s voice broke the silence, prompting the group’s attention. He cleared his throat before continuing, “The Vylkr vines will soon arrive, so you can begin clearing them.” With those words, he turned on his heel and strode several paces forward. Finally, he settled on a lifeless blackened tree bark, reclining against it as he made himself comfortable.
Sensing that the moment had arrived for their true training to commence, the group pivoted on their heels and advanced a few steps forward. However, they halted their progress, grounding their toes into the lifeless, ashen soil to steady themselves. A visible tension permeated the air, amplified by their collective silence.
However, Grim cleared his throat and broke the silence, “I think we need a plan, guys.” Yet, before the words could fully settle, Tala swiftly interjected, her voice resolute, “We don’t.” She paused momentarily, then continued, “Let’s familiarize ourselves with clearing and destroying the Vylkr vines on our own first. We can devise a plan later. Relying too heavily on one another now would breed unnecessary dependence, which is not ideal for warriors. We should first discover our individual limits before looking for ways to compensate them by uniting our strengths.”
As Tala’s words resonated in Orion’s mind, he found himself discreetly nodding in agreement. Despite their inexperience, her logic rang true. It appeared that the others felt the same, as Grim began to respond with a sigh, “You are ri…” His sentence was abruptly cut short by a sudden tremor that rumbled beneath their feet.
Silently, they locked eyes and witnessed a horde of Vylkr vines emerging before them. The vines advanced relentlessly, closing the distance with alarming speed. At that moment, their grip tightened around their daggers, the weight of their impending challenge sinking in.
Suddenly, Orion’s attention was captured by Grim’s astonishing transformation. However, something seemed amiss this time. Instead of sprouting wings as his body underwent a rapid metamorphosis, Orion witnessed Grim being engulfed by scales. His arms vanished into his body while a pair of magnificent, radiant wings burst forth, stretching an impressive four meters in length.
Simultaneously, his legs fused together, until in a blink of an eye, all that remained was a magnificent serpent, around ten meters long, adorned with a mesmerizing blend of black and silver hues. With its tail still able to brush the ground, the serpent’s mouth opened, revealing two menacing fangs above and three below, emitting a harsh hiss. In a swift motion, the serpent lunged ferociously towards the encroaching Vylkr vine.