Josec and Harry stood at another portion of the Farm.
"Josec, any ideas on how you're going to improve your abilities?" Harry asked.
"Yup, I've got a few ideas" Josec said with a laugh.
"You do?" Harry asked.
"Yup, I intend to improve all the abilities I've learned so far but I'll focus primarily on developing the Zone Of Absolute Defense and the Elemental Rainbow Dance Of The Fenixes" Josec said.
"That's a pretty good idea" Harry said with a smile.
"You think so?" Josec asked.
Harry nodded.
"I think you should focus on developing the Zone Of Absolute Defense and Elemental Rainbow Dance Of The Fenixes" Harry said.
"Yeah, the reason I've chosen to do this is what the elders of the Phoenix Clan said concerning the Light's Wound Limit Break and how the Elemental Rainbow Dance Of The Fenixes can help us widen the wound inflicted upon Innovain and thus free him from Souryu's control" Josec said.
"You're right. The elders of the Phoenix Clan said we'd need the Elemental Rainbow Dance Of The Fenixes to alter our wavelength to one different from Souryu's for offense and similar to Souryu's for defense" Harry recalled.
"Plus the Zone Of Absolute Defense works around the same principle" Josec added.
"But you know Josec that at our current level of adaptability, we are not able to alter the wavelength of our Psychorage Fusion without inflicting damage on one another right?" Harry said seriously.
"Yeah, and without the ability to utilize varied elements with our Psychorage Fusion, we won't be able to counter Souryu's wide range debilitating terrain alteration abilities. Plus if we chose to deal with the problem solely by relying on Fleur and Jason's healing abilities, the constant cycle of damage and recovery would wear us out giving Souryu the advantage. Basically, our stamina won't last" Josec said.
"If only we could find a way to sync our timing so that the moment at which we alter our wavelength is exactly the same and the wavelength to which our joki is altered is uniform, we could avoid inflicting wounds upon one another" Harry said.
"For now, let's focus on what we can do. Hopefully, the others will have some ideas concerning how we can overcome this hurdle by the time we are done with our training" Josec suggested.
"You're right. We'll be counting on you for defense when that moment comes Josec so for now I'll help you work on developing your defensive capabilities. Fortunately, with my Rune Knight Ver. Omni ability, I am also able to utilise all Seven Elements" Harry said.
"Seven? Mistress Kyla's concept revolved around nine elements. Aren't you a little short on ability?" Josec teased.
"I can utilise Seven Natural Elements, the elements of Water and Ice in Mistress Kyla's concept practically revolve around the elements of Water and Heat. I have no intention of studying or developing the ability to utilise the element of Darkness and the Bane Clan can naturally utilise the Psychic Element thanks to our bond with Hieron. That's Seven Visible Elements, one invisible element minus a limitation I've imposed on myself so contrary to what you are thinking I am not short on ability Josec" Harry said with a laugh.
"Yeah, when you explain things like that, I see where you're coming from" Josec said.
"It's about time we got started" Harry said as he suddenly created a vast number of clones.
"Since you discovered your ability to utilise the Eyes and Wings of the Phoenix and unleashed the legendary Martial Art Of The Fenixes, the Killer Ghost in battle against Gargolem, your battle style has been gradually developing around your ability to create clones via the Killer Ghost Oscillation. You mentioned a restraint that prevents you from improving your ability to utilise the Shield Of Elemental Neutralization by depending solely on the Killer Ghost Oscillation. Fortunately, our abilities are similar. I can match your Elemental Rainbow Dance Of The Fenixes with my Rune Knight Ver. Omni ability and I am also capable of creating clones. I think if we spar with our abilities, the similarities in our abilities would help us comprehend our techniques better" Harry said.
"I think so too" Josec said as he began to multiply via the Killer Ghost Oscillation.
Josec and Harry took their battle stances. They observed each other closely in an attempt to anticipate each other's moves. Then Harry suddenly charged in with his clones. Josec responded by charging in with his oscillations and the two parties began to battle. They began solely with hand to hand combat techniques. Josec's clones matched the movements of Harry's clones via the Shield Of Neutralization and by doing so minimised damage to themselves.
"Josec is much faster than this. It appears he's currently attempting to match my speed. I'll have to raise the stakes a little if we are to effectively improve our abilities" Harry said as he further increased the number of his clones.
Josec increased the number of his oscillations in response.
"I recall Master Pheisl's words concerning Josec's Killer Ghost Oscillation before we had to confront Raichuu. He said Josec's Killer Ghost Oscillations are not dependent on his physical ability but rather on the Wings Of The Phoenix implying that he practically exerts no effort in creating oscillations and it doesn't wear out his stamina in any way. My clones on the other hand are to an extent dependent on my physical ability. I should avoid trying to match Josec's clones in number and speed" Harry thought as his clones continued to battle Josec's clones.
"I see. So this is what Buern meant when she said Josec's speed had reached a level allowing him to achieve real multiplicity" Harry thought.
"Impressive Josec. I suggest from this moment on, we take the battle up there..." Harry pointed to the skies "...to minimise damage to the Farms" Harry said as rainbow coloured armour began to form around him.
Rainbow coloured wings sprouted from his back and orbs of the Seven Elements began to circle him. This effect was replicated amongst his clones. In response, Josec's eyes assumed the likeness of the Phoenix and Crimson Wings Of Flame sprouted from his back. This effect was replicated amongst his clones.
Harry, Josec and their clones flew into the sky. Harry's clones gathered around him and formed a defensive encirclement around him.
"You're not going to attack anymore Harry?" Josec teased.
"No, I'm not. You and I both know that unlike your oscillations, my clones consume stamina. There's no point in trying to match your oscillations in number and in speed" Harry said.
Josec laughed.
"You're pretty smart" Josec said.
"However Josec, there's no need for you to hold back. Unless we fight seriously, our abilities aren't going to improve much" Harry said.
"I understand" Josec said as his eyes assumed a determined gaze.
He charged in with his oscillations. Harry's clones began to counter his attacks. By increasing his speed by a fraction higher than Harry's, Josec's oscillations began to take down Harry's clones. Harry responded by creating more clones to replace those that had fallen.
"I can't keep up with Josec's speed. It's pointless to defend with clones alone" Harry said as he and his clones began to generate intense fiery joki.
Harry extended the joki around himself and his clones to form a field of fire. Josec and his oscillations backed away and stared at the field around Harry and his clones.
"A fiery shield? I didn't know you could do that" Josec said.
"I may not be a Defender like you are but every style of combat to an extent contains an element of defense Josec. I am also a Bane, an inheritor of the Phoenix's Mind. I may not be able to utilise your abilities to the extent that you can, however, to an extent, I can comprehend how your abilities work and can replicate them. You seem to have forgotten that I helped you expand your defensive capabilities" Harry said with a smirk.
Josec's eyes widened in surprise.
"He's right. I have become so used to fighting with Harry as an ally or depending on his advice to strengthen and develop my own capabilities that I never imagined how fearful he might be as an opponent" Josec thought.
"You're right Harry...there's no need for me to hold back" Josec said as he and his oscillations charged towards Harry's barrier.
The moment Josec made contact with the barrier, he matched wavelengths with it and assumed a fiery improv. The effect was replicated amongst his afterimages however in the next instant, the temperature of the field of fiery joki began to rise dramatically.
Josec backed away from the field of fiery joki and stared at it in shock.
"I matched wavelengths with the field however if I had not backed away from it in time, it would have burnt me. Harry must have altered the wavelength of the field a moment after I entered it. He's using the Mutating Absolute Defense to an extent. Impressive, I thought I'd need the Elemental Rainbow Dance Of The Fenixes only in battle against multiple adversaries with varied affinities and wavelengths. Never imagined I'd have to battle the Rune Knight Ver. Omni though" Josec thought to himself.
Josec took in a deep breath and sighed.
"Looks like I'm going to have to up my speed by a fraction" Josec said as he charged towards Harry's field of ionized air.
Then all of a sudden, he disappeared with all his oscillations.
"He must be utilising Master William's Killer Ghost Concealment. An impressive strategy but it's not going to be very useful" Harry said as he matched wavelengths with the field of fiery joki.
He began to sense distortions within the field and in the next instant, his clones began to fall one after the other.
"Interesting, Josec no longer appears to be affected by the change in wavelength of the field so he must be altering his wavelength rapidly to match the field's alteration in wavelength via the Elemental Rainbow Dance Of The Fenixes. Impressive, he is completely aware of the capabilities of his techniques as well as their limitations. At this point, the field has been nullified and I'm back to square one...or so it seems" Harry thought as he began to alter the wavelength of the field once more.
In the next instant, Josec appeared outside the field. The field took on a rainbow coloured appearance.
"Your Elemental Rainbow Dance Of The Fenixes allows you to alter your affinity and wavelength rapidly granting you the ability to nullify the attacks of your adversaries by matching wavelengths with them however you can only equip one element at a time. Though the rapid alteration of your wavelength may make it appear as though you are utilising all the elements simultaneously, there is a momentary delay when you switch wavelengths. The field I have generated now is composed of all the elements and they are simultaneously integrated into the field. There is no delay. Can you breach this defense?" Harry asked.
Josec shut his eyes and recalled his mother's words concerning the Zone Of Absolute Defense.
"I ionized the particles of air surrounding me and slightly altered their wavelength. If there is even a slight difference in the wavelengths between you and me, my attacks will be effective. You've just been stunned by the ionized air around you. Even if you were to raise your shield now, the air within your shield will remain ionized plus...I also created waves of lightning similar to paths between you and myself. These paths are of the same wavelength as your lightning and since lightning typically chooses the path of greatest conductivity, long range attacks are nullified as well. If you fall within the range of the ionized air, you will be stunned and immobilised thus short range attacks are nullified and if you attack from outside this range, the waves of lightning in the ionized air will conduct your attacks away from me. This...is my Zone Of Absolute Defense" Josec recalled his mother's words. "...The Zone Of Absolute Defense is only 'Absolute' in the sense that one recognises the flaws in one's defense as well as one's limitations and quickly remedies them. The moment you are unable to recognise the flaw in your defense is the moment the Zone Of Absolute Defense will fail. Master Fencer is right in that there is no such thing as an impenetrable Shield. The strength of the Shield is ultimately dependent on the one who wields it" Josec recalled his mother's words.
In the next instant, he disappeared again.
"You're risking damage to yourself by trying to breach this field" Harry said.
Harry began to sense distortions within the field. Then gradually, he sensed the distortions increasing in size.
"What's this?" Harry wondered as vague images appeared within his mind.
Harry smiled.
"Interesting. He's raised up the Mutating Several Layered Zone Of Absolute Defense around his oscillations. He's also using tunnel like paths surrounded by areas of isolation to replicate the abilities of the conducting rods and is nullifying all Seven Elements by directing them into each layer of defense. He may not be able to utilise multiple elements simultaneously but his extreme speed makes the delay in switching his wavelength so negligible that it might as well be simultaneous plus his shields grant him enough time to switch wavelengths even if they can't completely nullify varied elements simultaneously. But...what's up with his outermost shield?" Harry wondered as he narrowed his eyes.
He opened his eyes in realisation.
"I see. His outermost shield cannot completely nullify the Seven Elements flowing simultaneously within the field so he's adjusting the outermost shield to a wavelength that is compatible with multiple elements and he's also raising it up the moment it shatters. He can oscillate at much greater speeds than the movement of air particles so the elements are unable to penetrate his shields" Harry realised and sighed.
He let the field drop and Josec appeared.
"We're evenly matched. At this rate, regardless of how long we continue to fight, we're currently at a stalemate. I can't penetrate your shield and you can't attack me while the field of Seven Elements is in place" Harry said.
"Never thought you were this scary though Harry" Josec said.
"Your defensive capabilities are quite terrifying as well. Thankfully, the final stunt you pulled gave me an idea as to how we can overcome our current limitation with regards to our Fusion Psychorage" Harry said.
"Really?" Josec said and then he smiled.
"Oh I see, I did it on impulse so I didn't really notice myself...but that might work" Josec realised what Harry was getting at.