The next day, we returned to the waterfall, and Adrian explained that this training session would focus on energy control and mastery of Soul Resonance. "Was what I did yesterday also a form of using Soul Resonance?" I asked both of them.
"Yes!" Adrian replied.
"But I don't understand, how can I suddenly use it? All I did was follow King Ape's instructions," I asked.
"That's why I brought you here, because I'm the only one with access to this forest. Yeah, even though now I'm not the only human who can come here," Adrian said.
"I already mentioned it when I tested you earlier, my child. This water is blessed with Elven power. Technically, it's not meant for healing. This water simply opens up every point within a person so that Soul Resonance energy can flow throughout the body," explained King Ape.
"So, does that mean every person has the ability to heal themselves?" I asked.
"Yes! All living beings possess that ability. However, if you can control Soul Resonance, it will make you like a superhuman. Your power will increase multiple times, and your body can regenerate quickly," King Ape explained.
"But it all depends on your body's resilience and the amount of Soul Resonance within you, as well as how you use it," Adrian clarified.
"Earlier, you mentioned points within a person. What points are you referring to?" I asked.
Then King Ape explained that every living being has Soul Resonance energy within their body, but the human body is slightly different from other creatures. Humans have Bound Energy Points scattered throughout their body, which affects their strength and abilities in using Soul Resonance. That's why some humans can use Soul Resonance while others cannot.
From King Ape's explanation, I began to understand how this energy works. "Do you still remember the sensation of the energy flowing throughout your body?" King Ape asked.
"Yes! I just had to meditate and concentrate near the waterfall, right?"
"No, this time you will practice using it here, and under no circumstances should you try to use the water!" King Ape said.
"Why can't I use the water again? Wouldn't it be easier for me to learn to master it with the help of this water?" I asked.
"You won't be able to master it if you rely on the help of this water, Oliver. Try to master it with your own power," Adrian replied to me.
After that, they both left me alone. Whether I liked it or not, I had to practice and figure out on my own how to master it. I sat cross-legged and tried to clear my mind, imagining the sensation of Soul Resonance slowly entering me through my head, just as I felt it yesterday.
Slowly but surely, I began to believe that I could use it! I felt a slight tingling in my head, and I started imagining transferring that energy to my legs, just as I did yesterday.
Here it is! I'm sure I can do it! I felt a slight tingling in my legs. I'm sure this is how I use it! I stood up and tried to jump with all my might, but I only managed to jump about 30 centimeters high.
Damn it! I just realized that the tingling sensation was just a regular tingling, and it was not Soul Resonance energy at all. I repeated the same movement, sitting cross-legged and trying to clear my mind, concentrating and visualizing how the energy could flow.
But it was all in vain! It turns out that mastering it is not as easy as they explained. I looked up at the sky, and the sunlight was starting to dim, indicating that the day would soon turn dark.
I looked around, and there was not a single person or living creature in sight. I decided to end my training for the day and return to King Ape's house. Upon arriving there, I ate and rested immediately.
The next day, I went straight to the waterfall, and as usual, they were already waiting for me there. I wondered what time they woke up. I greeted them, and then I started training again.
"So? Any progress?" Adrian asked me.
"No."
"Alright then, we'll leave you alone so you can focus on your training," King Ape said to me.
"Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you that you can't come back until you've mastered it, okay~" Adrian said.
Hey, hey, hey, are you two serious? Leaving me here alone without food, not even giving me a knife to survive? I watched them both walk away, leaving me alone.
I won't just start training like a fool without thinking about everything. I realize that in a situation like this, the first thing I need to do is gather food so that I don't starve. After collecting enough fruits that I've eaten before, I resumed my training to quickly master Soul Resonance. Seconds, minutes, hours, days—I've gone through them all, and still, I couldn't master it.
It's already day 8, and there has been no progress at all. I'm truly frustrated because I've spent over a week in this place and still can't master Soul Resonance. I've even forgotten what it feels like when the energy fills my entire body. I want to feel it again...
Without hesitation, I walked towards the waterfall, but as soon as my feet touched the water in the pool, they felt an intense heat! I quickly pulled back and saw that my big toe was instantly blistered.
DAMN IT!
DAMN IT!
DAMN IT DAMN IT DAMN IT!!!
It's nighttime now, with only the moonlight illuminating this place, and I'm so frustrated with my powerlessness in mastering this energy! I don't want to spend my entire life in this forest!!!
All I can do is curse and swear. I truly hate my own powerlessness!
I want to be strong!
I WANT TO BE STRONG!!!!!
With emotions that can no longer be contained, I stomped on all my food. I went into a rampage, and I saw one of the trees along the waterfall's path. I approached it and channeled all my strength and emotions into my fist.
..............................................................
And that's how our main character Oliver unleashed his emotions and punched one of the trees he saw. With a single punch filled with overwhelming strength and emotions, it not only knocked down the tree but also caused a tremendous explosion. The explosion created by his furious punch affected all the trees behind it, sending them flying a great distance.
Hearing the commotion, King Ape and Adrian rushed to the location of the explosion, the origin being the waterfall. They found Oliver unconscious at the spot.