The Nano-Suit had two modes of operation. For long distance warfare, 'Sharpshooter' mode gave an Operator access to pistols, automatics, shotguns, rifles, and revolvers. Up close and personal, 'Brawler' mode made use of something called Affinities and sub-affinities.
Fireball was a sub-affinity that relied on the Affinity Magician to apply a method that produced heat and pressure. It also relied on the Affinity Rogue in order to identify the structure of the cup and manipulate it in such a way which would allow additional fireballs to branch off.
What the ex-general and the head instructor were asking of him was to study different ways that the concept of Space might be used, expanding his own knowledge. He took a look at the base of the LCD screen. It was barely visible but he saw the subtle movements. It was like a section of compressed air that wouldn't budge. The screen was resting on it, unable to fall down. Additional space was continuously added to replace the space that the screen was invading.
When he used space to press down on both his opponents earlier, he did not continuously create new space but squeezed what he had for all of its worth. He did not know how to create new space though. Since they weren't going to teach him anything else, that was a dead end too. Maybe the secret was with 'Sharpshooter' and 'Brawler'?
Switching between the two modes was rather seamless. There were two pistols holstered on his hips at all time. When he pulled them out and aimed, a bunch of new information popped up on his visor.
Distance to target, ammo count, Nano-Suit durability, fuel usage, and many other lines. As he aimed at different places, the screen would repopulate with relevant info. There were also… extra features emphasized using a golden glow. On the walls were moving outlines. Birds, humans, etc. He pondered on it a little and guessed the closest one could be the head instructor.
He aimed the pistols and fired a shot at his buttocks. The deafening roar that shook his eardrums confirmed his thoughts.
"Which ass—— is playing games with me??"
It didn't take long before the instructor came around to the room again and paused outside. There was a bullet shaped hole in the wall that made it obvious. The door opened and a face conflicted with shock and anger walked in and pointed at the opening.
"Explain"
Leo Skyfang couldn't reveal his secrets but he still needed a plausible explanation.
"In attempting to study the concept of Space, I feel more sensitive to movements across large distances"
This was partially true. Underneath the golden outlines, he could feel the perception of life. Perhaps the golden outline highlighted that?
"Please be more aware of who is near you. At least use god damn blanks. You know how much metal hurts?"
The man was irritated but also pleased. Progress with the concept of Space was hard to come by, so every step was critical, especially one as huge as this.
"Sensitivity to space is the foundation to fully mastering it"
The door closed once again but the man looked through the hole for a while before departing.
Plagued by curiosity, he aimed at the LCD screen and was stunned. His entire visor was filled with golden text. Not legible text but an ancient script. Somehow, the images in his head superimposed themselves on top of the golden text, allowing him to instantly understand what was happening.
He grabbed at the space where the LCD screen was and clenched his fists. The screen disappeared, only for two to reappear. Both were duplicate, near perfect imitations of each other. He then blew at one of them and it collapsed into thin air. He reached out again and threw the duplicate screen at the wall, only for space to crack and bend under pressure.
He looked in the direction of the instructor and grabbed at the space again. He could feel the instructor pushing back, attempting to tear it down. This time, the difference was that the man was swept along with the flow and unable to resist. He made the call to not pull the instructor through the bullet hole but to slam him into the door instead. It opened with a bang as the man found himself staring up at Leo in shock.
"What the f—?"
Just a minute ago, he merely had sensitivity to space. Now he could suddenly overpower the man with ease.
"Skyfang. What method was that?"
By method, the man meant spell. The instructor noticed his hesitation and immediately addressed it.
"If it's not a spell but something done without much thought, do not think about explaining it! Do you know the last time we had an unparalleled genius?
Pause.
"He died a year after we announced it out of pride… Then we were careful to hide the identity of the woman who reached the threshold of the concept of Destruction. Her senior had touched upon Balance. These are absolute concepts reigning above normal sub-affinities. We know them as Alpha Dominant Affinities. Together with Space and Time, they form the Absolute 4"
Pause.
"Unfortunately… she still died. Traces of her concept leaked whenever she used it. She didn't last longer then half a year"
Silence.
"That's why I'm so excited. I wasn't able to discern the identity of whoever attacked me because the application was so unreal and mysterious. It only hit me like a bomb when I saw that room. I'm confident that you have fate with the Yin-Yang Lake. How did you do it?"
He did nothing. Only followed instructions that emphasized his capabilities. It was similar to poking a hole in a water bottle versus opening the cap and squeezing it. He had no need to learn or understand the concept of Space. He just had to know the subtleties towards applying it.
When he grabbed towards the instructor, he didn't grab at the space. This would give the opponent the opportunity to run away. He simply grabbed at the instructor. Since his Nano-Suit was literally the source of Space, it was futile to fight against such a force. Using the Absolute 4 as the instructor called it, was known as an application instead of a method. Directly exerting the force onto the instructor was equivalent to the universe itself directly wielding its power.
He didn't need to shape it or mold it. Only needed to think of his body as an extension of the application. Most shockingly, since Balance, Destruction, Space, and Time were directly intertwined, he had instructions on how to use all 4 of them. It was obvious why he only allowed himself to use Space for now.
The LCD screen popped on immediately. The ex-general.
"I sensed a massive fluctuation of space just now. Don't worry, it didn't spread out. I have artifacts in here that can privately transmit certain information to me. Sir Leo Skyfang, was that you?"
The address had changed. Clearly, the ex-general placed more importance on him now.
"Brother. When he attacked me earlier, I felt no identity to it. It lacked a signature, like no one had used it. I only realized who it was when I was brought to the door"
"What?? You couldn't resist it? A method that can't be traced back to its user. How remarkable and stunning. That does not change our efforts in hiding it"
"I understand"
"I'll come over immediately. I will teach Sir Leo practical combat techniques that incorporate the essence of Space"
"Brother, but if you move"
"Relax. I can still deal with some scheming fogies. When Sir Leo becomes stronger, I won't need to fear anyone and neither will he"
"How soon can you get here?"
"I'll directly use a sub-channel. I'm currently in South Korea right now, attending a 10 star meeting"
"10 star???"
"I'll explain later. It concerns the fate of the Stars and Moons"
The ex-general looked at him for quite a while before opening his mouth again.
"The Stars refer to the U.S.A. and its allies. The Moons refer to Asia and its allies. Not good and evil but different world views on the future of humanity. Both sides are gearing up their Elites and even contemplating on waking up their hidden trump cards"
"We've succeeded?"
"Not yet. Those ancient weapons of the past are difficult to rebuild let alone synergize. Alright, enough. Sir Leo is being bombarded with too much information that is of no use to him. I got way too excited. I'll be there in 15 minutes, tops"
It was less then 2 minutes before the legendary ex-general showed up. Standing as tall as a giant, the man had limbs as thick as a tree trunk. His head was a vicious diamond shaped monstrosity of carnage. One look at his eyes and you'd submit in an instant. He held a giant halberd twice his size that moved with fluidity and grace. It was how he opened a channel out into the academy. On his waist was a grenade launcher that seemed inconvenient and worn down from time and use.
"Leo Skyfang?"
The giant took a look at him before immediately swinging the blade of the halberd down.