Shortly before arriving at the training ground, Liza addresses Ren, "I assume you haven't used much of your power yet". Ren, "I haven't been in this world long, and securing a place to sleep came first. I didn't want to just suddenly try it out just in case it wasn't safe. The training ground will be perfect for that, and we can gauge my lightning against someone else's", well, I have been secretly testing low outputs of my lightning, just not something that could cause harm. Better off starting safe after all.
After arriving at the training ground, they see that it's only occupied by two men at the moment. There's also a crowd of women on the sidelines cheering them on. Liza reluctantly approaches the two men, earning glares from everyone in the crowd. After talking to them for a little bit, Liza returns to Ren, the soldiers behind her looking confused. Liza, "they agreed to put on a mock fight for the crowd to demonstrate lightning for us".
They waste no time in starting. The two men square-up to each other and ready their stances. Their stance makes it seem like they're boxers in the ring. All off a sudden, small sparks of electricity seem to form around one of the men's fists. He then let's loose a full force jab as fast as he can into his opponent's face. His opponent didn't dodge, taking the full force of it on purpose, startling the man.
His opponent reforms his broken stance. As he does, the two men's eyes meet, a mutual understanding forming between the two of them. This marked the beginning of an all-out slug fest. Both of them taking turns landing punches on each other, neither daring to block.
Ren takes off his hood to better observe two men's fight while the crowd of women shriek all the while. He pays particular attention to how the man who punched first produces and uses his magic, no offence, but it looks like some shitty movie...no, not even movie. More like a shitty TV show's special effects. It might just be this guy and how he's using it as to why it looks this way. I mean, that lightning punch, if you can call it that, doesn't look like it's doing anything. Besides, can't these guys do anything but punch?!
Though Ren seems unimpressed, the women in the gallery are all squealing like there's no tomorrow, gya, gya, gya, gya...so annoying. Do you all find this that amazing? Is it just me that doesn't? I know I'm seeing real-life, actual magic before my eyes, but…it's just ruined by the two sweaty men. Are they actually really strong or something? Ren turns to Liza in order to ask her, but that was instantly answered by her blank expression, that bad huh?
After some time observing and thinking, Ren comes to a conclusion, even though this world has magic, it still follows the laws of physics...no, that feels off. It obeys the law of physics? Yeah, that fells more apt. People just act as a production source...well, that's what I think from watching these guys. But some people can make swords and shields...I think I understand...maybe.
A little while later, the fight comes to a close. The man who used magic, unable to go on anymore, falls to his knees. After catching his breath, his opponent outstretches a hand, offering to help him to his feet with a smile and words of encouragement, "good fight, partner. Let's rise in the ranks, together". The spectators go gaga at the beautiful(?) display of masculine friendship as the man on his knees takes his opponent's outstretched hand. Ren and Liza are perfectly in sync each other, their faces blank as they watch the scene unfold, creepy.
Liza, being a bit reluctant to ask, "w-well, how was it? Did you learn anything?", I know the main unit had to move out because of the recent attack, so those still training were left behind, but these guys are awful. That fight didn't benefit either of them. As if a Demon will allow you to freely punch them like that. This city is screwed if it is attacked right now.
Ren, "yes...maybe". Liza, "hm…then, do you know why the guy who used lightning magic all the time lost?". Ren goes into deep thought for a few seconds, "actually...no. He used magic, but his opponent didn't. He should've had the overwhelming advantage, but he lost".
Liza, "do you remember what I told you about fire magic users having to use fire/heat proof material?". Ren, "of course I...do. That's what you mean! Even though the magic user was dealing damage to his opponent, he was also doing more damage to himself! All his opponent had to do was wait for him to do himself in".
Liza, "correct. One could perfectly time their timing for using lightning magic, but that would only reduce the damaged received, not negate it. It's still a losing battle if you use it, as not only will it damage you, but the mental stain it causes because you have to perfectly land your hits is just not worth it. Lighting is considered the least useful magic because unlike fire, there's nothing that prevents lighting from damaging its user".
Ren, "so that's why", it would be great if rubber existed in this world. A thin glove would solve the problem...but it would probably rip upon contact when hitting someone. It isn't wyvern skin after all, which is probably much more durable.
Liza, "so...how do we proceed from here?", are we a lost cause? Ren, "I see your worry, so I want to try and ease that by explaining the best I can. I do need to clarify some things I'm unsure of first. First, what happens when you produce water?".
Liza, "you create…water? Apparently, the easiest thing to do is create a source of it on your body and produce all the water from there. One's hands are typically the easiest place to do this, but if you can produce the source somewhere else on your whole body, that's some amazing defensive power".
Ren, good to know, but not what I meant to ask, "ok...but what happens to the water?". Liza, "what happens to it? You mean after you're done with it? Well…it falls", not sure exactly what he's getting at.
Ren, "I thought so. With water, it falls. Then, what happens with fire?", physics would cry if it didn't fall. Liza, "with fire, it goes up…right?". Ren, "yep, as I thought. Water falls, fire dissipates, and lightning disperses", seems like I'm right.
Liza tilts her head, "I'm not sure what you're getting at". Ren, "tell me, can you control where the fire will dissipate?". Liza, "well, you can", as she produces some fire in her hand and let's it extinguish.
Ren points at her hand, "that not what I mean. Not the physical location, but where within the fire itself it will start to dissipate. When you stopped supply magic, the flame disappeared in an upward direction, right? Why didn't it go down or to the side?".
Liza, now understanding, "that's what you meant?", as she then produces flame after flame to test it out. After a short while, "you're right. I can make the fire itself go down with my magic, but whenever it dissipates, it's always upwards".
Ren, "I bet water is the same, always falling downwards, right?". Liza, "as far as I know. Once the magic is cut, it always falls". Ren, "so what do you think happens with lightning?". Liza, "...you said earlier that it disperses". Ren, "...you're right, I already gave the answer".
Liza gets back on track, "but for water and fire, those things happen once the magic is cut. With lightning, it happens as the magic is being supplied". Ren thinks for a second, "you're right, why? I feel like I'm on the right track though. Hm...could I see water magic in action? I feel like that will help".
Liza looks to the two men from earlier, who are now showing off their gleaming muscles to the crowd of women by doing various poses, said crowd going crazy for each pose. Liza reluctantly approaches the men again, the crowd glaring double as much as last time. After a short interaction, Liza gestures for Ren to come over.
Ren does just that, not realising that his hood is down. The crowd just now notices for the first time that there was another man in their presence. The gossip begins immediately, "who is that?", "he's cute", "what are you talking about? He's clearly more handsome that cute", "no, he's still young, so he's transitioning from cute to handsome at the moment", "but he's with that shameless woman who's ignoring the rules and approaching the men here", "right, if she's already getting some, than she should stand back gracefully and stay out of the way", "what does she think we're doing all this for?", "if I didn't put in so much effort to sleep with these two, I would go after him in a second", "and here she is, flaunting her man like it's nothing", "bitch", "slut", "goblin dick sucker".
Ren can't help but overhear their remarks as none of them were trying to be quiet, clearly out of hearing range of the two soldiers, ehhh…women are scary. Their words turned to venom in a second, especially that last one.
Liza asks, "if you would, please", to the man who won the fight earlier as soon as Ren reaches the group. The man replies, "I'm still training, so this is about as much as I can do right now", as he produces water from his hand, originating from his palm and slowly enveloping his hand. Ren looks intently at it, mysterious. It's like his hand is encased in a ball of water, but it's not falling, as if it was as light as a bubble. Wanting to see more, "can you do some movements with your hand kept like this? I want to observe what happens".
The two men look at each other, confused, but the water magic user obliges. He does various types of movements/exercises, causing the women to go gaga again. Not wanting to lose out on getting cheers, the lightning magic user joins him in doing exercises. It starts to get intense between the two and they get lost in their own world. They start to do push-ups, the water magic user letting the water ball drop to the ground before starting. However, Ren was able to see that the ball did follow the man's hand, but the force of movement causes a proportional time lag, the ball taking a little time to return to it's original position once the hand is still again.
Ren and Liza turn away from the two like it's the most natural thing in the world to do. Liza, "well, did you figure anything out?". Ren, "give me a second to process. Being exposed to that stops all brain functionality it seems". Liza, "glad to know it's not only me that happens too. Let's go back to the sidelines".
After reaching the sidelines, Liza asks, "well?". Ren, "I think I've got it figured out, but…it's super hard to explain". Liza, "you can't know unless you try". Ren, "if I said, 'the states of matter', would you understand?". Liza, face blank and completely clueless, "…nope". Ren sighs, "figures", and then scratches his head trying to think of how to explain.
After a few seconds, he looks at Liza once again, "let me guess. The easiest magics to learn are water and earth. Followed by fire and wind. And the hardest to learn is lightning". Liza, a bit taken aback, "wow, that's the general consensus. How did you know?". Ren, "that…is still super hard to explain. Basically, water and earth are the most stable, being tangible. Lightning is the least stable as it's not tangible and speedily goes all over the place. Fire and wind lie in between those two ends of a spectrum". Liza, "hm…I guess I understand?", question marks appearing around her head.
Ren takes a deep breath before continuing, "I won't go into the details as to why, but this means that lightning is the hardest to control. Can you produce some fire and try to have it under completely control for me please? Try and not let the flame dissipate at all". In response, Liza creates a ball of fire in her hand and tries her damnedest to keep in under control, so much so that sweat forms on her brow from her intense concentration.
Ren points to the apex of her flame, which is forming a peak from rising, "see here. No matter how hard you try, the flame dissipates upwards". Liza stops producing the fire and catches her breath, "no matter how hard I try, I can never make a perfect fireball". Ren, "I think that you just can't control that dissipating bit no matter what you do. Earth and water don't have that bit for dissipating, making them the easiest to control. And that bit is what's occurring all the time for lightning. It's just too difficult to control".
Liza, "oh, it's still a bit hazy, but I think I understand now. Seems like lightning is a lost cause after all". Ren, "by its very nature, lightning dissipates towards the path of least resistance, but there can be a lot of those, hence the lightning going in all sorts of directions, like we saw earlier. For regular people, it is most likely pointless to try and control lightning unless you can direct all its energy in one direction. But given lightning's reputation, I assume that's too difficult to do. The only other option would be to have some way to have complete control over lightning...is the conclusion that I came to", as he finishes saying this, he lets off a single lightning bolt at a nearby tree. Upon making contact, a loud bang reverberates around the training ground, catching everyone's attention. Bits of bark splintered off due to the impact, as well as cause smouldering keraunographic marks to be left in the tree, "which is exactly the power that I got from God", that was a bit stronger than I was expecting.
Everyone there just looks at the tree completely dumbfounded, eyes wide and jaw hanging down. Liza manages to revert her face to normal as she looks at Ren, who is looking at the hand which let off the bolt. Her lips unconsciously form a big smile, AMAZING! I knew I was right to choose him!
The two men, who were clearly in a good mood after their posing, are now just pale husks compared to what they were before. The silence of shock that filled the ground is broken by the crowd of women who start dashing over to where Ren. Their faces contort in desperation, and their bodies move creepily as they advance towards Ren. Some try to emphasise their face as they run, other their breasts, and some even try to emphasise their behind. They all do this while catcalling at Ren, "one baby, just one! I'll raise the baby. You never have to see my again", "I can drown you in pleasure! I promise my lips are the best for blowjobs", "one shot inside! Just one tiny little one! I'll even pay you", "Just the tip! Or you can just shoot it in the area".
Ren pales at the scene before him, a shiver of terror running down his spine. Liza scowls at them and strikes the bottom of her spear against the ground. From the point of impact, a small wall of fire forms, cutting off the crowd's path of advance. The women stop in their tracks and scowl at Liza, not intimidated by her. If looks could kill, Liza would be dead ten times over. Liza glares back at them with intense intimidation. If looks could kill, the women would be dead 100 times over, try and approach, I'll burn you all to cinders! The women falter this time, and it's as if Liza's intensity roots them to the spot. They may be too scared to run, but they resort putting up a feeble resistance of hissing at Liza, similar to how cats would but with the intensity of a kitten.
A wave of relief and admiration washes over Ren, SHE'S SO COOL! So this is what it feels like to be saved from the claws of death. Can't say it's anything but pleasant. However, is this the feeling women experience when they're catcalled? It's super scary. I never want to experience it again.
The two men were completely oblivious to this transpiring as they turned and walked away, their eyes downcast from looking at the ground as they walk. Dark clouds of negative emotion hovering around them, clouding their thoughts. Water magic user, "did he...just come so he could show us up?". Lightning magic user, "no doubt about it. Using us to prop himself up, what a despicable bastard". The two trudge along towards the exit, lifeless and their muscles lacking lustre. Unbeknownst to him, Ren's reputation among the male soldiers of Starventure plummeted to rock bottom before he even did anything noteworthy.