BOOOM!!!
The dense forest had transformed into a war zone. Singed leaves fluttered down like ash, the ground lay charred in blackened patches, and splinters of shattered wood littered the ground. Sumit wiped the sweat from his brow as he surveyed the wreckage, his latest "experiment" leaving a smirk of satisfaction on his face. He was pushing his limits, pouring nearly 80% of his aura into understanding this peculiar, explosive power he'd only just begun to wield.
Another rock glowed in his hand, vibrating with an unstable energy. Sumit grinned and hurled it, a small bomb waiting to detonate mid-flight.
BOOOM!!!
"Aura Bomb," he murmured, almost as if naming a new friend. "That's a fitting name for you." He'd spent hours figuring out the mysterious rules of aura-infused rocks. Once the aura touched the stone, an explosion was inevitable. Larger rocks could hold more aura, creating bigger blasts, but the moment they started glowing, he had only ten to fifteen seconds before they detonated, or sooner if they struck anything. But there were limits, always limits.
He sighed. "Can't even use them as traps." The aura wouldn't linger in the rocks long enough—they dissipated too quickly. At best, he could make eight or ten bombs before his aura reserves were entirely drained, and every attempt left him a little closer to exhaustion.
With a deep breath, Sumit slumped against a tree, reflecting on everything he'd learned. "So… only rocks explode. But why?" He eyed the staff he'd grown so attached to, the one that had saved his life. Its bark was smooth, its frame sturdy and dependable, but he knew its true nature. It wasn't just a stick; it was the backbone of the plant-bull.
It could channel aura.
It made sense, he realized. This wasn't any ordinary piece of wood; it was part of a creature bred to harness and wield energy. Rocks, on the other hand, couldn't channel aura naturally, and forcing it into them only made them unstable, erupting violently. The realization washed over him in waves of understanding and relief. Rocks couldn't handle aura, but his staff could.
"But what about other woods?" he wondered aloud. Driven by curiosity, he reached for a fallen branch nearby. He channeled aura through it as he did with his staff, testing his theory, Sumit felt his aura moving in the branch just like the staff but almost immediately, the branch cracked and splintered in his hands, crumbling into shards.
"So… ordinary wood can channel aura but can't handle it," he muttered, feeling another piece of the puzzle click into place.
"But what about the ground itself"
He then crouched down, his fingers brushing the cool ground as he prepared for one last test. He directed a small pulse of aura into the ground, half-expecting a ripple, a rumble, or any sign of reaction. But nothing happened. His aura was absorbed, swallowed by the vastness beneath him as if the ground had simply drunk it up, leaving not even a tremor.
"It's just like releasing aura into the air," he whispered, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. "Throwing a drop into the ocean…" The enormity of the ground made his power feel small, but there was also something comforting in it. He lay back on the cool ground, feeling exhaustion begin to settle over him. After all his 'bombing', he'd likely scared off anything that might come lurking. Tonight, he'd sleep here, under the open sky.
...
In his sleep, Sumit drifted into the now-familiar dreamscape. Before him stood the black Cat-man, his enigmatic mentor, with a glint of amusement dancing in his eyes. The feline figure's tail flicked lazily as he studied Sumit, his gaze half-mocking, half-proud.
"What's so funny?" Sumit asked, trying to sound annoyed, but unable to stop the smirk tugging at his lips.
"You," the Cat-man purred, stepping closer. "So eager to blow things up, and yet, still so green." He moved around Sumit, his eyes sharp and assessing. "You've been reckless, yes, but you're getting better. Now that you understand the basics, let's work on sharpening your technique."
Sumit listened, his mind opening to the flood of guidance. Together, they delved into techniques he'd only scratched the surface of—ways to conserve his aura, methods to strike with precision, and ways to maximize impact while keeping his energy reserves steady. He could feel each lesson imprinting on his mind, the sensation both grounding and electrifying.
As the dream began to fade, the Cat-man turned, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "Alright, it's time for you to go. But let me ask, do you think you're ready to face the black tree?"
Sumit's resolve hardened. "Yes. I don't know if I'm strong enough, but I need to face it. The tournament is about to begin. It's time I leave the jungle."
"Is that so?" The Cat-man's eyes glowed, reflecting a mixture of pride and warning. "Then go and face your fear."
"Really? I thought you'd try to stop me."
The Cat-man gave a soft, almost sad smile. "Who am I to stop you? While I want you to use your power only to protect, I can't force you to follow my path. It's your power; it's up to you how you use it."
Sumit nodded, an unexpected wave of gratitude washing over him. "Thank you… I guess."
The Cat-man's grin grew playful again. "Now go—and don't die. The story's only just begun."
"Wait, one last question," Sumit blurted out. "How can I reach mid-level aura control?"
The Cat-man chuckled, as if the answer were self-evident. "You already have. The fact that you can project your aura beyond your own body—that's the sign of a mid-level user."
Sumit's eyes widened, his breath catching. "What?" But before he could say more, the Cat-man began to fade, vanishing as quickly as he had appeared.
...
Sumit woke with a start, a renewed sense of purpose coursing through him. Mid-level, His hands trembled with excitement as he clenched his fists, feeling the faint hum of aura beneath his skin, warmer and more alive than ever. There was so much more to learn, but he'd taken one step closer to mastering his power. With a final glance at the morning light filtering through the leaves, he set off, ready to face the black tree.