I settled into a defensive stance but made no move to attack. Some would say the best defense is a good offense, but this wasn't a battle to the death - no matter what the Skybound might like to believe.

This was training, and my main objective was to learn.

Kiran looked slightly surprised that I hadn't immediately charged forward like most initiates would. His stance was tense, clearly expecting some kind of trick.

"Relax," I said, keeping my voice calm. "This is just training. We're here to learn, not hurt each other."

He nodded slowly, though I could tell he didn't fully trust my words. My suspicion was confirmed when his body suddenly took on an iron-like sheen - he must have activated some kind of reinforcement rune.

"Master," Azure commented, "his defensive rune appears quite basic, but well-executed. The energy distribution is remarkably even."

After a few more moments of neither of us making a move, I decided to take the initiative. No point in standing around all day - Elder Molric was already starting to look impatient.

I broke into a steady run towards Kiran, measuring his reactions. When I was within striking distance, I activated the Titan's Crest. Red light flared from the marking on my left hand as power surged through my body.

Physical Essence: 300 → 400

Duration: 60 seconds

Purified Red Sun Energy: 250/300 (Cost: 50)

Kiran raised his guard, but his movements were hesitant. I launched a basic combination - two quick jabs followed by a low kick. He blocked the punches cleanly and stepped back from the kick, his technique solid but lacking any real counter-attack.

I pressed forward with another combination, this time mixing in some feints. High punch, low kick feint into a spinning backfist. Kiran defended well, but again, he wasn't taking any openings I deliberately left.

"You're holding back," I said, throwing a front kick that he deflected to the side.

"I'm not-" he started to protest, but had to break off as I activated Blink Step.

The world blurred briefly as I teleported to his left side, already spinning into a roundhouse kick. His eyes widened - he clearly hadn't expected me to use a movement technique so early in the spar.

The kick caught him in the ribs, sending him stumbling back several steps before he lost his balance and fell.

Purified Red Sun Energy: 250 → 220 (Cost: 30)

Blink Step Range Used: 5 meters

I walked over and extended my hand. "Want to tell me why you're not fighting back?"

He hesitated for a moment before accepting my help up. Once on his feet, he glanced nervously at Elder Molric before answering in a low voice.

"I... I don't like using the red sun's energy more than I have to," he admitted. "It affects people's minds. Changes them."

My eyes widened slightly. This was the first time I'd heard anyone openly acknowledge the mental effects of the red sun. Usually, Skybound either ignored it completely or welcomed the increasing madness as a sign of power.

Kiran was studying my face intently. "But you're different," he said slowly. "Your eyes are clear. I don't see any hints of the madness, even when you channel the energy."

I wasn't sure how to respond to that. It wasn't like I could explain about the Genesis Seed or my unique circumstances.

"Perhaps one day you'll be able to understand how the Genesis Seed purifies the red sun's energy," Azure mused. "It could help others like young Kiran here."

"Maybe," I thought back. "Though I suspect the blue sun's energy would be more effective at counteracting the madness." I glanced at Elder Molric, who was starting to look annoyed at our impromptu discussion. "The old man's research might actually save the Skybound, if he lives long enough to complete it."

"IF being the operative word," Azure replied dryly. "Given his enthusiasm for potentially explosive experiments."

Kiran was still looking at me hopefully. I sighed.

"I can't say I have all the answers," I told him. "Being a Natural might just make me different. But..." I added, seeing his shoulders slump, "you're already doing well at resisting the red sun's influence. Regular meditation can help maintain mental clarity. Try to control the power without letting it control you."

I wasn't entirely convinced meditation alone would be enough - sometimes the simplest solutions in cultivation novels felt a bit too convenient. But the words seemed to give him confidence, judging by his determined nod.

"If you two are quite finished with your heart-to-heart," Elder Molric called out, "perhaps we could return to the actual training?"

"Sorry, Master," I said quickly, stepping back into position. Kiran also apologized and resumed his stance.

This time, to my surprise, Kiran took the initiative. He vanished in a blur of motion, reappearing on my right with his fist already racing toward my head. I recognized the technique - another Blink Step user.

I activated the Aegis Mark just in time, raising my arm to block. His fist impacted against my forearm with considerable force, but the barrier absorbed most of the shock.

Purified Red Sun Energy: 220 → 180 (Cost: 40)

Aegis Mark Duration: 30 seconds

Damage Absorption: 80%

He followed through immediately with a series of quick strikes - jab, cross, elbow, knee. Each attack flowed smoothly into the next, forcing me to stay defensive. His technique was polished, showing years of proper training. Not surprising, given his noble background - he'd probably started learning martial arts before he could walk.

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I weathered the combination, using small movements to deflect or redirect rather than block directly. The Aegis Mark made this easier, letting me focus on positioning rather than worrying about damage.

Kiran suddenly disengaged, jumping back to create some distance. When he landed, he was smiling - but there was something different about his expression now.

"I don't like using this technique," he said, "but since you're going to be facing Zoren, you'll need the practice."

A strange rune began to materialize on his forehead - I hadn't seen any marking there before, but now intricate lines were drawing themselves across his skin, forming a pattern that reminded me of interlocked bones.

What followed was... disturbing.

Kiran's skin rippled as bones began pushing their way out of his body. Sharp protrusions emerged from his shoulders, elbows, and knees. His fingers elongated, the bones extending into claw-like points. The transformation looked incredibly painful, but Kiran's smile only grew wider.

Had this been a real battle, I would have struck the moment his skin began to ripple. Even waiting a fraction of a second was tactical suicide when cultivators and Skybounds could exchange dozens of strikes in the blink of an eye.

Long transformations were the kind of thing you saw in martial arts novels, not actual combat.

"Fascinating, isn't it?" Elder Molric commented from the sidelines. "This is a sign of the noble blood of House Tovel. When they form their Foundational Rune, some rare individuals manifest a second, hereditary rune. Young Tovel here is quite talented, though he might not accept it himself."

I looked back at my opponent. The transformation was complete now, leaving Kiran covered in bone-like armor with numerous sharp protrusions. But what caught my attention were his eyes - that earlier clarity was gone, replaced by an unsettling gleam of madness.

Now I understood why he avoided using this ability.

Kiran attacked without warning, moving faster than before despite the added weight of his bone armor. He pulled one of the protruding bones from his shoulder - it came free with a wet sound that made me wince - and swung it like a sword.

I ducked under the swing, but had to immediately jump back as more bones shot out from his chest like projectiles. Several grazed my arms, leaving me with small cuts, despite my best efforts to dodge.

Aegis Mark: 15 seconds remaining

This was getting dangerous. I activated Blink Step again, trying to get behind him, but he somehow anticipated the move. A cage of bones erupted from his back just as I reappeared, forcing me to use another Blink Step to avoid being impaled.

Purified Red Sun Energy: 180 → 120 (Cost: 60)

"Master," Azure warned, "his reaction speed is remarkable. He's predicting your movement patterns."

I created some distance, studying my opponent. The bone manipulation was impressive, but it had to be costly in terms of energy. If I could force him to overextend...

I focused on the miniature red sun in my inner world, drawing on its chaotic power. Crimson veins appeared across my skin as the energy suffused my body.

Red Sun transformation duration: 60 seconds

I Blink Stepped forward, channeling power into my fist for a Phantom Strike but just as my fist was about to connect, a bone plate materialized exactly where I was aiming.

The collision sent Kiran stumbling backward, but the impact split the skin across my knuckles. Blood dripped from my hand as I jumped back to reassess.

Purified Red Sun Energy: 120 → 90 (Cost: 30)

I frowned, scanning the training room. If I had access to some plants, I could change the flow of battle completely. But of course, there was no vegetation here - why would there be? Wood element users were rare among the Skybound.

I cursed myself for not carrying some seeds or at least a few vines. It was a rookie mistake, one I promised myself I wouldn't repeat.

Elder Molric seemed to realize what I was looking for. To my surprise, he pulled a vine from his pocket. I chose not to question why he carried such things around - with him, the answer could be either perfectly reasonable or deeply disturbing.

"Here!" he called out, tossing it to me. "Do try to keep it intact - that's a rare specimen from my latest experiments!"

I caught the vine with my good hand, nodding my thanks. Across the room, Kiran was watching me with that unsettling, slightly crazed smile. The bone armor covering his body shifted constantly, ready to sprout new weapons at any moment.

"Even with the vine, this won't be easy," Azure cautioned. "Those bones are remarkably sharp, and he seems to have excellent control over their generation and movement."

"I know," I replied mentally. "I'm going to have to figure out a way to trap him."

The vine seemed to pulse with unusual energy in my hand - clearly one of the elder's modified specimens. I just hoped it wouldn't try to eat me or explode. With the old man's experiments, either outcome seemed equally likely.

"Shall we continue?" Kiran called out, his voice carrying an edge that hadn't been there before.

"Master," Azure observed, "his control is slipping. The red sun's influence appears to grow stronger the more he uses this bloodline technique."

I nodded slightly. Another reason to avoid dramatic power-ups in real fights - losing your mind mid-battle was generally not a winning strategy.

Though watching bones emerge from his skin like living armor, I had to admit the technique itself was impressive. If he could maintain his sanity while using it...