Aryaman stirred from his slumber, the earthy scent of the forest floor mingling with the crisp morning air. Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting dappled shadows on the ground. He blinked against the light, feeling the rough texture of fallen leaves and moss beneath him. The forest was alive with the sounds of birdsong and the rustling of small creatures in the underbrush.

Sitting up slowly, Aryaman winced as his muscles protested, a sharp reminder of the previous day's exertions. Disoriented, he glanced around, trying to piece together his surroundings. The memory of his battle in the preta simulation orb surged back, filling him with a mix of exhilaration and frustration.

He took a deep breath, savouring the fresh, pine-scented air. As he stood, the soreness in his limbs became more pronounced. Nearby, a small brook babbled softly, its clear water reflecting the sunlight. Aryaman made his way to it, splashing his face and drinking deeply. The cold water invigorated him, washing away the remnants of sleep and fatigue.

“This feels so good,” he murmured, splashing the water onto his face again.

"Good morning, Aryaman," came a calm, measured voice. Svetavastra approached, his steps silent on the forest floor. "I see you are finally awake."

Aryaman turned to face his mentor, offering a respectful nod. “Good morning, Gurudeva.”

Svetavastra's eyes crinkled with a hint of amusement. "You slept through an entire day and night. Your body needed the rest after the ordeal you put it through."

Aryaman's eyes widened in disbelief. "An entire day and night?"

Svetavastra nodded. "Yes, Aryaman. You pushed yourself too hard.”

Aryaman ran a hand through his tousled hair, a sheepish smile forming on his lips. "I felt overwhelmed and underprepared,” he admitted. “I can do better, Gurudeva! Let me practice again and show you!”

Aryaman’s stomach growled audibly, and Svetavastra chuckled. “Let’s get you fed first.”

Svetavastra had gathered fruits and root vegetables from the forest and had cleaned and prepared them. The simple meal, shared in the forest's quiet, felt restorative.

After breakfast, both teacher and disciple settled down to review Aryaman’s fight in the preta simulation orb.

“Before you practice, you should know where you did well and where you can improve,” said Svetavastra.

Aryaman nodded eagerly. The orb glowed brighter and became bigger as Svetavastra manipulated its controls. The Northern Mines scene flashed in the orb, with Aryaman standing at the center, surrounded by the undead. The replay began, and Svetavastra paused it at the moment Aryaman adopted his stance.

"Look at your stance here," Svetavastra pointed out. "Feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, weight evenly distributed. This is excellent. Your foundation is solid."

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Aryaman leaned in, studying the frozen image. "Thank you, Gurudeva.”

Svetavastra resumed the replay. Aryaman's eyes darted from side to side, scanning the undead. He lifted his cosmic sword above his head, channelling energy into the blade, which glowed brilliantly. Svetavastra paused the replay again.

"Your connection with cosmic energy is impressive," he remarked. "The way you channel it into your sword is a great strength. However, to sustain this, you need to deepen your connection through meditation. Practice focusing your energy in smaller, controlled bursts to conserve your strength over longer periods."

The scene played on, Aryaman releasing a wave of light that disintegrated the nearest undead. He smiled briefly before lunging at the next wave. Svetavastra paused again.

"Your instinctive tactics are sharp," he noted. "The way you react swiftly to threats is commendable. But remember, instinct needs to be honed through disciplined practice. We will incorporate drills that enhance muscle memory and instinctive responses."

“Sure, Gurudeva,” said Aryaman. “I will practice the drills daily.”

The replay continued. Aryaman jumped into the air, using his sword for support, and spun rapidly to maximize his reach. Svetavastra paused the scene, showing Aryaman mid-air, his sword slicing through the undead.

“Unconventional techniques like this make you unpredictable," Svetavastra said. "Continue experimenting with these moves in controlled training environments so we can identify any blind spots.”

As the battle wore on, Aryaman's movements became less fluid. His strikes, initially powerful, grew increasingly erratic. Svetavastra paused the replay, highlighting the strain on Aryaman's face and the tension in his muscles.

"Here is where we see the toll of over-reliance on spiritual energy," Svetavastra observed. "You need to practice energy conservation. Your physical skills need to complement your spiritual powers. Your daily regimen will include both physical exercises and cultivation exercises.”

“Yes, Gurudeva,” said Aryaman.

The replay showed Aryaman struggling to maintain his balance as his energy depleted further. Svetavastra paused at a moment where Aryaman stumbled slightly, his legs trembling.

"Your physical endurance is lacking," Svetavastra stated. "We need to build your stamina and strengthen your muscles. Endurance training and muscle conditioning will help you withstand prolonged engagements without compromising your balance and coordination."

The final part of the battle replayed. Aryaman struck the ground with a mighty blow, creating a temporary barrier of cosmic energy that held the undead at bay. However, as the undead pressed forward again, his attacks grew more erratic, and his vision blurred. Svetavastra paused the orb, showing Aryaman's unfocused eyes and shaky hands.

"Your resilience is admirable," Svetavastra said softly. "But you’ve overspent yourself. On an actual battlefield, this means certain defeat. In situations like this, the better tactic is to escape.”

Aryaman raised his brows in surprise. “Gurudeva?” he asked, confused. “Shouldn’t we fight till the end?”

“Retreat is not a bad option, Aryaman,” said Svetavastra. “In fact, it’s often wiser to postpone a conflict than to fight one where you are bound to lose.”

Svetavastra let the replay finish, showing Aryaman's final, desperate slash scattering the undead before he fell to his knees, exhausted. The simulation ended, and the orb dimmed.

“Now, let’s focus on the main issue,” said Svetavastra.

Aryaman instinctively straightened himself.

“The main reason you lost,” said Svetavastra, “was because you were reactive. That’s a poor battle strategy in general. You should always scope out the field, estimate the damage, and plan your attacks within the first few moments of your fight. Thereafter, adapt slightly to suit the ever-changing ground scenarios.”

“If you had done so, you wouldn’t have run out of your spiritual energy, and your cosmic powers wouldn’t have become so erratic,” continued Svetavastra.

“I get it now, Gurudeva,” said Aryaman.

“Let’s rebuild your spiritual reserves first,” said Svetavastra. They both sat in meditative postures and closed their eyes to cultivate.

“Aaargh,” groaned the preta in Svetavastra’s bracer. “Are we meditating again?”