"Alora. Could you please step aside?" I curtly asked as she stood blocking me from approaching the cage.

"You will not teach him how to use Ki." She adamantly stated.

"Alora, we already agreed with this right? Could you please allow Kurt to teach him how to at least control his Ki so that he wouldn't be a liability in our mission to rescue Mark?" Philip said. Trying to convince her to move aside.

"No. I did not agree with this. He is dangerous. We shouldn't teach him how to use Ki. It would be akin to placing a weapon in his hand to stab us with." She argued, pointing at Cloud who was watching the whole scene with his watchful eyes.

"Kurt already said that he can handle it. I trust his judgement." Philip tries to reason out. While it is true that Cloud could possibly use what he will learn against us, it goes without saying that I will not teach him anything advance. Not that he can learn it in such a short time.

"He did fight against those people. I don't see why he would even try to backstab us since he would surely get captured if he is on his own." Ortho added, still trying to find something in the heap of his tent.

The man in question looks like he wants to say something but remains silent through the discussion.

"I still disapprove of this." Alora

"I see. Then we will settle this like how we usually do. Majority vote." Upon hearing Philip utter those words, Alora was clearly troubled. Philip then continued. "Whoever here agrees on Kurt teaching Cloud how to use his Ki in order to be useful in our rescue mission, raise their right hand?!" Philip, Ortho and Kurt raised their hands in agreement. "There you go. The majority made their descision."

Hmmm… As decisive as always. It is good that Philip still put the wellbeing of the party before his feeling with Alora. Truly a good leader.

"This is unfair! All of you already agreed with what to do beforehand." Alora tries to argue.

"Yes. We did. We will do everything to get our friend back." Philip answered her. His face show his steel hard determination.

"Why don't we wait for the Guild to send us aid then?" She suggested.

"Both you and I know that time is of the essence. By the time the Guild receive our request, it might be over for Mark. True, we don't have a clue where they took him. But I am not going to waste time and wait for reinforcement while our friend is suffering. Not if I can help it." Philip looks adamant on his decision.

Both Alora and he lock gazes until Alora sighed and walk towards me. "OK. You win. I just hope you know what you are doing." She then whispered to my ears. "Just promise me that you won't let him overdo it, and make sure he doesn't use his mana." She then proceeded to walk past by Philip who put his hand on her shoulder before accompanying her to rest against a tree near the edge of the camp.

After making sure that she was resting, Philip then walks towards me. "She's asleep now. I will go patrol around in her stead to make sure we don't get ambushed like before. But first, I will write a report to the Guild to let them know of our predicament." He stated. "Although I myself am not confident that they will send help since entering the Forest is a bureaucratic nightmare without the Elves' permission. It would not hurt to let them know. Just in case." He didn't finish what he wants to say, but the look in his face says it all. Although he put a strong face, I can sense that he is under such heavy pressure. Especially since the presence of human mages making trouble inside Elven borders might kindle a war between the two races.

"Don't overwork yourself trying to do everything by yourself. We are here to shoulder the burden." I placed my hand over his shoulder to assure him. "We are a party aren't we?"

I can feel his shoulder lighten up a bit and he sighed. "Yeah." He then look at me, his confidence slightly returned to his eyes. "We have a lot of work ahead of us. I leave Cloud to you. Just like Alora's concern, we are kind of short on time. I am not doubting your capabilities my friend, but are you sure you can teach him how to handle his Ki on time?"

"Don't worry. I have a plan." I reassured him.

"I trust you." He smiled before proceeding towards his tent probably to write a letter for the guild before going to patrol around the camp.

I then heard a voice coming from behind me. "Hmmm… You got a great companions." I turned around and saw Cloud now sitting against the cage. "Although it still unnerves me to hear that same great companions planning what they are going to do to me. Especially when I don't even have a say in it." He then chuckled as if he just said something funny.

"Yeah, I am lucky to have met them. We might not be the strongest group, but I wouldn't want to be in another party other than here." I answered. "And don't worry. No harm will be done to you. As long as you cooperate that is."

"Threatening a prisoner. Are you really a monk?" He asked with a smile.

"Although I would like to resolve things in a peaceful way. If the lives of the innocent or of my friends are at stake, I would not hesitate to resort to doing it the hard way." I declared. If there is something that I have learned in these 3 years of my Pilgrimage, it is to protect those who are downtrodden and cherish your friends.

"Your party is lucky to have such a loyal friend." He answered.

"And I am lucky to have them." I replied. "But enough about us. Let us start with your training to control your Ki." I continued. "Before we start. Do you feel something?" I asked while raising a finger. I am focusing my Ki to the finger raised.

Cloud have the ability to sense mana. Surprising without undergoing training in arts of Anti-magic but not impossible in particular. This might be because he was stuck in a place devoid of it that is why he became sensitive to it once it was introduced to him. In turn because of his mana sensitivity, he was able to dodge incoming magic by sensing when and where it will be casted.

If he could also sense Ki, then this training would be leagues easier than expected if not much safer. If not, then we would have to resort to either the long safe road or the short but dangerous road to learning Ki, and since we don't have the time for the long and safe way to learning the basics of Ki, we will have to resort to the dangerous path.

"No. Am I supposed to feel something?" A confused look in his face shattered my hope of the quick and safe path to learning Ki.

"I guess we are going to have to do the hard way." I sighed. "To begin, do you know what Ki is?"

"Well, if it is the same with the anime that I watched when I was a child then my guess is that it is something like natural energy coming from our body." He answered.

"I don't know what that Anime stuff that you're talking about but it is close. To be exact, it is the energy coming from the most important gift the Gods have gifted us. Our own life." I started.

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"So basically life energy." He said curiously. "If it really is connected to our very life, then wouldn't it be dangerous to use?"

"If used incorrectly then yes, it is dangerous. That is why we must use it correctly and responsibly, just like everything the Gods have blessed us with." I answered.

"So? How does knowing that help me with my training?" He asked.

"Impatient aren't we. Don't worry, we will get there." I just shook my head with his impatience. "What I was trying to say is that unlike Mana which can only be absorbed from the surrounding and stored within our body for future use, Ki is an energy present to all living creatures."

"So you're saying that I have Ki? I could sense Mana with no problem at all but why can't I sense Ki?. How is it any different?" He said as he looks at his hands, clearly trying to use Ki.

"As I said earlier, Mana is an energy that comes from the outside that we can manipulate to perform magic and the sorts. Ki comes from within using our own life force that we can use to enhance our body's strength and durability." I answered.

"Well, mana could also enhance body strength and durability. Also mana could be replenished by outside source. That means it is also more flexible and efficient." He answered. I kind of predicted this, since most people who first learn about Ki and Mana shares the same view.

"Well, first is that Mana is a blessing of the Gods to Astera. To use it irresponsibly is a sign of disrespect towards them. Second, Ki is more powerful than Mana. Put two person with the same abilities one that can use Mana, and the other Ki, against each other using only body reinforcement. The one who uses Ki will most likely win." I paused a bit before I continue. "Third and last, you are not allowed to use mana so you have no choice but to learn Ki instead."

"I guess I don't have any choice." He sit up straight. "So where do we start?"

"Eager aren't we? Not that I disapprove. We do indeed need to learn as quickly as possible. At first I hoped you could sense Ki for it would mean that some of your Ki points were at least open." I believe it was open when I was fighting him for the first time. During our first fight I can feel the mixture of both Mana and Ki within the nauseating Aura he emits however corrupted it may be.

Am I doing the right thing? What if this will break his seal and release that ominous energy once more?

I shook my head as I push back the hesitation that I feel. We have no other choice. We could not rely on the Guilds' assistance this time. Not here deep inside the Elven territory. That means we only have each other and we need as much help as we can. If this does release the energy, we could just seal it back up again. We could also gain his trust if we show that we trust him enough that we teach him a way to defend himself. At least enough good will that he don't try to stab us in the back.

My thoughts was disturbed by a voice coming from Cloud. "Hey. Do you hear me?" He asked.

"Yeah, I can." I answered.

"Just making sure. You got silent all of the sudden that I thought you fell asleep while standing, and with open eyes nonetheless. Quite amazing if you ask me." He jokingly stated.

"Yes, it would. But let's go back to your training." I said. "Now let us open this cage so you can stretch your limbs here in the open."

I open the cage and he reluctantly came out. "Is it really ok? Won't Alora get angry that you are letting me out?"

"It's no problem at all. This cage made to restrain you physically, we can manage subduing you if you try something funny. No. It is made to contain that malevolent energy inside you." I answered. "Now, let us get you out of this box."

He moves slowly due to his injuries from the earlier fight so I helped him to move. Once we exited the cage, I then proceeded to support him as we walk towards the middle of the camp and we sit cross leg across each other.

"So what now?" He ask as he shifts his weight to his left. Probably to ease some pressure to his bruised ribs.

"Before we start. It just occurred to me that we didn't ask for your agreement in this." I placed my hand on his shoulder. I guess I feel bad in putting the man in this situation.

"No problem. I don't mind." He answered. I don't know what his intentions are, but based on his pulse he is telling the truth and in his eyes I can see that he is sincerely determined to learn.

"Okay. The process we are going to take is dangerous. You might die. Are you still sure?" I asked one more time.

"Well, now that you mentioned that I am nervous." He stated, still no sign of deception. He must be one of those who does things because they feel like it. "But, you miss all the shots you don't take and this might be my last shot." With eyes full of steely resolve he continued. "Therefore I will take shit one shot. I still don't know what will happen to me once I get to your Guild, we will cross that bridge when we get there. But first, I need to not get myself sacrificed by some cult, and you're my best chance of survival. So I will stick with you guys."

I chuckled at his statement "Ha, where did you get the idea that they would sacrifice you?" I asked.

"I dunno. I just get that vibe from them." He answered nonchalantly.

"A gut feeling eh? But we stray from the business at hand." I sit behind him and placed my palm against his back. "Just to inform you, your Ki nodes were open before when we first fought. For some reason it has closed, thus I will now try to stimulate your Ki in order to open your Ki nodes once more."

"Ok. I am ready." He declared. Voice full of confidence.

"Not so fast. Listen to my explanation first. Once I open your Ki nodes, your Ki will pour out of your body. You will need to control your Ki to keep it from leaking. I don't need to explain to you what happens if you fail to contain your energy and run out of Ki right?" I explained.

He inhaled deeply before he let out a long exhale. "O-okay. I-I am ready. I can do this, no sweat." Not as confident as before, he said those words as if he is trying to convince himself.

"Alright. Calm down. I am not going to use my Ki… Now." I pour my Ki out to my hands unto Cloud's back.

What? There was no effect. How can this be?

"Uhmmm… Is that it? I don't feel any different." Cloud asked.

"N-no. Not yet. I am just making sure you are focused on this. This time I'll get serious." I answered. I poured more Ki towards his back.

What is happening? I know I am doing this right. I have seen the Senior Monks do it before. Am I using too little Ki? No, anymore and he might get injured. But why? Why is his Ki still inactive?

"Errr… I still don't fell different" He asked once more.

I guess, I don't have a choice. I continue to increase my Ki output slowly. I can feel Cloud flinch as he start to feel pain from my action. Still, his Ki nodes are not open.

"Argh! I never thought it would hurt." He said as he grits his teeth.

"Endure. It's coming." I answered.

"Errr… I don't like the sound of that." He answered. Still reeling in pain.

Once I reached 25% of my Ki, then it happened.

"Grahhh!!!" Cloud shouted as his Ki bursts out of his body like a violent storm.

"What the! What's happening?!" Philip rushed out of his tent.

Ortho also stopped what he is doing and gawked at what is transpiring. "Woahhh…" He murmured under his breath.

"Huh?" Alora was startled awake by the wild flood of Ki. When she came to, her eyes widen with surprise and fear. "What in the Gods' name is happening?"

"Wow!" Voice filled with wonder came from Cloud. "I was hurting earlier but now I can feel my body healing itself. I feel better and better by the moment." He smiled and faced us. "Could you feel this? Power overflowing!"

Amazing. Such vast amount of Ki that even those who are not sensitive to Ki was able to sense.

Even when I first faced him, I could already feel that he have large amount of Mana and Ki, far beyond his age. But I didn't expect his Ki to be this much. Unreachable to the normal Ki users. Far beyond the Seniors. His Ki is even more than the Abbot himself could possibly dream to have. This amount of Ki should be impossible.

"How in the world could he have such vast amount of life-energy?! He's a monster." I whispered beneath my breath.

"Mark wouldn't believe this even if I told him. How fascinating. How terrifying." Ortho murmured. His mouth agape with awe.

"We should stop this! He is dangerous!" She said as she nocks an arrow.

"No!" I tried to stop he but she was able to fire her arrow.

"What the?" Cloud saw Alora firing the arrow, he tried to dodge but was still hit in the shoulder. "Gahhh!"

"What are you doing Alora?" I yelled.

Philip and Ortho pinned her to the ground. "Don't stand in my way. Look at him! This much power. It is dangerous."

My eyes are glued to Cloud as he plucked the arrow from his shoulder and the wound swiftly closed. Yes. This is the same power he had when I faced him before. No. It is even stronger. I ready myself for the retaliation. But it didn't came.

Cloud just stood there and dropped the bloody arrow to the ground. "Look here lady. I am not looking for a fight." He calmly said. "Even a stray dog have the decency to be thankful to the hand that fed it. Then what would I be if I don't show my gratefulness to the one who gave me strength?" He bowed. He does not know that his Ki awakening is not yet over.

Manually jolting the Ki nodes to open is not the dangerous part. There is one crucial step he need to take before he could fully control his Ki.

Cloud stood there in awe of his overwhelming Ki. Then his eyes grew in fear as the flood of Ki continue to gush out of his body. "Uhmmm… How do I turn this off?"

Yes. This is the dangerous part. But before I aid him, we must first make sure that he could be trusted.