The sun was just beginning to light up the clearing in the forest where Towan, Elliot, Eryndar, and the master stood together. Rhys and Kade observed quietly from a distance. Today was a special day—one that would change how the boys understood their essence.

"Today, you'll learn something crucial about essence," the master began as he moved to the center of the clearing. Eryndar, standing beside him, nodded in agreement.

"Understanding essence isn't just about using it with raw power. Anyone can channel 100% of their essence and release it in an attack," Eryndar continued, crossing his arms. "But that power is wasted without control."

The master raised his fist, and a noticeable glow of essence gathered around it. "When someone uses 100% of their essence without direction, it disperses. It loses precision and effectiveness—like throwing a bucket of water into the wind," he explained, demonstrating with a strike against a nearby rock. The impact was loud, and some dust was kicked up, but the energy dissipated, leaving the damage incomplete.

Eryndar stepped forward. "With control, essence can be focused on a single point. Even with less energy, the result is far more devastating," he said, delivering a blow to a second rock. This time, the impact was clean and sharp, splitting the rock into two halves.

Towan and Elliot exchanged wide-eyed looks. "That's a huge difference!" Towan exclaimed.

"That's what you'll learn today," the master declared. "A single strike using just 60% of your essence—but fully controlled. It won't be easy, and even if you succeed, it'll be exhausting."

"First, you need to feel your essence flowing through your body," Eryndar instructed as he stepped closer to the boys. "Without that awareness, you can't direct it. Close your eyes. Imagine your essence as a river coursing through your veins. Now try to guide that river to a single point: your fist or your leg, depending on your attack."

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The boys closed their eyes and focused. Elliot aimed to channel his essence into his right fist, while Towan concentrated on his left leg. At moments, it seemed like they were close, but every time they tried to maintain the flow, it slipped away.

"This is harder than I thought," Elliot admitted, wiping sweat from his brow after several failed attempts.

Eryndar smirked. "That's why we're teaching you together. Each of us has a different way of handling essence, and that will give you a broader perspective."

The master added with a practical tone, "My approach focuses on speed and precision. Eryndar specializes in raw strength and stability. But both of us rely on one key element: control."

The morning passed in a rhythm of practice and correction. Eryndar and the master alternated between demonstrations and feedback. Towan and Elliot couldn’t help but be amazed by how seamlessly their instructors worked together. Every explanation from one seemed to complement the other’s methods perfectly, like two halves of the same whole.

Finally, after hours of effort, progress came. Towan unleashed a kick imbued with essence, shattering a wooden post in a single strike. Elliot followed with a punch that left a deep impression in the trunk of a tree.

"Whoa! That’s amazing!" Towan cheered, collapsing to the ground with exhaustion. "But I feel completely drained."

"That’s normal," Eryndar explained, crossing his arms again. "This level of control consumes much more energy than a regular attack. You’ll need to reserve it for critical moments."

The master nodded. "Over time, you’ll improve your efficiency and sustain this technique longer. For now, focus on perfecting a single, controlled strike."

As the training wrapped up, the boys joined Rhys and Kade under the shade of the trees to rest.

"Your masters work really well together," Kade remarked, handing them water.

"Almost too well," Towan muttered, gazing at the sky with a thoughtful expression. "It’s like they’ve known each other forever."

Elliot, ever observant, nodded. "Maybe we should ask them. Though I doubt they’d tell us anything."

Rhys and Kade exchanged glances, equally puzzled. "We don’t know much either," Rhys admitted. "Master Eryndar never talks about his past."

"Same with our master," Kade added.

Towan sighed, a mix of frustration and curiosity on his face. "There’s got to be something they’re hiding."

Elliot stayed silent, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The forest’s sounds filled the air, and while their doubts lingered, they knew that today wasn’t just about learning to control their essence. It was also a glimpse into the mystery of their teachers’ shared history—one they were determined to uncover someday.