" Hehehe.., seems I have taught you well"

" Whenever your opponent least expects it. If a moment presents itself, provide a lethal blow"

" You have made me proud"

Taf then slowly got to his feet while noticing his clothes that were drenched in water.

The left side of his shirt was blown to bits revealing his now aching fractured ribs.

Seeing his state May then rushed over to offer some assistance.

" This is why I had disagreed when you told me to not hold back on my attacks. Especially when you said you would not put up any defence, even when the art was used."

" Why do you have to be so stubborn, you brute?"

A vile could be seen in May's hand. It had been summoned from a mysterious looking bracelet that could be mistaken for a personal accessory.

If one were to look closely on Taf's hand also, they would see a similar coloured shade ring on one of his fingers.

These were the space stones the pair were given by Alestar. Once one became the owner they could change appearance due to his or her whims. May's choose a gold bracelet while Taf's a gold ring.

She then slowly tilted the vile which resulted in a drop of green liquid falling on Taf's fractured ribs. It smoked for a bit before slight popping sounds could be heard.

As Taf looked down on his once-fractured ribs, he felt slight pain before total relief.

"Aaaah.., that feels good"

' I need to know all the limits of my body as it is now. How much damage I can take and so forth. With this knowledge, if I were to be fighting multiple opponents, I can carefully determine which blows I could take and which to avoid."

" It's my process of sorts. Better to know your restrictions and limitations, right."

He then went on to say after his injuries had been fully healed by the mysterious liquid.

Hearing his reply a side glance of the eye was given by May.

" I think That's your way of beating around the Bush in saying you're a masochist...."

After May's words were spoken Taf could only chuckle at her assumptions.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

▪ 5 Months ▪

Beside a stream, both Taf and May sat with their bare feet under water. They watched as the stones they threw skid on the surface of the water.

" Sigh....there will come moments when you will need to take the life of another. It is not something that can be easily done. such a thing might bear down on your very soul"

" What are your thoughts?"

Taf turned his head looking towards May who had a few rocks in her hand.

" The limits of my soul is unknown even to myself. Thus I am not fully capable of disclosing its boundaries. "

" However I will say this, I am determined to fulfil my convictions. Therefore if needs deem fit and obstructions were to arise, trying to provide some form of hindrance."

" Then this is an obstacle that needs elimination"

May uttered in her delicate voice as she threw one of the rocks that had been stored in her hand on the surface of the stream.

Stolen story; please report.

" ....and what are these convictions?"

Taf curiously asked as he followed the trajectory of the previously thrown rock.

" They all have one thing in common and that is the foundation on which they lay. Surpassing the boundaries of this body of mine and ascending to the peak with you by my side"

" Our oath is my true foundation"

A firm gaze that needed no other words was shown as she looked at the stream that glistened from the rays of sun above.

" Then have you finally found your modus?"

Taf went on asking his finally question to the girl who seemed indomitable.

" Yes, I finally found it...My way is one in which the impossible becomes possible. A resolve that seeks to shatter the very fabric of time itself"

" This is my modus...unshakable"

The words had so many emotions as each was uttered by May as she exuded elegance and feminine poise.

Hearing her finally outline the modus that will forge her way ahead, Taf was quite happy.

" Great I've waited for this day from day one. You sure don't disappoint do You...big flower?"

He then stated as the happiness showcased on his face.

" How could I disappoint my great Sage teacher? Wouldn't that make me an undeserving pupil...?"

May smirked with a playful look on display.

" You make a good point.....hmmm with my awesomeness how could there be failure?"

Taf smugly stated are hearing May's playful words.

" What am I going to do with You, you brute"

She smiled as they both continued to throw rocks on the stream.

" For the next month let's see how far we can push over selves before the trial begin. During these five months, you have advanced to the qi condensation 5 and myself 6th"

" I can tell I won't be able to arrive at the 7th in the month to come with the limitations set. You on the other hand through the use of the Affinity stone has the possibility of reaching the 6th. Also, we'll get you more firmly acquainted with the use of the bow and arrow"

" I'll use the time to consolidate my foundation as well as practice some elemental techniques. I'm thinking it's best that we are at our optimal when we start the trials."

Taf disclosed what his thought process was at the moment and suggested a way forward.

"Hmmm, I also agree. What elemental techniques are you thinking of training in?"

( The two a few months ago had used a similar test as the previous one implemented by Team Malgrey. Through the different elemental globes, they determine what both were aligned with.

☆May had three alignments. They were Water, wind and light☆

☆Taf had four alignments. They were fire, light, darkness and earth☆

It should also be noted that within the qi condensation realm, only elemental arts can be used.

Why is that you wonder?

The requirements for spirit, demonification and Devil techniques are unbearable taxings on anyone lower than the Lord Ream)

" Hmm, why not try all of them? Who knows what situations might arise. I think getting a feel for all of them might be best"

Taf then offered a reply to May's question as he took some time thinking over the different elements he had at his disposable.

" Ok since that's the case, how about we get started then".

An enthusiastic May sprang to her feet summoning a bronze bow and arrow which fell in her hand.

" let's see if I can finally get the hang of this thing".

Both their vision were on a tree with a big bullseye circular target placed in the centre.

" Wonder how close to the centre I will be able to hit this time."

She then suddenly shouted inwardly

☆ Elemental Art (Wind) Eye of an eagle☆

The tip of the bronze arrow glowed blue as it was nocked in the bow.

After what seemed like a second the aiming May swiftly unleashed the bow firing it through the air.

Swish!!!

The arrow seemed to slightly move off its trajectory.

Peng!!!!

It then finally landed hitting the outer area of target embedding itself in the tree.

" I see you have improved, I'm impressed."

Taf could not help but lauded May's efforts after the result was known.

" I still have a long way to go, unfortunately. With the art as assistance, the arrow is intended to be one with the wind. Guess it will take time and practice."

She shook her head not feeling quite enough justice was done to the art she had at her disposable.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

▪ Sixth and final month of training▪

Booom!!!!

Cracks could be seen spreading like spider webs. In the epicentre of the crack, there was a youth covered in sweat with a huge hammer in his hand.

" Hmmm..., seems I finally found a slight balance between my exertion of strength and the amount of qi used With this elemental art ( Earth)."

" Earth and light I can use multiple times without running myself dry. However, fire and darkness are not that easy as they required a significant amount of qi"

" I'll have to ensure not to overuse those two.

Taf stood in the epicentre as he analysed his progress so far.

" Guess that makes sense seeing as I'm only at the qi condensation 6. I'll have to patiently wait until I have cultivated to a higher level"

He then walked over to May who sat quite a distance from the area. There she was under a large oak tree. Beside her were various fruits on a plate.

" You're quite loud today. Do you finally feel confident?"

She asked as he also sat below the shading tree. Then throwing an apple which he caught in his hands before eating.

" I can't say as yet, let's see what he has in store for us"

There they sat for hours relaxing and discussing the looming trial underneath the large oak tree.

Then suddenly they saw their surroundings warped before arriving with a great hall.

There sitting around an exquisitely made table was Draconian Alestar with a slight smile on his face.

" Your training has ended young ones. Tomorrow begins your first trial.