Ark then crouched down, lightly touching the ground with his index finger. Closing his eyes for a brief moment, he suddenly snapped them open, and as he did, a surge of energy rippled outward from him, spreading across the ground with impressive speed.
Whoosh!
From above, it appeared as though a wave was scanning the entire forest. Mizan froze for a second, unsure of what had just happened.
After a short while, Ark stood up, his gaze focused on a distant point. "That place looks good enough," he said. He glanced back at the path they had come from, squinting slightly, his expression darkening, though he didn't voice whatever was bothering him.
Turning to Mizan, Ark ordered, "Let's go."
Mizan, still not ready, hesitated. "C-Can we rest a bit longer? The rain hasn't stopped..." He was looking for any excuse to delay, but before he could finish, Ark cut him off.
"It's not going to stop anytime soon," he said. Without warning, he grabbed Mizan and lifted him under his arm, as if he were a sack of grain. Mizan's eyes widened in confusion. "What are you doing?" he exclaimed, trying to wriggle free.
Ark simply responded, "Be careful to not bite your tongue."
Before Mizan could protest further, Ark was already moving. With a burst of incredible speed, he dashed forward, leaving Mizan no time to react. His heart leapt into his throat, and he let out a loud scream.
"AHHHH!"
Ark moved like a blur, his feet barely touching the ground as he soared through the forest, leaping from tree branch to tree branch with effortless grace. He seemed to glide above the forest, crossing vast distances in the blink of an eye. The wind howled and the rain battered Mizan's face, but he was too stunned to say anything at first. As the rush of adrenaline faded, Mizan marveled at the speed. He instinctively shielded his eyes with his hands, trying to block the rain and wind.
Slowly, he began to relax, his fear giving way to awe. He couldn't help but smile, a broad grin spreading across his face, like a child discovering something new. The speed, the thrill—it was unlike anything he had ever experienced.
All that filled his mind was one thought: 'Can I be this fast if I get stronger?'
He glanced at Ark, who was effortlessly carrying him through the forest. It dawned on him just how powerful Ark was, and the fact that someone like him was willing to teach him filled Mizan with excitement.
***
Amid the steady rain, Ark and Mizan arrived at a breathtaking spot deep within the forest. A tranquil hot spring flowed softly, its waters cascading into a delicate waterfall. Raindrops rippled across the surface, merging with the mist that rose from the warm water, giving the scene an otherworldly charm. The lush greenery around them shimmered, the rain bringing a vibrant sheen to every leaf and branch. The soothing sound of water tumbling over rocks mingled with the rhythmic patter of rain, creating a harmonious melody that amplified the peaceful solitude of the moment.
"Woah," Mizan exclaimed, his eyes wide with wonder at the beauty before him.
Ark, unfazed by the landscape, simply nodded. "We'll stay here for now," he said, his tone neutral as he began to pace the area. It was clear he was deep in thought, evaluating the surroundings as though planning something in his mind.
After a few moments, Ark made a decision. He stopped, his expression focused, and without a word, he lightly stomped his foot on the ground. As his energy coursed through him, the earth beneath them began to crack and shift. Slowly, rocks and dirt rose, forming sturdy walls, followed by a roof, and in no time, a small cottage had emerged from the ground. Mizan stared in awe at the sight, amazed at the sheer ease with which Ark had created shelter from nothing.
The cottage wasn't large—barely eight meters in length and five meters in width—but the magic behind it was staggering. To Mizan, the idea that someone could shape the earth with such precision and purpose left him speechless.
Ark turned to him, noticing the dazed look on Mizan's face. "We should begin your training," he said, his voice firm.
Mizan blinked, snapping out of his stupor. "What should I do?"
Ark raised an eyebrow. "Do you know what the horse stance is?"
"Yes," Mizan replied, his tone flat, feeling a bit insulted. He didn't appreciate being asked such an obvious question.
"Good. Then show me."
"Right now?" Mizan asked incredulously.
"Then tomorrow?" Ark's brow quirked, a slight smile tugging at his lips as he teased.
Mizan grumbled under his breath about the relentless rain, but he complied. Bending his knees to a ninety-degree angle, he stretched his arms out in front of him, keeping his back straight as he settled into the stance. Ark inspected his form, nodding approvingly.
"Stay like that," he said nonchalantly, then turned to walk toward the shelter he had just created.
"How long?" Mizan asked, his voice strained as he struggled to maintain the position.
"Until you collapse," Ark replied with a smirk.
Mizan's eyes widened at the response, the full weight of the task settling in. He felt a burning in his legs, but he forced himself to focus, ignoring the discomfort.
Meanwhile, Ark entered the cottage, channeling more energy to shape a chimney and place some wood inside, preparing for a fire. Mizan, still outside in the rain, tried to maintain his stance, but his breath was becoming uneven. He finally shouted toward the cottage.
"Can I at least take the weights off?" he asked desperately.
Ark didn't even glance back as he replied, "Of course... no." He smirked to himself, adding, "I'll be increasing the weights gradually."
Mizan cursed inwardly at his situation, but before he could complain further, Ark called out sharply.
"What are you doing?" Ark's voice rang out, startling Mizan.
"W-What?" Mizan stammered, confused.
"Why are you not breathing properly?" Ark's tone was stern as he approached. "From now on, no matter what activity you're doing, you need to focus on keeping your breath steady."
Mizan blinked, taken aback by the sudden lecture. Ark continued, his voice taking on a more instructive tone.
"People tend to forget to breathe or hold their breath when doing strenuous tasks. That's exactly why they get exhausted faster than they should. Your muscles need more oxygen the harder you work them. You have to remember your breath."
He paused, his gaze steady. "There are numerous breathing techniques, but you'll need to find the one that's best for you. It should match your body's needs and the task at hand. To do that, you have to familiarize yourself with your body—understand your weaknesses and strengths."
As Ark's words sank in, Mizan started to focus on his breath, trying to inhale and exhale rhythmically. A new realization dawned on him—this wasn't just about physical strength, but about learning to control every part of his body, even the most subtle aspects.
Ark sighed, noticing Mizan's struggles. "You said you were in an academy for two years," he mused aloud. "Did they not teach the students how to train their bodies there?"
Mizan lowered his gaze, thinking for a moment before replying. "Yes, but only for those who awaken their heart's core energy and become Vitalists. For others, the focus is usually on learning other subjects. In my case, I was a bit of an exception, as I started using my ability before awakening either of my core energies. Because of that, I only had the chance to learn general knowledge and never got the opportunity to specialize or practice anything specific."
Ark's brow furrowed. "What did they teach you anyway?"
Mizan paused, collecting his thoughts. After a brief silence, he began to recite the lessons he'd learned. "Well…"