Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

"Liss and Asche can use wind magic, so you two can practice this," Rain said and then raised his calves and then used a blast of wind to propel himself forward. "It is a bit hard to control, but you won\'t have to use too much physical strength. Terra is the problem here."

"I am sorry for being a problem," Terra said while looking away, a bit annoyed.

"It seems that you are only good at healing magic and not at elemental magic. We will have to think of something for that," Rain rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Having some extra mobility might save you one day."

Rain contemplated the challenge of enhancing Terra\'s speed with raw mana. He knew that, theoretically, raw mana manipulation might provide a solution. Still, he hadn\'t made significant progress in that field yet. Unlike those for whom magic was a primary focus, Rain primarily viewed magic as a supporting element in his abilities.

Consequently, he had fewer ideas on how to tackle this issue compared to those who were more deeply entrenched in the study of magic.

"You are good at healing magic, so you should try to use your raw mana in other ways. You should be good with that since most healing magic isn\'t elemental," Rain said. "I can show you the non-elemental spells that I have, and I can tell you my opinion when you ask about something, but I have no idea how to develop a technique that only uses raw mana."

"What about the training that Jori and Reca are doing? That will improve their physical abilities, right?" Terra asked.

"Yeah, but I wouldn\'t recommend it to you. You trained your body a bit for melee combat, but that technique is a lot more intense," Rain replied.

Rain unleashed the second general\'s technique, resulting in a dramatic transformation. His muscles swelled beneath his skin, which took on a reddish tint. His face tightened with determination and fury, and instead of regular sweat, his body emitted steam. This showcased his mastery and the immense power he commanded, making it clear just how formidable he had become.

Still, it was clear he was having difficulty keeping his mind clear. Only those who had experience controlling their anger in most situations would be able to use that technique. Rain still didn\'t know if Jori and Reca would be able to pull it off after all.

"I can see your point… I wonder if there will be a technique like that along the paths connected to the healer\'s path," Terra said. "I don\'t think that I can learn a new technique, and I want to make my healing skills reach the level of those guys, so I think it would be better if I improved my melee skills instead.

I might not be able to run away super fast like you do, but I will be able to hold my ground and heal my wounds. I will have the advantage in a battle of attrition."

"I don\'t run away super fast. I charge in super fast," Rain said and then realized Terra\'s point. "... Still, I suppose you have a point. You should follow Jori and Reca for starters, then."

Rain crafted forearm guards and shin guards from solid earth for Terra. Although they were somewhat weighty, Terra\'s face lit up with an odd sense of contentment as she received them. She eagerly strapped them on, and without further ado, she joined Jori and Reca in running laps around the garden.

The earth-made protective gear not only bolstered her defenses but also seemed to invigorate her as if she had found a new source of strength and motivation.

"I am going to school, and I guess I will be lagging behind at this rate…" Dana said while seeing everyone training hard.

"Don\'t worry about that. Just push your limits every day, and then you will eventually be satisfied with your progress," Rain said while messing with Dana\'s hair. "You two should take a break as well. You two are too young to train this hard when you are that young."

"Okay," Kei said, looking a bit unmotivated.

"What about breakfast? Can I make it?" Gila asked.

"I will keep an eye, just to be safe," Rain replied.

From that point onward, Rain\'s household was a hive of activity. Training sessions became rigorous and persistent, extending throughout the day. While Rain initially considered restricting them until noon, his companions, Jori, and the others, were resolute in their determination to expand their limits daily in anticipation of their next mission.

Rain began to contemplate whether their unwavering commitment to training might eventually lead to burnout.

Rain\'s interactions with Terra were particularly noteworthy. He engaged in sparring sessions with her, sharing invaluable insights into close-range combat. Terra absorbed his teachings about optimal stances for offense and defense, techniques for swiftly assessing adversaries to avoid potential threats, and diverse strategies for refining her combat skills.

Each day presented new lessons and challenges, allowing Terra to absorb knowledge and refine her abilities.

One day, a noticeable shift in demeanor was observed among the group. Liss appeared downcast, her mood clearly affected. In contrast, Terra was beaming with unbridled enthusiasm. Initially, they kept the cause of this disparity to themselves, leaving others to speculate. However, Jori managed to overhear a conversation between the two, shedding light on the situation.

It appeared that Terra\'s enthusiasm was a result of her training efforts, which had led to the development of well-defined abdominal muscles. Reca and Asche, too, had successfully cultivated their own impressive abs.