My Tribrid System.

The sun was high, casting a relentless glare over the mountain. Tahir's body ached from the morning's drills, but Palm wasn't done. The master's eyes were unyielding, a storm brewing beneath the calm surface.

"Your kicks have brought you this far," Palm said, stepping into a combat stance. "Now, it's time to learn the true art of punches."

Tahir's muscles protested as he fell into position. Every part of him was fatigued, but he pushed aside the exhaustion. He couldn't afford weakness, not here.

The first lesson began with the jab. Palm's punch was a blur, a quick snap that cut through the silence. Tahir imitated the motion, the impact of his knuckles against the air weak and uncertain. Before he could reset, a sharp tap to his side reminded him of Palm's unforgiving precision.

"Again," Palm ordered, the single word carrying the weight of the mountains. Tahir repeated the move, channeling the energy flow he had learned through Kengen to steady his breathing and power. This time, it felt more solid, though far from perfect.

Palm didn't allow any pause as he moved to the next lesson—the cross. Tahir twisted his body, trying to recall the form, letting the energy surge from his feet to his fist. The motion was stronger, but imperfect. Palm corrected him with a silent nudge, pushing him to try again. Each attempt left his arms heavier, the cold mountain air biting into his skin with every breath.

The hook came next. Palm's demonstration was swift, the motion a coiled strike unleashed with deadly precision. Tahir followed, muscles tightening as he swung his arm in a curved path. The rocky ground underfoot made balance a challenge, and his first attempts left him teetering. Palm's eyes narrowed but said nothing, watching as Tahir adjusted his stance and tried again.

This time, the movement felt sharper, though the ache in his core grew with each repetition.

When Palm introduced the uppercut, Tahir's body screamed for rest. The motion was different, demanding power from deep within. He lowered himself, drawing energy from the mountain itself, and launched the strike upward. The effort left his muscles trembling, sweat mingling with the dust on his skin.

Night had begun to creep into the sky when they reached the overhand punch. The move was wide, sweeping, demanding precision and full commitment. Tahir felt his balance waver with each try, the sting of fatigue sharper than before. Palm's silent corrections were reminders that there was no room for mistakes.

The ground felt harder, the air colder, but he kept pushing, letting Kengen anchor him to his willpower.

By the time the stars emerged, Tahir's fists were raw, his strength nearly spent. His vision blurred as he took a final stance, wavering as exhaustion weighed him down. With one last attempt, he felt his body give out, knees buckling as he collapsed onto the rough ground, gasping for breath.

Palm stepped closer, observing Tahir's motionless form. A faint smile played on his lips, rare and fleeting. "He looks promising," Palm muttered, almost to himself. His gaze shifted to the horizon, eyes shadowed with memory. "In a year's time, I'm sure we can change him. He looks just like you."

"You've come far," Palm said, his voice low, "but there's more to learn."

Tahir didn't respond, but the glint in his eyes said enough. The mountain stood witness as he rose once more, ready for whatever came next.

In another part of the world Jude and kris were in a training room.

The training room was spacious, filled with the scent of sweat and the sound of feet shuffling against the polished floor. Jude and Kris faced each other, the weight of their upcoming training session hanging in the air. Jude could feel the pressure of his current level, eager to break through to level 8, but knowing it wouldn't come easy.

"Today, we're focusing on two new skills: Golem Creation and Earth Spike," Kris said, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. His relaxed demeanor contrasted with Jude's bubbling excitement.

"How do we start?" Jude asked, bouncing on the balls of his feet, ready to dive in.

"First, let's tackle Golem Creation," Kris instructed, gesturing to a pile of training mats stacked in one corner of the room. "You need to gather your energy and shape it into something solid. Picture what kind of golem you want to create. It can be small or large, but keep it simple for now."

Jude nodded, closing his eyes to concentrate. He envisioned a sturdy stone golem, a protector that could stand strong in battle. The image formed clearly in his mind—its rough, jagged features and loyal stance.

With a deep breath, he pressed his hands against the ground, willing the energy within him to flow into the materials. He could feel the vibrations beneath his palms, but the transformation felt just out of reach.

"Come on, come on!" Jude urged himself, frustration creeping in as the mats remained still.

"Focus, Jude. Let the energy flow; don't force it," Kris called out, his tone calm and encouraging.

Jude took another deep breath, relaxing his muscles as he tried to visualize the golem more vividly. He imagined its rugged exterior and the strength it would embody. With renewed focus, he channeled his energy, allowing it to connect with the ground. Slowly, the mats began to stir, lifting slightly under his command.

"Good! Keep it steady!" Kris shouted, a note of excitement in his voice.

Jude poured more energy into the mats, feeling them respond to his will. The outline of the golem started to form, but it was rough and incomplete. His heart raced; he was close, but not there yet.

"Not bad for a first try," Kris said, inspecting the half-formed golem. "Now, practice controlling it. Give it commands, make it move."

"Alright! Golem, step forward!" Jude commanded, excitement bubbling over.

The makeshift golem lurched, taking a clumsy step forward, but Jude winced at the sight. "No, no! Move smoothly!"

Kris chuckled softly, shaking his head. "It takes practice. Just visualize each movement clearly."

Jude nodded, concentrating hard. He guided the golem with his thoughts, and this time, it moved more fluidly. He felt a surge of pride as it took another step, responding to his commands with greater precision.

"Great! Now let's work on Earth Spike," Kris said, his enthusiasm palpable. "This technique will let you create projectiles from the ground."

Jude wiped the sweat from his brow, eager to keep going. "How do I start?"

"Focus your energy into the ground and picture sharp spikes erupting from it. The more you believe in the technique, the more powerful it will be," Kris instructed.

Taking a moment, Jude positioned himself again, grounding himself to the floor beneath his feet. He envisioned jagged spikes bursting from the ground, sharp and deadly. With a deep breath, he pressed his palms to the floor and willed his energy to flow.

At first, nothing happened. The floor remained still, and Jude felt frustration rising again. "What's going wrong?" he muttered.

Kris watched him closely. "It's not uncommon to struggle with this. Try to visualize the spikes with more detail. Think about how they will look when they burst from the ground."

Jude nodded, trying to shake off his frustration. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. "I just want to master it. I don't want to feel weak," he admitted, opening his eyes to meet Kris's gaze.

"You're not weak. Everyone struggles when learning something new. It's part of growth," Kris replied reassuringly. "Now, let's refine your approach. Picture the spikes as an extension of your own energy, like your arm reaching out."

With renewed determination, Jude stood back up. He centered himself, allowing his energy to flow freely. He pictured the spikes again, sharp and powerful, and pressed his hands to the ground with conviction.

"Focus," he whispered to himself, visualizing two long, jagged spikes. With a powerful thrust, he released his energy, willing the ground to respond.

This time, the floor erupted in a controlled explosion. Two solid spikes shot up, sharp and imposing. Jude gasped, exhilaration flooding his veins. He had done it!

"Nice work!" Kris exclaimed, clapping his hands together. "Now can you control them?"

Jude grinned, excitement bubbling within him. "Yes! Earth Spike, rise!" he commanded.

The spikes responded smoothly, raising and lowering with his thoughts. Jude felt a rush of power as he manipulated the earth beneath him, sensing his energy growing stronger with each movement.

"Great job, Jude! You've made significant progress today," Kris said, giving him an approving nod.

"Thanks! I can feel myself getting stronger!" Jude replied, pride swelling in his chest.

As they continued to train, Jude felt the familiar warmth of energy swirling around him, a clear sign of his growth. After an intense hour of practice, Jude stumbled back, panting but exhilarated. "That was amazing! I can feel myself getting closer to level 8!"

"You're almost there. Keep pushing yourself, and you'll break through in no time," Kris said, his encouragement fueling Jude's determination.

With that resolve igniting within him, Jude dove back into practice, eager to see what other heights he could reach with Kris by his side.