My Tribrid System.

Tahir steadied his breathing, feeling the rush of Kengen pulse within him as he continued to face down the two golems. He knew he couldn't rely solely on his physical skills to win this battle. As he dodged another swing, his mind sharpened, his focus narrowing in on the techniques he had drilled over and over. This was his moment to unleash them fully.

He closed his eyes for a brief moment, centering himself. With a deep breath, he activated Kyuu—the essence of awareness. A faint, almost invisible aura of energy expanded around him, amplifying his perception. Now, even the smallest movements of his opponents became clear, every shift in their weight, every tension in their form, all coming to him as vivid sensations. It was as if he could see the fight before it happened.

As one golem launched forward, Tahir sidestepped, smoothly entering Seki. His energy coiled inward, his presence minimized so that, for a heartbeat, he vanished from the golems' awareness. They faltered, their movements disjointed as they lost track of him. Using the moment of confusion, Tahir struck, aiming a powerful blow to the golem's side, infused with Ryuu—the technique of flow. His energy surged outward from his core, enhancing his strength as he made contact. The golem staggered back, visibly damaged.

The second golem retaliated quickly, throwing a fist toward his head. Tahir barely managed to block, but the force drove him backward, his feet scraping against the ground as he struggled to hold his stance. Gritting his teeth, he unleashed Shin—channeling all his energy to reinforce his resolve, locking down any leakage of Kengen from his body. His aura steadied, becoming solid and unwavering, and his energy became more controlled.

Then, feeling his spirit ignite, he called upon Hatsu, his unique manifestation of energy. A flicker of blue light sparked around his fists as he launched into an offensive, his strikes sharper and more impactful than ever. With a combination of swift kicks and jabs, he forced both golems onto the defensive, each blow carrying the unique resonance of his essence. His Hatsu was imbued with something deeper—pain, anger, and raw, unrefined power, creating a rhythm to his strikes that seemed almost alive.

Finally, as the golems attempted a simultaneous strike, Tahir drew his sword. Holding the blade firm in his hand, he allowed Kengen to flow into it, the weapon becoming an extension of himself. With a deep focus, he let the Ryuu flood his blade, coating it in a vibrant energy that hummed with his intent.

He slashed through the air, the sword cutting with precision and power, infused with the full force of his techniques. The first golem took the brunt of the slash, crumbling as the energy overwhelmed it. The second staggered, visibly weakened. Tahir advanced with unwavering steps, his aura blazing, his every strike a testament to the discipline he had built over months of relentless training.

The golems could hardly keep up now, each of their movements a desperate attempt to counter him. With a final surge, Tahir unleashed a powerful downward strike, splitting the second golem apart, his Kengen-infused blade cleaving through it with a satisfying crack.

When the dust settled, he stood victorious, breathing hard, his sword still faintly glowing with the residual energy. He turned to look at Barta, Gelda, and Palm, who were watching him with expressions of silent amazement. They hadn't expected this—hadn't known just how far his Ryuu could reach or how much his technique had evolved. They could feel the power radiating from him, a blend of anger, pain, and fierce determination that seemed to mark every movement he made.

Tahir sheathed his sword, the weight of the fight settling in his bones. He met their astonished gazes, a silent acknowledgment of his progress as the tension hung heavy in the air.

As the dust settled from the intense fight, Tahir looked up to see Barta, Gelda, and Palm approaching, their expressions softened with a rare look of pride.

"Well done, Tahir," Barta said, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "You've completed your training with a strength we didn't anticipate."

Gelda nodded. "It's impressive how far you've come. You've passed every challenge we set for you."

Palm gave a small nod of approval, a faint smile breaking through her usually stern expression. "Congratulations, Tahir. You've done well."

Tahir blinked, a hint of confusion in his gaze as he took in their words. "Completed?" he echoed, unsure what they meant.

"Yes," Barta replied, turning and gesturing for him to follow as they began their walk back toward the mountain. Tahir followed, his mind racing with questions. The journey back was quiet, filled with the soft sounds of the wilderness around them, yet the weight of their words lingered, adding a sense of finality to every step.

Once they reached the mountain, Barta turned to him, his gaze steady and serious. "We've taught you everything we know about Kengen," he said. "From here on out, it's up to you to continue the training. There's only so much we can pass on—only so far we can take you."

Tahir absorbed this, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. Before he could respond, Gelda spoke up, her voice gentle.

"How is he?" she asked, her tone implying she wasn't looking for an ordinary answer.

Tahir's brow furrowed for a moment before he realized she was likely asking about the leader of the Shadow Fang, who he'd encountered recently. "The Shadow Fang leader?" he replied, glancing at her. "He was alright when I last saw him."

But Palm interjected, her gaze keen. "No, Tahir. I meant your father. They sent you here, didn't they?"

Tahir paused, caught off guard by her words. He looked between them, slowly shaking his head. "No… they didn't. I don't even know him."

A brief silence fell over the group as they absorbed his words. Barta chuckled, a knowing smile on his face. "Is that what he meant when he said, 'Help me train the young lad I'll be sending your way'? I thought he'd have told you by now."

Tahir's curiosity stirred, a flicker of something deeper igniting within him. He hadn't expected this, hadn't anticipated any connection between his past and the journey he'd undertaken.

Gelda stepped forward, her expression solemn. "Tahir," she said softly, her voice carrying the weight of years. "There's a story you deserve to know. A story about your father."