Chapter 143: Mystic Martial Arts

With a smile on his face, Aiden once again checked the latest notification he received from the system.

[The skill [Martial Arts] - Has been upgraded and into [Mystic Martial Arts]. The new skill has been moved under the Innates category. 

The new skill, while containing the source skills details, also has a new, active element, that can be activated by using [Soul Power]. Consumption: 10 SP / second.]

[Due to the successful session in understanding the mysteries of the energies, you received a 300 XP bonus to your [Soul Power]. 

Additionally, the skill, [Meditation] has been created and granted to the host.]

Focusing his will on the second skill, a new window opened on top of the previous one with detailed information about it.

[Meditation: Active Skill. Gain 1 XP to [Soul Power] for every second spent meditating in the clear, perfect state. 

Note: Depending on the comprehension of the host, reaching this state may take some time. Before that, there is no XP to be generated.]

'So the system finally generated this skill after so many times…' Aiden thought to himself. 

He wanted to check out the other skill as well, but the mature, clear voice of her master interrupted him.

"How are you, Aiden? How did you feel?"

His eyelids fluttered open, revealing his golden irises. With a calm expression, he looked at Number 3's kind, smiling face. After taking a breath and exhaling it, Aiden responded.

"I… I am fine, Master. I gained some insight into the energies flowing inside me. I think… I can utilize this power to enhance my fighting style."

Number 3's kind smile curved even higher, turning into a satisfied grin as she looked at her apprentice. Nodding at his words, she went on.

"Good, very good, Aiden! This is what I was hoping for!" Then turning towards Lily, with a wry smile she spoke. "Lily, dear, I am sorry, but I will need to focus on continuing the session with Aiden. He gained some incredible benefits, but he still needs to practice with it. I hope you understand, dear. You can continue meditating, and let me know if you reach any success, okay? Also, if you find it too difficult, don't worry, it is actually very difficult to do it. I had to spend months before I was successful."

Taking a breath, she continued, still looking at Lily.

"In case you got bored or tired with trying, you could train with Sam and Biggy, and work on your team skills. It is actually just as important as meditating."

Lily's expression first turned sour as she listened to her Master's words, she felt useless, a burden. However, as Number 3 went on, she regained some of her wits, and even a small smile started to form at the edges of her lips, thinking about playing with her doggies. In the end, she nodded. Although she seemed determined, neither Aiden nor Number 3 knew what aspect of the training she was fired up about.

"Yes, master! I will do my best! You just focus on helping brother!"

With that said, she immediately turned around and ran into the house. Moments later she was already back with shining eyes and her two canine companions in tow.

"I see. Alright, have fun, Lily!" Number 3 smiled at her and turned around to face Aiden, who was still sitting cross-legged on the ground, with already closed eyes. 

While his master focused on Lily, Aiden opened up the details for the new skill, the [Mystic Martial Arts] for better understanding.

[Mystic Martial Arts: An enhanced, upgraded version of the baseline skill [Martial Arts]. It relies on the same skill for the basic skill set, providing the same benefits passively, however, all movements are empowered with the usage of the [Soul Power]'s energy pool. By activating the skill, the host will utilize this constantly flowing energy inside the body, gaining a boost to strength and speed. 

At higher levels, the always available Essences lingering all around can be utilized, adding additional effects to the movements. Consumption while active: 10 SP / second]

Reading through the details, he closed all the system windows, and opened up his eyes again, looking at Number 3. She was still gazing at Lily's direction who was already at the far end of the yard, playing with Sam and Biggy something similar to a game of tag.

"Master... " Aiden spoke up, grabbing Number 3's attention. As she looked at him, he continued. "Shall we try another battle? I want to test myself once again." A small smile was visible on his face, he was hoping for bigger success this time.

"We will, Aiden, but first, let me see what you gained." She vertically waved with her hands, as she continued. "Stand up and face me."

Following her words, Aiden quickly stood up, standing still watching his Master with his focused, perceptive gaze.

"Okay, Aiden. Let's try something simple. I will show you the movement, you just focus on it first. Then I will explain it to you, and you will try to repeat it. Here is the first."

Just like before, she did a simple wave with her right hand in front of her face. As the arc went on, the air trembled behind her hand. The lingering essences in the air, reacted to her energy, giving her motion a blurred, transparent tail made out of energy, while also emitting a faint buzzing sound.

"By relying on your inner flow of energy and utilizing it, focusing it on the back of your hand you will gain this effect. While this one has no real combat potential, it serves as the basis of all the others we will go through. Try to repeat it in my movements. Remember, to focus on your own energy and use it as soon as you begin the action. Now go, show it to me!"

Nodding, Aiden activated his new [Mystic Martial Arts] skill. With the skill active, in addition to his experience with how his energy flowed inside his body, he had no trouble in repeating his master's motion at his very first try.

Looking at his beautiful, blurred transparent arc of energy, Number 3 revealed the same gentle smile that Granny usually has. 

"Great job, Aiden! Really great! You did it on your first attempt! Now, let's do something useful. With this energy inside you, you can enhance your abilities. For example, like the speed of your swings…"

Saying that her whole right arm blurred as she made a simple forward thrust, creating several afterimages in the air. As the simple thrust completed, a loud explosive sound rang out as her fist released a compressed ball made out of a mixture of energy and air heading towards Aiden. As it reached the startled boy, he felt her fist hitting his chest.

Looking at his chest then at his master with a surprised look, he was eager to give it a try. Before Number 3 could explain the mysteries behind this movement, he was already in action. Activating the skill again, he focused on increasing the speed of his right arm. As his muscles contorted under the increased pressure, his arm was thrust forward, similarly to how Number 3 did. 

His speed was fast, but not to the point of creating afterimages in the air, and there was no compressed air that was released at the end. He looked at his fist as if trying to find the fault of his failure in his hand. 

"It was a great attempt, but you relied on your muscles too much, Aiden. Even if you pour everything into them, they will not be able to overcome their physical limits. Instead, use the energy directly, similarly as how you created the trail of energy behind your hand previously." Number 3 explained with the same kind, gentle smile.

Listening to her instructions, Aiden tried the action once again. Activating the skill for the third time, he thrust forward once again, while relying on the skill itself to enhance his speed instead of relying on his own muscles. 

This time, his speed was considerably faster than before. His arm actually blurred, but still not to the point of creating afterimages in the air. At the end of his punch, a small, compressed gust of air was released with a much quieter bang. The gust of air reached all the way to Number 3 who could feel a gentle summer breeze whoosh by. 

Although it wasn't the same effect, the improvement was drastic. Aiden managed to repeat her actions without much difficulty in just two attempts. This was previously unheard of. Although Number 3 didn't explain it in full detail, this action required a much better control, much higher understanding, and experience to accomplish. She wanted him to try and struggle with it, so he could gradually increase his own comprehension and gain his own insights. Yet, the boy managed to almost perfectly copy the action so quickly.

Her shocked expression turned into a satisfied smile, then as the edges of her lips curved, it revealed her cheeky grin.

"Incredible, Aiden. I think you are actually ready to try and fight me again. Let's see if you can land a hit on me this time!