Chapter 5: The First Step to Soul Rings
(90 Days After Martial Soul Awakening)
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Evan woke early, as he had for the past few months. The sun's rays filtered through the small window of his dorm room in Spirit Hall, casting a soft, golden hue across his worn training clothes. It had been three months since his martial soul awakening, and life in Spirit Hall had become a routine of endless training, meditations, and physical exercises.
At rank 6 soul power, Evan knew his progress was slower than many of the other students. Most of them had already reached rank 7 or 8, their abilities advancing quickly. But Evan didn't let it discourage him. He wasn't a genius, nor did he have some hidden cultivation manual like Tang San. What he had was perseverance, and he was going to need all of it.
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Morning Training – Spirit Hall Grounds
The first light of dawn had already illuminated the training grounds when Evan arrived. His fellow classmates, already dressed in their training gear, gathered around their instructor, Naia.
Naia, a tall, stern woman with a commanding presence, turned to face them. "Today's lesson will focus on refining soul power control. Mastering control is the foundation for any Soul Master. Without control, power is useless."
Evan nodded along with the others, his mind already focused on the task ahead. He was still working on channeling his soul power in small, controlled bursts. Even with his innate rank 6, his soul power control was far from refined.
He had learned that the key to progressing was not in rushing, but in steady, consistent practice.
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Training with Mira – Partnered Sparring
After the morning lesson, students were given time for sparring. Mira, his training partner and fellow student, approached him with a friendly smile. She had been his sparring partner for some time now, and though they weren't evenly matched, Evan appreciated the challenge. Mira's Firefinch Martial Soul was a fiery type that gave her an edge in offensive combat, while Evan's Duskwind Panther was more about speed and agility.
"Ready for another round?" Mira asked, stretching her arms as she grinned.
"Always," Evan replied, his voice steady, though his mind was already preparing for the sparring session. The goal was not to defeat Mira, but to hone his speed, reflexes, and control over his body.
Evan activated his Duskwind Panther Martial Soul, allowing its presence to meld with his body. A cold, focused energy surged through him, sharpening his instincts and enhancing his agility.
Unlike other students, Evan wasn't able to use any soul skills yet—he had no soul ring. He had only recently started learning how to refine his soul power.
"Let's see how much you've improved," Mira said, charging toward him, her Firefinch flaring to life behind her. The small, fiery bird shot toward Evan, and he reacted instinctively, dodging to the side.
The agility granted by his Duskwind Panther Martial Soul allowed him to evade most of Mira's fiery attacks, though the heat from her Firefinch made it clear that he couldn't afford to be careless.
Evan ducked under a fiery projectile and dashed forward, trying to close the distance. His speed was his greatest asset, but his control was still rough. He couldn't yet match the fluidity of more advanced students in his class.
"You're faster, but still too predictable," Mira called out, stepping back and tossing another fireball in his direction.
Evan sidestepped once again, the heat of the flames brushing against his skin. He had to admit she was right. While his speed had improved, his movements weren't yet fluid enough to be effective in a real battle. He needed more practice.
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Instructor Naia's Assessment
After the sparring session, Evan joined the rest of the students in a circle as Instructor Naia addressed them.
"Some of you are already showing excellent control of your soul power," Naia said, her gaze sweeping across the students. "Others, like Evan, are still struggling with basic control. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. It means you haven't plateaued yet. The key is to continue pushing forward, refining your soul power in small, controlled bursts."
Evan remained silent as he listened. Naia's words were a reminder that his cultivation path was different from others. He wasn't going to advance as quickly as some of the more talented students, but that didn't mean he couldn't get stronger.
"Don't rush things," Naia continued. "Your martial soul and soul power will grow with time and effort. No amount of shortcuts will substitute for hard work."
Evan knew Naia's words weren't just meant for him—they applied to everyone. But he felt them deeply. He couldn't afford to be impatient. He had to focus on gradual progress, no matter how slow it seemed.
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Refining Soul Power in Seclusion
As the day ended, Evan retreated to the quiet solitude of his dorm room. The room was small, with only a bed, a desk, and a few training tools. But Evan had come to appreciate the silence. It was the perfect place to meditate and refine his soul power.
Sitting cross-legged on the floor, he closed his eyes and focused on his breathing. He let the world around him fade away and concentrated on the flow of energy within his body.
His soul power was still rank 6, but Evan knew he was making progress. Every day, he could feel his soul power becoming slightly more stable, more refined. His connection to his Duskwind Panther was growing stronger as well, and even though he couldn't yet manifest soul skills, he could feel the latent power within him.
It wasn't much, but it was a start.
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A Quiet Resolve
As the moon rose high in the sky, Evan sat in his room, feeling the weight of the days ahead. His progress had been slow, and he wasn't about to break any records. But in this world of Soul Masters, where strength often determined one's fate, Evan had come to one conclusion:
Hard work was the only path forward.
Tomorrow, he would train again. And the day after that. And the day after that.
Every step, no matter how small, would bring him closer to his goal.
It wasn't about rushing. It was about perseverance.
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End of Chapter 5