With the demonstration Ben bowed in a dramatic manner. Then he said, "Ok now the technique which makes me a 'Shaman'!"
Everyone's eyes lit up. Then they saw a light on his right hand. The next second in place of Ben they saw a large ethereal lupis. It was a majestic lupis with its fur black in color filled with white motes. It was like watching the night sky ridden with stars.
All of them jumped back. The aura that was emanating from the lupis was overwhelming. Then the lupis jumped around the entire stadium and even jumped . It jumped so high that some students saw it. They reported that they saw a flying lupis in the campus prompting the school to start an investigation.
Suddenly the lupis disappeared & only Ben remained. His friends were now truly mesmerized.
Rais: "Dude that was cool. What all can this one do? Is
Ben: Well For starters it can slam into opponents. It can even be used to tear them apart or attack them with claw. It can also used to augment my aether leap. These are the applications which I could understand till now.
Saarsh: How big can it get?
Ben: I haven't actually thought it that way.
Rais: Yeah, I think you can use it to fight large beasts.
Roshin: Yeah, it will be like a monster you control. You can control or you can become a monster itself.
Jim: What other abilities did you get? Show us, show us!
Ben: Unfortunately that's all.
All of them together: Ohhh...!!
Ben: Hey, you all are practicing the stuff I taught you right?
Jim: Yep, we are.
Roshin: Hey, they are physical exercises, right?
Ben: They have their benefits, you will understand. One of the things that I can tell you is regarding the penetration rate. More the meridians penetrate into your body, the more beneficial it is.
Saarsh: Isn't it painful?
Ben: It is painful only at the initial expansion. After that the further penetration is painless.
Jim: So what exactly is the benefit of more penetration and this exercise?
Ben: Well, only when the penetration happens properly will the aura circulate through your body and reinforce it properly. If not, it will not happen and it will create inefficiencies in your aura usage. Now in order for the meridians to expand the body must be strong. That is where these exercises come in. Consider these exercises an extra lesson in addition to Mahaansh's one.
Rais: Dude Mahaansh's training it self is hell. If we do more we would die.
Roshin: When he was not there, we did not have to endure that. Other teachers were somewhat fine. But he did warn us that if we slack off, he will double the training time.
Saarsh: Who are you telling all these to. The renowned martial knight of the school. He is practically free.
Jim: Oh yeah, I forgot about that. You don't have to do anything right?
Ben: You think so…. Didn't you hear anything I just said? Do you think all these techniques came out of thin air. Also I had to complete more school work than all of you because I am a martial knight. I even have my final theory exam 30 days from now.
All of them together: What?!!!
Ben: Yes, my school year will end early. I will have the theory exams in 30 days and then for about 3 months I am free. I intent to train my martial arts then.
Saarsh: Dude, it is that time really right.
Rais: In another 5 months the school is getting over.
Roshin: Yep, finally.
Jim: Well, it has been long guys.
Ben: Enough about that. It is not the end of the world. Most likely we will see each other. We might even end up in the same military division or at least in the same area.
Sarsh: He wouldn't your military career start early.
Rais: Yeah, you had a jump start over us.
Ben: I have not been informed about that in any way. But I doubt the army will allow me to skip basic military training. That is mandatory to integrate properly into the army.
Roshin: Most likely. Well as he said it is not the end of the world.
Ben: (mischievously) Well when we see in the barracks, I will be the superior officer. You people better behave.
Saarsh: Yes sir ( mockingly saluting)
Roshin: Sir yes sir!!!!
Rais: Haa… You are already arrogant. What is going to happen in the future when we enter the military."
Meanwhile the others were conducting a parade in front of Ben teasing him. Seeing this Rais also joined them. The paraded and saluted in front of Ben. Seeing this he also joined the fray. He took to a podium near by and stood in attention and received salute from his friends. They messed around and bantered for some time. After a few minutes his friends went away. They had classes and other things that needed to be taken care of.
Ben did not know what to do. So took permission and went to the martial arts training center in the school. He even got permission to use the healing mechanism in the room. He trained there using all the techniques and principles he learned and trained. He trying to make a fighting style of his own. The number of components were less. But for the time being he had to do with these.