As Halt mentally and physically reforged him, Zach lost track of the passage of time. However, the day Zach finished his third blood bath, Halt informed him that three of the four weeks had passed...

After the first week, Zach's three separate sections of training slowly merged into one large training session which lasted for seventy-percent of each day. The other thirty percent of Zach’s time was used mostly for meditation and sleep.

Due to his insane lifestyle, Zach had gone through startling changes. Changes Zach knew would only become more pronounced as the final week went by…

Zach ran while wearing a blindfold, and dodging Halt's aura infused sticks as they were swung at him. All while supporting a boulder, larger than him, above his head.

Seeing Halt's signal for a jerky and water break, Zach put down the boulder. As he munched on the now sickeningly familiar beast-jerky Zach opened his self-tab.

Zachary Collins

Warrior Level 0

HP: 100 Health represents how far you are from death.

Stamina: 100 Stamina represents your ability to perform actions, including usage of battle aura.

Current Stats:

Strength: 44 Strength represents your ability to produce force.

Precision: 21 Precision represents your accuracy and timing.

Vitality: 28 Vitality represents health regen, bodily toughness.

Endurance: 29 Endurance represents stamina regen and bodily toughness.

Reaction: 17 Represents your ability to respond to events physically and mentally.

Perception: 17 Perception represents your ability to learn, and sense danger.

Skills:

Level 3 Pain Resistance (Common): Reduces all pain experienced by 15%

Level 5 Astral Meditation (Rare): Allows one to enter a state of mental clarity, and assists with comprehension of Earth and Space elements.

Level 3 Foundational Greatsword Technique (uncommon): A simple style focused on perfecting the basics and forming a foundation of body control.

Due to Zach literally spending every day with a greatsword in his hand, and Halt's un-ending instruction, Zach succeeded in learning the Foundation Greatsword Technique by the end of the first week.

Halt figured that Zach had learned the skill quickly due to a combination of Zach’s high perception and his brilliant teaching. However, he still aimed to drive his temporary student harder.

The combined madness of disciple and master, along with higher concentration bloodbaths, resulted in Zach reaching his current stats.

Constant combat against Halt's vastly superior technique allowed Zach to rapidly reach level 3 in the Foundation Greatsword Technique, along with gain several points in reaction.

Yesterday, Zach even managed to gain another point in perception. This was due to him reaching level 5 in Astral Meditation. At which point Halt informed him that when skills reached level 5, level 10, and so on, there was often a bonus to stats or an additional effect added to the skill.

Upon reaching level 5 in Astral Meditation Zach felt he could enter the meditative state more easily. Also, when meditating he began to vaguely sense the aura of the earth and the aura of space which permeated the universe around him.

Of course, this was only the first step in him mastering Elemental Auras.

Excited by the changes in himself, Zach soldiered onward through hell while Halt guided him, like his very own Virgil.

"Since you surprisingly reached level 5 in meditation you should be able to begin training in the usage of battle aura," Halt said in a serious voice, signaling the end of Zach's break.

Once Halt acknowledged Zach as his student, Zach came to understand that Halt enjoyed training him. Halt appreciated Zach's training like a blacksmith enjoys brutally-beating a piece of raw-ore into a deadly weapon.

Zach held his sword, anticipation visible on his face from Halt's mentioning of Battle Aura.

"We will first go over the defensive uses of battle aura. Earth is indisputably the strongest element in terms of raw defensive capability. However, the Earthen Battle Aura is best at taking hits directly, it is incapable of taking an indirect or gentle approach. Attempt to strike me as hard as you can, and you will understand. "

Zach raised his seven-foot greatsword, which was made of a much heavier material than the first one he used.

Zach unleashed a full-strength downward slash with blurring speed, using up one stamina in the process. In terms of Earth's power standards, this strike would easily total a Hummer.

To his surprise right as the blow was about to reach Halt's forehead he felt like he had stuck an impenetrable wall.

A thin layer of earth had covered Halt's body right when Zach was about to make contact.

Halt was now wearing a dense skintight armor made of impenetrably dense rock. Zach felt a crushing mental pressure just looking towards the impenetrable tan Battle Aura surrounding Halt.

"The earth element excels in direct defense; this particular application is a skill known as Earthen Barrier. However, if the force attacking your Earthen Barrier is vastly greater than it can withstand it is essentially useless."

"For this reason, Space is the best elemental affinity to pair with Earth. Spacial Battle Aura has somewhat low capabilities in terms of direct attack and defense. But, Space is unrivaled in terms of controlling opponent's movements, and second only to Wind in assisting your own!" Halt passionately said.

"Attempt to strike me again, but this time try your absolute hardest to hit me with a direct blow."

Zach once again raised his greatsword, the momentary soreness in his arms now gone, due to his high stats. Zach swung downward once again.

As Zach swung towards Halt he began to feel a strange force acting on his sword. He soon noticed a barely visible gray glow surrounding his greatsword. Just as he realized what was happening, his blow had missed Halt completely. At the same time, he found the cool tip of Halt's sword positioned at his throat.

"Terrifying, isn't it? Spacial Battle Aura can be used to alter opponents blows, this application is known as Spacial Misdirection. Unlike Earthen Barrier, this is incredibly useful when fighting opponents whose attacks you do not wish to take head on."

"If the strength difference is large enough it is possible to shift an opponent's attack or projectile so it misses you completely. However, this application is best used in combination with dodging or to throw your opponent off balance when counterattacking."

"These two skills are considered core techniques for elite-warriors with Earth or Space affinities. Most defensive techniques, utilizing either element, are in some way distantly or closely related to these basic techniques."

"After those demonstrations I'm sure, you can now imagine that being able to utilize both Spacial and Earthen Battle Auras is a massive advantage."

Zach nodded to confirm he was listening to Halt's lengthy yet unusually informative rant; while inwardly praising his luck to have dual affinities.

"What makes warriors with dual Elemental Affinities truly terrifying is their ability to merge two different types of Battle Aura. Though I cannot foresee you reaching this level."

"Anyway...In terms of utilizing Battle Aura offensively the basic application of Earth is rather simple, while Space's applications are quite complex. The skill Colossal Blow involves momentarily increasing the weight of your weapon upon striking. This is considered a core application of Earthen Battle Aura; and is a large part of the reason why Earth is a perfect affinity for Berserkers."

"The core offensive application of Spacial Battle Aura is known as Spacial Lock. Instead of moving your opponent’s weapon, you utilize space itself to make your opponent’s attempts to dodge ineffective."

"Are we going to learn Spacial Lock today?" Zach could not resist asking, absolutely floored by the idea of controlling space.

"That skill is far beyond you! If you manage to learn Earthen Barrier you will be able to start learning Colossal Blow. However! When you manage to learn Spacial Misdirection, you will barely be able to start thinking about learning Spacial Lock!" Halt forcefully said, taking much of the wind out of Zach's sails.

Moments later, as Halt's annoyed-attitude vanished, a mischievous and evil smirk soon formed on his face. Zach had long ago realized that this expression was far more terrifying than Halt's annoyed rants.

"Anyway, the basic training for Spacial Misdirection and Earthen Barrier is quite fun and very simple. I am sure you will love it brat."

Dreading what was to come, Zach begrudgingly complied with Halt's commands and entered a meditative state.

"Okay before we start...take this!" Halt said in a mocking tone, before flicking a pebble towards the unexpecting Zach.

Upon being hit by the pebble, much like he was on the first day of training, Zach felt as if an extremely strong bee had stung him.

Though it hurt quite a bit, he had only lost two health points, which were rapidly regenerated. Zach was startled by his, now trained, body's defensive ability.

"I wanted you to know what it feels like unimpeded. This time picture a thin layer of Earthen Aura surrounding you before I throw another pebble."

Doing his best to picture an Earthen Aura surrounding him Zach prepared for what he knew would be an unpleasant and degrading training session.

Many painful collisions later Zach felt that he had made a small yet important first step. Though he could not block the pebbles the collisions now felt as if they were normal bee stings, and not from some sort of super-bee.

This was due to him realizing that he was essentially converting his stamina into a small amount of Earthen Aura which spread across the surface of his body.

However, as he concentrated on making the Earthen Aura surround his body he was unable to prevent it from falling apart the second he lost focus or spreading too thin.

"You have made some progress on learning Earthen Barrier and will likely get it with another day or two of practice. However, regarding Spacial Misdirection... I doubt you can learn it during this time." Halt said seriously.

"This is because I cannot describe to you how to picture space. Space is rather abstract and everyone views its existence differently. You will have to attempt visualizing different things until you succeed in learning it."

Witnessing another pebble appear in Halt's hand, Zach entered a meditative state. He was fiercely determined to make the pebbles miss him, yet he fully expected to be stoned to death before learning Spacial Misdirection...