The warm sun still lingered on the horizon, shining its golden light that gently touched the earth, while the cool breeze continued to pass through the trees, softly moving their branches and leaves.
Returning to the same tree from a short while ago, the wind passed through its deep crevice, producing a sharp whistling sound that was annoying to listeners.
"Haaahk!"
Suddenly,a relatively loud noise erupted near the tree. It was none other than Sami, standing facing it, his face reflecting intense concentration.
Holding a thin green leaf between his fingers, it was enveloped in a transparent sheath of Nen energy, which glimmered under the faint sunlight.
Tensing the muscles of his right hand, he threw it swiftly with a resounding cry, intending to pierce the tree's bark just as Uncle Ibrahim had done earlier.
Plop!
But the leaf, instead of piercing through with force, saw its energy quickly dissipate from it. Its sharp edges softened again, its speed slowed, and then it floated in the air carried by the wind, as if refusing to be a weapon.
"What the??"
Sami whispered to himself in a disappointed tone,his features surprised. He looked at his right hand, still sheathed in Nen, before looking back at the tree.
"Don't worry, things don't happen that quickly."
Uncle Ibrahim approached him slowly and spoke to him with a faint smile.He bent down, picking up one of the seedlings lying on the carpet of grass, stretched his right hand towards him and said, "Try again!"
Sami, who listened to his uncle's words which carried hidden encouragement, smiled lightly and reached out his hand towards his uncle, taking the leaf from him. Then, in a low but clear voice, he moved his lips and said quietly, "You got it, Uncle!"
At that moment, he enveloped the leaf in a faint aura of Nen, a transparent energy that sparkled like the light of dawn. Sami, tensing the muscles of his right arm again, focused on the tree trunk.
Moving his energy-sheathed hand, he threw it forcefully towards the tree. It shot forth like an arrow piercing through invisible wind waves. The air around it vibrated for a moment, as if trying to resist its speed.
At a steady pace, the leaf shot in a straight line, as if moving along a precisely drawn path in the air. The Nen aura surrounding it sparkled with a faint light, resembling the glow of distant stars.
Sami, standing steadfastly and watching its movement calmly, smiled upon seeing it about to reach its target, whispering to himself with relief, "Good…"
But, things don't always go as planned. The aura that had surrounded it for a considerable duration began to fade, its light dimmed and vanished as if it had never been.
Its edges, which had seemed sharp moments before, were now returning to their former state—a soft green leaf that lost its momentum and straight trajectory. A wave of wind passed, carrying it away on a chaotic, unknown path, far from the tree.
"For heaven's sake...!"
With visibly annoyed features,Sami shouted sharply at the tree after failing again, hearing the whistling sound from its crevice creeping into his ears like a penetrating arrow seeking to irritate his nerves.
His right hand, still illuminated by a sheath of Nen, showed prominent veins indicating the tension from the annoyance that had settled upon him. His fingers clenched and unclenched involuntarily.
While the wind played with the tree's leaves, producing a rustling sound that mixed with the sharp whistle emanating from its crevice, the tree in this state seemed to be mocking his failed attempts.
The sheath of Nen energy surrounding his right hand dissipated and vanished. He remained silent, watching the movements of its branches with a frown. The cool wind passed around him, causing his clothes and locks of his light brown hair to sway.
Feeling the refreshing coolness of the air, he closed his eyes and began to clear his mind, breathing deeply, inhaling the cold air into his lungs.
Uncle Ibrahim was about ten steps away from him, standing leaning his back against one of the healthy trees.
He didn't utter any words, contenting himself with only observation and contemplation, watching Sami's back and the wind swaying his clothes. It seemed as if Uncle Ibrahim was testing his nephew's patience.
Returning to Sami, he stood silent, feeling the cool air gently invading his body. His eyes were closed as if he was trying to detach himself from the external world, while the wind passed around him in a harmonious calm.
After a moment, he felt a heaviness on his eyelids, prompting him to open his dark eyes, revealing a gaze that showed calmness and relaxation. He moved his lips slowly and whispered to himself in a self-reproaching tone, "What a fool I am, getting annoyed over failing twice!?"
"It doesn't matter if I fail once or twice. As long as I keep punching the wall, I will surely overcome it!"
He added in a tone that sounded wise and inspiring.Simultaneously with his words, Nen energy erupted around his entire right arm, and a look of determination became clearly visible on his features.
Then, quickly, he grabbed a few fallen leaves from the ground and enveloped them in Nen energy. With a sharp smile on his lips, Sami prepared to try again.
Uncle Ibrahim, seeing the change that had come over the young man, smiled lightly and muttered, "Show me what you can do, my nephew."
…
…
…
…
In the same manner, he threw a bunch of leaf seedlings enveloped in a thin layer of Nen aura, their fragile edges armed and their parts hardened.
With his arm muscles tensed, he continued throwing them towards the tree with the deep crevice. The throwing speed was high, making them akin to arrows shot from an armless bow.
Enveloped in a thin layer of Nen, they were launched targeting the tree trunk. But just as they were about to pierce its bark, the energy surrounding them would begin to dissipate and vanish, returning them to their fragile and soft nature.
At that moment, they lost the speed and sharpness they had displayed forcefully moments before. Slowly, they floated down onto the thin grass, before a wave of wind carried them away from the tree's location.
"Haaah!... Haaah!"
Sami's deep breaths were the only sound heard now,while drops of sweat dripped from his forehead, like rivers adorning his brow.
His right hand was tightly clenched, its muscles tense to the extreme, his veins clearly visible, appearing twisted under his skin like intertwined snakes.
"Damn it!... How–how long will I continue!?"
In a voice heavy with exhaustion,he spat out, addressing himself, feeling the pain emanating from his hand, where blood was forcefully pumping through its vessels.
With his fingers, which hadn't stopped trembling, he grabbed another leaf and enveloped it once more in a sheath of energy, with looks of challenge drawn on his face: "I'll be patient with you until the end."
Deeply, he opened his mouth, violently inhaling the cold air, then slowly exhaled it as warm vapor, forming a small cloud that slowly dissipated.
With a quick and deliberate movement, he picked up one of the seedlings that was shaking due to the tremor from his arm. In response, Sami clenched his hand and enveloped it in a Nen aura.
Then, with a narrowed gaze focused on the trunk ahead, he tensed the muscles of his hand again, which caused him a slight pain. Despite that, he paid no heed and aimed it quickly towards the trunk.
With precise speed, it shot forth like a sharp blade, illuminating with a faint light that sparkled under the sun's rays.
Sami, with narrowed eyes, had his entire attention focused on the duration the Nen sheath would remain wrapped around it.
His heartbeats throbbed like the ticking of a clock, each pulse beating with a frequency akin to a hammer striking an anvil. Sami was focused at that moment, despite tension creeping in.
Pierce!
And in a surprising moment, the leaf with its sharp edge finally pierced the tree's bark, while retaining the Nen sheath that remained present this time, unlike its predecessors.
"This!... I–I did it!!"
Unbelieving,Sami shouted loudly, trying to keep up with his joy.
Fixing his dark eyes on the leaf steadfastly embedded in the bark, he couldn't help but show a broad smile after finally succeeding in achieving his goal.
Sound of footsteps
Engrossed in his joy, Sami didn't notice until Uncle Ibrahim's hand landed gently on his left shoulder, which made him turn his gaze from the tree and stare at his uncle's smiling face.
"Di–did you see that, Uncle!"
With a smile threatening to tear his lips apart,Sami shouted in a loud voice, pointing with the finger of his right hand towards the leaf piercing the bark of the tree trunk.
Uncle Ibrahim stared towards the trunk where he saw the leaf still coated with a thin layer of Nen. In astonishment, he smiled and stared at Sami's face, praising him, saying, "Good job, boy!"
"By the way, what do you say we leave this quiet place…"
He added with a faint smile as gusts of wind swayed his black hair locks.
Sound of footsteps
With steady steps, both the Uncle and the nephew walked away from this quiet place, towards a more active and lively spot, leaving the trees behind them swaying due to the force of the wind. At that moment, they seemed to be bidding them farewell after spending a long time with them…
The general atmosphere was remarkably quiet, where only the sound of the rustling wind passing lightly back and forth could be heard, accompanied by the sound of slow footsteps crunching the grass in rhythm, presenting a somewhat annoying but harmonious tune with the stillness of the place.
…
On the outskirts of an urban area on Kindwa Island, where nature meets the beauty of modern designs, reflecting a charming contrast between modernity and its picturesque countryside.
In the heart of this scene, there was a small café distinguished by its unique designs and delicate decorations that told stories of its heritage.
The café walls adorned with handmade artistic paintings, alongside the wooden furniture crafted with precision and care, gave an air of aesthetic and elegance.
Inside, the place was bustling with vitality and activity, as the spontaneous laughter of customers filled most corners of the café. The sounds of cups gently clinking with plates could be heard, along with the whispers of friends, families, and couples.
Amidst this noise, specifically on one of the seats where two people sat, both enjoying their meal. It was none other than Sami and Uncle Ibrahim.
"Enjoy your meal."
In his resonant voice,Uncle Ibrahim said to Sami with a slight smile.
As for Sami, he was busy swallowing everything his hands could grab. He was extremely hungry after exhausting his body from what he had been doing earlier.
Although the Uncle didn't receive a response from him, like a thank you for instance, he didn't show any reaction indicating his annoyance, but merely maintained the same smile.
…
Time passes quickly without stopping. The sun, which had previously been shining with its intense heat, was now gradually receding, its heat diminishing at a slow pace.
This allowed the cool gusts of wind to pass, moderating the atmosphere, bringing with them a form of comfort and relaxation.
In the midst of these refreshing atmospheres, both Sami and Uncle Ibrahim were returning in silence.
"By the way, Uncle!"
In a low but clear voice,Sami called out to his uncle, asking a question he had just remembered.
Uncle Ibrahim, leisurely turned his face towards him and looked at him silently, waiting for him to say what he wanted.
"What did you mean? When you said earlier that what you showed me was only a small part of Nen's potential!?"
Frankly,he carefully spat out his words.
The Uncle remained silent for minutes, contenting himself with staring with a calm gaze, while the wind passed around them and swayed his locks of black hair, before he moved his lips saying in a clear voice: "Follow me, I'll show you something!"
…
…
…
…
Returning to the quiet country road, saturated with grasses lined with flowers, which danced under the influence of the wandering winds.
"Since I first showed you Nen… you've only learned its basics!"
On the carpet of dancing grass,Uncle Ibrahim stood calmly staring towards the horizon, and said in a clear voice.
The sun was still casting its dazzling rays, which were now gentle and not burning to the eye. He added again, still in the same posture: "You managed to master it! Not only that, you even managed to master enveloping objects with Nen in a short period!!"
His tone reflected pride and satisfaction with what Sami had shown. Then he tilted his head back slightly, staring at Sami who was standing behind him a few steps away, while gusts of wind caressed his black hair.
"You asked me earlier about what I meant, when I said that what I showed you was only a small part of Nen's potential!"
In a confident voice,Uncle Ibrahim addressed him while maintaining the same posture. After a moment, he turned his gaze back to the horizon and fell silent.
"You see that tree over there!"
Before adding,pointing with the finger of his right hand towards one of the trees that was about thirty-five steps away from them.
Sami remained silent throughout Uncle Ibrahim's conversation with him, listening to him with calm features, waiting to understand what he was hinting at.
Uncle Ibrahim lowered his hand and began to turn his face towards Sami again, where he stared at him with looks reflecting pride and seriousness as he carefully uttered his words, "And now, let me show you the most enjoyable part of what this power holds!"
Simultaneously with his words, he clenched his right hand and enveloped it in a layer of Nen. Looking at Sami's eyes, they were still calm, for what he was seeing now was ordinary in his view, something ordinary he always does.
"...!?"
But his expression quickly changed,after he noticed something surprising, something that made Sami stare with wide eyes and gasp in shock.
Emission!
Mysteriously, a dark green portal appeared near Uncle Ibrahim's fist, about three inches away from it. He tensed the muscles of his right arm and swung it, sending it through the portal.
And within moments, it opened about thirty-five steps away, near the same tree Uncle Ibrahim had pointed to earlier, where a medium-sized dark green portal suddenly appeared from nowhere.
Crack!
From the portal, a fist enveloped in a sheath of energy launched and targeted the tree trunk. With force, it smashed through it, piercing it and leaving a deep crevice on it.
Uncle Ibrahim quickly retracted his fist. As soon as it exited the portal, the Nen sheath vanished from it, and the two portals disappeared along with it. He muttered, narrowing his eyes at the damage he had caused: "You see that, Sami!"
He didn't receive any response, which prompted him to quickly turn his face, trying to check on him. As soon as their eyes met, he noticed Sami's features, which were a mix of amazement and shock. His eyes were wide, and his jaw was wide open.
He tried to speak, but couldn't find the right words to describe the situation, so he contented himself with giving his expression, which seemed frank to Uncle Ibrahim, who then said, "It seems you are amazed by what you saw! Let me introduce you to one of the Nen specializations, my nephew."
…
Nen Specializations:
• Enhancement Nen
•Conjuration Nen
•Transmutation Nen
•Manipulation Nen
•Emission Nen
•Specialization Nen
…
Returning to the country house, where Al-Haj Khaled was lying on his comfortable couch, enjoying a refreshing coolness after spending a tough time under the scorching sun at his workplace.
Inside one of the carefully furnished rooms, were both Sami and Uncle Ibrahim, who had finally decided to return home. Uncle Ibrahim was kneeling, examining his dark green backpack.
While Sami was sitting on a mattress spread with a simple cover, he remained silent, staring at him, before saying, "So, Uncle, what you used was one of your personal abilities! Or something like that!?"
"A specialization! What you saw was one of the specializations that Nen energy possesses."
Without even looking at him,he answered his question while still searching for something specific amidst the pile of random items inside the backpack.
"Here we go!"
Then,after a certain period of searching, he finally found what he was looking for, and pulled it out gently from inside the backpack, revealing a turtle shell with an antique shape.
He straightened up and began walking towards Sami with slow steps. Sami, whose focus was entirely on the tool, wanted to move his lips and ask.
But, as if Uncle Ibrahim had read his thoughts, he answered him spontaneously: "This tool is what determines the specialization of Nen users."
"All you have to do is place a drop of your blood on its surface, then send a current of Nen and envelop it with it, and from there the result appears!"
Then Uncle added,explaining its method of operation, which seemed akin to a ritual of some kind.
If a symbol resembling a bull appears, the user is of the Enhancement Type.
If a symbol resembling two intertwined swords appears,the user is of the Conjuration Type.
If a symbol resembling a three-dimensional sphere appears,the user is of the Transmutation Type.
If a symbol resembling a spiral circle appears,the user is of the Emission Type.
If a symbol resembling a chip appears,the user is of the Manipulation Type.
If the individual is lucky and a symbol resembling a five-pointed star appears,then the user in this case is of the Specialization Type.