The next morning, Mohit woke earlier than usual. His body still carried the warmth from the hidden energy spot, and his mind buzzed with anticipation. Today, he wasn't just going to practice — he wanted to explore further and see if he could find other traces of spiritual energy in the outskirts of the city.
Meeting the Ally
As Mohit approached the same ruins, he saw the teen from yesterday sitting cross-legged atop a crumbled stone wall. The faint glow of aura surrounded the teen's hands, delicate and controlled.
"You're back," the teen said without surprise. "I thought you might come."
Mohit paused, unsure whether to trust him. "Who… are you?" he asked cautiously.
"I'm Aryan," the teen replied calmly. "I've been practicing cultivation for a few years. You're new, but you have potential."
Mohit's heartbeat quickened. "I… I'm Mohit. You sensed my energy yesterday."
Aryan nodded. "Yes. And I want to help you. But first, you need a challenge. If you can handle it, we'll see how far your cultivation can go."
First Mini-Mission
Aryan pointed to the forested area beyond the ruins. "There's a small spirit den nearby. A minor beast has taken residence there. You need to sense its presence and retrieve this energy crystal it guards. This will test your control."
Mohit swallowed nervously. This was more dangerous than anything he had done before. But he remembered his training and the lessons from the hidden energy spot.
He nodded. "I'll try."
Tracking the Beast
Mohit focused inward, letting his senses expand. Tiny ripples of energy vibrated in the earth. He could feel a small cluster of energy far ahead, pulsing faintly — like a heartbeat.
He moved carefully, guided by the sensation, until he found the den. Inside, a small creature lurked — not large, but swift and alert. Its fur shimmered with silver streaks, and its amber eyes glowed.
Just like the last beast, but smaller…
Testing His Control
Mohit's heart raced. He raised a hand, letting a pulse of energy ripple outward. The creature flinched slightly, but it didn't retreat. Mohit realized he had to be precise.
He took a deep breath and focused, sending a subtle wave of aura toward the creature, careful to avoid harming it. The wave seemed to push it gently, just enough to guide it away from the crystal it guarded.
The crystal glowed faintly as he reached for it, and Mohit felt a small surge of energy flow into him — stronger than before, but manageable.
Aryan's Guidance
Aryan stepped forward silently. "Good," he said. "You didn't overpower it. You controlled the energy, guided it. That's the first step in cultivation. Power without control is useless."
Mohit looked at him, amazed. "So… I can fight without hurting?"
Aryan smiled. "Exactly. And if you can control this, you can grow much stronger."
Evening Reflection
As they walked back together, Mohit realized something important:
Training alone could only take him so far
Allies could teach, guide, and challenge him
The world was filled with hidden energy and creatures, waiting for those who sought it
He looked at Aryan and felt a spark of trust. For the first time, Mohit understood that he wasn't alone in this journey.