Amelia's complexion gradually returned to its natural pallor.
"It seems you're feeling better now," Tristan said.
"Yes, it was nothing — I merely felt a slight chill," Amelia replied, a faint smile gracing her lips.
Tristan chose not to press further. As they spoke, Garfield wore a grin — a cheeky yet undeniably cheerful smile.
The trio commenced their training, beginning first with endurance. They made their way to a small lake behind Green Manor, its waters calm and unassuming, devoid of anything supernatural.
The three gazed upon the lake, then turned toward their instructor, who stood silently behind them. He approached the water with deliberate steps, crouched, and dipped two fingers into the lake's surface. He then withdrew his fingers and presented it to the trio. They observed in silence, puzzled as to what their instructor intended to reveal.
"I still don't understand," Tristan muttered, narrowing his eyes in search of whatever he was supposed to see.
"Do you not perceive it?" Ruben sighed, then spoke again. "Touch my fingers."
Tristan stared at his hand for a moment before glancing at Amelia, silently urging her to go first. She approached her brother and placed her fingertips upon his. A look of astonishment spread across her face as she realized the inexplicable truth.
"His fingers are still dry," she exclaimed, turning toward her two companions.
Garfield seemed to have already suspected what Ruben had done, standing with arms crossed, observing keenly.
"This is known as Star Body," Ruben explained, his tone instructive yet commanding. "It is a technique renowned among the upper echelons of society, allowing one to sheath their body in their own energy, rendering them impervious to any weather. You could spend a day within a volcano and remain unharmed, so long as your Star Body endures."
Amelia's mind wandered back to her homeschooling days, recalling the time when her brother had wished to teach her a technique he claimed would one day prove vital, though their father had forbidden it.
"The majority of your competition will likely have mastered this ability to some degree before the Selection Game begins," Ruben continued. "So, we must begin immediately. Alongside strength and endurance training, you will learn the Star Body. However, your endurance and Star Body training will be intertwined."
Ruben swiftly outlined the fundamentals of Star Body. Every human possesses an innate Star Core that provides them with energy. Star Body is the act of harnessing that internal force to form a protective layer around oneself—like an invisible armor of energy. Each of them would take turns submerging themselves in the lake. By maintaining the Star Body, one would remain unaffected by the surrounding water and capable of breathing beneath its surface, though the technique demanded immense energy and focus. They would need to track how long they could endure.
Garfield was the first to step forward. Standing at the lake's edge, he drew a deep breath and closed his eyes, visualizing the movement of his Star Energy. Though Tristan could not see it, he could sense the golden-haired boy's energy spiraling around him, cloaking his form in a faint translucent aura. Garfield opened his eyes, serene and resolute, before wading into the lake and submerging beneath its depths.
Ruben retrieved his pocket watch from his coat, timing the process with precision. Roughly thirty seconds passed before Garfield erupted from the water, gasping for breath.
"Thirty seconds," Ruben remarked. "Not poor, but not remarkable either. I expect improvement. Tristan, you're next."
Tristan approached the lake, halting beside Garfield.
"Any advice?" he asked.
"Focus. Silence every distraction—even the rhythm of the water itself."
Tristan nodded, inhaling deeply before surrounding himself with the same translucent energy.
He then entered the lake, descending beneath its surface. His mind became still, aware only of the gentle flow of water and the faint movement of fish gliding around him, yet none of it disturbed his concentration. Still, fatigue crept in far quicker than it had for Garfield. By his count, only eighteen seconds had passed before exhaustion set in.
Unable to endure further, the translucent energy around him began to dissolve, and cold water pressed against his skin, stealing his breath. He swiftly swam upward, gasping as he broke through the surface—only to be greeted by Ruben's verdict.
"Twenty seconds," Ruben said, his tone carrying faint disappointment.
Tristan exhaled heavily, lungs burning as he caught his breath. He made his way to shore, where Amelia handed him a towel. He accepted it silently, wiping the water from his hair, frustration darkening his expression.
'Only twenty seconds… Why did mine fade faster than Garfield's? I don't understand.'
"Don't worry," Amelia reassured gently. "We have an entire week to improve—don't torment yourself over it."
He nodded quietly, then stepped aside to stand with Garfield.
Amelia took her turn next. Following the same steps as her companions, she composed herself before entering the lake. As she submerged, Ruben checked his watch once more, tracking the seconds as they passed.
Ten seconds.
Twenty seconds.
Thirty, forty and soon fifty.
Finally, sixty seconds later, Amelia emerged from the water—three times longer than Tristan, and twice as long as Garfield.
As she rose from the lake, her wet silver hair glistened in the sunlight—radiant, almost ethereal. A beauty not of this world. She flicked her hair back, and Tristan handed her a towel.
"Excellent work," he said softly.
A smile graced her face as she stepped away from the water's edge.
Once the three were dry, Ruben addressed them.
"Garfield and Amelia, both of you performed admirably. Continue refining your bodies and deepening your control over your Star Energy, and your results will undoubtedly improve."
He then turned toward Tristan, his gaze sharp.
"You, however, lack any true control. The reason you faltered so quickly is because you expend too much energy at once."
Tristan furrowed his brow. "I don't understand," he admitted.
Ruben crouched, picking up a stick from the ground and drew two stick figures in the dirt—one radiating excessive energy, the other calm and composed.
"You see, this is you," he said, tapping the first figure with his stick. "You have no restraint, no balance. You release your energy all at once, draining yourself before it can stabilize. Therefore, your additional training will focus solely on refining your mastery over Star Energy."
Tristan observed intently, gradually grasping the meaning behind his instructor's words. He lacked control — and after nearly two months in this world, with one spent in relentless training, he had come to recognize that truth himself.
"So, how do I begin mastering control over my energy?" he asked.
"I believe you are unable to perceive Star Energy," Ruben replied calmly. "Thus, I shall begin by teaching you how to truly see it."