Training

One evening, she, Elara, Lyra, and Emma, whom she befriended right after the exam, sat under the shade of a massive ancient oak tree, chatting.

Seraphina wanted to conduct her experiments discreetly and observe their reactions without bias. So, during their casual conversations, she skillfully steered the topics toward various emotions to see how her friends would react.

Seraphina brought up a recent incident where a group of disciples from another sect had been boastful and arrogant towards the Rosevine Coven.

"I overheard them mocking our Coven's cultivation techniques and claiming that we were no match for them," Seraphina said, her tone filled with frustration and determination. "It's infuriating to see them act so superior."

Emma's eyes flared with fiery determination, and she clenched her fists, turning her knuckles white. "We won't let them belittle us like that! I'm ready to prove our strength and show them what the Rosevine Coven is capable of!"

As Seraphina continued her experiments with emotional absorption, she discovered something even more intriguing - the boost she received from absorbing emotions.

After a particularly intense training session, Seraphina found herself drained of energy. Her body felt heavy, and her movements lacked their usual fluidity. It was then that she had an idea. She approached Lyra, who had just finished a sparring match and engaged her in a conversation about determination and perseverance.

As they talked, Seraphina subtly guided the discussion toward moments of triumph and triumph over adversity. She could feel the intense determination emanating from Lyra as she recounted her past struggles and how she overcame them.

At that moment, Seraphina instinctively activated her emotional absorption ability, drawing in the powerful surge of determination that Lyra was emitting. As she absorbed the emotion, Seraphina felt an overwhelming strength and vitality coursing through her body. It was as if she had tapped into an endless reservoir of energy.

Seraphina's fatigue vanished, and her body felt light and agile again. The boost from Lyra's determination had revitalized her and even enhanced her physical abilities. Her strikes felt sharper, and her movements became more precise.

From that moment on, Seraphina realized she could enhance her training speed and combat prowess. The stronger the emotion she absorbed, the more significant the boost she received. It was not limited as long as she was in the proximity.

Over the following days, Seraphina tested this newfound discovery further. She deliberately guided her friends' emotions during their training sessions, drawing out their determination, courage, and joy. With each successful absorption, she experienced a surge of power that far exceeded her previous limits.

She discovered that positive emotions gave her recovery from fatigue and negative emotions a boost in strength. If she combined both during the absorption, her body would convert it into the Qi essence. However, since there was not much negative around the Coven, she could not improve her cultivation stage as fast as she had hoped.

But this was not bad, in her opinion. While she could not speed up her cultivation, she could brush up on her fighting style with seals and gain more experience with less time since she was not afflicted with fatigue as much as others.

However, she also recognized the responsibility that came with her power. Seraphina knew emotions could be fragile and easily manipulated, and she vowed to use her abilities more responsibly. She would not exploit her friends or anyone else for personal gain, as she had seen with Kael and the pitiful fate of Cassandra in the original timeline.

But since she was not bound by the plot, she could potentially just fuck it up and do her own thing. Nothing could stop her if she gathered enough power and could face the incoming plotlines.

Instead, Seraphina sought to build camaraderie with her friends, fostering genuine emotions that would empower her. Together, they would face the challenges that awaited them in the Grand Sect Tournament and beyond. She needed a good background to assist her in times of need. The Rosevine Coven was one of the most powerful forces on Solara.

She needed to climb to at least an heir position to have the considerable backing of the Coven. Currently, as an accepted disciple, she was just a 'talent' of many around. While the Coven did not have many disciples, they still had enough to be selective of who could get better resources.

For now, she wanted to focus on honing her combat-sealing skills and reach Stage 9 secretly while displaying her 'official' progress to Stage 7.

It was good to become a Core Disciple, but she also knew she lacked experience and skill. The country she was in during her first life was peaceful, and her second life consisted of little political games. If she really wanted to succeed in this world, she needed more battle experience.

With the Grand Sect Tournament drawing closer, Seraphina's desire for more battle experience and close-quarter combat techniques intensified. While her emotional absorption ability and the ancient seals granted her unique advantages, she knew that the art of close-quarter combat would be crucial for her success in the tournament. Most sealing users are long-ranged in combat, but her usage of skills required her to be close to her opponents to have a greater effect.

Approaching Elder Nyra, Seraphina expressed her wish to learn close-quarter combat techniques. Elder Nyra, impressed by Seraphina's dedication and determination, agreed to take her under her wing for specialized training.

In the secluded training grounds of the Rosevine Coven, Elder Nyra began teaching Seraphina the fundamentals of close-quarter combat. They started with basic stances, footwork, and strikes. As Seraphina practiced, she felt the thrill of being up close and personal with her opponent. Each movement had to be precise and efficient, and she soon realized that close combat required a deeper level of connection with her own body and instincts.

Elder Nyra's teachings were not limited to physical techniques; she also emphasized the importance of mental focus and awareness during combat. Seraphina learned to read her opponent's movements, anticipate their strikes, and find openings to exploit.

During one intense training session, Elder Nyra sparred with Seraphina, showing her how to apply the techniques in real scenarios. Seraphina felt the rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins as they exchanged blows. The experience was exhilarating, and she knew that she had found her calling in close-quarter combat.