Bonds of Destiny

Kai sees Michael's stern expression as he approaches his friends. "Hey, what happened?" Kai asks, trying to remain composed.

Michael punches him on the head, but not too hard. "You're late, idiot! We agreed to meet here before the time was up," he says, showing his annoyance.

Kai rubs his head and smiles sheepishly. "Sorry, I got carried away looking for a suitable technique. It takes me a while to find one, and then I lose track of time," he explains.

Michael's anger softens a bit. "Fine, just don't be late next time," he grumbles.

Kai sighs in relief, and he notices the others trying to suppress their laughter. As the atmosphere calms down, Emily speaks up, "Looks like we have some extra time before we leave. So, what techniques did you all choose?"

Jackson is the first to share. "I pick the 'Prana Technique.' It seems to be a body tempering art, but some parts are quite complex."

Emily teases, "So, you have to use your brain this time, huh, Jackson?"

Jackson chuckles, "Yeah, I guess so."

The others laugh quietly in the background as Jackson tries to catch Emily, who is playfully running around. Suddenly, Jackson stops and realizes what Emily had said. "Wait! What do you mean by that?" he asks.

Emily laughs loudly, and Kai, trying to diffuse the situation, steps in. "Come on, you two. Let's continue from where we were," he suggests.

Jackson looks at Kai, trying to be serious. "What you said would have been more believable if you weren't laughing too, Kai," he retorts, making the others chuckle.

Kai grins, "Alright, you got me."

He then turns to Alex, "So, what technique did you get, Alex?"

Alex's face lights up with excitement. "I got 'Soul Axe Bond,' a weapon art. It looks promising," he says with enthusiasm.

As the group continues discussing, Alex turns to Emily and asks, "Emily, what about you? What did you get?"

Emily beams with pride, "Glad you asked! I got myself a weapon art named 'Soul Bow Technique.' And from what I've read, it's an ancient art."

Hearing this, everyone is impressed, and some even exclaim, "Woah!"

Emily grins and playfully adds, "Aren't I amazing?"

She then turns to Rachel and says, "Now, Rachel, why don't you tell us what you got yourself?"

Rachel replies with enthusiasm, "I got a technique called 'Etherial Rapier Technique.' It's a unique technique that comes with its own footwork art and weapon art."

The others nod in approval, and Rachel continues, "It's perfect for someone like me who prefers a fast and elegant fighting style."

Rachel then turns to Sarah. "Now, Sarah, your turn."

Sarah smiles proudly, "I got the 'Pranic Staff Art.' This technique has its own footwork art, and I can use the staff both for defense and offense."

Ethan chimes in, "Isn't that better, Sarah? You were saying you needed an offensive technique."

Sarah nods, "Exactly. In the Inter-School Competition, I couldn't properly fight back, so this technique will be perfect."

Ethan's turn comes, and he shares, "I have the 'Radiant Serenity' technique. It seems to be divided into four parts: one Breathing Art and three Techniques. However, the book only contains the Breathing Art and one technique."

Sarah raises an eyebrow, "Isn't it an incomplete technique, Ethan? Why did you choose it?"

Ethan grins, "Well, you could say it's incomplete, but I selected it because even with the Breathing Art and one technique, I could cultivate it. And if, by chance, I find the other two techniques in the future, wouldn't that be even better?"

And now it's Aoi's turn," Ethan says, turning his face towards her. "So, tell us, Aoi, what did you get?"

Aoi seems a bit taken aback by the sudden attention. "Me?" she questions, slightly surprised.

Ethan teases, "Is there any other Aoi present?"

Aoi's voice turns slightly angry as she warns, "Hey, Ethan, if you don't want to get stabbed with daggers, then be silent." Everyone else in the group has the same thought: she's scary!

Continuing, Aoi reveals, "I got a technique called 'Twin Blades of Prismatic Harmony.' It can help me gain more speed and has a diversity of attacks."

Aoi then turns to Leon and says, "Now, Leon, your turn."

Leon shares, "I think I lack the spiritual energy for my attacks, so I chose a breathing art named 'Vital Harmonization Technique.' It's the most stable breathing art I could find to help me gain spiritual energy."

As Leon finishes speaking, he says to Michael, "Michael, it's your turn."

Michael confidently states, "I got a technique named 'Valor's Resonance.' This technique embodies the power and ferocity of a lion in battle, as it's written. But I'll know if it's real or not by trying it out."

Michael then adds, "So now the only one left is Kai. Tell us what you got."

Kai hesitates for a moment before responding, "I got myself a technique named 'Elemental Soulforge Technique,' but I haven't fully read it yet. I don't know what it does, but I know it's a Cultivation Art."

Everyone is surprised by Kai's answer. "Huh?! You took that much time and still didn't even fully understand what it is?" they exclaim.

Kai nods and says, "Yeah, but I feel like I had to select this one, so I took it."

His friends accept his choice, knowing that Kai has his reasons. As the conversation continues, Kai gets an idea. "Ah, right! Why don't I try using Soul Analyze on them?" he thinks to himself.

Kai moves his face, considering who to try it on first, and decides to use it on Ethan. Looking towards Ethan, he says, "Soul Analyze."

A window appears in front of Kai, showing Ethan's status details just like his own. Kai is surprised that it appears in the same format as his own Status Window.

[Status Window]

Name: Ethan

Age: 17

Nature:

Good: 50% Evil: 50%

Rank: Novice (Lower)

Level: 1

Experience: 24/150

Strength: 65

Defense: 61

Agility: 49

Intelligence: 15

Endurance: 64

Spirit: 29

Luck: 59

Charm: 52

Vitality: 109

Spiritual Energy: 195

Additional Stat Points: 10

Skills:

Spear Mastery (Level 6)

Techniques:

1. Spiritual Gathering

2. Bone Refining Art

3. Radiant Serenity

Kai is intrigued by the level of detail. The 'Soul Analyze' skill provides him with a comprehensive overview of Ethan's abilities.

He observes the window closely and notices something peculiar. "Wait...," he thinks, trying to figure out the significance of what he sees.

Rachel, standing beside Kai, notices his thoughtful expression and asks, "Hey, Kai? What happened?"

Kai snaps out of his thoughts and replies, "Oh, nothing. Just getting excited at the thought of cultivating new techniques."

Rachel nods with a smile, "Yeah, we all are."

As the group continues chatting and enjoying each other's company, a mysterious light suddenly emanates from beneath where they stand. They are enveloped by the light, and before they know it, they are transported.