Training

Remembering the other reward, Kai asked the system about the mount. A text box appeared, explaining the details of the Formless Mount:

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Formless Mount: A shapeshifting mount that is a magical creature that can transform into any form. This makes it versatile for various terrains. It may resemble a horse but can transform into a wide range of creatures, adapting to the needs of its rider. Its transformation abilities depend on its power, magical abilities, and bond with its rider. This mount can traverse land, sea, and air, providing unmatched mobility.

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Kai felt a surge of hope. "Formless Mount, appear!" he commanded.

A shimmering mist materialized in front of him, gradually taking the shape of a magnificent horse with a sleek, black coat and glowing eyes. The mount neighed softly, lowering its head in a gesture of submission.

"Wow," Hanabi whispered, her fear momentarily forgotten as she gazed at the magical creature.

Kai then asked it to transform into a car. The mount shimmered again, its form shifting and expanding until it became a sleek, black car, exuding an aura of power and grace.

"Get in," Kai said, helping Hanabi into the backseat and then gently lifting Mrs. Kimura into the passenger seat. He climbed into the driver's seat and gripped the steering wheel, feeling the mount's connection to him.

Mrs. Kimura, her voice filled with concern, asked, "Kai, can you even drive? You're only thirteen. This is illegal in every possible way."

Kai glanced at her, understanding her worry. "Trust me, Mrs. Kimura. The Formless Mount isn't just an ordinary car. It responds to my thoughts and will handle most of the driving."

Mrs. Kimura nodded hesitantly, still anxious but choosing to trust Kai. "Alright, just be careful."

Kai focused, and the car roared to life, its engine purring smoothly. "Formless Mount, take us home," he instructed.

The mount responded immediately, pulling out smoothly and accelerating with precision. Kai could feel the mount's awareness, sensing the surroundings and adjusting its speed and direction to navigate through the streets efficiently.

As they drove, Hanabi leaned forward from the backseat, her small hand clutching Kai's shirt. "Brother, are we going to be okay?"

Kai reached back to squeeze her hand reassuringly. "Yes, Hanabi. We're going to be okay. Just hold on."

While going home, Mrs. Kimura asked, "Kai, I just noticed, why has everything about you changed so suddenly in just a day? And why are you so pale? Did you lose too much blood?"

"Right, brother," Hanabi asked too, confused about her brother's drastic change in appearance.

"It... It's puberty... Yes, puberty..." he tried excusing, awkwardly laughing.

Seeing that Kai didn't want to talk about it, Mrs. Kimura respected his privacy and changed the topic. "Kai, you should look at your sister's drawing later. It's beautiful," she said.

The conversation continued until they reached their destination. They dropped off Mrs. Kimura first before driving to their house.

As they rode home, Hanabi fell asleep, her small body finally succumbing to the exhaustion and stress of the day. Kai gently placed her in his lap, feeling her cling to him even in her sleep. He noticed that she was twitching and crying softly, clearly traumatized by the events.

Kai's heart ached for his sister. He knew he had to be strong for her, not just physically but emotionally as well. They returned home, and Kai carried Hanabi inside, tucking her into bed with care. He sat beside her, watching her sleep, his resolve hardening.

"I promise, Hanabi," Kai whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I'll do everything I can to make sure you live comfortably. No one will ever hurt you again. I'll reach the top, no matter what it takes."

His mind raced with thoughts of the future. The world was more dangerous and unpredictable than he thought, especially in the future. He couldn't let his guard down for a moment. Training would be essential, not just for his physical abilities but also to understand the complexities of his new powers and how to use them effectively.

"Tomorrow, I'll start my training in earnest," he thought, determination blazing in his eyes. "I need to master these abilities, to be ready for anything. For Hanabi's sake."

The next morning, Kai woke up early and began preparing for his training. He knew he needed to be stronger to protect Hanabi and anyone else who might be in danger. He prepared breakfast for Hanabi, making sure she had a healthy meal to start her day. Then he headed to the back of their house, where he had set up various training equipment and targets.

After going outside, he opened his system and clicked on the System Control Battle Mode. "Without this ability, I wouldn't have been able to defeat them by myself," Kai muttered to himself.

[Skills]

System Control Battle Mode: An advanced feature that takes full control of the host's body during combat, optimizing every action to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness. It leverages precise calculations and instant reactions to handle complex battle scenarios.

"I need to get stronger," Kai said with determination. "I can't rely on the system alone. I have to be able to protect Hanabi from any danger, especially for the future incoming catastrophe."

"Just like Goku, I will train my foundations first," he added with a determined smile.

He took a deep breath and began his training routine, pushing himself harder than ever before. His foundational training focused on three main areas: physical strength, agility, and endurance.

Physical Strength (6 AM - 8 AM):

Kai started with basic exercises to build upper body strength. He did sets of push-ups and pull-ups, gradually increasing the number of repetitions. Using heavy rocks he found in the backyard as improvised weights, he performed exercises like bench presses, squats, and deadlifts to build overall muscle mass. He practiced striking techniques, focusing on power and precision, punching and kicking against a heavy bag to develop force in his attacks. For two hours straight, he pushed his body to its limits.

Agility (8 AM - 10 AM):

Next, Kai focused on agility. He incorporated short, intense sprints to improve his speed and explosive power. Setting up a series of cones, he practiced intricate footwork patterns to enhance his ability to move quickly and efficiently in combat. Using a suspended ball, he practiced dodging and weaving, improving his reflexes and ability to evade attacks.

Endurance (10 AM - 12 PM):

To build stamina, Kai ran long distances around the perimeter of the backyard, increasing his cardiovascular endurance. He combined various exercises into a continuous circuit, keeping his heart rate elevated and building endurance. He also practiced breathing techniques to maintain focus and calm during extended periods of exertion.

Exactly at noon, as Kai was in the middle of a particularly intense training session, he heard Hanabi's voice calling out in distress. "Brother! Kai! Where are you?" Her cries were filled with fear and desperation.

Kai immediately stopped his training and sprinted towards the house. He found Hanabi in the living room, tears streaming down her face, her small body trembling. She was clearly still traumatized by the recent events.

"Hanabi, I'm here," Kai said softly, kneeling down to embrace her. "It's okay. I'm right here."

Hanabi clung to him, her sobs shaking her entire frame. "I thought you were gone. I was so scared," she cried.

Kai held her tightly, his heart breaking for his sister. "I'm not going anywhere, Hanabi. I promise. I'll always be here for you."

He spent the next hour comforting Hanabi, reassuring her that she was safe. They sat together on the couch, Kai holding her close until she finally calmed down. Once she had relaxed and fallen asleep again, he gently laid her down and covered her with a blanket.

He then remembered about the reward of saving Hanabi. It was time to check what he had gained.