The sun rose slowly, casting long shadows over the training grounds. Disciples gathered in silence, their focus sharp on the morning lessons ahead. Floki stood among them, his staff resting lightly on the ground as he waited. Chang, the top-ranked disciple, stepped forward with his usual calm and commanding presence.

"Today we begin with Shadow Clone," Chang announced, his voice steady and clear. Floki’s interest sharpened as he watched closely, anticipation building. Chang raised his hands, and within moments, a perfect replica of himself appeared beside him. "This technique requires both focus and energy control," Chang explained. "Your clone must mirror your intent and movements."

Floki mimicked the movements, channeling energy carefully through his staff. The system pulsed faintly in his vision, providing precise guidance.

[Technique: Shadow Clone. Maintain steady energy flow to create a stable duplicate.]

Adjusting his stance, Floki focused, letting the shadows twist and solidify into a rough figure.

Chang’s gaze lingered briefly on Floki as he spoke. "Step forward and try again," he instructed, his tone neutral but expectant. Floki stepped into the center of the circle, his grin fading as he concentrated. He stretched out his hand, carefully shaping the shadow into a clearer form.

Moments later, a crude but recognizable replica of himself stood beside him, wavering slightly before stabilizing. Floki adjusted his energy flow, steadying the clone as the murmurs of the group rippled softly. Chang nodded with approval, his expression calm. "Not bad. Your control is improving," he said, stepping back.

Kaida stepped forward next, her movements sharp and precise as she summoned her clone. The shadowy figure formed quickly, its edges smooth and well-defined. Chang observed her intently, his tone encouraging but critical. "Strong form, Kaida, but refine your energy flow," he advised.

Kaida adjusted her stance, taking a deep breath to steady her focus. The clone stabilized further, mirroring her perfectly as she maintained her control. Floki leaned over to another disciple, whispering with amusement. "She’s always showing off," he said, earning a smirk from his companion, though neither looked away from Kaida’s performance.

As the lesson transitioned to Shadow Veil, Chang’s calm voice brought the group’s attention back. "Shadow Veil requires complete concentration," he explained, demonstrating the technique. Shadows wrapped tightly around him, cloaking him in an almost invisible shroud. Floki’s mind raced with possibilities as he watched, his curiosity piqued.

The system pulsed again, its guidance clear.

[Technique: Shadow Veil. Align energy flow to create seamless concealment.]

Floki adjusted his stance, summoning shadows to gather around him, though the veil flickered at first. With greater focus, he steadied the shroud, letting it smooth and tighten around his figure.

Chang approached, his expression neutral as he studied Floki’s progress. "Not bad," he said, his tone measured. "But it needs refinement." Floki nodded, determined to push further as Kaida took her turn.

Kaida formed her Shadow Veil quickly, though faint flickers betrayed slight lapses in focus. Chang stepped beside her, his instructions calm but firm. "Adjust your energy flow," he said, watching closely. Kaida nodded again, centering herself before stabilizing the veil completely.

"Better," Chang said with a satisfied nod. "Keep practicing." The session continued as Floki and Kaida worked to master both techniques, their focus unwavering. By midday, their muscles ached, but their progress was undeniable.

That evening, Floki caught up with Kaida as she left the training grounds. "Dinner?" Floki asked bluntly, his tone casual and light. Kaida paused, raising an eyebrow as her gaze settled on him. "You’re straightforward, aren’t you?" she replied with mild amusement.

Floki shrugged, his grin playful. "It saves time," he said smoothly. Kaida considered his offer for a moment before nodding. "Fine. But don’t make me regret it," she replied, her tone holding a faint edge.

The dining hall was quieter than usual that night, the warm glow of lanterns softening the atmosphere. Floki and Kaida found a small table in the corner, away from the noise of other disciples. "You’ve changed," Kaida said thoughtfully, her voice low. Floki tilted his head, curiosity sparking in his expression.

"How so?" he asked, his tone genuinely interested. Kaida hesitated before replying. "You’re less arrogant. More focused," she observed. Floki chuckled softly, his grin turning faintly self-aware. "I’ll take that as a compliment," he said with a slight nod.

Kaida smirked faintly, her expression softening. "Don’t get used to it," she replied, her tone teasing. Floki leaned forward, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "You’re not as cold as you act," he said, his tone a mix of humor and warmth.

Kaida’s eyes narrowed slightly, though her voice remained light. "Don’t push your luck," she replied. Floki grinned, leaning back with an easy confidence. "Just being honest," he said, his tone unapologetic.

As the evening wore on, their teasing gave way to quieter moments of connection. By the end of the meal, both felt a growing urge to continue the evening in Floki’s barrack. Once inside, they embraced passionately, undressing each other with impatient urgency. The night passed in intertwined intimacy, their connection deepening further.

The next morning, Chang addressed the gathered disciples with a serious tone. "Now, we put your training to the test," he announced, pacing before the group. The disciples straightened, their curiosity piqued by his words. "Bandits have been attacking travelers on the roads between Silverlake and Evergreen City," Chang explained.

Murmurs spread through the group, but Chang silenced them with a raised hand. "You will form teams of three," he continued, his voice steady. "Your task is to eliminate the threat and bring back proof." The disciples listened intently, their focus sharpening as Chang outlined the mission.

"Each team must bring back an ear from every bandit you encounter," Chang said. "The team with the most ears will earn double cultivation resources for the week," he added. Floki’s eyes gleamed with interest as he gripped his staff tighter. The opportunity to test his skills and strategies excited him.

Chang began assigning teams, his sharp gaze sweeping over the group. "Floki, Kaida, and Tanaka will form one group," he announced firmly. Tanaka, the 5th-ranked disciple, stepped forward with confidence. "Understood, Senior Chang," he said, his tone crisp.

Kaida glanced at Floki briefly, her cheeks flushing before she quickly regained her composure. Chang’s tone left no room for debate as he addressed them. "You leave immediately," he said, dismissing the group with a sharp nod. Floki felt a surge of excitement as the trio began preparing for their mission.

An idea began to form in his mind as he recalled the techniques they had practiced the day before. "If I can combine Shadow Clone and Shadow Veil," Floki thought, "we’ll have a serious edge against the bandits." He imagined using the clone to confuse and distract, while the veil kept him hidden for the perfect ambush. Floki glanced at Kaida and Tanaka, already planning how to explain his idea.

"If this works," Floki muttered to himself, "we might bring back more ears than anyone else." The first chance to test his new skills in a real scenario filled him with determination. The road ahead promised danger, opportunity, and a chance to prove himself. With his staff in hand and plans forming rapidly, Floki was ready to embrace the challenge.