Chapter 238: To Hit 0
Jade, nodding, expressed her curiosity, "And what exactly is that?"
Gojaro, seizing the moment to further her training, picked up a short sword from the nearby rack. The sword, while simple in design, was finely crafted, its blade gleaming under the ambient light. "Let's start off with something I can sort of guide you through," he suggested, his voice carrying a tone of instruction mixed with encouragement.
He tossed the blade towards Jade, who caught it deftly, a sense of determination setting into her features. "Let's see if you can channel that same energy through the blade and give it any effects," Gojaro challenged, watching her closely for signs of the budding warrior he believed her to be.
Jade examined the sword in her hands, noting its basic leather handle and the seamless shine of its blade. Holding it out in front of her, she closed her eyes, allowing the familiar process to take over. The visions of the things she cherished—her father's encouraging smile, Ty's unwavering support—flooded her mind once more.
She focused, attempting to draw that same warm, tingling sensation down her shoulders, through her arms, and into her hands.
The energy surged forth from Jade's hands, wrapping around the blade in a dance of light before it dissipated, fading away like mist at the tip of the sword. Jade opened her eyes, her breaths coming in short gasps as a sheen of sweat formed on her brow, a physical testament to the effort she had just exerted.
Glancing at her energy bar, she noticed a decline from 7 to 5 following her attempt to imbue the sword with power. With a mixture of anticipation and apprehension, she looked up at Gojaro, seeking validation or guidance. "So, how was that?" she asked, her voice betraying a hint of uncertainty.
Gojaro observed her with a thoughtful gaze, his head shaking slightly in consideration. "It looks like you have the idea of channeling your energy out of you just fine," he began, his feedback direct yet constructive. "But it seems like it's not finding any attachment to exterior objects."
"I see, so does that mean I wouldn't fall under the first category?" Jade inquired, her curiosity piqued by the implications of her inability to bond energy with the sword.
Gojaro, placing a finger under his chin in contemplation, responded, "Most likely, but I've seen a few crazier things happen before." His words suggested a world of possibilities, hinting at the unpredictable nature of their abilities. With a sense of purpose, he moved over to a weapon rack, sifting through various items before selecting an old, rusted Desert Eagle.
"This should do," he declared, his choice surprising yet deliberate.
Tossing the gun to Jade, he asked, "Have you ever shot a gun before?" His question carried an underlying challenge, proposing a test beyond the realm of their previous exercises.
Jade, slightly bewildered, caught the Desert Eagle in her free hand, the weight of it unfamiliar and imposing. She carefully placed the sword down, its blade still shimmering with a faint residue of blue energy—a detail Jade had initially overlooked.
"Perfect, now please go ahead and repeat the same task once more, and instead, I want you to shoot a bullet of energy from the chamber," Gojaro instructed, his voice steady, conveying both challenge and expectation.
Jade examined the rusted Desert Eagle, feeling its substantial weight in her hands. She extended her arms forward, her hands overlapping as she aimed the gun, her stance firm and deliberate. Closing her eyes once more, she delved into the now-familiar process of summoning her energy, despite the creeping exhaustion from her previous attempts.
With a focused mind, she revisited the cherished memories and emotions that had fueled her earlier efforts, channeling that inner warmth and strength through her body, down her arms, and into the gun she held. Taking a deep, steadying breath, she lightly tapped the trigger.
Instantly, a bang of pure, blue energy jetted forth from the barrel, which warped outward from the force of the discharge. The energy blast surged across the space, striking the wall with such intensity that it dispersed in all directions, leaving a visible mark of its impact.
Gojaro, visibly excited by the display of power, couldn't hide his enthusiasm. "There we go, now that's something to look forward to," he exclaimed, as Jade, overwhelmed by the effort, dropped the gun. Her hands began to tremble, a testament to the sudden and intense exhaustion washing over her.
As she glanced up, the digital reading hovering near her showed a stark decrease to 2 out of 10, a visual confirmation of the energy she had expended. Gojaro, noticing her condition, reassured her, "Feeling the fatigue already? Don't worry, that is pretty normal. I'm curious, how much do you have left in you right now?"
Jade, managing only short responses due to her weariness, replied, "From the looks of it... 2 bars out of the 10... What happens... when you hit 0?"
Gojaro, after considering Jade's question for a moment, responded, "Well, for the longest time I've been alive, I've never met someone who can actually see the gauge level. But generally, when someone runs out of energy completely, they either pass out or they dig deeper and find a way to keep going."
He continued, his tone blending caution with a hint of reassurance, "Higher-ups will say you risk dying or something like that, but I wouldn't worry about it overly too much. Just be mindful if you know you're going to have one last attack, that it's something strong enough that you can't be killed afterward."
As he spoke, Gojaro walked over to pick up the Desert Eagle. The gun, transformed by Jade's energy, now had its barrel warped outward, the rust that once marred its surface gone, and the metal protruded outwards in different directions. This physical change served as a stark reminder of the raw power Jade had channeled and the potential risks involved in pushing their limits too far.
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