The Spirit Realm stretched out before them, a mirrored version of the real world, glowing with ethereal light.
Buildings, trees, and streets shimmered slightly, as if viewed through a thin veil.
Today was the first day of the week they were taking of of school to train in the Spirit Realm.
Ramba grinned mischievously. "Hey, watch this," he said, darting toward a man with a brief case and suit passing by while in astral form.
He reached out, trying to touch him.
"Stop!" Chippo's voice was sharp. "Do not interfere with the Physical Realm. Any interaction could have… consequences."
Ramba froze, hands in midair. "Ah… okay, okay. No touching humans."
They continued walking, heading toward Mount Pleasant. The path wound up gently, yet Ramba felt… energized.
"Wait a second," he said, looking at Chippo. "We just traveled, what, like… 2.5 kilometers? And I don't feel tired at all. I feel like I could run up this whole mountain right now!"
Chippo glanced at him, expression unreadable.
"That's the Spirit Realm. Your spirit doesnt experience fatigue from moving the only thing that could tire you in this state is spiritual combat."
Ramba chuckled, bouncing on his feet with excitement. "This is insane. I can't wait to learn to shoot Qi Blasts!"
Chippo stood with her arms folded, her expression sharp as always.
They finally reached Mount Pleasant finding a quiet spot to begin their training.
Alright, Ramba," she said. "Today you learn how to create astral weapons."
Ramba's eyes lit up. "Finally."
Chippo raised her hand. A glowing spirit axe materialized in her palm with a crack of energy.
"This is an astral weapon. The stronger you are, the stronger the weapon. Focus your qi.
Visualize the weapon you want to create."
Ramba took a deep breath. Sparks danced around his fingers.
Suddenly—
Shing!
A glowing spirit sword formed in his hand. Smooth, clean, stable.
Chippo's brows lifted. "Hmph. Not bad."
The he suddenly changed the weapon adding more shape and detail to it turning it into a Japanese Katana.
Chippo stared at him for a moment. "You… create weapons like you were born doing it."
Ramba grinned. "Feels natural."
"Too natural," she muttered.
---
Chippo pointed at a horned demon dragging itself from the ground.
"This one is weak. Watch closely."
It tried to beg to be spared raising its hands in resignation but before it could utter a word.
She summoned her axe. She just stepped forward and—
Slash!
She cut the demon in half with one clean slice.
A crystal-like demon core rolled from its chest.
Ramba took a step back. "You want me to eat that?"
"Yes," she said flatly.
"That's—"
Chippo shoved it toward his mouth. "Eat."
He resisted.
His pupils dilated.
"It smells… bad," he shouted out of.
"One bite won't kill you" said Chippo trying to persuade.
The moment he swallowed it—
BOOM
Energy exploded inside him. His knees buckled. His veins glowed orange. The ground cracked under his feet.
Chippo watched calmly.
Ramba exhaled, steam pouring from his mouth.
"I want more."
"No," Chippo said. "One is enough for today. You just broke through to Spirit Apprentice Grade 5."
He blinked. "For real?"
"Yes. That's a breakthrough. Your spirit strengthens and your Qi capacity increases.
Most young hunters cultivate for years before their first breakthrough.
But we don't have time. Because of your curse, we use demon cores instead of cultivation."
Ramba clenched his fist, feeling the strength flowing. "Then let's train."
Chippo smirked. "You want to fight me?"
"You scared?" he teased.
Chippo summoned her axe. "I'm not responsible if you die."
---
The Duel
Ramba summoned a second sword and charged forward, faster than he expected.
His swords sliced through the air—
Chippo leaned aside effortlessly. Her axe hilt slammed into his chest.
WHAM!
Ramba flew back, flipping into the air before crashing onto the ground.
"Ugh—!"
He pushed himself up, dizzy but determined.
Chippo approached, axe resting on her shoulder. "You're good. But talent without experience is useless."
Ramba's breathing slowed. His eyes sharpened.
Two spirit daggers flashed into existence in his palms.
He threw one straight at her.
Chippo lifted her axe, slicing it cleanly—
Shnk!
Then her shoulders relaxed. For a split second, her guard dropped.
Ramba smirked.
Because the second dagger had flown behind the first, perfectly hidden in its shadow.
It shot forward.
Chippo noticed a fraction too late.
Ding!
It struck something invisible and bounced off—
falling harmlessly to the ground.
Chippo didn't even blink.
"That's my aura," she said calmly. "Good trick… but I'm a warrior."
Ramba swallowed.
"…Okay. That's fair."
Chippo planted her axe into the ground. "You fight nothing like an apprentice.
Your Qi control and visualization are impressive"
Chippo turned away.
"Training continues tomorrow. "