The Trickster’s Return

The sun rose slowly, spreading long shadows over the training grounds.

Disciples gathered in silence, their focus on the morning lessons ahead.

Floki stood among them, his staff resting lightly on the ground.

Chang, the top-ranked disciple, stepped forward with his usual calm presence.

"Today we begin with Shadow Clone," Chang announced, his voice steady.

Floki's interest sharpened as he listened carefully.

Chang raised his hands, and within moments, a perfect replica of himself appeared beside him.

"This technique requires both focus and energy control," Chang said. "Your clone must mirror your intent and movements."

Floki mimicked the movements, channeling energy through his staff.

The system pulsed faintly in his vision, offering 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 on Floki briefly. "Step forward and try again."

Floki stepped into the center of the circle, his grin fading as he concentrated.

He stretched out his hand, shaping the shadow into a clearer form.

Moments later, a crude but recognizable replica of himself stood beside him.

The clone wavered slightly before stabilizing as Floki adjusted his energy.

Chang nodded with approval. "Not bad. Your control is improving."

Floki stepped back, his grin returning as quiet murmurs rippled through the group.

Kaida stepped forward next, her movements sharp and focused.

Her shadow clone formed quickly, its edges smooth and well-defined.

Chang watched her closely. "Strong form, Kaida," he said. "But refine your energy flow."

Kaida nodded, adjusting her stance and focusing harder.

The clone steadied, mirroring her perfectly as she maintained control.

Floki leaned over to another disciple and whispered. "She's always showing off."

The disciple smirked but said nothing, their eyes fixed on Kaida's demonstration.

As the lesson transitioned into Shadow Veil, Chang's calm voice brought their attention back.

"Shadow Veil requires complete concentration," Chang explained.

He demonstrated, letting shadows wrap around him until he disappeared into a near-invisible shroud.

Floki's mind raced with possibilities as he watched.

The system pulsed again, offering guidance.

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

Floki adjusted his stance, summoning shadows to gather around him.

At first, the veil flickered, but with focus, it steadied and smoothed.

Chang approached, studying Floki's progress. "Not bad," he said. "But it needs refinement."

Kaida tried next, her shadows forming quickly but flickering slightly as she concentrated.

Chang stepped beside her. "Adjust your energy flow," he said.

Kaida nodded, taking a deep breath and centering her focus.

The shadows stabilized, cloaking her in a flawless veil.

"Better," Chang said, stepping back. "Keep practicing."

The session continued as Floki and Kaida worked to master both techniques.

By midday, their muscles ached, but their skills had noticeably improved.

That evening, Floki caught up with Kaida as she left the training grounds.

"Dinner?" Floki asked bluntly, his tone light.

Kaida paused, raising an eyebrow. "You're straightforward, aren't you?"

Floki shrugged, his grin playful. "It saves time."

Kaida considered for a moment before nodding. "Fine. But don't make me regret it."

The dining hall was quieter than usual that night.

The warm glow of lanterns softened the space, creating an intimate atmosphere.

Floki and Kaida sat at a small table in the corner, away from the noise of other disciples.

"You've changed," Kaida said, her voice thoughtful.

Floki tilted his head, curious. "How so?"

Kaida hesitated before replying. "You're less arrogant. More focused."

Floki chuckled softly. "I'll take that as a compliment."

Kaida smirked faintly. "Don't get used to it."

Floki leaned forward, lowering his voice. "You're not as cold as you act."

Kaida's eyes narrowed slightly, though her tone remained light. "Don't push your luck."

He grinned, leaning back. "Just being honest."

As the evening wore on, their teasing gave way to quieter moments of intimacy.

By the end of the meal, both felt a growing urge to continue the evening in Floki's barrack.

After the arrived in Floki's room, they immediately began undressing each other as they could not wait to feel each other's bodies, and reliving the passion they shared the previous night.

The next morning, Chang addressed the disciples with a serious tone.

"Now, we put your training to the test," he announced, pacing before the group.

The disciples straightened, their curiosity evident.

"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. "Your task is to eliminate the threat and bring back proof."

The disciples listened closely as Chang detailed the mission further.

"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.

Chang began assigning teams, his gaze sharp and deliberate.

"Floki, Kaida, and Tanaka will form one group," he said firmly.

Tanaka, the 5th-ranked disciple, stepped forward with confidence. "Understood, Senior Chang."

Kaida glanced at Floki briefly, blushing uncontrollably, she managed to regain her composure, and turned back to look at Chang.

Chang continued, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You leave immediately."

Floki felt a surge of excitement as the group prepared 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 a 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."

This was the first chance to test his new skills in a real scenario.

The road ahead promised both danger and opportunity, and Floki was ready to embrace it...