In the weeks that followed their installation at the top of the Sorcery Tower, a new routine settled between Walpurga and Klein. The days were divided between rest, the surveillance of Babylon and intensive training. Every morning, after a copious breakfast prepared in the small adjacent room by her subordinates, Walpurga took Klein to the training area. The high windows let in plenty of natural light and the runes on the walls perfectly isolated the space from outside eyes.

One clear afternoon, Walpurga positioned herself facing Klein in the center of the room. She wore a loose dark robe that facilitated movement, her long white hair tied back. Klein stood barefoot, dressed only in light training trousers and a sleeveless tunic.

"Today we start with the mudras," explained Walpurga as she positioned herself beside him. "Your hand seals are already correct, but speed makes the difference. Watch my fingers carefully."

She performed a sequence of seals slowly at first, then at full speed. Her hands became blurred, each gesture precise and fluid.

"Your turn," she ordered. "Do not force it. Focus on the transition from one seal to the next."

Klein reproduced the sequence. His fingers were fast, but not fast enough. Walpurga approached and corrected the position of his thumb on the third seal.

"Here. Keep your wrist supple... Tension slows you down. Start again."

They repeated the exercise for nearly an hour. Between each attempt, they talked.

"Why is speed so important?" asked Klein while shaking his hands to relax the muscles. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Because until now he had been fast enough not to be surprised by the enemy.

"Because in a mass battle, the enemies will not wait for you to finish your seals," replied Walpurga. "One single hesitation and you are dead. The faster your mudras are, the less time your opponents have to interrupt you. You already have power, Klein. Now you need precision and velocity."

Walpurga was right. When Klein fought the monsters and the possessed, he was easily overwhelmed. He had not known how to use the minimum of his power to conserve energy and enough to eliminate his enemies as quickly as possible.

Klein nodded and started again. This time, the sequence was noticeably more fluid. Walpurga sketched a slight smile.

"Hm... You learn quickly. That is good."

As the days passed, their sessions became longer and more demanding. Walpurga taught him more complex arts. She showed him how to layer small illusions during combat to deceive the enemy’s perception, and how to channel Aura more efficiently through his body. Their conversations during the breaks became more and more personal.

One evening, after a particularly exhausting session, they sat on the wide bench near the window. The sun was setting over Babylon, tinting the sky with shades of orange and purple. Walpurga handed Klein a cup of cool water.

"You are progressing faster than I had imagined," she said. "Konstantine really had a good last disciple..."

Klein drank slowly before answering.

"I suppose that was a compliment. Besides, training with you is... different. You are much more demanding than all the masters I have had."

Walpurga looked at him from the corner of her eye.

"Good. Because the next step is the most important. Creating your Genesis. It is the final condition to become a true Transcendent. Without it, you will remain powerful, but incomplete."

"What exactly is Genesis?" asked Klein as he turned completely toward her.

Walpurga leaned back against the wall.

"It is the manifestation of your personal origin power. A domain that belongs to you, a central ability that defines who you are as a Transcendent. It cannot be copied or taught directly. I can only guide you to awaken it. You must dig deep inside yourself, find what makes your soul unique, and give it form."

In the following days, they worked specifically on this. Walpurga had Klein meditate for long periods. She sat nearby and spoke to him softly to guide his concentration.

"Feel the energy in your chest," she told him during one session. "Do not push it. Let it rise naturally. What shape does it want to take? What does it represent for you?"

Klein kept his eyes closed, breathing calmly.

"It feels like... chains breaking. Or a blade that cuts everything."

"That is a good start," replied Walpurga. "Continue. Do not force the image. Let it come."

Their complicity grew stronger each week. Walpurga, usually cold and distant with others, showed a more patient and attentive side with Klein. She smiled more often during their discussions, and Klein confided more about his past struggles and ambitions.

...

After finishing the mudra exercises, Walpurga decided to move on to physical training.

"Enough meditation for today," she announced. "Your body must match your spells. Come, hand-to-hand combat."

Walpurga removed her outer robe, revealing a lighter training outfit. Klein adopted a defensive posture. She attacked first with a quick palm strike. Klein blocked and countered with a low sweep. They exchanged blows for several minutes, without holding back too much.

"You rely too much on your katana," said Walpurga as she dodged a punch and delivered a sharp elbow strike to his side.

"It is normal, I am a swordsman."

"In close combat, your body is your best weapon."

Klein grunted from the impact but smiled.

"Then teach me properly."

They continued training. Sweat covered their skin. Their breathing grew heavier. Walpurga grabbed Klein’s arm, twisted it and tried to throw him. Klein reversed the hold at the last moment and pulled her against him. Their bodies pressed against each other for a second.

Instead of pushing him away, Walpurga looked up at him. Her violet eyes were intense. Klein did not hesitate. He leaned down and kissed her. Walpurga responded immediately, wrapping her arms around his neck and deepening the kiss. All the effort of the training, the sweat and the weeks of growing closeness concentrated in that moment.

When they finally separated, both were breathing heavily. Walpurga rested her forehead against his chest for a moment.

"You always find a way to distract me from the lesson," she murmured.

Klein let out a small laugh.

"Maybe the lesson was not only about fighting."

They did not resume training that day. Instead, they settled on the bench near the large windows. Walpurga leaned against him while they talked about lighter things, about the future of Babylon and the small improvements Klein had made in his training.