The university's advanced training facility hummed with activity as the four team members faced their first practical coordination session. The spacious chamber was equipped with responsive training dummies, energy measurement devices, and safety barriers that could activate instantly if techniques went awry.
"Remember," Sora called out from her position at the monitoring station, "this is about compatibility testing, not power demonstration. We need to understand how our different energy types interact before attempting any complex combinations."
Minwoo stood in the center of the formation, feeling the weight of three expectant gazes. The morning's theoretical discussion had been encouraging, but now came the real test—could their different martial philosophies actually work together in practice?
"Let's start with basic energy circulation," he suggested, extending his hands toward Haneul and Daesung. "Just share your natural energy flow, nothing complex."
Haneul grasped his right hand, his energy immediately manifesting as sharp, precisely controlled streams. It felt like holding a perfectly tempered blade—dangerous but beautifully controlled. Daesung took his left hand, and immediately Minwoo felt the difference. The internal cultivation master's energy was deep, steady, like an ancient mountain spring.
[Multi-Target Analysis Initiated]Haneul's Energy Pattern:
Type: Sword Intent (Refined Metal Attribute) Flow Rate: High intensity, precise control Compatibility with Minwoo: 84% Unique Characteristic: Can be shaped into cutting formations
Daesung's Energy Pattern:
Type: Pure Internal Cultivation (Earth/Wood Attributes) Flow Rate: Steady, high capacity Compatibility with Minwoo: 78% Unique Characteristic: Natural harmonizing effect on other energies
Three-Way Compatibility Assessment:
Direct Haneul-Daesung Connection: 67% (philosophical resistance detected) Minwoo as Bridge/Catalyst: 89% (combination techniques provide natural mediation) Overall Triangle Stability: 79%
"This is... interesting," Daesung murmured, his eyes widening slightly. "Your energy doesn't feel chaotic like I expected. It's more like... a translator between different languages."
Haneul nodded, his usual intensity softened by concentration. "I can sense both of your energy patterns through Minwoo's connection. It's as if he's creating a common frequency we can all access."
Minwoo felt the truth of their observations. His combination technique experience had taught him to adapt to different energy types, making him a natural intermediary. "Can you both try sending a technique through the connection? Something simple."
Haneul sent a basic sword energy pulse—refined and sharp. Daesung contributed a internal energy enhancement—steady and reinforcing. As both energies flowed through Minwoo, something unexpected happened. Instead of clashing or mixing chaotically, they began to form complementary patterns.
[Unprecedented Phenomenon Detected!]New Combination Type: Triangular Energy Fusion
Haneul's precision + Daesung's stability + Minwoo's adaptation = Perfect balance Effect: Each participant's techniques enhanced by 40% Duration: 3 minutes (sustainable) Energy Cost: 70% of normal (highly efficient!)
[New Technique Discovered]Name: "Trinity Harmony Formation" (Working Title) **Classification: Advanced Team Combination **Success Rate: 45% (Beginner level for this complexity) **Potential Applications: Enhanced individual techniques, group defensive barriers, coordinated attack patterns
"Did you feel that?" Minwoo asked, excitement creeping into his voice. "For a moment, it was like we were sharing the same martial foundation."
"More than sharing," Haneul said, flexing his fingers experimentally. "I could sense possibilities in my swordsmanship that I never imagined. Techniques that would normally be beyond my current level felt... achievable."
Daesung looked thoughtful. "The classical texts mention legendary formations where masters could temporarily share their cultivation levels. I always thought they were metaphorical, but this..." He stared at his hands. "My internal energy felt deeper, more refined. As if I'd gained years of cultivation in seconds."
Sora jogged over from the monitoring station, tablet in hand and eyes bright with excitement. "The energy readings were incredible! Each of your individual output levels increased by exactly 37%, and the efficiency curve was unlike anything in the database." She showed them the tablet screen filled with ascending graphs. "Most team techniques show diminishing returns—each additional person reduces overall efficiency. But your combination showed amplification instead."
"What does that mean for practical application?" Haneul asked, ever focused on results.
"It means," Minwoo said, the implications sinking in, "that we're not just a team—we could become something entirely new. A martial unit that's stronger than any individual master."
They spent the next hour experimenting with different combinations. Haneul and Minwoo discovered they could create "phantom blade" attacks—sword techniques that materialized from unexpected angles using combination principles. Daesung and Minwoo developed sustained enhancement techniques that could boost physical capabilities for extended periods.
The most promising discovery came when all four members participated. With Sora providing the stabilizing foundation through her formation techniques, the other three could maintain their triangular energy connection while moving and fighting.
[Advanced Group Technique Detected]Name: "Quad Harmony: Flowing Fortress"Participants: All four team membersEffect: Mobile formation with shared enhancement and adaptive positioningCombat Applications:
Offensive: Coordinated attacks with 60% power increase Defensive: Shared protective barriers with 80% efficiency boost Mobility: Formation-wide movement techniques Adaptation: Real-time role switching based on battlefield needs
However, the session wasn't without setbacks. Their first attempt at a coordinated attack nearly resulted in disaster when conflicting energy patterns caused a resonance cascade. Only Sora's emergency barrier deployment prevented serious injury.
"The failure rate is still too high," Daesung observed, rubbing his shoulder where the energy backlash had struck. "We need more than raw potential—we need precision and reliability."
"Agreed," Haneul said, though his tone was more encouraging than critical. "But consider this—we achieved in one morning what most teams don't develop in months of training. The foundation is solid; we just need to refine the execution."
Minwoo looked around at his teammates, noting the mixture of exhaustion and exhilaration on their faces. They'd pushed boundaries today, discovered possibilities none of them had imagined. But more importantly, they'd done it together.
"Tomorrow we focus on stability and safety protocols," he decided. "Sora, can you design failsafe procedures for when combinations go wrong?"
"Already working on it," she replied, making rapid notes. "I think I can create graduated safety barriers that activate automatically when energy fluctuations exceed safe parameters."
"And I'll research historical precedents for team cultivation techniques," Daesung added. "There might be classical methods we can adapt to our modern approach."
Haneul was examining his sword thoughtfully. "I'll work on modifying my individual techniques to be more compatible with group energy flows. Some adjustments to my forms should improve our synchronization rate."
As they gathered their equipment and prepared to leave, Minwoo felt a profound sense of accomplishment. They were no longer just four individuals thrown together by circumstances—they were becoming a genuine team with their own unique martial identity.
[Training Session Summary]New Techniques Discovered: 3 Team Synergy: 79% → 91% Individual Growth: Each member gained new technique insights Next Objectives: Safety protocol development, historical research, individual adaptation training
[System Note]: Team combination techniques show unprecedented potential. Recommend intensive development focus for national championship preparation.
The path to the championship was becoming clearer, and it looked nothing like what any of them had expected.