While Yasoke suffered through his exhaustive training, Jhony was lost in the vast metropolis of Lutherking. Wandering aimlessly, he reached a forest; at that point, he began to wonder whether he had left the city or not. He turned back to find his way, but took a wrong turn and ended up in a plaza where he saw several children playing. Before reaching the plaza, he observed the state of his body: his fist was bleeding, thanks to his "brilliant" idea of punching through a hospital wall with his bare knuckles.
He ruffled his hair, letting it fall in a natural, straight style; his beautiful long locks looked like glowing embers under the sun's touch. His striking blue eyes shone brighter under the star's intensity; even with a battered body, his appearance remained impeccable. Jhony lay down on the grass, gazing at the blue sky, but remembered that the tournament was drawing near. From a distance, he heard a raspy laugh:
— Lahalahalaha! Youngsters these days are nothing but idlers, hehehe...
An old man approached Jhony, walking steadily toward him. He had a bristly beard and long hairs protruding from his ears, completely unkempt. He wore a black kimono, torn at the sleeves and knees, revealing his shins, with white lightning patterns decorating the fabric. He looked down at the resting youth and began to laugh:
— Lahalahalaha! Such a fit young man lying there... I heard a rumor that you wish to participate in this tournament!
Startled by the old man's words, Jhony stood up. He faced the elder seriously and asked: — Who are you? And how do you know about that?
The old man began to stroke his beard, formulating an answer: — My name is Neshin Osipov. Originally, I am from Northrain, but a few boys have piqued my interest; they've already snatched the other one, so that leaves you!
Jhony was not satisfied with Neshin's answer, which the old man quickly noticed and supplemented: — I am a mercenary; I used to be part of the Northrain army, but after certain events, I left. I have much experience and can train you. Yasoke is training with someone very powerful; he will have a clear advantage over you!
Jhony heard his friend's name and reflected on the elder's suggestion. In Jhony's mind, the proposal was worth it: an old veteran from the army was offering him a chance to train. Thus, wanting a test, he proposed: — Very well, Mr. Osipov, I accept, but first, prove your power to me!
The old man began to laugh as he stared at Jhony and agreed to the idea. He walked toward the youth very slowly. — I believe this much will be enough, lahalahalaha!
He placed the palm of his hand on Jhony's chest and electrocuted him. Jhony realized that it was no ordinary bolt; it was black lightning. And then, he closed his eyes.
Jhony woke up in a forest, his hand fully healed. He found it strange, but then noticed his clothes had changed: he was no longer wearing his blue jacket, but was now clad in a white kimono. Jhony grew angry and shouted into the void: — Where are my jacket and my pants?! The old man replied, laughing: — Lahalahalaha! I burned them.
The elder appeared behind Jhony, who reacted with a backward strike; the old man dodged easily with his hands behind his back. Jhony was confused, and Neshin spoke: — Here, I will teach you Macogo and how to use magic.
Jhony questioned what Macogo was, and the old man explained that it is an internal energy, divided into Simple, Pure, and Modified. The elder could not yet decide which was best for the boy: — Look, there are several ways to develop Macogo: through arduous training or a near-death experience. Judging by the fact that the tournament is in four days, we have no other choice!
Jhony did not agree with the old man's words at all. Neshin explained that it was far more logical for him to master the use of Macogo quickly and learn magic later. Jhony still had his doubts, but he remembered that Yasoke would become much stronger than him, win the tournament, and mock him for the rest of his life. In an act of extreme courage, he agreed to the elder's "fast method." The old man flashed a demonic smile, began to laugh, and walked toward Jhony.
— Just to warn you of what I am about to do: I will coat your body in Pure Macogo and discharge an electric load so great it can easily melt tungsten!
Jhony was startled and prepared himself psychologically. Neshin pressed his palm against Jhony's chest and began to cover the youth's body with a white aura. Jhony looked around and saw stones floating while the trees began to sway; around them, black lightning erupted from the earth. He heard Neshin say: — Please, endure this!
A controlled but concentrated electrical discharge struck Jhony's body. The pain was tremendous; he felt his flesh burning and melting, yet, upon looking down, he saw that nothing was physically happening to him: he only felt a terrible agony. His muscles contracted and his vision grew blurry, but he remained standing. His hair began to rise, and he started to grow accustomed to the extreme pain, no longer feeling it as intensely as before.
Neshin stopped electrocuting Jhony and withdrew his Pure Macogo from the boy's body. Upon doing so, he noticed that Jhony's body now possessed a white aura and clapped his hands: — Apparently, you have developed Pure Macogo!
Jhony was feeling dizzy, and Neshin told him that he would help him concentrate this Pure Macogo so it wouldn't stay spread across his entire body and lose its potency. As an example, he extended his fist and concentrated his Pure Macogo there: a strong aura appeared with intense oscillations. Jhony was impressed and began to feel excited about the training, right before the Pure Macogo surrounding his body flickered out and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.