It had only been a day since Terrance Durk's disgraceful disqualification, but Adrian was more driven than ever. The duel, although painful, had ignited something within him—a determination that refused to be snuffed out. The humiliation was no longer the focus of his thoughts; instead, his mind was fixated on the future, on the next step in his journey: unlocking his mana circuits.
He had overheard other recruits talk about it in hushed tones—the pain, the intensity, the way it felt like your entire body was being torn apart and rebuilt. But none of that mattered to Adrian. He had already decided that whatever pain lay ahead was just another hurdle. And he would jump it, just like he had every other obstacle that had come his way since arriving at the barracks.
Around him, the barracks buzzed with life. Recruits rushed about, some sharpening weapons, others working through drills under the watchful eyes of facilitators. But Adrian barely noticed the commotion. His thoughts were consumed with the possibilities that awaited him once his mana circuits were unlocked. This wasn't just about survival anymore. It was about transformation.
Every lap he ran, every strike he practiced, every bead of sweat that dripped from his brow—it all brought him closer to the strength he craved. Strength not just to stand beside the empire's greatest warriors, but to prove to himself that he could overcome anything. The physical pain became a reminder of what was at stake, driving him forward with each grueling exercise.
Adrian's vision of the future had begun to crystalize. He pictured himself as a part of Captain Mohan's unit, not as a mere recruit, but as a fully-fledged warrior. He imagined standing side by side with the captain and Rowan, the bald-headed facilitator who had guided him through countless drills. One day, he might even face Terrance again—not out of revenge, but to demonstrate how far he had come. This time, the duel would end differently. Adrian would be ready.
The clang of wooden swords against training dummies rang through the air, accompanied by the occasional grunt of exertion. Adrian stood at the edge of the training room, his wooden sword clutched tightly in his hands. Rowan, his mentor for the day, watched from a few feet away, his arms crossed and his sharp eyes focused.
"You're getting better," Rowan said, his voice gruff but approving. He stepped forward, positioning himself beside Adrian. "But you need to tighten up your movements. You're wasting energy with all that extra motion."
Adrian nodded, adjusting his stance. The weight of the wooden sword felt more natural in his hands now, after weeks of practice, but he knew Rowan was right. Efficiency was key. In a real fight, every movement counted.
"Watch closely," Rowan said, taking a stance. He swung his sword in a clean arc, the motion fluid and purposeful, before driving the tip forward in a precise thrust. "See? No wasted movement."
Adrian mimicked the movement, his body responding to the lessons he had drilled over and over. He focused on controlling his sword, directing it with purpose rather than brute force. His strike hit the center of the training dummy with a solid thwack.
Rowan gave a nod of approval. "Good. Now, again. Focus on your follow-through."
Adrian's breathing steadied as he reset his stance. He took a deep breath, his mind clearing as he swung the sword once more. The blade slashed through the air with newfound precision, striking the dummy cleanly. He followed up with a backhand slash, just as Rowan had shown him, the wooden blade carving through the air before delivering the final blow—a decapitating strike that sent the dummy's head toppling to the ground.
Rowan watched with a critical eye, his face unreadable for a moment. Then, he nodded, a rare smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Well done, Adrian. You're adapting quickly. Captain Mohan will be pleased."
Adrian felt a surge of pride at the compliment. "Thank you, sir," he replied, his chest heaving from the exertion but his spirits high.
Rowan placed a hand on Adrian's shoulder, a gesture of encouragement that took Adrian by surprise. "You've got natural talent, lad. But remember—talent alone isn't enough. Your body needs to be as strong as your mind. Work on your stamina, your endurance. In a real fight, it's not just about technique—it's about who can keep going when everyone else falls."
Adrian nodded, understanding the weight of Rowan's words. He had improved, but the journey was far from over. The road to becoming a true warrior required relentless discipline. There were no shortcuts, no easy paths.
Three months passed, and Adrian's transformation was undeniable. The once-slender recruit who had first stepped into the barracks had grown stronger, his body now lean and muscular. His veins stood out beneath his skin, and his movements carried a newfound confidence. His swordsmanship had advanced as well, the progress evident every time he sparred with his fellow recruits. He could feel the difference with every swing of his blade—he was ready for the next step.
It was time to open his mana circuit.
Captain Mohan and Rowan accompanied Adrian as they made their way to the Rune Room, a place where magic met the physical to unlock hidden potential. The anticipation hung heavy in the air as they approached the entrance.
"You sure about this, lad?" Mohan asked, his gruff voice tinged with concern. "There's no need to rush it. You could take more time to prepare."
Adrian met the captain's gaze with steady resolve. "I'm sure, Captain. I've trained hard. I'm ready."
Mohan studied him for a moment before giving a slow nod. "Very well. Let's get this done."
As they neared the Rune Room, they were greeted by a familiar figure—Fiona, the orange-haired mage Adrian had met months ago. Her lively presence was as infectious as ever.
"Well, look who we have here!" Fiona grinned, walking over with a bounce in her step. "What's the occasion?"
"Adrian's ready to unlock his mana circuit," Rowan replied, his tone businesslike.
Fiona's eyes widened with delight. "Already? Wow, you've really come a long way!" She playfully jabbed at Adrian's arm, her touch sending a jolt through him. "Impressive!"
Adrian blushed, the warmth of Fiona's touch catching him off guard. Her playful energy contrasted with the serious tone of the moment, but it made him smile nonetheless.
"Alright, enough of that," Mohan said with a chuckle, stepping between them. "Fiona, get him ready."
"Of course, Captain," Fiona replied, giving Adrian a wink before leading him into the Rune Room.
The air inside the room was thick with magic. Runes etched into the stone walls glowed faintly, casting a soft, ethereal light across the space. It was a sacred place, where warriors were transformed into something greater.
"Take your place in the center," Fiona instructed, her tone now serious. Adrian stepped forward, positioning himself in the middle of the glowing rune circle.
Rowan and Mohan stood at the edge, watching in silence as Fiona began her work. She chanted softly, her voice rhythmic and steady. The runes on the floor flared to life, their glow intensifying with each word.
Adrian felt a wave of warmth wash over him, starting in his core and spreading outward. The sensation grew stronger, pressing against his skin, sinking deeper into his muscles and bones. His breath caught as the energy surged through him, overwhelming yet exhilarating.
He closed his eyes, surrendering to the flow of mana as it unlocked the circuits within him. His body burned, but he embraced it, knowing this was the moment he had worked for. The room seemed to pulse in sync with the energy building inside him, Fiona's chanting growing louder as the runes reached their peak.
And then, with a final surge, Adrian's mana circuit opened.
A flood of raw power coursed through him, so intense it took his breath away. His entire body trembled, but as the energy settled, he felt something new—strength. A power that had been dormant was now alive, pulsing through his veins like a second heartbeat.
Fiona stepped back, her eyes wide with awe. "It's done."
Mohan approached, pride in his voice. "You've done well, Adrian. This is the beginning."
Rowan nodded in agreement. "Now the real journey begins."
Adrian stood tall, feeling the mana coursing through him. He had unlocked his potential. But he knew that this was only the start. The path ahead was long, and the real battles were yet to come. But now, he was ready.