The soft light of dawn bathed the training grounds in a warm glow, casting long shadows as Adrian stood alone, his breath steady and controlled. The events of the past few weeks weighed heavily on his mind—his duel with Leonard Durk, the startling discovery of his unique ability, [Copy], and the constant battles he had fought. It was all building to this moment. He needed to grow stronger, and he wasn't going to waste any more time.
The training grounds were empty, save for the occasional flutter of leaves in the morning breeze. Adrian had been coming here early every day, pushing himself beyond his limits. Today would be no different. Today, he would push even harder.
Adrian tightened his grip on his wooden training sword, eyes focused, body tense. He was about to begin when he heard the familiar, heavy footsteps of someone approaching. He turned to see Captain Mohan, his mentor, walking toward him, his leather gauntlets strapped tightly to his hands. Mohan's presence was imposing, his weathered face unreadable as he approached.
"You've been out here before dawn every day, lad," Mohan said, his voice low and rough, but laced with curiosity. "What's driving you so hard?"
Adrian didn't hesitate with his answer. "I need to get stronger, Captain. I'm not strong enough. Not yet."
Mohan studied Adrian's face for a moment, his eyes narrowing. He had seen countless young recruits come and go, many filled with ambition, but there was something different in Adrian's gaze. It wasn't just ambition—it was determination, forged by experience. Still, ambition alone wasn't enough to become an aura knight.
"Strength alone won't take you where you want to go," Mohan said, his voice calm but firm. "You've got skill, lad, but there's a limit to how far you can push yourself on your own."
Adrian looked up, his brow furrowed in thought. "What do you mean?"
"This is a Mana Revitalizer," Mohan explained, his voice steady. "It's a mana enhancement supplement, designed to push you past your limits. With it, you'll have the boost you need to break through to Tier 1, Stage 4. But it's not something to take lightly."
Adrian eyed the vial with interest and wariness. "What's the catch?"
Mohan's expression hardened. "The pain. It's going to feel like your body is being torn apart from the inside. If you're not strong enough to handle it, it could break you. But if you survive, the power you gain will be worth the suffering."
Adrian took a deep breath, weighing the choice before him. Pain didn't scare him, not after what he had been through. And he knew there was no easy path to strength. His body and mind were prepared for the agony if it meant becoming stronger.
"I'll do it," Adrian said, his voice steady with resolve.
Mohan nodded, respecting Adrian's decision. He handed him the vial. "Drink it now. Then we'll start."
Adrian uncorked the vial, the faint smell of magic wafting into the air. Without hesitation, he tipped it back, the glowing liquid burning its way down his throat. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, in an instant, fire exploded through his veins.
Adrian gasped as his muscles seized, his vision blurring with the intensity of the pain. His entire body felt like it was being torn apart, as if every fiber of his being was unraveling under the pressure of the raw energy coursing through him. He fell to his knees, his hands gripping the earth as he fought to control the violent surge of power.
"Focus, Adrian!" Mohan's voice rang out, sharp and commanding. "You need to guide the energy. Don't let it control you."
Through the haze of pain, Adrian forced himself to focus. He closed his eyes, visualizing the mana within him, struggling to direct it through his body. Slowly, painfully, he began to channel the energy toward his core, taming the wild force inside him. His muscles trembled, his skin slick with sweat, but gradually, the burning sensation subsided.
Minutes passed like hours, but finally, Adrian collapsed onto his back, panting heavily. The pain was still there, but beneath it, he could feel something new—a surge of power unlike anything he had experienced before.
When he finally collapsed onto his back, panting heavily, Adrian could feel it. The barrier that had held him back had shattered. He had done it. He had broken into Tier 1, Stage 4.
Mohan watched him carefully, a hint of admiration in his gaze. "Not bad, lad. You've handled it better than most. But now we see if that power's worth it."
With that, Mohan stepped forward, cracking his knuckles inside his gauntlets. "Spar with me. I need to see what you're made of now. Don't hold back."
Adrian, still catching his breath, slowly rose to his feet. He could feel the new strength in his body, the mana coursing through him more intensely than ever before. Gripping his wooden sword, he nodded. "I'm ready."
Mohan gave a grunt of approval and took up a stance, his gauntlet-clad fists raised and ready. "Show me what that new power of yours can do."
Adrian lunged forward, swinging his sword with all the strength he had gained. The blade cut through the air with speed and precision, but Mohan was ready. With a swift motion, Mohan blocked the strike with his gauntlets, the impact echoing through the training grounds.
"Not bad," Mohan said, his voice calm. "But you're still thinking like a swordsman. I'm a gauntlet user—your strikes need to be sharper if you're going to break through."
Adrian gritted his teeth, frustrated but determined. He swung again, this time faster, his movements fueled by the new strength coursing through him. But once again, Mohan blocked and countered, his fists moving with practiced ease.
"You've got strength, but you're relying too much on brute force!" Mohan barked, his gauntleted fist flying toward Adrian in a blur.
Instinctively, Adrian moved to parry the strike, but something strange happened. His body shifted, his stance changing mid-motion. His movements mirrored those of Crown Prince Karl, the sword technique he had seen and copied during their battle. Without thinking, Adrian's body adopted the exact form of the royal technique, his sword cutting through the air with the same precision.
Mohan's eyes widened in surprise as Adrian's blade came dangerously close, forcing him to step back and block with both arms. "Where the hell did you learn that?" Mohan demanded, his voice laced with shock.
Adrian stepped back, breathing heavily, his grip tightening on the sword. "It's… my ability, Captain. I can copy any technique I see. Physical techniques, not magic. I didn't realize it until the fight with Leonard Durk."
Mohan's expression shifted from surprise to understanding. "[Copy]," he muttered, his eyes scanning Adrian with newfound respect. "That's one hell of an ability, lad."
Adrian nodded, still catching his breath. "I can replicate techniques, but I still have to train to master them. It's not instant mastery."
Mohan stepped forward, clapping Adrian on the shoulder with a firm hand. "You've got potential, lad. But remember, copying a technique is just the beginning. You need to make it your own. You've got strength, but skill is what will carry you through."
Adrian felt a wave of relief mixed with pride. His ability, [Copy], was more than he had realized. It wasn't just about mimicking others—it was about adapting, learning, and mastering every technique he came across. His path might be different from others, but with [Copy], he had the chance to forge something unique.
Mohan grinned, stepping back and raising his fists again. "Let's see what else you've picked up. Show me what you can do."
As the sun rose higher, casting golden light over the training grounds, Adrian and Mohan continued to spar. Each clash of gauntlet and sword sent echoes through the grounds, but this time, Adrian felt something different—a sense of purpose. He wasn't just following in the footsteps of others. He was carving his own path, step by step.
With each strike, with every technique he copied, Adrian knew one thing for certain: his journey had only just begun.