While Priscilla delved into the complexities of refining the potion, I decided to make the most of my time by training with Rachel. She had offered to teach me more about the Astareus method for conceptualising seven-circle magic, and I wasn't about to turn down the opportunity.
Rachel's focus was typically on healing and support magic, a domain where she truly shone, but I'd be a fool to underestimate her offensive capabilities. Her attack magic was just as potent—precise, unrelenting, and backed by a natural talent that felt almost unfair.
I resolved to hold myself back during the sparring session, limiting myself to pure spellcasting. After all, it wasn't as though I couldn't compete—I was a higher mana rank than her, with the advantages of Lucent Harmony and Soul Resonance on my side.
But it didn't matter.
Despite my rank, despite my advantages, Rachel outclassed me. Her magic flowed effortlessly, like sunlight spilling through open windows, her attacks and counters coming faster than I could adapt. She wielded her Gift of Saintess that was the absolute talent in light magic with a mastery that made my own efforts feel clumsy in comparison.
I skidded across the training ground as another of her spells connected, the force sending me sliding to the edge of the field. The faint hum of dissipating mana hung in the air, her presence as radiant as her magic.
Frustration clawed at me, but it was tempered by something else—admiration, perhaps, or the simple acknowledgment of her skill.
"Having trouble, Arthur?" Rachel called out, a playful lilt to her voice as she lowered her staff. Her sapphire eyes sparkled with a mix of amusement and challenge.
"I'd say I'm holding back," I replied, brushing dust from my coat as I pushed myself upright. "But that doesn't seem to be helping much."
She grinned, her expression bright but unrelenting. "Then stop holding back."
Easier said than done.
I squared my stance, reaching out with my mana as I activated Soul Resonance. The connection flared to life instantly, a web of invisible threads linking me to her.
The resonance deepened, and my senses expanded. I felt something unfamiliar, something bright and powerful, like standing on the edge of a blazing sun. It wasn't just her mana—it was her Gift.
Saintess.
My eyes widened as I realized what I was touching. Through the resonance, I could grasp the edges of her Gift, feel its contours and possibilities. I couldn't wield it fully—it was hers, after all, tied intrinsically to her soul—but I could borrow it. A faint echo, a shadow of its true power.
Rachel raised her staff, preparing another spell, but I acted first. Light gathered in my hands, not in the usual, structured patterns of my own magic, but in the raw, radiant bursts characteristic of hers.
Her eyes flickered with surprise as I unleashed the attack, the brilliance of the spell mirroring her own. She deflected it, but only just.
For the first time, the tide of the sparring session shifted. With the faint traces of her Gift bolstering my magic, I could finally meet her on equal footing. Every spell carried a hint of her Gift of Saintess, enhancing its precision and impact.
But even then, it wasn't enough to completely overpower her. Rachel adjusted effortlessly, adapting to my newfound strength with the grace of someone who had spent her entire life honing her craft. Her magic flowed like a river—smooth, relentless, and unyielding.
"You're a quick learner," she admitted as we broke apart for a moment, her breathing steady despite the intensity of the session. "But you're still not as good as me."
I couldn't help but laugh, even as frustration flickered at the edges of my mind. "Not yet."
She rolled her eyes, but there was warmth in her expression. "Come on, then. Let's see what else you've got."
For a brief moment, I hesitated. I hadn't intended to push myself further—this was supposed to be about learning, not domination. But something inside me stirred, a quiet resolve that refused to let this moment slip by without giving my all.
As Rachel raised her staff again, preparing her next attack, I closed my eyes and exhaled deeply.
First, Mythic Body.
The transformation surged through me like a tidal wave, my body shifting as strength and speed magnified far beyond my usual limits. Every cell seemed to hum with power, my senses sharpening to an almost painful degree. When I opened my eyes, the world felt slower, each movement and spell traceable in excruciating detail.
Rachel's spell shot toward me—a radiant spear of light. But this time, I didn't just dodge. I moved. My body blurred, faster than her eyes could follow, as I closed the distance between us in an instant.
Her eyes widened in surprise as I appeared beside her, my fist wreathed in mana. She blocked with her staff just in time, the clash sending a shockwave rippling across the training ground.
"Okay," she muttered, a wry grin forming. "Now we're talking."
Next, Soul Vision.
I activated it with a thought, and the world around me shifted. The threads of mana that connected everything became visible—Rachel's flow of light magic, the currents of energy she wielded so effortlessly, and the faint but unmistakable aura of her Gift.
I could see it all.
Every spell she prepared, every shift in her mana, was laid bare before me. She launched a series of dazzling attacks, each more intricate than the last, but I was already one step ahead. My movements flowed seamlessly as I dodged, countered, and struck back, using her own patterns against her.
Rachel gritted her teeth, her usual composure faltering. "Arthur, what is that? You're reading me like a book!"
Finally, I activated Lucent Harmony in full.
The familiar warmth of the ability washed over me as I fully activated it, amplifying not just my spells but the connection between my body, mana, and soul. Light magic surged from my core, shining brighter than ever before. My next spell didn't just carry force—it carried resonance, a harmony that disrupted her magic and left her open.
Her shield flickered, and I pressed the advantage, casting a barrage of light-infused attacks that overwhelmed even her precision. The air around us seemed to vibrate with energy, the ground beneath our feet scorched and cracked as the intensity of the duel reached its peak.
Rachel stumbled back, her staff raised defensively, her breathing heavier now. For the first time, she looked genuinely caught off guard.
"You're… cheating," she managed between breaths, though her tone carried no malice—only disbelief.
I allowed myself a smirk. "You told me to stop holding back."
She shook her head, lowering her staff as a rueful grin spread across her face. "Fine, you win this one."
By the time we finished, the training ground was a warzone of scorched earth and shattered mana. My body still thrummed with energy, but the tension in my chest had eased, replaced by a quiet sense of accomplishment.
Rachel grinned at me, her golden hair damp with sweat but her spirit unbroken. "Not bad, Arthur. Not bad at all."
I smiled back, my breath steady despite the effort. "Thanks for the lesson, Saintess."
She laughed, shaking her head. "Don't push your luck."
For the first time, I had not only kept up with her but surpassed her. It wasn't just a victory—it was a revelation. A reminder that with the right tools and the right mindset, even the brightest stars could be outshone.