The next morning, Sam was woken not by the usual sunrise but by the gentle rustle of leaves and the soft hum of nature outside his window. The air was cool and crisp, and the early light filtered through the trees, casting long shadows across the floor. Sam stretched and let out a small groan. The soreness from the previous day's training still lingered, but there was a sense of excitement buzzing inside him.
Today, his training with John would begin.
As Sam made his way to the training ground, he couldn't help but think about the past few days. The rigorous physical training with Oswin had pushed him to his limits, but he had emerged stronger, more resilient. Now, it was time to focus on another aspect of his abilities—his magic.
When he arrived at the clearing, John was already there, seated cross-legged on a large flat stone, his eyes closed in meditation. The serene expression on his face made Sam wonder just how powerful this man truly was. There was an aura of calm around John, as if he were in perfect harmony with the world around him.
John opened one eye and smiled as Sam approached. "Good morning, Sam. How are you feeling?"
"A bit sore, but ready," Sam replied, trying to sound more confident than he felt.
John chuckled. "That's good to hear. Today's training will be different from what you've done with Oswin. We'll be focusing on your mana control, which is the foundation of any great magician."
Sam nodded, intrigued. "So, where do we start?"
"First," John said, standing up and motioning for Sam to sit where he had been, "we need to understand the flow of mana within your body. Mana is the life force that flows through all living things, and in magicians, it's the source of their power. To control it, you must first be aware of it."
Sam took a seat on the flat stone, mimicking John's meditative posture. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to focus on the energy within him. But instead of feeling calm, he felt a bit anxious.
John seemed to sense his unease. "Don't force it, Sam. Let your body relax, and just breathe. Feel the rhythm of your breath and the beat of your heart. The mana will reveal itself to you naturally."
Sam tried to follow John's instructions, focusing on his breathing. In and out, slowly and steadily. Gradually, the tension in his body began to ease, and he felt a warmth growing in his chest, spreading outward to his limbs. It was faint at first, like a soft glow, but as he concentrated, the sensation became more distinct.
"There it is," John's voice was soothing, almost a whisper. "That warmth you feel is your mana. It flows through you like blood in your veins. Now, I want you to visualize it. See it in your mind's eye."
Sam's brow furrowed as he tried to picture the mana within him. At first, it was just a vague, golden light, but as he focused more, he could see it clearly, flowing through his body in intricate patterns, much like the circulatory system. It was mesmerizing.
"You're doing well," John encouraged. "Now, try to move it. Start small, focus on your hand, and try to direct the flow of mana there."
Sam focused on his right hand, willing the mana to gather there. It was a strange sensation, as if he were flexing a muscle he didn't know he had. Slowly, the warmth in his chest began to move, trickling down his arm and pooling in his palm. When he opened his eyes, he saw a faint, golden glow emanating from his hand.
"Excellent," John said, a hint of pride in his voice. "You're a natural."
Sam grinned, feeling a rush of excitement. "This is amazing! I can really control it."
John nodded. "Control is just the beginning. The more you practice, the more precise and powerful your control will become. But there's another aspect of your training that's just as important—understanding your Arcon."
"Arcon?" Sam repeated, curious. "What's that?"
John stepped back and conjured a sword in his hand, the blade shimmering with a blue aura. "An Arcon is a weapon, but it's also much more than that. It's an extension of your magic, a focus for your power. Each Arcon is unique, shaped by the magician's abilities and personality. For example, Luna, who you fought in the tournament, had an Arcon that allowed her to manipulate blood and heal rapidly. Her abilities with water and healing magic shaped her Arcon's powers."
Sam watched in awe as John demonstrated, the sword's aura shifting colors as he willed it. "So, it's not just about creating a weapon, it's about creating a new kind of ability?"
"Exactly," John confirmed. "To create an Arcon, a magician must have a deep understanding of their own mana and control it with great precision. It's a process that requires immense focus and training."
Sam thought about the fight with Luna and how powerful her Arcon had been. "And each Arcon has a name?"
"Yes," John said, smiling. "Naming your Arcon is part of the process of claiming it as your own. The name often reflects its nature or the abilities it grants. But don't worry about that yet. First, you need to strengthen your mana control."
Sam nodded, determined. "I'm ready."
For the next few days, Sam's training focused entirely on mana control. John had him practice in various ways—gathering mana in different parts of his body, maintaining a steady flow while performing physical tasks, and even using his mana to enhance his senses.
The training was exhausting, but Sam found it fascinating. He could feel himself getting stronger, more attuned to his own power. But it wasn't all work. There were moments of light-heartedness and fun as well.
One evening, as the group gathered for dinner, Sara teased Sam about his intense focus. "You're going to turn into a meditation guru if you keep this up," she said, poking him in the ribs.
Sam smirked, leaning closer to her. "Maybe, but then I'd be the best-looking guru around."
Sara rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "Careful, Sam. If you get too full of yourself, I might just have to bring you down a notch."
"Oh, I'd like to see you try," Sam replied, his tone playful. "But seriously, Sara, you've been incredible too. I've seen how hard you've been training with Emily."
Sara blushed slightly, pleased by his compliment. "Thanks, Sam. I'm doing my best. We all are."
Masha, who had been listening, chimed in. "Speaking of training, Sam, you should show us some of those fancy mana tricks you've been working on."
Sam grinned, always eager to show off a little. "Alright, but don't blame me if I steal the spotlight."
He stood up and focused, gathering mana in his hand. With a flick of his wrist, he sent a burst of energy into the air, creating a small, glowing figure that danced above their heads. The others watched in amusement as Sam controlled the figure, making it twirl and spin in midair.
"Impressive," Alan remarked, nodding in approval. "But I bet you can't do that and maintain a conversation at the same time."
"Is that a challenge?" Sam asked, raising an eyebrow.
"It might be," Alan replied with a smirk.
"Alright," Sam said, keeping the glowing figure in the air while turning his attention back to Sara. "So, Sara, have you thought about what you're going to name your Arcon?"
Sara smiled, playing along. "Oh, I've got a few ideas, but I'm not telling you. It's a secret."
Sam chuckled. "Fair enough. I guess I'll just have to wait and see."
They continued to banter, the mood light and carefree. Even though their training was intense, these moments of laughter and connection reminded them that they were in this together.
But as the days passed, Sam's focus on his training grew even stronger. John pushed him harder, testing his limits and challenging him to reach new heights of control. Sam could feel the progress he was making, but he knew there was still a long way to go.