In the grove behind his home, Luca felt liberated, free from the constraints during his training at Drakemore. Here, he could truly unleash his potential.
He took a moment to gather himself, the air cool against his skin, and let the familiar scents of earth and grass fill his senses.
After a thorough warm-up, he began his training in earnest. He stood tall, feet planted firmly on the ground, grounding himself in the present moment.
Luca started with fluid movements, practicing the forms he had learned. Each swing of his sword was precise, each thrust deliberate.
The night air rang with the sound of metal slicing through it as he moved. He imagined his blade as an extension of his very being, swift and deadly, yet elegant and graceful.
As he honed his skills, he let go of all restraint. His body, conditioned through countless hours of training, felt powerful and alive. He channelled every ounce of his strength into his movements, the rush of adrenaline coursing through him.
He envisioned opponents in every direction, and with each imagined attack, he countered with a devastating strike, feeling as though he could split the very air itself.
After what felt like hours, he finally stopped, breathless and exhilarated. The sweat glistened on his brow, and his heart pounded with the thrill of exertion.
He had pushed himself to his limits, and in that moment of exhaustion, he felt a deep sense of accomplishment. It was a stark contrast to the cautious approach he adopted at Drakemore, where he always held back, careful not to reveal his true strength among his peers.
With his body still thrumming with energy, Luca sank to the ground, crossing his legs in a meditative position. He closed his eyes and focused inward, searching for the Luminis that had become such a vital part of his training.
He took a moment to steady his breathing, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly, letting the rhythm guide him into a state of concentration.
He recalled the feeling of Luminis flowing through him, the warmth, the lightness, the pulse of energy that resonated within. With every inhale, he imagined drawing that energy closer, feeling it ripple through his body like a gentle tide. He began to visualize the flow of Luminis, picturing it like coursing through his veins.
Gradually, he felt the familiar sensation of energy awakening within him. At first, it was faint, a flicker that danced just at the edge of his awareness. But as he concentrated, allowing his thoughts to settle and his mind to clear, the Luminis began to respond. It was as if the very essence of the night wrapped around him, urging him to delve deeper.
Luca focused intently, feeling the energy began to converge in his palms. He envisioned it swirling and pulsing, gathering strength as he channelled his will into it. He could feel it growing, expanding with each breath he took. The warmth intensified, radiating from his hands, and he opened his eyes to behold a small orb of light before him a soft glow, fragile yet alive.
It was far weaker than the one he had witnessed from Sir Aldric, but it was a start. Luca felt a rush of excitement at having brought forth this manifestation of Luminis, a reminder of his progress.
He knew that he had much further to go, but with each session, he was learning to harness the energy that flowed through him more effectively.
As he practiced, he lost track of time, immersing himself in the experience of exploring Luminis. This place, this moment, was his true training ground, where he could push his limits.
*****
As the months flowed by, Luca continued to cultivate his skills with Luminis during the nights in Drakemore and practiced his swordsmanship with full strength in the grove behind his home when he was allowed to return home.
He diligently honed his abilities, striving for greater mastery and understanding. The nights had become a cherished time for him, where he could explore Luminis without being seen by others.
Nearly ten months after he reached the essence flow stage, the atmosphere in the Drakemore estate began to buzz with excitement.
A notable milestone had been achieved: the first boy in their group, a determined and hardworking lad named Elias, had reached the Essence Flow stage. The day he announced his achievement was met with cheers and congratulations from their peers.
Luca also felt a stirring in his chest. He knew it was time to share his own accomplishment. Soon after, another boy, a thoughtful and quiet boy named Joren, also revealed that he had attained the Essence Flow stage. The energy among the children was electric, and it became clear that more were on the verge of reaching the essence flow stage.
With both Elias and Joren now recognized practitioners of the Essence Flow stage, Luca decided to step forward and share his own news.
After some days he gathered his courage and approached Sir Aldric, announcing his own achievement. The instructor regarded him with a knowing smile, and the anticipation in the air grew thicker.
"Very well, Luca. Let us see if you truly have reached the Essence Flow stage," Sir Aldric said, as he wanted to test Luca if he had reached Essence flow just like he had done with the others.
Luca felt a rush of adrenaline at the challenge but remained calm. He had prepared for this moment, having practiced with Luminis and his sword extensively. He stepped into the training area, aware that the eyes of his companions were upon him, but he kept his focus.
As they clashed, Luca felt the familiar flow of Luminis surging through him. Sir Aldric's strikes grew heavier, forcing Luca to draw deeply upon his strength and skill to keep up.
Sir Aldric's aim wasn't to win, but to press Luca into showing the true extent of his abilities. For an Essence Flow practitioner, the key was letting the Luminis enhance every move.
Luca felt his senses heighten, the Luminis sharpening his perception and strengthening his body. He moved with a fluidity, his reflexes keen and his balance steady. After a few intense minutes, Sir Aldric launched a powerful strike, catching Luca just enough to disrupt his stance and take him down.
"Very well done, Luca. You have indeed reached the Essence Flow stage," Sir Aldric declared, helping him to his feet.
Luca nodded, a mix of relief and joy washing over him. He had passed the test without revealing too much, and he could still maintain the mystery of his full capabilities.