Luca followed the methods he learned from the scroll. During his free time, when he wasn't out on missions, he trained alone. He began his mornings by lifting heavy stones, each weighing around 500 kilograms. Carrying them on his shoulders, he walked around the training grounds, testing his endurance and strength. His muscles burned, and sweat soaked his clothes, but he kept going, to push his limits a little further each day.
When he was not on a mission, Luca trained alone in the forest near the camp .
Once his strength training was complete, he shifted to sword practice. He focused on repeating the basic swings and stances over and over again, striving for perfection in every movement. The sound of his blade cutting through the air, each strike more refined than the last. Though his body ached from the earlier strain, he refused to stop until he had completed hundreds of repetitions.
After his morning routines, Luca would sit down for lunch, eating a balanced meal prepared by the camp cooks. The food was nourishing, helping him recover from the morning's exertion. Once his meal settled, he retreated to a quiet corner of the camp for meditation. Sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, he took slow, steady breaths and let his mind focus inward. Luminis, the energy he had learned to harness, slowly radiated from his body, forming a faint glow around him. He tried to sense not only his own energy but the flow of Luminis in his surroundings, expanding his awareness with each session.
The meditation calmed his mind and brought clarity to his thoughts. It was in these moments of stillness that he felt most connected to the Essence Flow within him. He could feel the energy pulse gently, circulating through his limbs, strengthening every fibre of his being.
In the afternoons, Luca resumed his physical training. He lifted the heavy stones once again, this time focusing on his posture and breathing techniques. The weight pressed heavily on his body, yet he welcomed the strain, seeing it as a test of his willpower. Each repetition left his muscles trembling, but he embraced the discomfort, believing it was necessary for his growth.
By the time night fell, Luca would head to the river near the camp to bathe. The water was cold, especially during the chillier nights, but it was refreshing after the long day. The icy current eased his sore muscles, and for a brief moment, the tension melted away. Afterward, he returned to his tent and applied a medicinal paste to his arms, legs, and back. The paste numbed the pain, and he followed it by consuming rare fruits and potions known to aid Essence Flow cultivation. They were expensive but essential for his progress, and Luca was careful not to waste any.
Before sleeping, he meditated once again. This time, he focused on circulating Luminis more deliberately, directing the energy to his sore muscles, hoping it would speed up his recovery. As the energy pulsed through him, he felt a sense of calmness wash over him, and his breathing slowed. Sleep came easily, leaving him feeling slightly stronger by morning.
Weeks passed, and Luca could sense the results of his efforts. His strikes were faster, his stamina had improved, and his control over Luminis felt more refined. He was sure that if he kept up this pace, he would reach the peak of the Essence Flow Stage in just a few months.
Three months later, while meditating, Luca noticed a change. The familiar sensation of his body being strengthened by Luminis was fading. It was subtle at first, but with each session, the effect diminished further. A week later, after completing his usual training, he realized he no longer felt any physical improvements. His strength had plateaued. He had reached the peak.
Despite this achievement, Luca hesitated to break through to the Harmonisation Stage. His sixteenth birthday was only two months away. He planned to ask Instructor Aaron about the ages when other talented soldiers had advanced to the next stage. He hoped this information would help him decide whether he should break through or wait a little longer.
That evening, as Luca returned to his tent deep in thought, he felt a sudden pat on his shoulder. A sharp sting shot through his muscles, making him wince slightly.
"Luca! Are you okay?" Finn asked, his face filled with concern.
Luca exhaled and forced a small smile. "I'm fine, just sore from training."
Finn's eyes narrowed slightly but then softened. "Luca, I know you're working hard to reach the peak, but don't push yourself too far."
Luca nodded with a faint smile but chose not to explain the real reason behind his discomfort. Now that he had reached the peak of the Essence Flow Stage, his body was no longer being strengthened by Luminis. Yet, he couldn't stop his intense training. The problem was, without Luminis reinforcing his body, his muscles were breaking down faster and healing more slowly. The pain lingered, and though the medicinal paste helped, the ache never fully left.
Most people who reached the peak would shift their focus entirely to meditation, searching for the barrier that separated the soul and the Harmonisation Stage. But Luca had already sensed that barrier clearly. He could break through anytime he chose. He simply wasn't sure if the time was right.
Instead of resting, Luca continued pushing his body, unwilling to break the training habits he had built over the years. It wasn't ideal—he knew that—but suddenly stopping felt wrong.
Seeing Luca's silence, Finn suddenly grinned, his face brightening. "Oh! I almost forgot! Good news! Instructor Aaron called everyone to the training ground. We're getting a break! We can go home to visit our families."
Luca's eyes widened in surprise, and a genuine smile broke across his face. "Really? That's great! Come on, let's go!"
The two boys jogged toward the training ground, their spirits lighter than they had been in weeks.