Kael's training days were beginning to blur into each other, each one filled with endless repetitions of sword strikes, mana control exercises, and his constant struggle against his own limitations. It was the only thing he could do now. The fortress, his sole refuge, was a constant reminder of the ever-approaching destruction, but there was no time to sit and ponder. He had to prepare.
Korrin, the seasoned soldier who had grown accustomed to Kael's relentless presence in the training yard, took a step further in helping him. Despite the soldier's gruff demeanor, Kael had learned to respect his words. Korrin saw the potential in him—though limited, it was there. The older man could see past the B+ potential Kael had and the physical weakness he was currently bound to. It was in his resolve that Kael found the strength to push forward, no matter how slow the progress seemed.
"Focus on the weapon, Kael," Korrin grunted, standing beside him as Kael held his sword. "The way you're holding it, you're fighting against your own mana. Don't think of the sword as an extension of your arm. Think of it as an extension of your will."
Kael looked at the blade in his hand, a simple, unadorned sword that felt too heavy for his frame. The weight of it felt like the weight of the entire world, a constant reminder of the distance between what he was and what he could become. Still, he followed Korrin's instructions, trying to clear his mind of everything else.
"Try to coat the blade with your mana," Korrin continued, his tone more patient than usual. "We'll start simple. You don't need fire, lightning, or anything fancy. Just coat the blade in your mana. Let it merge with your weapon. Once that happens, the next step will be much easier."
Kael frowned, looking down at his sword. It was such a basic, mundane task. Yet, with his mana control as it was, it seemed impossible. His mana was sluggish, disobedient—more like a weak stream than a river that flowed with purpose. He'd tried and failed countless times already to form simple spells or even light a flame. Now, this.
But Korrin's words echoed in his mind: Think of it as an extension of your will.
"Alright, let's try again," Kael muttered to himself.
With slow, deliberate movements, he began to channel his mana, focusing on his sword as he had been instructed. At first, nothing happened. The mana swirled sluggishly inside him, struggling to move, to obey. Kael gritted his teeth, his grip tightening on the hilt of the sword. This wasn't going to be another failure. It couldn't be.
He focused harder, closing his eyes briefly to block out the distractions of the world around him. The sword. My will. My power. It wasn't about the sword itself; it was about connecting his mana with it, feeling the blade as part of his own body.
His fingers tingled, and then—a spark. A flicker of warmth spread across the blade. His eyes snapped open in surprise, but he didn't stop. The warmth grew, turning into a faint glow that enveloped the blade. It was far from perfect, but it was a start.
Korrin gave a low grunt of approval. "Good. Now, try to control it. Keep that glow steady."
Kael nodded, narrowing his focus. His mana wasn't flowing perfectly, but for the first time, he felt a connection between himself and the sword. It was fleeting, but it was real. A sharp, tingling sensation traveled up his arm, and for a moment, he almost lost the connection.
No. Hold on.
He squeezed his eyes shut again and pushed harder, trying to stabilize the mana. It was a delicate balance—just enough pressure, just enough control. And for a few brief seconds, the sword's glow stabilized, faint but tangible, like a soft, ethereal light. His hand felt lighter, as though the sword had become an extension of himself.
"There," Kael breathed, the excitement in his voice barely contained. "I did it."
Korrin stepped forward and examined the sword, his weathered eyes narrowing. "Not bad," he admitted gruffly. "It's still weak, but you're getting the idea. Now, practice keeping it up. It's all about control. And then you'll work on focusing that mana for an attack."
Kael nodded, his face flushed with a mixture of exhaustion and pride. His mana control was still nowhere near where it needed to be, but this small victory felt monumental. For the first time in weeks, he had a tangible step forward.
Liana, who had been watching him from a distance, approached silently. She smiled softly at him, her eyes shining with pride. "You did well, Kael," she said quietly, her voice a balm to his growing frustration.
Kael gave a tired smile in return, his breath still ragged. "I've got a long way to go," he said, though his heart lightened at her words.
She glanced at Korrin, who was eyeing them both with a neutral expression. "What now?" she asked.
Korrin, the ever-patient teacher, gave a rough sigh. "We'll keep working on this. More control. We need to strengthen his mana before moving on to attacks."
Kael listened attentively, but his thoughts kept wandering to the looming disaster. Every day that passed was another day closer to the dungeon's explosion. He couldn't afford to waste time.
But for now, he had made progress. It wasn't much, but it was enough to keep his determination burning. Each day, as he continued to practice, the weight of his training began to feel a little less burdensome. His body was becoming stronger, his mana more controllable. It was slow, but there was progress.
Liana remained by his side, offering her gentle encouragement. Kael couldn't help but wonder if her kindness was something that would carry him through this. He didn't have much hope for his family. He didn't trust them to understand or even care about his situation. But Liana—she had been there for him, helping him even when it felt like the world was against him.
As the weeks passed, Kael's focus sharpened. Each training session, each struggle, only reinforced his determination. He had to save the fortress. He had to stop the dungeon. And he couldn't do it alone.
But with every passing day, Kael could feel his resolve growing stronger. I will save them. I will stop this. And this time, he wouldn't need anyone to save him.