The training grounds of the Everglade Manor bustled with activity as knights and trainees carried out their daily drills. The crisp morning air was punctuated by the clash of steel and the grunts of effort. Yet even among the disciplined chaos, one figure stood out—Kael.
He had risen before the sun, as was now his custom, and was halfway through his rigorous routine. Sweat poured from his brow as he pushed his body to its limits, each movement a testament to his relentless drive. The once-slender boy had grown stronger, his frame more muscular, his movements more refined. Weeks of intense training had transformed him into a formidable presence on the field, though his peers were still oblivious to the depths of his potential.
Kael swung his wooden training sword with precision, landing a decisive blow against his sparring partner. The trainee stumbled back, panting heavily, and raised a hand in surrender. Kael lowered his weapon, nodding in acknowledgment, before glancing toward the edge of the grounds.
Thorne, the head knight instructor, observed from a distance, his sharp eyes narrowing as he assessed Kael.
"That boy's coming along faster than expected," Thorne muttered to himself. Yet, there was something about Kael that unsettled him—a flicker of something unplaceable.
The other trainees regarded Kael with mixed emotions. Some watched in awe, impressed by his rapid progress. Others simmered with envy, unwilling to acknowledge the strides he had made. Kael, however, paid them no mind. His focus was singular, his determination unwavering.
***
After completing his morning drills, Kael retreated to a quiet spot beneath a sprawling oak tree. He leaned back against its rough bark, closing his eyes to savor a moment of rest. The sounds of the training grounds faded into the background, replaced by the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
It was then that Miara's voice echoed in his mind.
[Analysis complete. The unknown energy source has been successfully replicated. The host now has access to mana.]
Kael's eyes snapped open.
"What?" he whispered aloud, his voice barely audible over the rustling leaves. "Miara, what are you talking about? Mana?"
[Correct,] Miara replied, her tone steady and clinical. [The pervasive energy surrounding this world has been identified as the source Awakened individuals use. This system has successfully adapted the host's body to access it.]
Kael's mind raced as he tried to process the information. He had heard of mana, of course—an intangible force that only the Awakened could wield. It was the key to their incredible abilities, a gift he had assumed was forever beyond his reach.
"And now I have it?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.
[Affirmative. The host can now sense and accumulate mana. Further experimentation is required to determine its practical applications.]
Kael closed his eyes again, this time focusing inward. Following Miara's guidance, he searched for the energy within himself. At first, there was nothing, just the quiet stillness of his own body. But then, he felt it—a faint hum beneath his skin, subtle yet undeniable.
A slow smile spread across his face. "Let's see where this takes us."
***
That night, as the manor settled into silence, Kael sat cross-legged on the wooden floor of his modest quarters. The dim glow of a single candle cast flickering shadows on the walls. His body ached from the day's training, but his mind was alive with anticipation.
"Alright, Miara," he whispered. "Let's see what this mana is all about."
[Initiating meditation protocol. Begin by focusing on your breathing. Envision the flow of energy as described in previous scans.]
Kael inhaled deeply, closing his eyes. At first, the stillness felt unnatural. His thoughts rebelled, darting between memories of training and fleeting doubts about the strange new power within him. But gradually, he found a rhythm. His breaths slowed, and his awareness sharpened.
The sensation of mana wasn't immediate. It began as a faint tingling in his fingertips, like the first stirrings of a breeze before a storm. Then, as he followed Miara's guidance, the feeling deepened. It was a hum, low and constant, like the pulse of the earth itself.
"Is this it?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
[Correct. The energy you feel is mana. The host's body is successfully adapting to its presence. Continue focusing to refine control.]
As Kael delved deeper into the sensation, images began to form in his mind—abstract and fleeting, like dreams half-remembered. He saw streams of light, flowing and intertwining, vast and infinite. The realization struck him like a blow: this wasn't just his energy. It was everywhere, in the air, the earth, even the faint glow of the stars outside his window.
He opened his eyes, the candlelight reflecting in his golden irises.
"It's incredible," he murmured.
[The host is advised to remain cautious. Overexertion at this stage could cause backlash.]
Kael chuckled softly. "Don't worry. I'll take it slow. For now."
Over the next two weeks, Kael's routine grew even more grueling. By day, he pushed his body to the brink with physical training, honing his skills and endurance. By night, he allowed Miara to take control, her advanced programming tirelessly accumulating mana while he slept.
The strain was immense. Kael often woke with aching muscles and a pounding headache, the dual demands on his body taking their toll. Yet, he pressed on, driven by an unshakable resolve.
His efforts did not go unnoticed. Thorne, though reluctant to show favoritism, couldn't help but acknowledge Kael's progress. "The boy's got potential," he admitted to one of the senior knights. "If he keeps this up, he might even surpass some of the seasoned trainees."
But Kael's growth also drew the attention of another—Elowen.
***
Elowen sat at her ornate desk, sorting through a stack of letters. Most were mundane—requests for aid, reports from her estates—but one caught her eye. It was simple in appearance, the handwriting rough and uneven, yet its contents intrigued her.
The letter was from Rebecca, a former servant who had shown promise as an Awakened. She sought a place in Elowen's entourage, offering her loyalty in exchange for the resources to further her training.
The letter read.
---
Dear Lady Elowen,
I hope this letter finds you well. My name is Rebecca, and I am an Awakened who attended the Mage's foundational academy, and was one of the people who served you during your stay there. While I have potential, I lack the means to further my education and grow stronger. I humbly request to join your entourage as a servant or guard. In return, I offer my loyalty and servitude.
---
Elowen leaned back in her chair, her lips curving into a thoughtful smile. She remembered Rebecca—a quiet, unassuming girl who had always shown potential.
Her gaze shifted to the corner of the room, where a list of her current guards rested. "Harlem Benton is too skilled to remove," she mused aloud. "That leaves Collins and Kael…"
Her smile turned sharp, tinged with malice. "Kael is more entertaining."
Her reasons for keeping Kael were far from noble. She saw him as an outlet for her sadistic tendencies, someone she could toy with as she pleased.
Elowen summoned her butler and instructed him to call Thorne.
***
Thorne arrived promptly, his expression neutral as he bowed before Elowen. "You summoned me, my lady?"
"I've decided to reduce my guard detail for the academy," Elowen said smoothly. "Collins and Kael will duel to determine who stays."
Thorne frowned. "Kael has made great strides, but he's still inexperienced. Are you certain about this?"
Elowen's eyes glinted with cold amusement. "This isn't about experience, Thorne. It's about setting expectations. Arrange the duel."
Thorne hesitated for a moment before nodding. "As you wish, my lady."
***
News of the duel spread like wildfire through the manor. The trainees buzzed with excitement, eager to witness the clash between the seasoned Collins and the rising star Kael.
In the servants' quarters, Helen overheard the whispers and felt her heart sink. "A duel?" she murmured, her hands trembling. "Why would they make my boy fight?"
Despite Kael's recent progress, Helen couldn't shake her worry. She had seen the toll his training had taken on him, the exhaustion etched into his features.
Meanwhile, Kael prepared in silence. He sat in his small room, sharpening his wooden training sword with deliberate precision. The golden light of the setting sun filtered through the window, casting a warm glow over his determined expression.
[Host is advised to use this duel as an opportunity to test mana.] Miara suggested.
Kael smirked faintly. "Don't worry, Miara. I have no intention of losing."
As the candlelight flickered, Kael's confidence burned brighter.
Kael's newfound abilities and rapid growth set the stage for a confrontation that will test his resolve. With Elowen's calculated plans in motion, the duel looms on the horizon, drawing both excitement and concern from those around them.