Gerrard walked through the courtyard, his eyes scanning the training grounds where Golden Sun guild members practiced their skills. As he observed them, he overheard the quiet complaints of a few new members nearby.
"Why hasn't my magic circle improved?" one of them grumbled. "I've done everything I can, but it's like I'm stuck."
"I know, right?" another voice chimed in. "We've been out on missions, fought in dangerous situations, and still nothing. What's the point if we can't even break through that barrier?"
Gerrard allowed himself a faint smile at the frustration he overheard. It was understandable—the guild's newer recruits often had high expectations when they first joined, but growth in the guild was earned, not guaranteed. He could empathize with their frustration, but he knew something they didn't.
He began walking toward the center of the courtyard, where a few senior members were continuing their training. As he approached, several of them noticed him and waved. Gerrard waved back, calling out, "Good job, keep pushing!"
When he reached the center, he raised a hand to signal for the group's attention.
"Proud members of the Golden Sun," he began, his voice carrying through the courtyard. "Please allow me a moment to speak with you."
The noise of training dulled as the members gathered around, a mix of curiosity and anticipation in the air. Gerrard took a breath before continuing.
"I know that many of you feel frustrated with your progress. Some of you may think that, after going on missions or facing dangerous situations, you should have grown stronger. And when you find that you're still stuck at the same level, it's easy to feel disheartened. Some of you are afraid that this is as far as you can go."
He paused and glanced over the group. "But let me tell you something. You shouldn't be afraid of stagnation. Instead, you should feel proud of it. Why? Because you've pushed your body and mind to their limits. It may not be your full potential yet, but it is your current limit. And that's something to be proud of."
A few of the members nodded in understanding, though some still looked doubtful. Gerrard wasn't surprised. Many people looked for quick results, and stagnation could feel like failure. But he knew better.
"I'm sure most of you are aware that I am an alchemist," he continued. "Not many alchemists are known for their ability to fight in the field. So, you might be wondering: what potential do I really have? Allow me to show you."
At that moment, his eyes landed on Runa, who had just walked into the courtyard. Gerrard smiled and waved her over.
"Runa, come here," he called. "I'd like you to demonstrate something for everyone."
Runa looked up, surprised by the sudden attention. She hesitated but then nodded and stepped forward. As she approached, Gerrard turned to the group and explained, "Runa here is an exceptional mage with a very high-level magic circle. I want to show you all something important."
Turning to the senior members of the guild, Gerrard asked, "One of you—step up. You've reached level two with your magic circle, and you're a skilled melee fighter. Come up and face Runa in a spar."
The senior member, a burly man, nodded and moved toward the center of the courtyard, standing ready. Runa, still unsure, took her position as well.
"Don't hold back, Runa," Gerrard instructed. "Let's see what you've got."
With a signal from Gerrard, the duel began.
Runa quickly began chanting, her words flowing rapidly as she cast a barrage of spells toward the senior member. Ice and wind blasted from her hands, striking with precision. The senior member raised his shield, but the force of her magic knocked him back, and he struggled to keep up.
Runa continued, her spells fast and relentless. Within moments, the senior member admitted defeat, holding his hands up in surrender. "I yield. You've won."
The courtyard fell silent, and the guild members exchanged glances, clearly impressed by Runa's display of power.
Gerrard stepped forward, raising his hand to quiet the crowd. "Good work, Runa," he said with a grin. "Now, it's my turn."
He turned to the group. "I'll remind you again—my magic circle is only at level one. Runa's is at level three. There's a significant difference between us, but that's exactly what I want to show you."
As he prepared himself, Gerrard drew a small rune from his belt and activated it. The ground beneath him seemed to hum with energy as a protective alchemical rune formed in the air, creating a shield around him.
"Let's begin," he said.
Runa quickly resumed her chanting, sending a series of spells toward him. But this time, Gerrard's alchemical defense blocked every attack with ease. The magic fizzled harmlessly against his shield, and he started to advance toward Runa, his footwork faster than she anticipated.
Runa's eyes widened in surprise as Gerrard closed the distance with unexpected speed. The combination of his alchemical preparations and enhanced footwork allowed him to close in on her before she could cast another spell.
With a swift movement, Gerrard closed the gap and pinned Runa to the ground, holding her in place with his superior physical strength. Runa gasped in surprise, not expecting such speed from him.
He helped her up and gave her a nod of approval. "Good job, Runa. You were excellent. And that's the lesson I want to impart to everyone here."
He turned to face the group of guild members. "You see, the level of your magic circle doesn't always determine the outcome of a battle. Sure, it helps, but it doesn't guarantee victory. In a real fight, you need to analyze your opponent, prepare your defenses, and use your environment to your advantage. Even with a gap in magic levels, you can still hold your own if you approach the fight strategically."
Gerrard's gaze swept over the gathered members, each one taking in his words.
"So, when you feel stagnant, don't falter. It's not the end. It's an opportunity to learn, to grow, and to expand your knowledge. Don't let the feeling of being stuck discourage you. Focus on your training, broaden your experience, and find new ways to counter your weaknesses."
He gave a satisfied nod and turned to the senior member. "Alright, you all continue your training. Don't waste time worrying about where you are now. Focus on where you're going."
As the guild members returned to their training, Gerrard turned back to Runa, who was still processing what had just happened.
"I apologize for the one-sided invitation, Runa," Gerrard said with a rueful smile.
Runa shook her head, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "It's fine. Honestly, I'm impressed. I didn't know you were capable of that."
"Now you know," Gerrard replied, giving her a wink. "And I hope it gives you the courage to keep pushing yourself. You're capable of even more than you think."
Later that day, as the sun began to set, Gerrard's gaze drifted upward to a tower overlooking the courtyard. At the top of the tower stood Dyeva, her eyes watching the training below. She observed Gerrard's interaction with Runa, a thoughtful look on her face.
"I hope you can grow stronger, Runa," Dyeva murmured to herself, her voice carrying a hint of uncertainty. "Because I have no idea what might happen in the future."