The training field was silent that morning.
The light wind coming from the hills passed through the ancient trees around Aurelius' mansion, making the leaves sway slowly. The light stone ground reflected the sunlight that was beginning to rise in the sky.
It had been several days since we began training.
Each day brought small improvements.
Mana was no longer something completely strange inside my body. The vibration of energy now appeared more easily whenever I concentrated.
It was still not perfect.
But it was far from the beginning.
Aurelius was standing in the center of the field when we arrived.
The dark blue robes swayed slightly in the wind. The crystal staff reflected the morning light.
He observed the group carefully.
"It seems everyone is adapting to the flow of mana."
Lyannis crossed her arms.
"Finally."
Rai'kanna stretched her shoulders.
"I prefer it when training involves fighting."
Elara replied calmly.
"Mana control is also combat."
Liriel nodded.
"Especially when it involves magic."
Vespera remained silent, observing everything as always.
Aurelius turned his gaze to me.
"Takumi."
I nodded.
"Yes."
The archmage pointed to my sword.
"Show the control you learned yesterday again."
I held the blade.
I took a deep breath.
The vibration of mana appeared quickly.
I imagined the flow traveling down my arm.
The energy traveled through my body and entered the sword.
The blade glowed with that soft light that was already beginning to feel familiar.
Lyannis smiled.
"Now he does it easily."
Rai'kanna tilted her head.
"It's still weak."
Elara watched attentively.
"But it's stable."
I maintained the light in the sword for a few seconds.
Then I let the energy fade.
Aurelius nodded.
"Good."
He walked a few steps across the field.
"The next step is natural."
I looked at him.
"What step?"
The archmage answered calmly.
"Let the sword fully react."
Lyannis frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Aurelius answered.
"The sword has a powerful core."
He pointed to the crystal embedded in the blade.
"The Cyclops Stone."
Elara added.
"It amplifies mana."
The archmage nodded.
"But true amplification only happens when the energy flow reaches the necessary level."
Rai'kanna smiled.
"So he needs to push more mana."
Aurelius answered calmly.
"Not push."
He looked directly at me.
"Allow."
I held the sword again.
I took a deep breath.
I focused my mind.
The vibration of mana appeared inside my body.
This time stronger.
I imagined the flow traveling down my arm and entering the sword.
The blade glowed.
More intense than before.
The crystal in the center began to emit a soft blue light.
Lyannis noticed first.
"The crystal is reacting."
Rai'kanna stepped forward.
"The energy is increasing."
I kept focused.
I let the mana flow without trying to control it too much.
The vibration grew.
The sword began to vibrate slightly in my hand.
The crystal glowed brighter.
Then something happened.
The energy exploded out of the blade.
A golden wave ran through my body.
Lyannis widened her eyes.
"Now!"
Rai'kanna smiled.
"I knew it."
The golden light began forming around my body.
First as small sparks.
Then as a layer of energy.
The armor appeared again.
Exactly as it had in the battle against the general.
Plates of golden energy covered my arms.
Then the shoulders.
The chest.
The legs.
All the energy seemed alive, moving as if it were made of liquid light.
Elara watched, fascinated.
"It's amazing."
Liriel also seemed impressed.
"The manifestation is perfect."
Lyannis gave a small laugh.
"Finally he managed to do it again."
I felt the power running through my entire body.
It was different from before.
In the battle against the general, it had happened without control.
Now I was conscious.
I felt every part of the energy.
Every flow of mana.
The sword seemed directly connected to my body.
Aurelius watched silently.
His blue eyes gleamed with interest.
The energy continued increasing for a few seconds.
Then it stabilized.
The golden armor remained around my body.
Rai'kanna crossed her arms.
"That looks strong."
Elara replied.
"It's much more than strong."
Liriel nodded.
"The mana density is enormous."
Lyannis just smiled.
"Now we have something interesting."
I looked at my own hands.
The golden energy moved slowly across my arms.
I took a deep breath.
For the first time, this armor did not appear by accident.
I had activated it consciously.
After a few moments, I let my concentration fade.
The mana began to recede.
The golden light gradually disappeared.
The armor vanished.
The field returned to normal.
Aurelius walked over to me.
"How do you feel?"
I took a deep breath.
"Tired."
He smiled slightly.
"That is also normal."
The archmage rested his staff on the ground.
"But now there is no more doubt."
I looked at him.
"About what?"
The answer came simply.
"You have awakened the power of the sword."
I looked at the blade in my hands again.
The Cyclops Stone still glowed faintly.
The golden armor had disappeared.
But the power was still there.
Waiting to be used again.
And now I knew that I had finally taken the most important step in the training.