The golden light slowly disappeared from my body.
When the energy armor dissipated completely, the training field returned to its usual silence. The light wind passed once again through the trees surrounding Aurelius' mansion, carrying the soft sound of the leaves.
I took a deep breath.
My body was still warm from the amount of mana that had circulated through it.
The sword remained firm in my hand.
The crystal embedded in the blade emitted a very faint glow, almost imperceptible.
Lyannis was the first to speak.
"So that's how that armor appeared in the battle against the general."
Rai'kanna observed my arms.
"It looks more stable now."
Elara seemed thoughtful.
"The manifestation was much more controlled."
Liriel nodded.
"He didn't lose the flow's balance."
Vespera remained silent, just observing the sword.
Aurelius walked a few steps across the field.
The crystal staff touched the ground with a light sound with every movement.
"Activating the power once does not mean mastering it."
I looked at him.
"So I'm still not finished."
The archmage nodded.
"Not even close."
Lyannis sighed.
"I knew it wouldn't be that simple."
Rai'kanna gave a small smile.
"But at least now we know it works."
Aurelius stopped in front of me.
"Takumi."
I nodded.
"Yes."
He pointed to the sword again.
"Activate the armor again."
I took a deep breath.
I raised the blade.
I focused my mind.
The vibration of mana appeared quickly within my body.
The flow was already familiar.
The energy traveled through my arm and entered the sword.
The crystal glowed.
The blade responded.
The golden wave appeared again.
Small sparks of energy began to form around my body.
But this time I tried something different.
Instead of releasing all the energy at once, I kept the flow controlled.
The armor began to form slowly.
First the arms.
Then the shoulders.
The golden light covered the chest and legs.
The manifestation was smoother than before.
Less explosive.
More stable.
Lyannis watched carefully.
"Now he's controlling it better."
Rai'kanna nodded.
"The energy isn't leaking."
Elara seemed impressed.
"The flow is much more balanced."
Liriel added.
"The mana density is still high."
I felt the weight of the energy surrounding my body.
It wasn't a physical weight.
It was more like a constant pressure from the mana itself.
But now I could maintain control.
I breathed slowly.
The armor remained active.
Aurelius walked around, observing.
"Good."
He continued analyzing the energy flow.
"Now try to move."
I looked at him.
"Move?"
The archmage nodded.
"Yes."
I took a step forward.
The golden energy followed the movement.
No instability.
No sudden explosions.
Rai'kanna smiled.
"So he can fight like this."
Lyannis stepped slightly closer.
"The speed should also increase."
Aurelius answered.
"The armor amplifies the user's body."
Elara added.
"Speed, strength, and endurance."
I continued walking across the field.
The energy remained stable.
The sensation was strange.
My body felt lighter.
Movements were faster.
But at the same time, it was possible to feel the mana being consumed slowly.
After a few seconds, I stopped.
Concentration began to fade.
The golden armor started to disappear.
The light receded.
First from the arms.
Then from the legs.
Finally, it vanished completely.
I took a deep breath again.
Fatigue returned to my body.
Aurelius nodded.
"That is the current limit."
Lyannis crossed her arms.
"How long did he manage to maintain it?"
Elara answered.
"Approximately half a minute."
Rai'kanna gave a small smile.
"More than enough for a quick fight."
The archmage answered calmly.
"With training, that time will increase."
He looked at me again.
"But the main goal has already been achieved."
I raised my head.
"The goal?"
Aurelius nodded.
"You learned to activate the power consciously."
Liriel smiled lightly.
"That changes everything."
Lyannis agreed.
"Now he can use it whenever he wants."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms again.
"And that makes any enemy a problem."
Aurelius walked to the center of the field.
"The main training is finished."
I remained silent for a moment.
Then I looked at the sword again.
The Cyclops Stone reflected the sunlight.
The power was still there.
Now under my control.
Not completely mastered.
But awakened.
I took a deep breath.
Training with Aurelius had changed something fundamental inside me.
For the first time, I truly understood the flow of mana.
And most importantly.
I could finally use the sword's power whenever I wanted.