The main training had ended.
That was what Aurelius said the day before, after I managed to activate the golden armor consciously for the first time. Even so, no one in the group seemed willing to stop.
The next morning we returned to the training field of the mansion as usual.
The place was silent.
The hill's breeze passed through the ancient trees surrounding the area, making the leaves move slowly. The light stone of the field reflected the soft light of the morning sun.
Aurelius was already there.
The archmage observed the field with his hands resting on the crystal staff. His silver hair moved slightly with the wind.
When we approached, he simply smiled.
"It seems no one here intends to rest."
Lyannis replied immediately.
"After learning to use mana, it would be strange to just stop."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms.
"Besides, we haven't tested everything yet."
Elara nodded calmly.
"Each of us still has a lot to improve."
Liriel looked at the field attentively.
Vespera remained silent as always.
Aurelius placed the staff on the ground.
"Then let's see your progress."
He looked first at Liriel.
"Light mage."
Liriel took a small step forward.
She took a deep breath and raised her hand.
A white light appeared in her palm.
Unlike the first days of training, now the energy appeared quickly.
The mana condensed into a small luminous sphere.
Aurelius observed with interest.
Liriel moved her hand slowly.
The sphere of light split into three small glowing fragments.
They floated around her like small stars.
Lyannis smiled.
"That's new."
Liriel nodded.
"Mana division control."
She closed her hand.
The three lights merged again before disappearing.
Aurelius spoke calmly.
"Your mana flow is much more refined."
Then he turned his gaze to Elara.
"Now you."
Elara walked to the center of the field.
She didn't raise her hands immediately.
First, she took a deep breath.
Mana began to circulate around her body.
It was an almost invisible aura.
Rai'kanna tilted her head.
"She's conserving energy."
Elara opened her eyes.
"That was the focus of my training."
She extended her hand.
A small sphere of mana appeared.
But unlike before, the energy remained extremely stable.
Almost without waste.
Aurelius nodded.
"Efficient control."
Elara explained calmly.
"I'm using less mana to produce the same effect."
Lyannis seemed impressed.
"That's useful."
The sphere disappeared slowly.
Aurelius turned his gaze to Rai'kanna.
"Warrior."
Rai'kanna stepped forward with a small smile.
"My part is simple."
She didn't create any sphere of energy.
Instead, she concentrated mana directly into her body.
The energy ran through her muscles.
In the next instant, she disappeared.
A quick movement.
So fast it kicked up dust from the ground.
Rai'kanna appeared a few meters ahead.
Lyannis widened her eyes.
"That was fast."
Rai'kanna laughed.
"Enhanced reflexes."
Aurelius nodded.
"Mana reinforcing the body."
She crossed her arms again.
"Fits me better."
The archmage then looked at Lyannis.
"Your turn."
Lyannis raised her hands.
"I was waiting."
Unlike Liriel, she created several small sparks of energy at once.
Five small spheres appeared in the air.
They spun around her like small blue flames.
Lyannis moved her fingers.
The spheres began to move rapidly.
Changing direction.
Crossing the air.
Then she pointed to a spot on the field.
The five sparks shot forward together.
They hit the ground and disappeared in small bursts of light.
Lyannis smiled, satisfied.
"Multiple control."
Aurelius seemed interested.
"Simultaneous spell manipulation."
Lyannis made a small theatrical bow.
"I like having options."
Finally, the archmage turned his gaze to Vespera.
"Archer."
Vespera walked silently to the center of the field.
She removed the bow from her back.
A normal arrow was placed on the string.
But before firing, she concentrated mana at the tip of the arrow.
The energy began to form like a small blue flame.
Liriel watched attentively.
Vespera pulled the string.
Released.
The arrow crossed the field at high speed.
When it hit a distant stone, the mana exploded in a small burst of energy.
Rai'kanna smiled.
"Magic arrows."
Vespera simply nodded.
Aurelius placed the staff on the ground again.
"Excellent progress."
He looked at the entire group.
"Each of you has found your own way to use mana."
I took a deep breath, watching everyone.
It was true.
In just a few days, everyone had evolved a lot.
Lyannis controlled multiple spells.
Rai'kanna enhanced speed and reflexes.
Elara reduced energy consumption.
Liriel refined light magic.
Vespera strengthened ranged attacks.
I looked again at my sword.
The soft light reflected on the crystal of the Cyclops Stone.
The golden armor was still difficult to maintain.
But now it was no longer an uncontrollable power.
It was something I could use.
Aurelius walked to the center of the field.
"Now you are ready for a real test."
Lyannis tilted her head.
"What kind of test?"
The archmage replied calmly.
"A dungeon near the city."
Rai'kanna showed a small smile.
"Finally something interesting."
I looked at the group.
Then at the sword in my hand.
The training had changed us.
And now it was time to find out how much we had truly evolved.