Akira got himself off the floor, legs trembling slightly from hours of walking."Fine, fine… battle tomorrow," he muttered, rubbing his aching temples. "what time should I come back tomorrow?."
Damian raised an eyebrow, amused. "Come back? Who said anything about leaving?"
Akira blinked. "Uh… me? I'm saying it right now. I'll ride back to the palace, sleep, then show up ready to suffer."
"Nope," Damian replied bluntly. "You're staying here. "
Akira stared at him, confused and mildly horrified. "Here? As in… the tower? Overnight?"
Damian nodded. "how will I know you're maintaining your mana even while sleeping if you're at the palace."
Akira blinked rapidly. "Wait, you're going to spy on me while I sleep?"
Damian brushed past him with a dismissive wave. "I prefer the term monitor. Less creepy."
"That doesn't make it less creepy!" Akira protested, following him down the hall.
"You're learning to keep mana flowing at all times," Damian continued. "If it vanishes the moment you start snoring, all of today was worthless."
"Wait, so what happens if I stop maintain mana because of my sleep" Akira asked curious.
"Well I'll obviously wake you up" Damian said like it was no big deal.
Akira sighed dramatically. "Great. So even my sleep is part of the torture regimen."
Damian smirked. "Of course. You wanted power, yes?"
Akira opened his mouth… closed it… then mumbled, "I regret everything."
They stopped in front of a plain wooden door. Damian pushed it open with a flick of his hand.
Inside was a small room — single bed, wooden desk, a window overlooking the city. Simple, but cozy.
"You'll stay here," Damian said. "This room belonged to my top apprentice."
"Oh," Akira stepped inside, looking around. "Where is he now?"
"Graduated," Damian said. "He cried far less than you."
Akira clenched his jaw. "Good for him."
Damian chuckled. Then his tone shifted "I'll send someone with food to your room eat and rest. Tomorrow, You'll fight — and if you lose control, your body will pay the price."
Akira swallowed."…Right."
Damian stared at him for a moment longer, then turned away. "Maintain your mana. I will know if you slack."
Akira waited until the mage disappeared before flopping face-first onto the bed.
The mattress felt like a cloud compared to stone floors and battlefield dirt.He groaned into the pillow.
"Mana while sleeping… I swear I can't catch a break here"
Akira let out a long, tired sigh. The warmth in his chest flickered like a candle about to die, but he forced it to stay steady. Just a little longer. Just until sleep took over.
Knock. Knock.
He didn't move.
The knocking came again, more insistent.
"Akira?" a young voice called. "Master Damian ordered food for you."
Food.
That single word activated his survival instincts. He rolled off the bed — more like fell — and stumbled to the door while rubbing his eyes.
When he opened it, a nervous-looking apprentice stood there holding a tray filled with bread, slices of meat, and a cup of water that looked like the finest treasure in the world.
"Th-thank you," Akira said, voice hoarse.
"The Master said to remind you… keep your mana flowing while you eat," the apprentice added.
Akira stared at him for a moment.
"I hate that man," he whispered.
The apprentice chuckled awkwardly and left. Akira kicked the door shut and sat cross-legged on the floor, tray in his lap.
He inhaled the smell of food like a starving animal. His stomach growled loudly enough to scare spirits.
But he paused before eating — just briefly — to check the mana.Still there. Barely.
"Okay… food and mana. Together. I can totally do this," he told himself.
He took a bite.
Pure heaven.
He took another bite. And another.
He finished every crumb.
Then he pushed the tray aside and dragged himself back to the bed.
His body demanded sleep. He closed his eyes letting his brain shut down.
Not long after
"splash" water poured on his face causing him to jolt upwards.
Damian lounged casually in a chair at his bedside, fingers still faintly glowing with mana. "I warned you," he said with a faint smirk. "Let your mana fade, and I intervene."
Akira wiped his face with his sleeve, glaring. "Intervene? You drenched me alive! That's torture!"
Damian raised a brow. "If anything, that was gentle. If you were in a war, falling asleep with no mana would mean death. Consider this a lesson."
Akira's shoulders slumped, exhaustion pulling his eyelids downward again. "You could've at least shouted or shaken me…"
"That would take too much effort." Damian crossed one leg over the other.
"Crazy bastard" Akira thought to himself as he shut his eyes again, trying to force the warm thread of mana to ignite within him. But exhaustion weighed on him like chains. His concentration seeped away like sand through fingers.
Stay awake… keep the mana…
His head drooped forward.
Just resting my eyes… just—
A sharp sting zapped through his arm.
"Ah—!" He jerked upright again, clutching his hand. "Was that necessary?!"
Damian nodded without hesitation. "Yes. Each time you slack, I will escalate. And believe me…" His eyes glinted with something that could only be described as dangerous amusement. "Magic has many creative methods."
Akira swallowed hard. "You're evil…"
"Strict," Damian corrected calmly.
Akira sat rigidly now as circulated the mana around his body.
Damian finally stood, satisfied. "Good. Maintain it I'll know if you stopped."
Akira croaked. "I'm not supposed to sleep? At all?"
"You may sleep," Damian said, turning toward the door. "Just don't lose your mana."
"That's like telling someone to keep their eyes open while they're closed!"
"That is exactly what training is," Damian replied simply."Most mages learn this over months. You're learning in a day. That means discomfort."
"I rather take months to learn it" Akira grumbled.
"I am afraid you don't have that luxury" Damian said faintest smirk tugged his lips.
"I believe in you, Akira." Damian said as he teleported out.
Akira forced the warmth to continue pulsing beneath his ribs, eyelids heavy."At least he believes in me…" he whispered."Now… don't fall asleep…"