The walk back carried a different feel this time. The streets felt familiar now, each turn easier to follow without checking his system. Shops remained active, voices carrying in short exchanges as people moved between errands and work. Evan passed through it without slowing, his attention focused ahead, the direction clear in his mind.
As the training district came into view, the atmosphere shifted again. The open spaces near the hall held groups already engaged in drills, movements sharper, more structured than those in the general streets. The sounds of controlled exertion carried outward, marking the difference between casual activity and deliberate training. Evan moved toward the entrance, his pace steady as he stepped inside.
The courtyard held more people than it had earlier in the morning, the space filled with multiple groups working through different exercises. Instructors moved between them, offering corrections, adjusting posture, guiding movement without breaking the flow of practice. Evan paused briefly at the edge, taking in the activity before moving toward where Valor stood.
Valor stood near the same position as earlier, his posture unchanged, his attention moving across the trainees with quiet focus. As Evan approached, his gaze shifted and settled on him, acknowledging his return.
Valor watched Evan approach, his small nod serving as both acknowledgment and instruction. "You're back. I hope you practiced some conditioning exercises this morning," he said, studying Evan's posture. Evan gave a small nod in response. Valor noted it before continuing. "Good. We continue. Let's see if you've improved since yesterday."
Evan stepped into the space indicated, setting his stance as he had practiced earlier. The movements came back with less hesitation this time, his body recalling the sequence from the morning session and the exercises from the guides. He began with the same sequence, step, lower, turn, rise, keeping his breathing aligned with each phase as instructed.
The strain returned quickly, though it felt more familiar now. His legs engaged as he held the positions, his balance steadier than before, his corrections smaller and more immediate. He moved through several repetitions, each one building on the last, his focus narrowing to the movement and the control required to maintain it.
Valor stepped closer after a few cycles, observing Evan without interruption. Finally, he spoke. "Better," he said, his tone devoid of excess, offering a straightforward assessment. "Keep it like that. Don't rush the transitions. Precision is key if you want to improve."
Evan continued without pause, keeping his pace measured as he moved through the sequence again. His foot placement came cleaner this time, each step landing with clearer intent. As he lowered into the stance, his hips aligned more naturally, his balance holding without the earlier drift. The turn followed with less adjustment, his shoulders staying in line as he rose back to standing.
He repeated the movement, maintaining the same sequence. The strain in his legs built steadily, though it did not break his form as quickly as before. His breathing stayed controlled, each inhale and release timed with the motion. Small corrections still appeared, though his body responding before the imbalance grew.
Around him, others continued their own drills, some moving faster, others holding positions longer. A few glanced his way briefly before returning to their routines. The space carried a shared focus, each person working within their own limits without interruption.
Valor remained nearby, his attention shifting between Evan and the others as they trained. After a few more repetitions, he spoke again. "Hold the lower position longer," he instructed, his voice steady. "Build control there first. It's the foundation for everything that follows."
Evan adjusted immediately, stepping forward into the sequence and lowering into the stance with more intent. This time he did not rise at once. He stayed there, his legs taking the full weight as he held the position. The strain built quickly, spreading through his thighs and into his core. He focused on keeping his back straight, his balance centered, making small adjustments through his hips and shoulders to maintain alignment.
The count stretched longer than before. His breathing slowed, drawn in and released with control as he held the stance. A slight tremor began in his legs, the effort showing more clearly now. He kept his focus on the position, resisting the urge to rise too early. When he finally pushed back up, the movement carried more weight, his legs working harder to return to standing.
He stepped back and reset, then moved into the next repetition. The second hold felt heavier from the start, the fatigue from the earlier cycles carrying forward. He lowered again and held, this time paying closer attention to how his weight shifted, correcting it earlier to keep the position stable.
Valor observed without interruption, his gaze steady as Evan worked through the holds in his lower stance. After a moment, he spoke. "Good. That's where it builds," he said, nodding slightly. "Stay in that position. Embrace the strain; it's part of the process."
Evan went into the next repetition, lowering himself with control and holding the position as instructed. The strain arrived sooner this time, his legs already carrying the effort from the earlier holds. He focused on his breathing, keeping it even as the pressure increased, his attention fixed on maintaining alignment rather than escaping the discomfort.
His posture held longer before the tremor returned, smaller at first, then more pronounced as the seconds passed. He adjusted through it, shifting his weight slightly to keep balance centered, his shoulders staying level as he resisted the pull to rise. When he pushed back up, the movement felt heavier, though more controlled than before.
He reset again and stepped into the next cycle, the pattern repeating with each attempt. The effort built steadily, his body responding to the repetition with slower fatigue but clearer control. Each hold demanded attention, each rise required intent, the movement becoming more deliberate with every pass.
Valor remained nearby, watching closely. "Enough for now," he said after a few more repetitions. His tone was calm, marking the end of that segment without breaking the flow of the session.
Valor motioned Evan toward the side, where a row of marked lines stretched across the ground. "Footwork," he instructed. "Short steps. Keep your center of gravity low. Focus on balance."
Evan stepped into position and began moving along the line, placing each foot within the narrow markings. The movement demanded precision more than speed. His steps stayed low, controlled, each placement deliberate as he shifted his weight forward. The earlier fatigue in his legs made the control harder to maintain, though he adjusted with each step, keeping his balance centered.
The sequence changed midway, requiring a quick shift to the side before returning to the line. Evan followed, his first attempt carrying a slight delay before he corrected it. The second came cleaner, his body responding faster as he adjusted to the pattern. He continued through it, repeating the movement until the transitions began to feel more natural.
Valor watched for a moment before speaking. "Keep your feet closer to the ground. Don't lift more than necessary." His gaze remained steady as Evan adjusted, lowering his steps further and refining the movement as he continued through the drill.
Evan lowered his steps as instructed, keeping his feet close to the ground as he moved along the marked line. The change made the movement more controlled, though it demanded greater focus to maintain balance. Each step required precise placement, his weight shifting smoothly from one foot to the other without lifting too high. The earlier fatigue in his legs made the control harder, though the adjustment reduced unnecessary effort.
He continued through the sequence, adding the side shift at the midpoint before returning to the line. This time the transition came cleaner, his body responding faster as he anticipated the movement. The pattern repeated, forward, shift, return, each cycle building on the last as his control improved.
A few trainees nearby moved through similar drills, their pace faster, their steps sharper. Evan noticed the difference briefly, then returned his focus to his own movement. His steps grew more consistent, his corrections smaller as he maintained alignment through each transition.
Valor stepped closer again, observing Evan for a moment before he spoke. "That's better control," he said, a hint of approval in his voice. "Hold onto that. Don't let it break when fatigue sets in."
Evan moved through another pass, keeping his steps low and close as instructed. The line beneath his feet guided each placement, his weight shifting with more control from one step to the next. The fatigue in his legs pressed harder now, though he kept the movement intact, focusing on each transition instead of rushing through it.
He reached the midpoint and shifted to the side, this time without hesitation. His feet stayed close to the ground, his balance holding as he returned to the line and continued forward. The sequence carried through cleanly, the effort steady as he completed the pass and reset for another.
The next cycle felt heavier. His steps slowed slightly, though the control remained. He adjusted his breathing, keeping it aligned with the movement as he continued. Each repetition built on the last, the pattern becoming more familiar even as the strain increased.
Valor watched closely, his attention fixed on the small details of Evan's movements. "Last one," he said, his tone calm. "Keep it clean."
Evan stepped into the final pass, setting his pace from the first step. His feet stayed low, brushing close to the ground as he moved along the line. Each placement came with intent, his balance held firmly through the transitions. The fatigue in his legs pressed harder now, though he kept his focus fixed on maintaining control rather than speed.
At the midpoint, he shifted to the side without breaking form, his weight transferring smoothly as he returned to the line. The movement held together, his steps landing cleanly despite the strain building through his legs. He pushed through the final stretch, keeping his posture aligned as he completed the sequence.
He slowed and stepped out of the line, drawing a deeper breath as the effort settled through his body. His legs carried a steady fatigue, his breathing heavier though controlled. He rolled his shoulders once, allowing the tension to ease slightly as he straightened up.
Valor gave a small nod, a hint of approval in his expression. "Good," he said. "You held it well." He briefly assessed Evan before shifting his focus to the next part of the session, ready to guide him further.
Evan glanced toward the other side of the courtyard, where a larger group was working through their conditioning drills, their movements synchronized under a different instructor. He shifted his weight slightly, then looked back at Valor. "Why am I not with them?" he asked, a hint of confusion in his voice. "I was training with the group yesterday."
Valor followed Evan's gaze for a moment before turning back to him. "Because yesterday was your first time observing and learning," he explained. "Today, your focus is on correcting your technique." His tone remained steady, conveying the same clarity as before. "Group work requires a foundational level of control, and you're still in the process of building that."
Evan nodded slowly, the explanation resonating with what he had experienced during the exercises. He glanced once more at the group, observing their pace and consistency, then turned his focus back to Valor. "So, I need to build that first," he said, seeking confirmation.
Valor inclined his head slightly, his expression serious. "Yes. Once your movements are consistent and don't require constant correction, you can join them. Until then, you'll train here." His gaze sharpened a fraction. "If you go in too early, you'll pick up bad habits, and those are much harder to fix than building a solid foundation from the start."
Evan accepted the guidance without argument and stepped back into position. The logic made sense to him: fix the foundation first. He reset his stance, placing his feet carefully and aligning his shoulders. With renewed focus, he centered himself, waiting for the instructions ahead.
Valor made a brief gesture with his hand. "Repeat the conditioning exercises sequence, but slower," he instructed. His voice resonated across the space, clear and direct, without a hint of strain.
Evan began again, stepping forward and lowering into the stance with more control. He held it briefly, then moved through the turn and rise, keeping each part deliberate. The pace forced him to feel every shift in balance, every adjustment in posture, leaving little room for careless movement.
The strain returned quickly under the slower tempo, his legs carrying the weight more intensely than before. He continued through it, focusing on keeping the structure intact, each repetition building on the last as he worked under Valor's watchful gaze.
Evan moved through a few more repetitions, each one slower than the last, his attention fixed on keeping the alignment intact from start to finish. The effort built steadily, his legs carrying the strain while his breathing stayed controlled. By the final cycle, the movement felt heavier, though it held together without breaking.
Valor watched in silence for a moment before raising his hand. "That's enough," he said, his tone steady and understanding. "You've done what you needed to for today. If you push any further, you'll only exhaust yourself and risk making more mistakes instead of showing improvement." With that, he signaled the end of the session, allowing Evan a moment to catch his breath.
Evan straightened up, drawing a deeper breath as the tension eased gradually from his body. The fatigue sat across him fully now, though it felt earned rather than overwhelming. He rolled his shoulders, letting the last of the strain settle as he looked back at Valor.
"Same time tomorrow," Valor said, locking his gaze with Evan for a moment. "We'll meet in the morning and evening. In the morning, you'll follow what we did today for assessment, and I'll check in on your progress after some time. Make sure to keep practicing the exercises from the guides in between, don't skip them." Evan nodded in acknowledgment, then stepped away from the training area, turning toward the exit as the day began to draw to a close.
Evan took a few steps toward the exit, then slowed. The thought had been sitting at the back of his mind through the last few repetitions. He turned back slightly to look at Valor. "One thing," he said, curiosity in his voice. "These exercises… they take time to show results, right? I shouldn't allocate any points into my stats until I've reached my potential cap, or it would waste that potential. But wouldn't that take too long?"
Valor's gaze shifted back to him, holding for a moment. There was no impatience in it, though the answer seemed obvious to him. He stepped a little closer, folding his arms. "You think this is the same as training without the system?" he asked, his tone inviting reflection.
Evan considered the question for a moment before shaking his head. "I don't know yet," he admitted, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.
Valor inclined his head slightly, acknowledging his honesty. "Then listen closely," he said. "What you're doing now is building the foundation that your stats will amplify later. Without that solid base, you might gain strength but waste it. With it, each point you invest will be far more effective."
He watched Evan for a moment, ensuring his words sank in. "At your level, you don't directly use mana yet. That comes later. But it's already present within you, flowing through your body whether you're aware of it or not." He gestured lightly toward Evan's stance. "That's why this process works faster than you might expect."
Evan's attention sharpened. "Because it helps the body?"
Valor nodded once, affirming his insight. "Exactly. It reinforces your physical capabilities. Every repetition you complete and every correction you make, the system recognizes it, with mana working together in the background to enhance the process. Growth follows that pattern." His gaze remained steady. "So you won't have to wait weeks or months to see change; you'll notice it as you build it."
Evan absorbed that, reflecting on how his control had improved even within the same day. It aligned perfectly with what Valor was saying.
Valor added, "That's also why making mistakes matters more than you think. If you establish the wrong patterns, those take hold just as quickly. So take your time now and get it right."
Evan let that settle, then nodded thoughtfully. "So the speed of improvement comes from the system recognizing what I'm doing and mana supporting it, not just my effort alone."
Valor gave a small nod. "Effort still matters," he clarified. "But here, your effort shapes something the system can work with, with mana reinforcing it and accelerating the process, especially at lower tiers. It doesn't create blindly; it follows what you choose to reinforce." He paused briefly before adding, "That's why forming good habits early on is crucial."
Evan's gaze dropped for a moment as he contemplated this. The exercises, the corrections, the repetition, it was clear that it wasn't just about getting stronger. It was about laying the groundwork for success when he started allocating points.
Valor observed him for a second longer before stepping back slightly. "Keep it simple for now," he said. "Focus on doing the work. Pay attention to how you move. The rest will follow in time."
Evan gave a small nod, the explanation settling into place alongside everything else he had learned that day. It no longer felt abstract; instead, it felt immediate and actionable, helping him grasp how he could improve more quickly in the sessions to come. Turning toward the exit, he walked away from the training area with steady, purposeful steps.
The evening air met him as he stepped outside, cooler than before, carrying the quiet shift of the day winding down. The streets held a softer flow now, fewer people moving with urgency, more returning from their own routines. Evan adjusted his pace and began making his way back toward the Authority Hall.
The fatigue from training remained, spread evenly through his body, though it no longer pressed as sharply as before. His legs carried the work from the drills, his shoulders from the earlier exercises, his breathing steady as he moved through the streets. Each step felt grounded, the day's effort still present in how he held himself.
By the time the Authority Hall came into view, the light had begun to dim slightly, the structure standing quiet against the evening. Evan crossed the courtyard and stepped inside, the familiar calm returning as he moved through the corridor toward his room.
Evan reached his room and stepped inside, closing the door behind him. The quiet settled around him again, a contrast to the constant movement of the training hall and the streets. He moved toward the washroom, turning on the tap and letting the cool water run over his hands and face. The sensation cleared some of the lingering fatigue, sharpening his awareness as he straightened.
A knock followed shortly after. When he opened the door, an attendant stood with the evening meal arranged on a tray. Evan thanked them and took it inside, setting it down near the table before sitting. The food carried the same balanced preparation as before, warm and filling without excess. He ate steadily, his attention drifting briefly through the events of the day as he finished.
Once done, he returned to the washroom and turned the water hot this time, letting the steam build before stepping under it. The heat worked through his muscles, easing the tightness from training, loosening the strain in his legs and shoulders. He stayed there for a while, allowing the tension to release gradually before stepping out and drying off.
He changed into clean clothes and moved back to the main room, the quiet now deeper as the day came to a close. Evan lay down on the bed, his body heavy with fatigue, though it felt different this time. More structured and purposeful. His thoughts drifted briefly toward the next day, then eased as sleep took him, steady and uninterrupted.