The restriction changed the way Kael trained.
It forced him to slow down, to pay attention to details he had previously ignored. Before, his ability had relied on instinct and timing, allowing him to react quickly in combat situations. Now, speed alone wasn't enough.
He needed control.
Lyra attacked without warning, as she always did.
Kael responded.
The first strike came fast, but he did not rush to meet it. Instead, he tracked the motion carefully, allowing the alignment to form before reaching for it.
When he adjusted the force, it held.
Not perfectly, but enough.
The second strike followed.
This time, Kael anticipated the shift more accurately, guiding the motion instead of reacting to it.
Lyra stepped back slightly, her expression sharpening.
"You are adapting," she said.
Kael exhaled, maintaining his stance. "I don't have a choice."
"You do," she replied. "You could fail."
Kael tilted his head slightly. "That doesn't seem like a good option."
Lyra did not respond.
She attacked again.
The pace increased.
Kael adjusted.
Each movement required more focus than before, but the result was consistent. The restriction forced him to refine his timing, eliminating the margin for error he had relied on previously.
By the time they stopped, Kael was breathing harder than he expected.
"This is worse than before," he said.
"Yes," Lyra replied.
Kael wiped his forehead and let out a quiet breath.
"…But it's working."
Lyra studied him for a moment.
"Yes," she said.
This time, it sounded closer to approval.