The path for power (4)

The first ray of sunlight pierced the clouds and spread over the training camp as the summoned recruits began to gather in the center. The morning air was cool, and although the dawn seemed peaceful, the tension in the air was almost palpable. Kaeleen moved forward with slow steps, feeling the exhaustion from the previous night and the weight of the challenges still ahead.

The other recruits looked ready and focused, and Kaeleen wondered if they felt the same nerves as he did. Elise, standing beside him, offered a reassuring smile. That small gesture of support helped calm him, reminding him that, at least, he wasn't entirely alone. Yet, he knew the day would only test him further.

Professor Wolfram appeared in the middle of the field, his expression severe and his presence imposing. He scrutinized the young recruits with a penetrating gaze, as though searching for weaknesses in each of them. Kaeleen felt that gaze linger on him for a moment, and the weight of that attention made his stomach tighten.

"Today, we continue with mana flow exercises," the professor announced, his deep voice echoing through the air. "The goal is to complete your mana circuits. Without them, you are nothing on the path of magic."

The recruits glanced at each other, all too aware of the importance of what they were about to do. Without completed circuits, the mana flow could not stabilize within their bodies, which meant any attempt at magical control would be useless. For many, that morning's training would be the gateway to the next phase, but for Kaeleen, the possibility of failure loomed as a threat he could not ignore.

Each of them took their position and began to focus. Holding the crystals the professor had given them on the first day, the recruits closed their eyes and directed all their attention toward guiding the mana flow within their bodies. The training field fell into deep silence, broken only by the soft sound of the wind and their concentrated breathing.

Kaeleen closed his eyes and took a deep breath, mentally preparing for the pain he had already experienced in previous sessions. He felt the mana flowing from the crystal into his body like a warm, gentle current. At first, everything seemed to be going well, but within seconds, the current intensified. The feeling of peace faded, and the mana began to force its way in, trying to carve a path through him with a violence that left him paralyzed.

The pain flared like a burning flame. His face contorted as he tried to keep control, but the dark mana coursing through him was unmanageable. Around him, the other recruits seemed to be advancing without issue, completing their mana circuits one by one. Finally, he was the only one left, struggling against the pain that seemed to consume him from within.

A murmur of laughter broke the silence. Kaeleen recognized those voices: Ithan and Erik, who never missed a chance to mock him. The two bullies edged closer, and their words reached Kaeleen's ears.

"Is he faking it again?" said Ithan with a mocking laugh. "He's probably putting on this show just to get the princess's attention."

Erik joined in the ridicule, looking at Kaeleen with disdain. "Look at him, writhing like he's about to break. Pathetic."

Elise, watching nearby, frowned and stepped forward to defend Kaeleen. "Leave him alone!" she exclaimed, anger evident on her face. "He's not faking it, and he's not doing this on purpose. Can't you see he's in pain?"

Ithan let out a harsh laugh, casting a mocking look at Elise. "What's this, Elise? Defending your group's leader of losers?"

Erik joined in the laughter, and Kaeleen felt their words stab into his mind like daggers. The mockery, combined with the pain that tore through him, made him feel smaller with each second. But despite the hurtful comments, he tried to ignore them and focus on his task.

From the other side of the field, Princess Selene had been watching the situation with growing concern. Seeing that Kaeleen was unable to complete his circuit and was being ridiculed, she decided to intervene. She took a step forward, ready to help him, but at that moment, Professor Wolfram raised a hand, stopping her.

"Princess, you mustn't interfere," Professor Wolfram said, his voice firm but respectful. "Your magic and Kaeleen's are incompatible. If you try to help him, your divine mana would clash with Kaeleen's dark mana, and it could destabilize his flow in a dangerous way."

Princess Selene paused, her eyes filled with concern as she looked at Kaeleen. She knew Professor Wolfram was right, but watching Kaeleen in such a state of suffering and being unable to help frustrated her deeply. Finally, she nodded, resigning herself to observe from a distance.

Meanwhile, Kaeleen was drowning in his own thoughts. He felt he couldn't take it anymore. The pain grew more intense by the second, and his mind began to blur. The idea of surrendering, of letting the pain consume everything, began to take shape in his mind. What if he just let the mana destroy him? After all, perhaps he was too weak for this.

But a spark of determination ignited within him. He couldn't give up. He recalled the princess's words, Elise's strength in defending him, and the constant scorn from Ithan and Erik. He couldn't allow their insults to become true. He had to prove that he was strong, that he could control this dark and dangerous power.

Kaeleen took a deep breath and began to visualize the flow of mana. He imagined the dark mana moving through his body, slowly opening the paths and forming the circuits. It felt as though his skin and bones were about to break, but he pressed on. He visualized the mana passing through every part of his body, completing the circuit.

Every second was a battle against the pain, and the intensity increased with each step. However, Kaeleen clung to the idea of change, of becoming someone stronger. With each step forward, the pain grew more unbearable, but he also felt closer to achieving his goal.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the pain began to subside. He felt the mana stabilize within him, and the flow calmed. The circuit was complete. Kaeleen opened his eyes, exhausted and drenched in sweat, but with the satisfaction of having succeeded.

A murmur of admiration swept through the group of recruits, and Princess Selene let out a sigh of relief. She approached the center of the field, looking at the young recruits with a proud expression.

"You have completed your mana circuits," Selene said in a solemn tone. "Now you are ready to learn to manipulate basic spells. This is only the first step on the path to true mastery of mana."

Kaeleen could barely stand, but the princess's words gave him renewed motivation. He had overcome the most difficult challenge so far, and he knew the path would only become more demanding, but at least he had managed to reach this point.

With his circuit completed, the days of training passed in a whirlwind of exercises and tests, where Kaeleen and his companions practiced basic spells. The bond between Kaeleen and Elise strengthened with each passing day, sharing moments of camaraderie and mutual support. Despite the constant jeers from Ithan and Erik, Kaeleen began to show renewed confidence.

The basic spells they learned included simple object manipulation and light defensive magic. Time seemed to fly as the days of practice continued, and each of them faced unique challenges. As the training advanced, Kaeleen noticed that his control over mana was becoming increasingly precise, though the pain and effort remained.