The Growth of a Prodigy (1.5-Year Time Skip & Transformation Arc)

1.5 Years Later – A Different Averis Ravenshade

The icy winds of the North howled through the training grounds, but Averis stood steady, his breath controlled, his body unshaken. His muscles were no longer fragile from mana instability—they had been reforged through relentless training, broken and rebuilt over and over again.

Most mages would struggle to form a single stable mana circle, but Averis had two, both orbiting his heart like celestial rings. Yet, that was only part of what made him different.

> Frozen Raven (perched on a nearby branch, watching closely): "Hmph. Most would have died attempting this."

Averis (rolling his shoulders, smirking):

"Most don't have a mana core trying to kill them either."

The mana core in his dantian—his curse and his greatest advantage.

It absorbed mana endlessly, a black hole that refused to be satisfied. Without his mana circles drawing from it, his body would have shattered under the pressure.

That was why his father had pushed him so hard.

That was why his mana circles were stronger than any mage's.

> Frozen Raven (ruffling its icy feathers): "Yet, you still have not mastered it."

Averis (exhaling, lowering into a stance): "Then I will. Today."

---

The Final Test – "Show Me Your Progress"

The massive doors of the training hall creaked open, revealing Aldric Ravenshade standing at the center, his presence alone suffocating.

He was unreadable, his black eyes sharp as he watched Averis step inside.

> Aldric (cold, but not unkind): "Your training is nearly complete. But words mean nothing. Show me your strength."

Averis nodded. No restrictions. No hesitation.

He drew his sword, mana pulsing through his veins, his two mana circles thrumming in harmony as they regulated the immense flow of power from his core.

> Averis (calm breath, steady stance): "Begin."

Aldric moved instantly—a black blur, too fast to track.

The first strike was monstrous, a crushing blow meant to break his guard. Averis barely deflected it, his entire body vibrating from the force.

Aldric's blade danced, cutting through the air with terrifying precision.

Averis countered—ice coiling around his blade, his spirit energy amplifying the strike.

His mana surged—too much. The mana core in his dantian flared, threatening to flood his body with unstable power.

His mana circles spun faster, pulling from the core, stabilizing the surge.

Then—an opening.

Averis moved. Faster than before.

A thin red line appeared on Aldric's arm.

Silence.

Aldric looked at the cut. Then, slowly, he smirked.

> Aldric (tilting his head, voice unreadable): "Not bad."

Averis exhaled. His father's approval was rare. But he had earned it.

---

The Next Phase – "The North Calls"

That evening, Aldric summoned Averis to his study. The air was heavy, charged with unspoken meaning.

Averis entered, still slightly sore from the fight. Aldric sat behind his desk, reading a letter.

> Aldric: "Your training here is complete."

Averis stiffened. He had worked toward this moment, but… what came next?

> Averis (carefully): "Then what's next?"

Aldric (leaning back, black eyes sharp): "The North."

Averis frowned slightly.

> Averis: "The North?"

> Aldric: "Not the estate. Not the halls you've grown used to. I mean the true North—the wildlands, where real warriors are made."

Averis felt a thrill of anticipation. He had heard the stories—monsters, mercenaries, warbands.

> Averis (gripping his sword, voice steady): "When do I leave?"

Aldric (smirking slightly): "Soon. Be ready."

As the fire crackled in the hearth, Averis knew—his real journey was only beginning.