Chapter 173: Mana Training
"...You all have potential."
Lyra continued.
"And more importantly, you are willing to improve."
Her eyes moved across them again.
"That matters more than talent."
The team listened carefully.
Then Lyra folded her arms again.
"For today, this is enough."
A few shoulders relaxed immediately.
"But," she added calmly, "the intensity will increase."
Groans followed instantly.
Nox dropped her head again.
"Of course it will."
Lyra didn’t react.
"You will begin with the same training tomorrow at dawn."
She gestured toward the obstacle course.
"The drills you practiced today will continue."
Then she added,
"After that we will move into a full group exercise."
Arthur tilted his head slightly.
"A squad drill?"
"Yes."
Lyra nodded.
"You will show the progress you gained from this training."
Her gaze sharpened.
"Your strengths will grow. Your weaknesses will shrink. That is the goal."
The team nodded slowly.
Even though they were exhausted, there was excitement in their eyes.
They had felt the improvement today.
Lyra finally stepped back.
"That’s all for now."
She gave a small wave of dismissal.
"You’re free to leave."
The team bowed slightly out of habit.
Then the relaxed mood returned.
Nox stood up first.
"I’m going to sleep for twelve hours."
Ryn laughed.
"You’ll be lucky if you get six."
Torren lifted his shield and stretched his arms.
"I’m heading for the bathhouse."
Selene picked up her bow.
"Same."
Althea brushed the dust from her clothes.
"See you all tomorrow."
They waved to each other as they slowly started leaving the hall.
Arthur walked with them at first.
But after a few steps he stopped.
Ryn noticed.
"You coming?"
Arthur shook his head.
"Give me a minute."
Ryn looked between him and the commander who still stood inside the hall.
Then he nodded knowingly.
"Ah."
He waved casually.
"Don’t stay too long."
Arthur laughed.
"No promises."
The rest of the team left the training hall.
Soon it was quiet again.
Only Arthur and Commander Lyra remained.
She had already noticed he stayed behind.
When the others were gone, she turned toward him.
Her eyes carried a questioning look.
Arthur walked a little closer.
Lyra spoke first.
"What is it?"
Arthur rubbed the back of his neck for a moment.
He didn’t plan to waste the opportunity.
"You mentioned earlier that I lack defense."
Lyra nodded once.
"I did."
Arthur continued.
"And I noticed something during the drill."
Lyra raised a brow slightly.
"The technique Ryn used."
Now she understood.
Arthur smiled a little.
"I’ve been curious about it."
He spoke honestly.
"I know techniques like that aren’t easy to learn."
Lyra said nothing yet.
Arthur continued calmly.
"But you taught Ryn."
He shrugged slightly.
"So I figured... maybe you could at least point me in the right direction."
He didn’t demand it.
He simply asked.
"If you can give me some hints, I’d appreciate it."
Lyra watched him for a moment.
Then she surprised Arthur as she smiled.
"I was wondering how long it would take."
Arthur blinked.
"...You expected this?"
"Of course."
Lyra folded her arms.
"With your personality I thought you’d ask sooner."
Arthur chuckled.
"I was trying not to be greedy on the first day."
Lyra shook her head slightly.
"I don’t mind teaching it."
Arthur’s expression brightened a little.
"That was easier than I expected."
"Don’t celebrate yet," she replied.
"This technique requires precise mana control."
Arthur nodded.
"I figured."
Lyra stepped closer.
"You must control the flow of mana around your body. Not inside your core, or through your weapon like you’re used to. But around you."
She lifted one hand slightly.
"A protective field."
Arthur listened carefully.
Lyra continued.
"It isn’t easy."
Her eyes studied him again.
"But you’ve shown potential."
Arthur smiled.
"That sounds promising."
Lyra didn’t dismiss it.
"In fact, your control surprised me."
She gestured toward the empty field where the drill had taken place.
"Those fire constructs earlier."
Arthur scratched his cheek.
"Still a bit rough."
Lyra shook her head.
"No."
She looked directly at him.
"It was impressive."
Lyra continued calmly.
"If anyone here has the potential to grasp this technique quickly..."
She paused.
"...it might be you."
Arthur grinned.
"Well, now I’m motivated."
Lyra turned toward the training field.
"Good."
Then she looked back at him.
"Let’s see if you can prove it."
Commander Lyra walked to the center of the training hall and motioned for Arthur to come closer.
"Watch carefully," she said.
Arthur stepped forward, curiosity clear on his face.
She didn’t rush. Instead she closed her eyes for a moment and let her mana move.
At first Arthur didn’t see anything. Then slowly a thin shimmer appeared around her body. It was faint, almost invisible, but once he focused he could feel it clearly.
A layer of mana.
It wrapped around her like a second skin.
Not thick. Not flashy.
Just... there.
Arthur narrowed his eyes.
"That’s it?"
Lyra gave a small nod.
"This is the technique."
Arthur tilted his head slightly. "Looks simple."
"Looks," she repeated.
She gestured to him. "Attack it."
Arthur didn’t hesitate. He lifted a hand and formed a small flame construct.
Nothing too serious. Just enough to test.
The flame shot forward and struck the thin layer around her body.
Instead of burning through, the fire bounced away and scattered into sparks.
Arthur blinked.
"...Okay."
Lyra lowered the mana layer and looked at him.
"The strength of the barrier depends on two things. Control and mana reserves."
Arthur nodded slowly.
"So the denser the layer, the stronger the defense."
"Yes."
She continued explaining as they walked slowly across the training floor.
"The mana must be extremely thin, yet extremely dense. At the same time it must keep flowing."
Arthur listened carefully.
"If it stops moving, the layer collapses?"
"Exactly."
She stopped walking and looked at him again.
"This technique isn’t just about defense either."
Arthur raised a brow.
"Oh?"
"You will understand once you learn it."
Arthur smiled a little.
"You’re good at making things sound mysterious."
Lyra ignored the comment.
Then she waved her hand slightly.
"Enough talk."