The training from the previous day left a clear mark. Not on my body, but on my perception. I knew exactly where I was improving… and where I was still failing. It was no longer a matter of trying everything at once. Now I could see the problem more clearly.
I woke up at the same time, without needing any effort. The habit was already fixed. I got up silently and left before the rest of the mansion fully woke up. The path to the training area had already become automatic.
I stopped at the same spot.
I took a deep breath.
"Today… focus on the limit."
I activated the sword.
The energy responded well, just like the day before. Stable, without sudden fluctuations. I made a few light strikes, just to adjust the rhythm. No exaggeration. Today wasn't about strength.
"Control first."
I kept the flow constant, without oscillations. Every strike had to come out at the same level, without waste. The movement of my body followed with precision. There was no unnecessary tension.
"Better."
I stopped.
"Now… transition."
I activated the armor slowly, without rushing. Unlike before, where the activation was instantaneous, now I controlled the process. The golden energy formed little by little, adjusting to my body without impact.
I observed.
"Smoother consumption."
I took a step.
Strike.
Another.
The combination was cleaner. Less loss, more efficiency. I continued maintaining the rhythm, without increasing too much.
"The problem isn't using it."
I took a deep breath.
"It's sustaining it."
I kept the armor active for longer, without attacking. Just feeling the flow. Mana circulated constantly, but there was still high consumption.
"Reducing this…"
I tried lowering the armor's intensity, keeping only what was necessary.
The response was interesting.
"This… works."
The pressure decreased.
"So did the cost."
I made another strike.
The strength dropped slightly, but not critically.
"So I can modulate it."
I nodded to myself.
"That solves part of the problem."
I deactivated it.
I breathed.
"Now the blessing."
That part was still the greatest challenge.
I activated it again.
The energy exploded, as always. There was no smoothness in that transition. It was all or nothing. My body responded with maximum intensity.
"Control it."
I maintained it.
One second.
Two.
Three.
This time, I tried not to resist the pressure. Just follow the flow.
Four.
Five.
The sensation was different. No longer heavier… but still unstable.
Six seconds.
My body started reacting.
"Limit."
I deactivated it.
I took a deep breath, recovering my rhythm.
"It didn't increase much."
I looked at my hand.
"But it improved."
The difference was small, but it existed. And that was already progress.
I continued testing.
Activation.
Control.
Deactivation.
I repeated the process several times, focusing only on maintaining the maximum possible without surpassing the limit.
Time passed quickly.
When I stopped, my body was warmed up, but not worn down. That was important. It meant the training was efficient.
"So that's it."
I heard footsteps again.
"You never stop."
I looked back.
Lyannis.
"You don't either."
She gave a slight smile.
"I observe."
"So what did you observe?"
She approached.
"You're not trying to increase your strength."
"No."
"You're trying to reduce the cost."
"Exactly."
She nodded.
"That's smarter."
"It's necessary."
Scarlett appeared soon after.
"You two started without us again."
"This isn't group training."
"Now it is," she replied.
Rai'kanna arrived right after.
"Today is endurance."
"Yes."
Elara and Liriel came shortly after.
"We'll help with support," said Elara.
Liriel agreed.
"That way you can test better."
Vespera appeared last.
"No distractions."
I nodded.
"Then let's begin."
This time, the training was different. It wasn't about direct combat. It was about maintaining a high level for longer.
I activated the armor.
Maintained it.
Scarlett attacked constantly, giving no room for rest. Rai'kanna pressured with force, demanding direct responses. Vespera appeared at unexpected moments, testing my reactions.
Elara maintained light defensive support, Liriel sustained the energy flow, and Lyannis analyzed every second.
"Don't increase it," said Lyannis. "Maintain it."
"I know."
I continued.
Time passed.
The armor remained active longer than before. It wasn't an absurd difference, but it was consistent.
"Better," said Elara.
Liriel smiled.
"It's more stable."
Scarlett attacked again.
"But it's still not enough."
"I know."
Rai'kanna pressured harder.
"Then keep going."
I continued.
When I finally deactivated it, my body responded with slight fatigue, but nothing critical.
"That's the point," said Lyannis.
"Yes."
I took a deep breath.
"I still can't maintain everything at the same time."
Elara completed.
"But you can already alternate better."
"Yes."
Liriel looked at me.
"And that already changes a lot."
Scarlett crossed her arms.
"You're more efficient."
Rai'kanna nodded.
"But you still need more."
"I know."
Vespera looked at me directly.
"But you're on the path."
I nodded.
"Yes."
I looked toward the horizon once more.
The limit was still there.
But now…
I could see exactly where it was.
And that meant one thing.
It was only a matter of time before I broke through it.