The cave's clearing stretched before us, quiet and deceptively calm. The air still carried the scent of earth and sweat from the forest beyond, but for the first time in days, we had a moment to breathe. I could feel the pulse of my mana flowing through my veins, steady now, responsive—but untested in a real training scenario.
"Alaric… are you sure it's safe to practice here?" Alex asked hesitantly, watching the trees with wide eyes.
"We need to test control," I replied, scanning the clearing. "And we need to push my limits. Don't worry… I'll handle it."
The first sign came as a tremor through the ground—a subtle vibration beneath my feet that made the hair on my arms stand on end. Then, breaking through the brush, a boar double the size of normal boars emerged. Its tusks glimmered in the fading light, and its eyes… piercing red, intelligent, and full of malice, locked onto me.
I drew in a deep breath, feeling the surge of mana respond to my focus. The boar charged before I could make a move, tearing through the underbrush like a living battering ram.
Instinctively, I raised my hands, sending a controlled burst of mana forward. It struck the boar mid-charge, knocking it slightly off course, but not enough to stop it. I rolled to the side, dodging tusks that could have cleaved me in half. My first attempt at a mana strike was too strong, sending debris flying unpredictably.
Alex ducked behind a rock, eyes wide. "Alaric! Be careful!"
"I am!" I shouted, circling the creature. Each step required precise movement. Too little mana, and the boar would overwhelm me. Too much, and I risked losing control, wasting energy, or striking the wrong path. I focused on the flow, imagining the pulse of energy following the natural paths through my arms and chest, sending it with intention instead of force.
The boar lunged again, tusks aimed for my midsection. I sidestepped, letting a thread of mana flow through my legs to propel me just enough to avoid a deadly strike. Pain shot through my side as its tusk grazed me, a harsh reminder of the stakes.
I countered, releasing a short, sharp blast of energy to strike the boar's shoulder. It staggered slightly, but its red eyes only burned brighter, filled with fury. It charged again, faster this time, and I realized the timing of my pulses was as important as the energy itself.
The third charge came with a terrifying precision. The boar cornered me against a jagged rock ledge, tusks mere inches from my chest. Panic surged, and instinct took over. My mana flared wildly, uncontrolled at first, a burst of blinding light erupting from my palms. The force blasted the boar back, just enough to create a narrow gap. I dove through it, tumbling to the ground, breathing hard, sweat mixing with blood from minor scrapes.
Alex rushed over once I was on my feet. "Alaric… you were… amazing! But you could have died!"
I shook my head, still catching my breath. "I almost did. But that's the point. Control isn't just about strength—it's about flow and precision. My mana responds when I focus, but I need to guide it… not just push it blindly."
I stood again, raising my hands slowly, feeling the pulse of energy flowing smoothly along my mana paths. The boar snorted, shaking off the blast. Its red eyes remained fixed on me, but I no longer felt panic—only focus. I moved in a controlled rhythm, dodging its charges, guiding energy to specific points: a push here, a nudge there, precise bursts rather than chaotic explosions.
The boar charged one last time. This time, I timed the energy perfectly, letting it flow through my palms, legs, and core in harmony. The strike hit its chest just as I sidestepped, tripping it over a root. It let out a final snort and retreated into the underbrush, beaten but alive.
I sank to the ground, trembling but exhilarated. My mana had obeyed my direction, flowing in controlled bursts, responding to my thoughts instead of my emotions.
Alex sat beside me, still in awe. "That… that was amazing. You're… really getting control of it."
I exhaled, feeling the pulse of energy settle into a calm rhythm through my body. "This is only the beginning," I said. "The boar taught me timing, focus, and flow. There will be bigger challenges ahead… faster, stronger, more dangerous beasts. But each fight, each near-death… it teaches me control."
I closed my eyes, feeling the smooth circulation of mana, tracing the paths through my arms, legs, and chest. Every pulse was deliberate, every strike measured. I realized for the first time that my mana wasn't just power—it was part of me, like blood through veins, a rhythm to synchronize with life itself.
Tonight, we would rest. Tomorrow… we would continue with the training.