The boys were abruptly pulled out of their deep meditation by a sudden, rumbling chorus of growling stomachs. At the exact same moment, their eyes snapped open, blinking against the dimness of the room. The quiet pre-dawn stillness was shattered by the insistent demands of their bodies. The room, once a sanctuary of focused energy and silence, now felt oddly alive—not with magic, but with hunger.
"Didn't we just have dinner?" Ethan asked, his voice low and thick with lingering sleep as he rubbed his stomach, the faint smile of disbelief barely hiding his fatigue.
"Yeah," Nick added, his frown deepening, eyes darting toward the others. His voice carried a mix of exhaustion and irritation, like a man woken from a deep sleep prematurely.
Asher tilted his head, a touch of confusion clouding his usually bright eyes. "Then why do I feel hungry already? Like, seriously ravenous. This essence circulation thing… it's draining me more than I thought it would."
Nick ran a hand through his messy hair, scratching the back of his neck in a mixture of fatigue and bemusement. "Looks like practicing that essence circulation technique takes a whole lot more energy than we gave it credit for."
Ethan's eyes flickered with a spark of realization, as if piecing together a puzzle. "Is it just me, or do you guys feel stronger than before? Like… way stronger? Not just physically — mentally too. Like some part of me has woken up, ready for anything."
Asher's eyes widened, the excitement crackling through his voice like static. "Yeah! I thought it was just in my head, but something's definitely different. I feel… capable. Like I could move mountains — literally."
Nick glanced toward the faint glow of dawn creeping through the window, worry knitting his brow. "Well, whatever it is, we better get to bed before the sun comes up. Physical training's first thing, and I need to prepare my muscles. I've always been a little weaker than my friends, so I'm gonna need extra effort to keep up."
They tried to settle back down, curling under their blankets, but sleep wouldn't come. The sudden surge of energy coursing through their bodies was a relentless tide, impossible to push back. Their minds raced with anticipation, muscles tingling with a latent power neither fully understood. Restlessness buzzed beneath their skin, making them feel alive in a way they'd never experienced.
The hours ticked by slowly. Outside, the first birds began their morning songs while the horizon bled faint streaks of orange and pink. Yet inside, the boys lay awake, their bodies wired, hearts pounding in rhythm with the newfound energy.
Before the first light had fully broken over the horizon, the boys were already moving. They stretched carefully, mindful of sore muscles and stiff joints, but eager to harness the power that now seemed to flow through them.
The entire dormitory hummed with similar vitality, as the other students stirred. It was as if a subtle current had passed through them all, waking something primal and fierce.
Making their way across the crisp morning air to the physical training grounds, the boys spotted Instructor Luke already there. His tall figure was framed by the rising sun, his posture commanding and unyielding, his presence a silent challenge.
"Good morning, students," Luke's voice boomed, steady and firm yet tinged with encouragement. The sound carried over the open field, crisp and clear. "You know the drill — up the mountain and back down. Let's see what you've got. But today, I have a special surprise for you."
The mountain towered before them, its steep slopes a daunting test of endurance and willpower. But today, something was undeniably different. The climb felt lighter, more fluid — like their legs were no longer weighted by fatigue, but buoyed by some unseen force. Each step was surer, their breathing less labored.
Among the other students, a ripple of newfound strength moved like a wave. Faces that usually bore exhaustion now glowed with determination. Steps were faster, breaths steadier. The mountain that had once loomed like an immovable obstacle suddenly seemed conquerable.
Luke stood watching them, his dark eyes gleaming with quiet pride. A faint smile played at the corners of his mouth, revealing the satisfaction of a mentor seeing progress.
"Guess the water's washed the sand from the gold," he muttered under his breath, his voice low but laced with meaning. The phrase wasn't just about physical cleanliness, but the deeper transformation—the purification and awakening of potential within the students.
The boys shared glances. They felt it too — a stirring inside, a surge of energy born from the essence circulation practice, carrying them further than before.
The mountain climb ended all too quickly, but Luke wasn't done testing them.
"Alright," he said, turning to face the group. His voice sharpened, cutting through the tired murmurs. "Drop and give me push-ups. But I'm going to turn things up a notch."
Without hesitation, the students dropped down onto the soft grass, hands firmly planted beneath their shoulders, bodies taut and ready.
Luke stepped forward, lowering his palm to the earth in front of them. "Dragon Art: Gravitational Force."
Almost instantly, the air around them shifted. A crushing weight descended onto their backs—not physical, but elemental. The pressure began light, like a smooth stone resting gently, but slowly grew heavier, a relentless force pressing down.
Their muscles quivered as they strained against the invisible burden. The simple act of pushing their bodies upward felt like pushing against a mountain.
Sweat formed on brows and backs as muscles screamed with effort. Some students faltered, their breaths ragged. But Luke's commanding voice rang out above the strain.
"Keep circulating your essence as you push! Essence isn't just for casting spells — it's the secret to building your body stronger and faster."
Luke paced among them, his gaze intense but steady.
"When you train, your muscle fibers contract and relax, causing tiny tears—microtears—to form. Your body reacts by increasing blood flow to those areas, leading to inflammation and repair. But the repair doesn't just restore — it strengthens."
He paused, locking eyes with several of the students, his voice lowering into a serious tone. "By circulating your essence during training, you're giving your body an edge. Your blood and essence work together, repairing and reinforcing your muscles faster and stronger than ever before. That's how you evolve beyond your limits. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir!" came the unified shout, voices rough with exertion but resolute.
Luke's stern expression softened into a rare smile. "Good. Now, push. Push through the weight. Remember — the mountain, the pressure, the pain — they're all steps on the path to becoming something greater."
The students dug deep, essence flowing through them, muscles burning, minds locked on the goal. The sun climbed higher, bathing the field in golden light, but their fight had only just begun.