It's been two months since Heinrich started our training.
From what I've gathered so far, mana isn't something you grow like muscle. It's energy—drawn, stored, and shaped through the core, a vessel every mage is born with. The stronger the core, the more mana your body can handle before it burns itself apart.
Heinrich says mages follow two paths. Conjurers use mana to create energy—fire, lightning, storms. Shapers bend existing matter, twisting the world's fabric through will alone.
The good news? The core grows like muscle. If training worked before a certain age, I'd be hopelessly behind.
"Again!" Heinrich's voice booms across the training room.
My arms tremble, sweat dripping into my eyes as I force mana into them.
"You're doing it wrong," Heinrich snaps, stomping over. He presses two fingers against my forearm, and mana jerks inside me like it's been whipped into line. "You don't push mana. You channel it. Muscle without control is wasted strength."
I grit my teeth. "Easy for you to say…"
Heinrich laughs, rough and booming. "Easy? I broke myself a hundred times learning that lesson. Now—do you want to get stronger, or keep whining?"
Across the room, Yun is sparring with Mr. Park, guild master of Clairmarche's guild and Heinrich's close friend. Their movements blur—too fast, too clean. While I'm still learning to sense and control mana, they're already bending it to their will.
Yun lunges forward, all instinct and aggression. Mr. Park parries effortlessly, then drives a kick into his gut. Blood sprays, and Yun stumbles back with a grin that borders on madness.
Mr. Park doesn't move from his stance. His eyes flick down, assessing. "You're fast," he says evenly, "but you're not afraid. That will get you killed someday."
Suddenly a teardrop of pure crimson mana wells up around Mr. Park, then stretches unnaturally, lengthening into a sharp spear of blood. It strikes right on the target spattering red across his clothes, but the man remains completely unharmed.
Heinrich grunts, unimpressed. "Your conjuring's fine, Yun, but your output is still pathetic."
Mr. Park adds, voice cool. "You surprise me though, that's impressive in itself."
Yun wipes his mouth on a rag. "I could have won that fight! I can heal any wound, and I can fight longer than anyone—if only you hadn't interrupted."
"And yet," Heinrich fires back, "if someone gets in your guard and caves your skull in, no amount of blood magic's gonna knit that back together, is it?"
I speak up before Yun can argue further. "I think your output was weak because you tried to conjure mana too far from your body."
Both of them glance at me. Heinrich arches a brow. Yun narrows his eyes.
"Magic feels stronger near your core," I continue. "It's easier to control mana when it's close. Maybe range affects power."
Yun mutters under his breath, thinking aloud. "So, if I cast closer to myself, it'd hit harder—even if it's easier to react."
For once, Heinrich doesn't laugh. He studies me with the kind of silence that makes your spine tighten.
"Will," Heinrich replies, shocked by my insight, "you might be onto something without even knowing the damn word for it. That's Dominion. Every mage has one—the radius in which they can control mana and shape magic."
Yun frowns. "I guess it makes sense, I can't control blood outside a certain distance."
"Exactly." Heinrich straightens, arms crossed. "You're starting to get it."
Yun stands still, slightly lost in thoughts.
"Enough theory," Heinrich shouts.
Heinrich stoops without warning, snatches a rock from the floor, and cuts his palm in one motion. Blood runs down his fingers, hissing faintly as it hits the stone.
He then looks at Yun with a smirk. "Time to see if you're as good as you think you are."
Yun's face pours with sweat. His muscles tense as he struggles to control the drops of blood on the rock. After a few failed attempts, he gives up, confusion clouding his eyes.
"This will be your second lesson," Heinrich says with pride. "Both your magic work with matter, so this is vital. The more mana something's imbued with, the harder it is to bend. That's why you couldn't control my blood."
Yun's grin returns. "So: the closer the spell is to my core, the stronger it gets. And the denser the mana, the harder it is to manipulate."
"Correct," Hein replies.
I swallow, the truth sinking in. So the same rule applies to me… my ability to reshape matter isn't limitless. The denser the mana, the harder the fight.
"Good," Heinrich says, finally releasing the rock. "Looks like you're both starting to get it."
Before I can reply, a clear, confident voice cuts across the training room.
"You almost look competent."
We turn. A woman around Heinrich's age stands in the doorway, hands in her pocket. Her blonde hair falls straight past her shoulders, her armor fits her like it was forged for royalty, and every step she takes carries the poise of command.
Yun looks at her as if he'd just seen a goddess descend from the heavens.
"Rhea. What are you doing here? Can't you see I'm busy?" Heinrich growls, irritation cracking through his usual bravado.
She ignores the jab. "We've been summoned for a raid. They want everyone—including me and you."
Heinrich exhales, releasing the tension from his shoulders.
"You two. Keep training with Mr. Park while I'm gone. Once I return, you're gonna start sparring with me, so prepare yourselves as well as you can…" His grin stretches wide. "If you don't wanna die—AHAHAH!"
That aura—those flames that seem to burn through anything. If Heinrich's that strong, I can't afford to fall behind.
Yun folds his arms. "Couldn't we have her as our teacher instead of this musclehead?"
Rhea hides a smile, but doesn't answer.
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. The weight of Heinrich's words lingers, heavier than the sweat on my skin.
I still need to match Yun's core growth before I can even think of shaping matter. If this is just the beginning… How high does the climb go?
Yun notices me sulking. "Don't worry, Will. You have much more talent than I ever had. I'm sure Heinrich saw it as well. Sooner or later, you'll reach our level."
"Our level, huh? I didn't realize you were already as strong as him," I taunt.
"Well, I am a former noble. You should expect this much from me!"
A laugh escapes me, relieving the weight of doubt and fear. As long as I'm not alone, I'll be fine.