Chapter 55 – Training in Mana Control

  The Engineer Arrives

  The training grounds had been stripped of dummies and obstacle walls. Instead, smooth stone floors gleamed under torchlight, with neat rows of carved mana circles etched into the ground. At their center, small glowing crystals hovered faintly above pedestals.

  “Alright, Initiates!” Ripper’s voice carried like thunder. “You’ve been beaten, bruised, and nearly broken in body drills. Now it’s time to see if your minds and souls can keep up. Welcome to mana control.”

  From the far archway, Brinley Gearwhistle skipped into the room carrying a satchel bursting with tools and crystals. Her goggles pushed high into her hair, her freckled cheeks smudged with ash. Though only an initiate, she wore the confidence of someone who practically lived in the Engineering Wing.

  “Morning, class!” Brinley chirped, dropping the satchel with a clang. She pulled out a glowing crystal the size of a fist. “These beauties are your best friend and worst enemy. Mana crystals. Perfect for beginners—safe enough to use, but volatile if you get sloppy.”

  Seven eyed the crystal warily. “Volatile sounds… reassuring.”

  Brinley smirked. “Don’t worry, human. You’re not the first rookie to singe your eyebrows off. Probably won’t be the last either.”

  First Attempts

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  Each recruit was handed a smaller shard, no bigger than a thumb. Brinley demonstrated by holding hers between her palms, eyes closing as her breath slowed. The crystal glowed steadily, pulsing in rhythm with her heartbeat.

  “Simple rule: Flow in, flow out. Your mana should circulate like breath. If you shove too much too fast, it’ll crack—or worse, bite back.”

  Seven placed the shard in his left palm, shutting his eyes. He tried to push mana like he had during Enchanted Combat—direct, forceful, all at once.

  The crystal sparked violently. Heat seared his hand, forcing him to drop it. A scorch mark blackened the training mat.

  “Dammit—!” He shook out his palm, teeth clenched.

  Fluffy’s laugh rang out like a bell. “Nice fireworks, rookie! Not bad for your first try!” She gave him a wink, though her tone was more encouraging than mocking. “Just ease up. You’re not trying to knock the poor thing unconscious.”

  Across the circle, Raven crossed her arms. “That was reckless. You’re pouring mana like a sledgehammer instead of a stream. Control yourself—or you’ll end up burning through more than just your palm.”

  Guidance & Breakthrough

  Brinley crouched beside Seven, goggles slipping down onto her nose. “She’s right, y’know. Mana isn’t muscle—you can’t brute force it. Think of it like threading a needle. Fine, steady, patient.”

  Seven exhaled slowly. He closed his eyes again, picturing the flow as something gentler. Not a flood, but a steady drip. This time, the crystal flickered faintly, light pulsing erratically. His hand trembled with the effort, sweat beading down his forehead.

  The glow stabilized for only a moment—just long enough to see a steady pulse—before his mana wavered. The shard sparked, heat surging through his arm.

  Seven gritted his teeth, forcing himself to hold it. “Come on… just… a little…”

  The crystal blazed with a sudden steady glow—before his knees buckled. He collapsed forward, chest heaving, the shard rolling harmlessly away.

  Aftermath

  Fluffy darted forward, kneeling beside him. “Hey, hey! Easy there, hotshot. Nobody asked you to kill yourself over a glowstick!” She brushed his damp hair back with surprising gentleness. “Still… not bad. You lit it properly. That’s more than half this room managed on day one.”

  Seven coughed, sitting back against the wall. “Feels like I ran ten miles with bricks strapped to my chest…”

  Raven approached, her sharp gaze softened by the faintest trace of approval. “You lasted longer than I expected. Still sloppy—but promising.”

  Brinley scooped up the crystal, blowing on the faint scorch mark like it was a beloved pet. “See? Told you it was doable. Next time, you’ll last twice as long.” She shot Seven a grin. “And maybe not set the floor on fire.”

  Seven closed his eyes, exhausted but oddly satisfied. For the first time since joining the Guild, he felt like he’d actually taken a step forward—not through brute survival, but through patience.