Adam’s eyes widened in terror as the white deer charged with terrifying speed, the pounding of its hooves echoing through the forest like a war drum.

He tried to force his legs to move, to escape the inevitable, but his body refused to obey. The crushing weight of the mana bands strapped to him made even the simplest movement feel impossible.

Panic clawed at his chest as his focus shattered. The strain he had been suppressing for too long erupted uncontrollably, and he felt his mana leak out in a wild, unrestrained surge.

The invisible force, once tightly held within him, now pressed down on his body like a suffocating blanket.

His knees gave way, and he collapsed onto the forest floor with a muffled thud. The rough ground scraped against his skin, but the pain barely registered.

His throat burned as he coughed violently, his body convulsing with each shallow breath.

The yellow dust released from the flower clung to him like a shroud, clogging his lungs and making it impossible to draw in clean air.

Desperate and gasping, Adam let the glowing flower slip from his trembling hand.

It fell softly to the ground, its faint golden light dimming slightly but still bright enough to attract the deer’s full attention.

Lifting his head with great effort, Adam’s blurry vision locked onto the white deer now mere meters away.

The creature was an embodiment of nature’s fury, its crystalline antlers gleaming like frozen blades under the fractured sunlight.

Its glowing yellow eyes burned with primal rage as they fixed on him, its head lowered and poised to strike.

Adam’s heart hammered in his chest, each beat resonating like a death knell.

He willed his limbs to move, to crawl, to do anything to get away, but the crushing weight of the mana bands, combined with his own fear, rendered him paralyzed.

The magical device strapped to him seemed to amplify his helplessness, draining what little strength he had left.

Through the haze of panic and exhaustion, Adam realized he couldn’t summon his magic. The yellow dust cloud enveloping him acted like a suffocating barrier, disrupting his concentration and leaving him completely defenseless.

His mind raced, but no solutions came. All he could do was watch as the deer dug its hooves into the ground, preparing to charge again.

The deer pawed at the earth, the muscles in its powerful legs coiling like springs. Its translucent antlers shimmered, almost glowing as they pointed directly at Adam, the tips aimed for a fatal blow.

Time seemed to stretch as the creature lunged forward, each stride bringing it closer to its helpless target.

Adam’s mind screamed at him to move, to act, but his body refused to listen. He could only stare in horror, the golden dust swirling around him like a mocking halo.

And then, in the blink of an eye, everything changed.

A sudden blur of motion appeared at the edge of Adam’s vision, faster than he could process. Jordan.

Jordan moved like a shadow in the wind, his form a seamless blend of speed and precision. His sword was already in his hand, the blade catching the faint light as it arced through the air.

With a single, fluid motion, Jordan struck.

The sword cleaved through the deer’s neck with such ease it was almost surreal, the blade meeting no resistance as it passed through flesh and bone. The sound was sharp and clean, like the slicing of silk.

The deer froze mid-charge, its body lurching forward from the momentum. For a brief, horrifying moment, it seemed as though it might still reach Adam.

But then, the severed head fell to the ground with a dull thud, rolling a short distance away. The lifeless body followed shortly after, collapsing heavily onto the forest floor.

Adam blinked, his breath caught in his throat as he stared at the scene before him. The world seemed to blur at the edges, his vision narrowing to focus on the impossibly fast sequence of events.

One moment, the deer had been bearing down on him with lethal intent, and in the next, Jordan had ended the threat as though it were nothing more than a minor inconvenience.

Jordan straightened, his sword glinting faintly as he wiped the blade clean with a practiced motion. His expression remained calm, almost indifferent, as though the entire encounter had been beneath his notice.

Still coughing violently, Adam raised a trembling hand to his face, trying to shield himself from the lingering yellow dust.

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His movements were sluggish, each one requiring immense effort, but he managed to wipe some of the dust from his mouth and nose.

Jordan turned his attention to Adam, his sharp eyes assessing the younger boy’s condition. Without a word, he walked toward him, his presence commanding and unyielding.

Adam tried to speak, to thank him or perhaps question him, but his voice failed him. His throat was raw, and his lungs still burned from the dust.

Jordan stopped a few steps away, his gaze briefly shifting to the swirling cloud of yellow particles that continued to linger around Adam. With a subtle motion, he gripped the hilt of his sword once more.

In one swift, calculated swing, Jordan’s blade cut through the air, generating a powerful gust of wind. The force of the swing scattered the yellow dust instantly, pushing it far away from Adam and clearing the air around him.

The sudden rush of clean air was a blessing. Adam inhaled deeply, his chest heaving as his body finally began to recover. The oppressive weight of the dust was gone, leaving him shaken but able to breathe freely once more.

Jordan lowered his sword, the faint hum of its power lingering in the air as he sheathed it with a smooth, practiced motion.

He stood silently beside Adam, his presence a calming yet commanding force amidst the chaos.

Adam, still struggling to process what had just happened, looked up at his master with a mixture of awe and disbelief.

Jordan hadn’t just saved him—he had done so with such speed and precision that it left no room for doubt about his unparalleled skill.

Jordan calmly approached Adam, sheathing his sword with a practiced motion.

His piercing gaze locked onto Adam, and his voice carried a sharp edge of authority. “Adam, if you keep losing your focus like this in the middle of a battle,” he said, his tone firm and unyielding, “I can guarantee you won’t win any fights in the future.”

Adam lowered his head in silence, the weight of Jordan’s words hitting him harder than any blow.

As Jordan turned and walked away, Adam clenched his fists, realization dawning on him like a bitter truth. He had made a grave mistake.

When the deer had charged at him, he had let his concentration slip, his mind clouded with panic.

That momentary lapse had triggered the devices strapped to his body, causing their mana-draining mechanisms to intensify.

The weight pressing down on his arms and legs had increased, making him feel completely powerless.

The memory replayed in his mind as if mocking him. I can’t let this happen again, Adam thought, determination slowly replacing the fear in his heart. He muttered to himself, “I have to change. I must change, no matter the cost.”

Taking a deep breath, Adam forced himself to focus. He raised his trembling hands and formed them into tight fists.

Channeling his willpower, he slammed them against the ground, the impact sending a small ripple through the forest floor.

With the jolt, Adam redirected his attention inward, toward his core. Slowly but steadily, his erratic mana flow began to stabilize.

The chaotic leakage of energy from his body ceased, and he felt a faint sense of relief as the devices on his arms and legs responded. The crushing weight lessened, allowing him to move again.

Adam rose shakily to his feet, his resolve visibly stronger than before.

Without a word, he began following Jordan, who had already picked up the slain deer. Jordan carried the creature effortlessly on his shoulder, his posture steady as he started walking back through the dense forest.

Adam trailed silently behind his master, his eyes fixed on the ground as his thoughts churned. He didn’t dare to speak, and Jordan didn’t break the silence either. The only sounds were the rustling of leaves and the faint crunch of their footsteps on the forest floor.

The two continued their journey until they reached the heart of the forest, where their small base was located. It was a modest setup—a clearing surrounded by towering trees, with a few wooden structures providing shelter.

Jordan approached a sturdy wooden table positioned outside one of the huts. The table was simple but well-made, accompanied by two wooden chairs on either side. They resembled park benches but lacked any kind of backrest.

With practiced ease, Jordan placed the deer onto the table. Its lifeless body rested there, its crystalline antlers gleaming faintly in the sunlight filtering through the canopy above.

Adam stopped a few steps behind, observing the scene with a mixture of curiosity and unease.

Jordan reached into his pocket and pulled out a small but sharp knife. Without a word, he flicked it toward the table.

The blade struck with precision, embedding itself deep into the wood. The force of the throw startled Adam, who flinched slightly at the unexpected motion.

Adam’s wide eyes darted from the knife to Jordan, his mind struggling to process the level of control and accuracy his master had just demonstrated.

Before he could voice his thoughts, Jordan turned to him, his calm yet commanding demeanor unshaken.

With a subtle gesture, Jordan pointed at the deer. His expression made it clear that no explanation was needed.

Adam hesitated for a moment, then cautiously stepped closer. “Are you… are you telling me to cut this deer?” he asked, his voice uncertain.

Jordan’s gaze didn’t waver. He gave a slight nod, his silence more intimidating than any words could have been.

Adam swallowed hard, his nervousness evident in his posture. But unlike before, he didn’t argue or complain. He simply nodded back, accepting the task.

Approaching the table, Adam reached for the knife embedded in the wood. His right hand closed around the hilt, and with a firm pull, he extracted it. The blade came free with a soft creak, and Adam took a deep breath, steadying himself for what was to come.

The task before him was daunting, but he knew it was necessary. The weight of the mana bands on his arms and legs was still present, though slightly reduced.

His body wasn’t fully accustomed to it yet, but he could feel himself slowly adapting.

Jordan stood silently nearby, watching Adam’s every move with a critical eye. His presence was both reassuring and pressuring, a reminder that failure wasn’t an option.

Adam began working on the deer, his hands shaky at first but gradually growing steadier as he focused on the task.

The knife felt heavy in his hand, but he pushed through the discomfort. Each cut was deliberate, his movements guided by Jordan’s occasional corrections.

“Not like that,” Jordan said sharply at one point, stepping closer to point out Adam’s mistake. “If you cut here, you’ll waste the meat. Move your hand slightly and try again.”

Adam nodded, adjusting his grip and following Jordan’s instructions. With every correction, he felt himself improving, his confidence building slowly but surely.

Time passed, and the once-pristine deer was gradually reduced to usable parts. Adam’s hands were covered in blood, his muscles aching from the effort, but he didn’t stop.

Jordan’s presence loomed beside him, offering both guidance and silent judgment.

Finally, after what felt like hours, the task was complete. The deer had been fully processed under Jordan’s watchful eye.

Adam stepped back, his breathing heavy but his resolve intact.

Jordan gave a small nod of approval, his expression unreadable. Though he said nothing, Adam could sense that his master was satisfied with his effort.

The chapter ended with the two standing side by side at the table, the weight of the day’s events lingering in the air.