Arthur was in a field far from the city, covered by a thick blanket of snow. The winter cold was intense, but the excitement for what was about to happen made everyone present forget a little about the freezing temperature. Around him were John, Amelia, Marcus, some of the blacksmiths who helped create the prototype, and some other members of Miguel's team. They were all wrapped in thick cloaks, with their breaths creating small clouds of vapor in the cold air.

The prototype cannon that Arthur had brought was small, just over a meter in length, with an internal diameter large enough to accommodate a small metal ball. The piece of artillery, though rudimentary in appearance, was the culmination of weeks of work and ingenuity. The cannon's body, made of an iron-carbon alloy, was solidly supported on an improvised but sturdy wooden stand. Arthur knew this cannon was just a test, a miniaturized version of what was to come, but he still felt a bit nervous about how the test would unfold.

Days earlier, Arthur had forged the ammunition for this cannon, metal balls that fit perfectly into the barrel. To produce them, he melted iron until it was in a liquid state, then poured it into spherical molds made of green sand, very similar to those used for the cannon itself. After cooling, the balls were cleaned and smoothed, removing any imperfections that could interfere with the trajectory of the shot. The metallic spheres gleamed in the faint sunlight, reflecting Arthur's determination in every perfect curve.

In addition to the cannonballs, Arthur had prepared small quantities of gunpowder in linen bags, each containing the exact amount needed for a single shot. He thought this approach would be more practical and safe, ensuring that the charge was always precise and reducing the risk of accidents.

Arthur gave one last look at the cannon before preparing for the shot. He knew everyone was anxious, especially John and Amelia, who were watching the scene with keen eyes. He positioned the cannon with precision, adjusting the aim so that the shot would hit a group of trees in the distance, which would serve as the target for the test.

"All set," Arthur said, his voice cutting through the silence of the snowy field.

With a careful motion, he lit a torch, the fire crackling softly. He brought the flame close to the fuse protruding from the back of the cannon. The fuse began to burn quickly, crackling as the flame raced toward the interior of the barrel. There was a moment of anticipation when everyone held their breath, and then, with a dry boom, the cannon fired.

The explosion echoed a powerful sound across the field. The metal ball was launched at surprising speed, cutting through the cold air in an instant and hitting the group of trees with a resounding impact. The sound of metal meeting wood was followed by cracks and the sound of falling branches, as one of the trees, which had taken the direct hit, began to tilt dangerously before crashing to the ground with a thud muffled by the snow.

John was the first to break the ensuing silence. "Miguel is amazing for having thought of this," he said, impressed by the effectiveness of the small cannon. His eyes were wide as if he couldn't believe what he had just seen.

Amelia, beside John, watched the scene with a cautious gaze. "It's a bit frightening," she commented, her voice carrying a tone of respect and apprehension. She knew that this small weapon was just the beginning and that its power was a glimpse of what could be used in battle.

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Arthur wiped the sweat that had formed on his forehead despite the cold. He was proud of what they had achieved, but he knew this was only an initial test. "This is just a small prototype to test the concept," he said, turning to the others. "The real cannon is much larger and will have much more firepower."

Everyone remained silent for a few moments, absorbing Arthur's words and what they meant for the future of Drakmoor. The snow continued to fall softly, contrasting with the scene of partial destruction the cannon had caused among the trees. Arthur and the others knew they were on the brink of a new era of warfare, where knowledge and innovation could change the course of battles.

With the test concluded, Arthur gave the order for the small cannon to be taken back to the workshop for further adjustments. He knew this was just the beginning of something much larger and that, with time, they could create weapons that would forever change the way wars were fought. With renewed determination, the group began to disperse, leaving behind only the marks in the snow and the fallen trees as witnesses to the power they had just unleashed.

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In the snow-covered training field, the young mage Lila stood in position, her breath forming small clouds of vapor as she concentrated. In front of her, several wooden targets were lined up, ready to be destroyed. The snow was gently falling around, creating a sharp contrast with the heat of the flames Lila was about to conjure. Beside her, Lysandra, the fox who had become her mentor, watched with keen eyes, her fluffy tail slowly moving from side to side.

"Focus, Lila," Lysandra said, her voice firm but encouraging. "Remember, the trick is to conserve mana. Don't waste energy. Focus on releasing the minimum amount necessary to cast the spell."

Lila nodded, swallowing hard. She extended her hand, feeling the mana flowing within her, a powerful current that, if not controlled, could quickly be depleted. Lila focused, visualizing the energy inside her as a river that needed to be carefully measured. Taking a deep breath, she began to form a fireball, feeling the familiar warmth in her hand. However, when she tried to reduce the amount of mana, the flame flickered and nearly went out.

"More control, Lila," Lysandra instructed. "You're holding back too much. Find the balance."

Lila closed her eyes for a moment, trying to calm herself. She knew the key was in finding that balance. Slowly, she took a deep breath again and extended her hand once more. The fireball formed, smaller than usual but more stable. Lila cast it toward one of the wooden targets, but the spell dissipated before reaching it.

Lysandra stepped forward, her ears slightly tilted. "You're making progress, but you're still wasting energy trying to maintain the spell. Relax. Trust yourself and your magic."

Lila took a deep breath and tried again. This time, she focused on keeping the fireball compact and powerful. When she felt ready, she cast the spell. The flame cut through the cold air, hitting the target with a satisfying impact. The wood crackled and began to burn.

"Better," said Lysandra, with a faint smile. "You're getting the hang of it."

At the edge of the training field, João, the deer and Lila's friend, watched with wide eyes. He was standing next to some soldiers who had also stopped to watch the training. They were impressed with Lila's progress, who, despite the initial mistakes, was showing increasing mastery over the technique.

Lila continued to practice, her confidence growing with each attempt. Although she still made some mistakes, her fireballs were becoming more precise and efficient. Mana conservation was a difficult technique to master, but with each new attempt, Lila was getting closer to her goal. Lysandra encouraged her, correcting her posture or pointing out small adjustments in the way she manipulated her energy.

"You're starting to understand," Lysandra said, with an approving tone. "Remember that constant practice is what will solidify this technique. Don't rush; perfection will come with time."

Lila nodded, feeling a wave of satisfaction for finally making progress. She extended her hand once more, now with more confidence, and launched another fireball that flew straight to the target, hitting it with precision.

Seeing this, João gave a small smile and murmured to himself, "Lila, you're really getting good at this."

João also thought that Lila was truly special… He had always heard that mages needed to use mana catalysts like staffs with special gems… But Lila, she simply created the magic… She was her own catalyst and could still use all kinds of magic, it seemed.

Lila didn’t hear João’s words, but she felt his support and that of the soldiers around her. With Lysandra by her side, she knew she was on the right path to becoming a powerful and efficient mage, capable of mastering her magic with skill.

Lysandra, in turn, watched with pride, knowing that the young mage had great potential. With more training and dedication, Lila could become a formidable ally for the kingdom of Drakmoor, especially in such uncertain and challenging times.