Our clash continued, with each series of hits leaving new bruises. After each set, Verdenia would tell me where I went wrong: Your block is off, you're too slow, too weak in this stance. Ground yourself; don’t just see what I’m doing, feel it, hear it, taste the combat coming even. She was right; relying only on my eyes, I could react half a second slower or more, critical time needed to adapt to the fast-paced combat of anyone who followed a power path.

.We kept this up all day, stopping only once to eat. The break was welcome; the food offered some relief from being sore. Part of me hoped they wouldn’t take me back to the cell, but they did. Despite it all, that old wooden bed looked like heaven. My sore body called out to the bed. So, I laid down; the training would continue tomorrow.

The days went like that for a while. Verdenia had taken it upon herself to splash water on me to wake me. Colder than ice, too. Did that woman not know what shock was? As for the dampness left behind, the vines that occupied the cell would stretch over the bed once I got up and absorbed the water. It was a handy trait they possessed. Previously, I'd wondered why my cell was dry when the rest of the place seemed consistently damp. Those vines and roots were the answer.

Each time, I'd wake up shivering, tossing her a scowl. I would try to give her a piece of my mind, but she would laugh it off while insinuating about my lack of manliness. But don't be fooled into thinking she had started to go easy on me. The moment I dressed in the clothes provided for the day, Instructor Verdenia was back in action, and the bruising cycle would commence.

At the very least, my physical condition was improving. After about three hours of sparring, we'd take a brief break. Then physical training would start. The red symbols would shift to a deeper hue, and not only would our powers be suppressed, but the gravity within the dome would also intensify. Under this augmented gravitational force, we'd engage in body exercises. These weren't simply to enhance strength; flexibility and coordination were also focal points, and sometimes, these were beaten into me.

I didn't stretch my legs far enough? Instructor Verdenia's trusty wooden sword would make sure I did. Need to maintain a balanced stance on one leg while craning my neck backward and slightly bending my knee? My dear old friend Verdenia’s wooden sword would offer support in the form of what she happily termed "strikes of love." Strikes of terror if you’d ask me. At this point, that damn sword entered my dreams and nightmares, following me there even, keeping my stances right always. Even in dreamland, I couldn’t escape this wooden sword of terror.

After another night of wooden sword nightmares, I woke up with a start. What was it with me and getting up all sweaty? I stripped down, noticing a fresh stack of clean clothes waiting at the edge of the cell. Making my way to the nearby water source, I cupped my hands to gather as much water as possible, using it to douse myself. The water was chilling, borderline freezing, instantly jolting me awake. As I rinsed myself, my left hand absentmindedly traced the bruises marring my body. At least all my bones and chest area were healed up mostly. That Woodbourne Trogg had done a number on me. Hadrian had once made a passing remark about that creature during his training; those who were only at “tier one,” as he said, had no chance against such a monster. I would have died there if Stels weren’t the rogue on Kidra’s mercenary team.

I managed to wake before Verdenia got to me this time; that was something to be thankful for. Going into cold water shock as a morning routine got tiresome. Speaking of cold water, I reached into the water source again, gathering more water to continue my makeshift bath. While this method was far from ideal, the vines and roots around me played a crucial role. As they absorbed the water from my body, they stripped away the accumulated grime and dirt. Talk about nature’s soap. It was so natural that it wasn’t even soap anymore.

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I approached the stack of clean clothes, donning the linen garment with resigned determination. I was geared up for today's...battering. No, I meant training, of course. That cynical side of me came out for a moment. This was just an elaborate excuse to torture rather than train me. If it wasn’t for the fact that I could feel myself getting better, I may even have believed it.

I hadn't noticed Verdenia's arrival as these thoughts swirled. My senses were being closed out too often. Something I needed to change. It was not only a bad habit but even a dangerous one.

Spotting me, Verdenia let a smug smile curl at the corners of her lips. “Did you miss me, Solenus? Your favorite bucket of invigorating cold water is here waiting for you," she joked.

“I'm amazed you can say that with a smile on your face,” I said, trying to suppress a sigh.

With that, Verdenia and I exited the cell and sauntered toward what I had begun to term the 'torture dome.' It wasn’t red this time, though. The symbols on the top of the dome were blue now. The vibrant hue inexplicably resonated with me, infusing me with a calming aura. A deep, radiant azure blue, the color called to me somehow; an aura of calm was entering my mind. Even my previous sour mood disappeared in the wind. A profound sense of peace, which I hadn't experienced in what felt like ages, washed over me.

What exactly do these blue symbols signify?" I asked.

“They connect you deeper to your mind between the source of your power. They amplify the internal while silencing the external. You’re probably feeling a sense of peace right now. Don't bother responding; I already know. It's a common sensation. Our goal for this training section is for you to gain greater control over your mind's emotions and, more importantly, learn to concentrate and conceal your aura.”

“I can’t argue about me needing more control over the mind and emotions, but concealing my aura? I barely sense it as it is.”

“That's because you're out of sync, my Solenus. As it stands, you lack any degree of control over your aura. It emanates from you unrestrained, and although faint, it's extremely noticeable to a mage or void creature. Hadrian likely masked it for you when you were evading that Grand Mage. But now? Hiding from her would be impossible. She would spot you without any effort. Your uncontrolled aura would be a beacon to those who can discern it," she elaborated.

Verdenia walked towards the dome's center, her hips swaying exaggeratedly. It caught my attention, of course. She was beautiful, and I was just a young man. Plus, something told me she did that on purpose, probably to ruffle me. She glanced back, flashing a knowing smirk, having caught me red-handed again.

Choosing not to comment, she sat down into a meditative pose.

“Join me, Falond. Come sit by my side and mirror my pose," she instructed. "You will hear a melody similar to the one you experienced during the rite of the forest. Don't resist it. Allow your mind to drift along with the hymn."

I moved forward, my boots soundlessly carrying me to her side. Spinning around, I mimicked her posture: legs crossed, hands relaxed. Gradually, I let my eyes close.

"Align your back with mine; the contact will help me guide you more effectively," she instructed.

Doing as Verdenia asked, I shifted myself and brought my back in contact with hers. In a moment of mischief, I pressed against her with more force than necessary. Soon after, it was me who suffered; Verdenia had a back of steel, no, more rigid than steel. Could muscles even get that strong? Nature’s essence must be a steroid of sorts.

“Hmm, such eagerness, my dear Solenus," Verdenia teased, "but now is not the time.".

I kept silent, for once, acknowledging that I'd put myself in that embarrassing situation. Due to the blue symbols pulse, I shifted my focus, letting my mind clear. I noticed images flitting in and out of my mental vision. The hymn Verdenia mentioned began to resonate in my ears, yet no one was singing it. Where was the melody coming from?

"Good," she cooed, "concentrate on your breathing, let your thoughts ebb and flow. Don't cling to them, but don't resist them either."

Fantastic, vague instructions. My favorite. Regardless, I tried to follow Verdenia's instructions. Judging by her back relaxing, it must have had some success rate. Images flowed into my mind, one after the other. There were visions of desires, like surging mana coursing through me—happy smiles on the faces of those people. Then, my mind entered a white space.

Unheard by me, Verdenia muttered. “The mind trial is starting.”