In the stands, Elara's heart pounded in her chest, her fists clenched tightly at her sides. "Come on, Lorian," she whispered, barely audible.

Beside her, Celeste let out a sigh of resignation. "That's it. He's lost his sword."

Vivienne nodded, her expression calm but with a hint of disappointment. "Julian's going to finish this now. Without a weapon, Lorian doesn't stand a chance."

The crowd murmured in agreement, their whispers filled with the certainty that the duel was over. All eyes were on Julian, who stood towering over Lorian, his sword raised for the final blow. His grin widened, his victory seemingly assured.

"You put up a decent fight," Julian sneered, "but it's over now."

He lifted his sword high, ready to bring it down in a crushing strike. The crowd tensed, expecting the end.

But Lorian wasn't done.

The mana still pulsed through his veins, and Aric's training rang clearly in his mind: "If you don't have a weapon, you're not helpless. Your body is your weapon."

As Julian's sword came crashing down, Lorian's arms shot up, his hands glowing with the vibrant energy of his mana. The sword met his forearms with a sharp clang, but instead of cutting him down, the blade stopped short, blocked by the surge of mana coursing through Lorian's limbs.

The crowd gasped audibly, stunned into silence.

"What?!" Celeste shouted, half-rising from her seat. "Did he just block a sword with his bare hands?"

Vivienne's eyes widened. "That's impossible…"

Even Elara's breath caught in her throat. "Lorian…"

Julian's eyes were wide with shock as he pushed against his sword, trying to break through Lorian's defense, but it held strong. The force of his strike seemed to fizzle out against the glowing energy protecting Lorian's arms.

Instructors watching from the sidelines exchanged bewildered glances. One of them, Kade Wilson, furrowed his brow as he assessed the scene. "Why didn't the protective gear activate? A strike like that should've triggered it instantly."

Another instructor, Irene Valden, shook her head, equally puzzled. "It's because he's using mana. The mana is absorbing the blow… as if he's reinforcing his body as armor."

"That's advanced," Kade muttered, more to himself than anyone else. "Dangerously advanced for someone at his level."

Julian, still pressing his sword against Lorian's arms, grunted with effort. "How...?"

Lorian's heart pounded, his mind clear as the mana surged through him, strengthening his every movement. He wasn't helpless. He wasn't finished.

In a swift motion, Lorian twisted his body, releasing the force of Julian's blade and gathering the mana into his legs. His foot pressed hard into the ground, the energy building within him, and then—like a coiled spring—he exploded upward.

With a burst of power, Lorian launched his leg off the ground and spun, channeling all the mana into his muscles as he drove a roundhouse kick straight into Julian's side.

The impact was brutal.

Julian's body lifted off the ground as the kick landed squarely against his ribs, the air leaving his lungs in a rush. The force of the strike sent him flying across the courtyard, his sword slipping from his hand as he tumbled to the ground.

As the kick landed, the protective gear around Julian shimmered brightly, triggered by the sheer force of the blow. A radiant glow enveloped Julian, flickering as the enchantments absorbed the impact, preventing serious injury. The light faded, signaling the fight was over.

The crowd was stunned into complete silence for a moment before an eruption of shocked gasps and cries filled the courtyard.

"Oh my gods…" Celeste whispered, her voice barely audible. "Did you see that?"

Even Vivienne's calm demeanor faltered, her eyes wide with surprise. "He's channeling mana throughout his entire body… with such control, and for so long."

"I can't believe the protective gear didn't activate when he blocked Julian's sword," another student muttered nearby. "How did it not count?"

"He's not just blocking with mana," Vivienne said, her eyes sharp. "He's reinforcing his body with it. That takes an insane amount of control."

Irene, still looking bewildered, turned toward Kade. "That kind of channeling, especially in combat—it usually takes years to get to that level. And only when fighting someone at your own rank. How is Lorian doing this against Julian?"

Kade's eyes narrowed as he watched Lorian closely. "There's only one person I know capable of teaching someone to channel mana like that in such a short time," he said, his voice low, filled with suspicion.

Irene glanced at him, frowning. "Who?"

"The Thorn of Aeloria," Kade replied, his tone heavy with meaning.

Irene's eyes widened, her gaze snapping back to Lorian. "Aric Thorne?" The whispers spread quickly, students and instructors alike reacting to the revelation.

Another instructor, overhearing the conversation, muttered in disbelief. "The Thorn of Aeloria? They say his sword cuts like the finest blade, and his flames can't be extinguished…"

"The Warden of the Northern Front," Irene added quietly, her tone reverent. "If Lorian trained under him, that explains everything."

Kade nodded, watching Lorian with newfound respect. "The precision, the ability to maintain mana channeling in a fight—Aric Thorne's techniques are legendary. This is his doing."

Vivienne, standing near the edge of the stands, caught wind of the conversation. "Aric Thorne trained Lorian?" she said, her brow furrowed in disbelief. "No wonder he's different."

Celeste paled slightly, casting a glance toward Elara. "If Lorian was trained by The Thorn of Aeloria himself… that's not someone you can easily dismiss."

In the stands, Elara smiled knowingly. "My brother had a good teacher," she whispered softly, her heart swelling with pride.

Julian lay sprawled on the ground, groaning as he clutched his side, clearly winded and disoriented. He struggled to push himself up, but his limbs felt heavy, the shock of Lorian's attack leaving him momentarily paralyzed.

Lorian, breathing heavily, stood tall at the center of the courtyard, his eyes still glowing faintly with the residual mana coursing through him. He steadied his breathing, feeling the energy slowly dissipating, but there was a notable limp in his step as he shifted his weight. He had done it—he had turned the tables—but at a cost.

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Kade, watching closely, caught the limp. "Look at him," he murmured to Irene. "That limp… he's hurt."

Irene nodded, her gaze thoughtful. "That's the risk of Aric Thorne's way. It takes incredible control. Even a slight slip in balance between power and protection can lead to damage to the user."

Kade frowned. "Thorne's methods push fighters to their limits. The reward is immense, but so are the risks."

Lorian tried to hide the limp as he approached the center of the courtyard, but the instructors noticed. His body had held up for the fight, but the strain was showing in the aftermath. He steadied his breathing, knowing the battle had taken its toll.

The instructor stepped forward, her eyes still wide with surprise as she raised her hand.

"Match won by Lorian Aeloria," she declared, her voice cutting through the murmur of the crowd.

The stands erupted into applause and cheers, students and instructors alike buzzing with disbelief and excitement.

"I don't believe it," Celeste muttered, shaking her head. "How did he…?"

Vivienne was still watching Lorian, her calculating gaze taking in every detail. "It wasn't luck," she said softly. "He had control. Real control. But it cost him."

Julian, still dazed, stumbled to his feet, his face twisted in disbelief and anger. "How…?" he muttered, glaring at Lorian. "How did you…?"

Lorian met his gaze calmly, his chest rising and falling with each labored breath. His leg throbbed with pain, but there was no need for words. The victory was clear, and Julian knew it.

Seething, Julian turned on his heel, storming off without another word.

Lorian didn't watch him leave. Instead, he turned his gaze to the stands, where Elara stood beaming with pride. Her smile met his, a wordless exchange of encouragement and approval.

And just beyond her, Lorian saw Selene, her eyes locked on him with a quiet intensity. There was no mistaking the hint of a smile that played at the corner of her lips—a small, but genuine acknowledgment of what he had accomplished.

Lorian, breathing heavily and limping slightly, made his way to the stands where Elara stood, still beaming with pride. The cheers and chatter of the crowd slowly began to fade as the next set of students were called up for their duels, but all Lorian could focus on was his sister.

She met him with a wide smile, her eyes filled with admiration. "You did it, Lorian," she said softly as he finally reached her. "You showed them."

Lorian smiled faintly, though the weariness was becoming harder to hide. His body felt like it had been through a gauntlet, and the strain of maintaining his mana throughout the fight was starting to hit him like a heavy weight settling over his limbs.

He sank down onto the bench next to Elara, letting out a long breath. "Yeah," he muttered, rubbing his forehead. "But I think… I might've pushed it too far."

Elara's smile faded slightly as she noticed the way his hands trembled, the deep lines of exhaustion etched into his face. "You were incredible out there," she said, her voice quieter, more concerned. "But you look like you're about to fall over."

"I might," Lorian admitted, leaning back, his eyes fluttering. "I think I need to rest for a bit. Could you… keep an eye on me? Just… wake me if something important happens."

Elara nodded, her worry deepening. "Of course. I'll wake you if anything happens."

Lorian gave her a weak smile, but even as he tried to relax, he could feel the toll that the mana channeling had taken on him. The energy he had forced into his limbs was now drained, leaving him feeling hollow. His vision blurred, the world around him fading to gray as his eyelids became too heavy to hold open.

"Elara…" Lorian's voice trailed off as he slumped to the side, his body going limp. His head drooped against her shoulder, and within moments, his consciousness slipped away completely.

Elara's breath hitched as she felt Lorian's weight against her. "Lorian?" she whispered, her hand shaking him lightly. "Lorian?!" But he didn't stir. His breathing was shallow but steady, and his body was completely unresponsive.

She glanced around, her heart racing with worry. "Something's wrong," she muttered under her breath, glancing down at Lorian's pale face.

Nearby, Instructor Kade Wilson had been watching the duels unfold, but his attention snapped to Elara when he saw the panic in her eyes. He quickly made his way over, his expression growing serious.

"What's going on?" Kade asked as he approached.

"He just… collapsed," Elara said, her voice shaky. "I think it's because he pushed his mana too far."

Kade knelt beside Lorian, checking his pulse and examining him closely. After a moment, he sighed and shook his head. "He's completely drained. His body couldn't handle the extended mana channeling for that long—especially not with a technique like that."

Elara's face paled. "Is he going to be okay?"

Kade nodded slowly. "He'll be fine, but he's pushed himself far past his limits. He needs rest—and a lot of it. That's the danger with Thorne's methods," he added, his tone grim. "It requires near-perfect control. One slip, even a minor one, and it takes a toll on the user's body."

Instructor Irene Valden, who had also noticed the commotion, joined them and frowned when she saw Lorian's unconscious form. "It's a remarkable technique, but Aric Thorne's methods are not without risk," she said softly. "Lorian's use of mana channeling was impressive, but his body wasn't ready for that level of sustained energy flow."

Elara swallowed, her hand still on Lorian's shoulder. "He just wanted to prove himself."

"He did," Kade replied, standing up. "But he's paying the price for it now. We should get him somewhere he can rest properly."

Two students who had been watching from the sidelines hurried over, offering to help carry Lorian. Kade gestured for them to be careful as they lifted him up, and Elara stood close by, her worry evident in her every move.

"Will he recover fully?" Elara asked, biting her lip as they began to move Lorian toward a quieter part of the academy grounds.

Irene nodded. "He will. But he'll need time to recover his strength. Pushing your mana to such limits without proper recovery can leave lasting damage if not treated carefully."

Elara sighed softly, relieved but still worried. "I knew he was pushing himself too hard."

As the students carrying Lorian moved toward the academy's infirmary, Instructor Kade Wilson raised his hand, signaling them to stop.

"Wait," Kade called, walking over to them. He reached into his robes and pulled out a small Griffin Pin, the emblem gleaming in the sunlight. It was the first badge of achievement—a mark of Lorian's success in the combat test.

Without ceremony, Kade tossed the Griffin Pin onto Lorian's chest. The pin clinked lightly against Lorian's uniform as it landed just above his heart, the small symbol of a griffin with its wings spread wide now resting atop his still form.

"He earned it," Kade said with a shrug, his voice casual yet filled with an undercurrent of respect. "No point in being delicate about it."

Elara watched as the pin settled onto Lorian's chest, a small smile tugging at her lips despite her worry. "He really did earn it," she whispered softly, feeling a sense of pride swell inside her.

The students nodded, and with Kade's approval, they resumed carrying Lorian toward the infirmary, his limp body swaying gently with each step, the Griffin Pin gleaming faintly in the fading light.

Instructor Irene Valden approached, raising an eyebrow at Kade's casual gesture. "You know, for such an achievement, you could've been a little more formal," she teased.

Kade smirked. "He's not awake to care. And besides, the Griffin Pin speaks for itself."

Irene chuckled, but her tone quickly shifted to something more thoughtful. "Still… it's strange, isn't it?"

Kade turned to her, his expression curious. "What's strange?"

Irene gestured toward Lorian's retreating form. "Lorian struggled so badly with the magic test earlier—barely passed. His control over external magic is weak. But look at what he did in combat today. His internal mana control was almost… flawless. That kind of precision with mana channeling is advanced."

Kade frowned, his brow furrowing. "You're right. His performance on the intelligence test was also exceptional—almost as if he could think five steps ahead. But the magic test? A complete disaster."

"I don't get it," Irene said, shaking her head slightly. "How can someone have such terrible control over external magic but show this level of mastery when it comes to internal mana flow? It's like he's two different people in the same body."

Kade crossed his arms, pondering. "It's rare, but it's possible he's trained differently—or maybe he's just more in tune with his own body. Internal mana control is different from wielding magic externally. But this is still… unusual."

"It's more than unusual," Irene added, her tone filled with curiosity. "His internal control during combat was practically instinctual—almost like he was born with it. But when it comes to traditional magic, he falls apart."

Kade nodded slowly. "There's something there. He may have been trained in a way that prioritized his physical control over magic, but to be this bad at external magic while this good at combat? It's a gap I haven't seen before."

Irene hummed thoughtfully. "If Lorian can ever bridge that gap… if he can find a way to strengthen his external magic to match his internal mana control… he could become an exceptional force."

"He's got the potential," Kade agreed, his gaze still following Lorian's unconscious form as it was carried away. "But if he's going to rise higher, he'll need to figure out that balance. Otherwise, he'll always have a weakness in magic that others will exploit."

Irene nodded thoughtfully, watching as Elara walked beside her brother, her worry evident. "It's strange how glaring the gap is between his combat abilities and his magic skills. But he'll figure it out. If today's anything to go by, Lorian won't let a weakness hold him back."

Kade gave a small grunt of agreement before turning back toward the courtyard. "Come on. We've still got more students to assess."

The two instructors made their way back to the edge of the testing grounds, where the next group of students was already lining up for their trials. The crowd had settled after the excitement of Lorian's duel, but a lingering buzz of energy hung in the air. Many of the students still murmured among themselves, no doubt discussing Lorian's impressive, if surprising, performance.