I decided to create the training arena for our dream tonight, a place where I could hone my skills and focus on magic training with Maria. I had told her I wanted to work on my spells, especially as I had begun to feel the nuances of her emotions seeping into my own. Pulling her feelings was never an easy task; it often left me with echoes of her sentiments, and while I had grown accustomed to it over time, I always worried that the lines between us might blur. What was me? What was her? Thankfully, that had yet to happen, but the underlying fear lingered in the back of my mind.

The weapon I was having Pari create and enchant would function similarly to the ring Maria wore, designed to draw upon her strong emotions. I had high hopes that with both the weapon and the ring, her emotional balance would improve, allowing her to harness her essence more effectively and without the overwhelming effects it sometimes had on me.

As I stood in the training arena, the soft glow of the magical lights illuminating the space, I took a moment to collect my thoughts. It took about ten minutes for her to arrive, allowing me enough time to do some simple stretches and test my spells on the training dummies scattered around the arena. With the additional power I had gained from embracing the Dragon King's legacy, there were a few spells I had yet to practice.

The first spell I decided to try was Freezing Mist. As I channeled the magic, a thick, swirling mist enveloped the training area, its icy tendrils creeping along the surfaces it touched. The ground beneath me turned slick with frost, and soon a foggy white blanket hung in the air, obscuring visibility and creating a hazardous zone. Watching the effects unfold for the first time left me in awe; the mist transformed the entire arena into a chilling landscape, an ethereal beauty that also held a sense of danger.

Emboldened, I moved on to my next spell, Falling Snow. This spell summoned an intense snowfall, a stronger version of Freezing Mist that blanketed the area in a blizzard-like flurry. As I cast it with a heightened frequency, the snowflakes danced chaotically through the air, creating a mesmerizing spectacle that felt alive. It was exhilarating to witness the magic in action, the raw power at my fingertips.

Having a bit of time left before Maria's arrival, I decided to practice my Liquid Bolt spell. I took aim at the dummies, focusing on my technique and precision. The first bolt shot forth from my palm, a stream of liquid ice racing toward its target, striking the dummy square in the chest with a satisfying thud. I let loose a few more bolts, refining my aim and channeling my energy with each cast.

Just as the last bolt flew from my hand, I sensed Maria's arrival. She materialized in the training arena, a radiant smile lighting up her face. “I see you are already practicing,” she said, her voice playful as she observed the impact of my spell on the dummy.

“I may be a well-trained Captain, but I still need to refresh my skills.” I walked over to her, wrapping my arms around her in a warm embrace. The feel of her against me was grounding; I cherished these moments more than I could express. God, I love this girl.

She giggled softly as I squeezed her tightly, her laughter a sweet melody. “Like you need the practice…”

“Remember, I have new spells… New abilities. Learning those doesn’t come easy.” I reminded her, pulling back slightly so I could meet her gaze.

She looked up at me with those captivating emerald eyes, an amused glint dancing in their depths. “Fair point. Perhaps you can target me with a spell tonight.”

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My face fell blank as I processed her words. “If I practice, it’ll be with the dummies.” I gestured to the training dummies behind me, feeling a mix of disbelief and concern.

“Don’t I need to learn how to take more hits?” she batted her eyelashes at me, a teasing smile playing on her lips.

“Why do you want me to attack you so badly?” I asked, both perplexed and slightly alarmed.

She shrugged. “How else am I supposed to get used to attacks?”

I considered her reasoning for a moment; she had a valid point, one I didn’t particularly like. “Simple things, then,” I relented, knowing I wouldn’t win this argument. “And I will heal you afterward.” It was more of an order than a suggestion.

“Deal,” she replied, her enthusiasm bubbling over.

I hated the thought of hurting her, and I knew she felt the same way. With weapons, it was easier to mitigate our injuries, but spells were trickier. They often affected an area rather than just a single target.

“Go first. Let’s get that ring down. Then I’ll go.” I stepped back, giving her room as she positioned herself ten steps away.

“Over-channel?” she asked, her voice steady.

I nodded, bracing myself as she chose a purple gem from her pouch. I watched intently as she cast the spell, a swirling mass of purple hues racing through the arena and crashing against my invisible barrier. The spell she used was mental in nature, and I felt the vibrations against the shield, which held strong against her onslaught.

“Next one,” I instructed, my heart racing slightly as the intensity of our training began to build.

Four spells later, my shield finally shattered beneath the pressure of her magic. I could see her growing a bit fatigued from the essence she had already expended, and I stepped closer to her, concern etched on my face. “Want me to go a few rounds so you can rest before your next shield?”

“Yes, please…” she breathed, her energy waning.

I allowed her a moment to recover before launching my attack. I threw four spells at her in quick succession: first, my Liquid Bolt, followed by Brain Freeze and Frost Bite. I cast these spells at their base levels, ensuring the pain she felt was manageable. I knew that whatever pain she experienced, I would feel it too, a bittersweet consequence of our connection.

As the last spell released from my fingertips and hit her, she looked at me with a soft smile, brushing off any remaining frost that clung to her. “You aren’t going to be able to take everything…” she reminded me gently.

I looked away, my heart heavy with the weight of her words. “I know…” I whispered softly, the truth of it gnawing at my conscience. There was no way I would ever stop taking away her pain. It was my duty to protect her, to shield her from any harm, even if it meant bearing the burden myself.

“Théoden…” she said softly, stepping closer and forcing me to meet her gaze. “If we are going to stand a chance in battle, we both need to take our own pain.”

I understood her logic, but seeing her suffer was agonizing. I nodded in simple agreement, though deep inside, I knew I wouldn’t stop shielding her from harm.

Once I healed her from my attacks, I allowed her to go another round with an over-channeled shield. This shield was strong, lasting through four more of her more powerful spells, all of which drained the ring’s power significantly.

“That should do it,” I said, walking over to her again as the last spell shattered my shield.

“You sure?” she asked, concern flickering in her eyes.

“Yes. Let’s enjoy the rest of the dream, shall we?” I replied, eager to leave the intensity of training behind for a moment.

She nodded in agreement, and we settled down, resting our bodies against each other. Soft laughter filled the air as we engaged in small talk, sharing stories and dreams, the weight of our training momentarily forgotten. Eventually, the gentle embrace of sleep began to claim us, and I let the dream fade, allowing us the peace we both needed.