Naoko left the training room in heavy silence, the sound of her high heels still echoing in Rena's ears, like remnants of awe that wouldn't leave even after its owner left.
Rena was left alone with Sion.
Sion walked calmly towards Rena, looking at her with brown eyes that glowed with appraisal and amusement. Her gaze wasn't pity; it was the eyes of a fighter, seeing a promising, yet untapped, talent.
She said in a firm but tender voice:
"Are you ready, Rena?"
Rena nodded, though she wasn't entirely sure what preparation meant in this place, nor in the presence of these ruthless people.
**"Sit down. Assume the lotus position. We will begin the mana strengthening training."**
Rena sat quietly on the cold ground, breathing slowly as she tried to overcome her fear, but the suit she was wearing was stifling, heavy like armor restricting her movement and reminding her every second that she was in a foreign land.
"Empty your mind of everything," Sion continued, sitting in front of her in a similar position, "Focus on your breath… and the mana within you. Imagine it flowing through your body, flowing into every cell, every nerve, every crevice of your bones."
Rena slowly closed her eyes, breathing, trying to silence her thoughts. But they were loud... her mother's face, Jane's, Naoko's unblinking silver eyes, Leona's voice, the warmth of Lilia's hand holding hers before she left.
"Focus, Rena." Sion said gently.
She forced herself to listen. To feel.
It started with something simple. She imagined the mana flowing from her heart, like warm sparks of fire, then it began to spread... to her shoulders, then her arms, to her legs, then up to her neck. And in every part it reached, she felt a slight tingling, something pulsing from within.
"Very good," said Sion, her eyes on the glow that was starting to appear around Rena's body.
**"Now, imagine this mana as a second skin. A thin layer... but solid. Unseen, but protecting you. An energy membrane covering your entire body."**
Rena inhaled deeply, and did. Mana flowed out.
The mana that coursed through her body was a rare color... a mixture of fiery red and pure gold, like a mirror to her identity: a gentle flame that didn't burn, but warmed; glowed but didn't destroy.
Suddenly, a transparent film of energy appeared on the surface of her skin, a layer of mana that looked like a hot flash of fire above her body.
Rena opened her eyes, shivering in surprise, as Sion smiled for the first time, a genuine smile.
"Well done," she said, placing her hand firmly on her knee. "You mastered the basics quickly… as expected of the Amberheart heiress."
Rena felt her heart flutter, a slight joy seeping into her chest... a simple, but true, recognition that she hadn't failed.
sion continued in a more stern tone this time:
**"Now, you must continue this pattern... repeat it four times today. And tomorrow when you wake up, I want you to activate it from the first moment. You will stay in this suit until I give you permission to take it off, but you can change its shape as you wish—just the shape, not the weight. It is designed to measure your body's limits and push you past them."**
She was silent for a moment, then looked into Rena's eyes, with a deeper look, as if she was seeing inside her.
"And one more thing," Sion continued, her voice low but serious, "I want you to talk less at the academy. Don't talk too much, don't respond to every provocation, don't defend yourself in every discussion."
Rena frowned, wanting to ask **why?** but she respected the silence.
**"You may wonder, and I know you will later, but you'll understand why in time. Just... be quiet. Observe. And focus on your power. The more you're quiet, the more you'll hear."**
Rena nodded, her hand still trembling from training. Her heart was beating fast, but not with fear this time, but something else... a new sense of anticipation, and shy confidence.
sion stood up and started circling around Rena, watching her from all angles.
"Your body is still fragile, but you are malleable," she muttered to herself, then raised her voice: "You will become strong… stronger than you think, if you survive this training."
She gave a quick smile, then picked up a small blue bottle from the table, and gave it to Rena.
**"Energy elixir. Only use it if you feel like you're about to break down."**
Rena grabbed the bottle and raised her head towards Sion.
**"Thanks."**
sion raised an eyebrow, then smiled with a wink:
"Don't thank me now. Thank me when you can run in that outfit without falling on your face."