They had all grown too quickly.

Arthur almost smiled thinking about it.

If Lyra checked all their progress together later, her reaction was going to be priceless.

None of this should have happened so fast.

Not normally.

Skills didn't just improve this much overnight.

Yet here they were.

One by one.

Breaking expectations.

Arthur wasn't really worried about suspicion either.

Even if someone tried connecting the dots, what exactly would they conclude?

That Arthur somehow awakened skills inside people?

Impossible.

Nobody would jump to something that absurd.

At most they would think the squad simply had ridiculous talent.

Arthur's smile widened slightly.

He honestly looked forward to seeing their reactions later.

Especially Lyra's.

And from the looks of it, she still hadn't even seen the best of his system yet.

His eyes shifted briefly toward the commander.

She was currently focused on Nox and Torren.

Arthur became a little curious.

Especially after hearing earlier that she planned to teach them mana techniques personally.

He wondered what kind of reaction she would have once they started adapting faster than expected too.

Still, he didn't stare too long.

Mel suddenly stumbled slightly during a landing.

Arthur immediately snapped back.

"Easy."

The cub steadied herself quickly.

"Don't rush the bite. Balance first."

Mel huffed lightly through the bond, almost sounding annoyed at herself.

Arthur chuckled.

"You're improving fast already. Relax."

That seemed to calm her down.

She resumed the course again while Arthur continued giving small instructions.

Meanwhile…

Commander Lyra stood before Torren with her arms folded.

"Again," she said calmly.

Torren nodded seriously.

Unlike earlier when he joked around often, his expression now was fully focused.

Lyra stepped closer and tapped his shield lightly.

"You already know how to channel mana into your body. That part isn't the problem."

Torren frowned slightly.

"Then what is?"

"Control."

She answered instantly.

"Most people spread mana everywhere because it feels safer. But spreading it carelessly weakens efficiency."

Nox stood nearby listening carefully too.

Lyra pointed directly at Torren's shield arm.

"For you, your role isn't attacking first. It's holding the line."

Torren nodded.

"So your mana should serve that purpose better."

She continued.

"Don't force it through your entire body. Condense it where it matters most."

Torren took a deep breath.

Slowly, mana gathered around his shield arm.

Then around his shoulder.

The muscles supporting his stance tightened slightly.

Lyra watched silently.

"Good. Hold it there."

Torren gritted his teeth.

At first it seemed easy.

Then the mana started trembling.

Keeping it condensed in one area while maintaining stability was far harder than simple reinforcement.

Sweat formed on his forehead almost immediately.

Nox noticed it too.

"He's struggling already?"

Lyra answered without looking away.

"Because this is actual control."

Then she suddenly stepped forward.

"Brace."

Torren immediately planted his feet and raised his shield.

Lyra's fist moved.

She punched lightly.

That was all.

A simple punch.

But the moment it connected…

BOOM.

Torren's arm shook violently.

His feet scraped backward across the floor.

The mana around his arm instantly dispersed like shattered glass.

His eyes widened in shock.

"That was light?!" he blurted out.

Nox stared too.

Because it genuinely looked like a casual strike.

Lyra lowered her hand calmly.

"Same mana. Different technique."

That sentence hit both of them immediately.

Torren looked down at his own shield arm silently.

He understood now.

The difference wasn't raw mana quantity.

It was how it was used.

Lyra's mana had compressed into the strike perfectly.

Clean.

Dense.

Efficient.

Meanwhile his own reinforcement scattered too loosely.

He finally locked in completely.

Arthur glanced over briefly and could tell instantly from Torren's expression.

He got it now.

Nox clearly did too.

She folded her arms while staring thoughtfully at Lyra's fist.

"That's actually ridiculous…"

Lyra smirked faintly.

"Ridiculous becomes normal with practice."

Then she looked back at Torren.

"Again."

Torren obeyed immediately.

This time he focused harder.

Mana gathered around his arm once more.

But now he paid attention to density instead of amount.

Slowly…

The mana stabilized slightly better.

Still rough.

Still shaking.

But better.

Lyra nodded once.

"Keep the flow tight. Don't let it leak."

Torren clenched his jaw.

The process honestly looked exhausting.

His breathing became heavier despite barely moving.

Condensing mana took far more concentration than simply spreading it.

Several failures followed after that.

Sometimes the mana collapsed completely.

Sometimes it spread accidentally into his chest and shoulders.

Once, the shield itself slipped from his grip after his arm cramped.

Nox burst out laughing at that one.

Torren shot her a glare.

"You try it then."

"I will," she replied immediately.

Lyra watched the two quietly for a moment before speaking again.

"This is normal."

They both turned toward her.

"You're rebuilding habits you've relied on for years. Of course it feels awkward."

Torren exhaled slowly and picked the shield back up again.

But unlike earlier frustration, there was excitement in his eyes now.

Because he could already feel the difference.

Even the small moments where the mana stabilized properly made his shield feel sturdier.

Heavier.

More reliable.

Lyra observed him a little longer through both success and failure.

She never expected him to master it instantly anyway.

This stage was simply foundation.

And foundation mattered most.

Finally she nodded.

"Keep practicing that first step."

Torren straightened slightly.

"Yes, commander."

She then turned toward Nox.

"It's your turn."

Nox immediately grinned.

"Finally."

Lyra crossed her arms.

"Don't get excited yet. Yours will be harder."

Nox blinked.

"…Why do I suddenly regret my decision?"

Torren laughed from behind.

"Good luck."

Nox clicked her tongue.

"Mind your own suffering."

Even Lyra almost smiled faintly at their exchange before her expression returned to normal.

"Come forward."

Nox stepped up immediately, curiosity and excitement clear in her eyes.

Commander Lyra shifted her attention fully to Nox.

"You," she said calmly, "have actually been preparing for this training since the first day."

Nox blinked.

"…Wait, seriously?"

Lyra nodded.

"The weights. The obstacle courses. The pressure training."

Nox frowned slightly as she listened.