Chapter 272: Five Days (3)

Lukas advanced. His first strike was a straight punch, fast and precise. Clavor dodged to the side, the movement minimal. Lukas immediately twisted his hips and launched a low kick, exploiting the opening. Clavor raised his leg and blocked, the impact producing a dry sound.

Lukas took advantage of the moment and reinforced his legs, his mana flowing into his muscles. His body shot forward, a second punch, then another. Clavor dodged both, his movements fluid and natural. Lukas attempted a hook, and Clavor lowered his head, the fist passing within a few centimeters of his face.

“Better.” Clavor commented, his voice calm.

Lukas smiled, that was exactly what he wanted to hear. He advanced again, but this time he did not attack immediately. He changed his rhythm, one step, another, observing his father’s reaction. Clavor followed, his eyes fixed on his son.

Lukas then reinforced his left leg and abruptly changed direction, his body sliding to the side. He appeared at Clavor’s flank and attempted to strike his ribs, a fast and unexpected blow.

Clavor twisted his body, his elbow meeting Lukas’s forearm.

‘Smack!’ The impact was strong, making Lukas’s arm vibrate. But he did not stop, retreating one step before advancing again, maintaining the pressure.

The fight continued, each minute making Lukas’s breathing heavier. His mana was being consumed little by little, but he used it with precision, reinforcing only the necessary parts. Legs for speed, arms during attacks, and abdomen and chest when he needed to absorb blows.

It was exactly what Clavor wanted to teach him, not to waste mana. In the past, Lukas frequently concentrated large amounts of energy throughout his entire body, an inefficient expenditure that quickly drained his reserve.

Now he was beginning to understand that this was not always necessary. If an enemy attacked his leg, he did not need to reinforce his chest. If they attacked his face, he did not need to spend mana on his back.

Control, precision, and efficiency. Those were the key words.

The fight continued until Lukas was already breathing heavily, sweat running down his face. Then Clavor launched a slightly stronger blow, an attack that demanded an immediate response.

Lukas tried to block, but the impact sent him sliding several meters backward, his feet scraping against the ground. He fell into a sitting position, his breathing ragged.

“Enough.” Clavor’s voice was firm.

Lukas took a deep breath, sweat running down his face. Despite his exhaustion, he was smiling, a sense of accomplishment filling his chest.

Judite immediately stood up, her eyes shining.

“That was amazing!” She ran toward her brother, her energy contagious.

“You got so much faster!”

Lukas laughed, still catching his breath.

“I still lost.”

“But you got better!” Judite’s conviction was unshakable.

She then looked at her father, her eyes beginning to shine with a new idea.

“Father…”

Clavor raised an eyebrow, curious.

“What?”

“Can I participate next time?” Judite’s question was quick, filled with enthusiasm.

Clavor remained silent for a moment.

“Participate?”

“Yes! Lukas and me against you!” Judite clenched her fists, her determination evident.

Lukas’s eyes widened in surprise.

“You want to fight Father?”

“I do!” Judite raised her chin.

“I want to test my magic too!”

Clavor looked at his daughter, then at Lukas, a small smile appearing on his face.

“I like the idea.”

Judite’s smile grew enormous.

“Really?!”

“Next time we’ll do it this way.” Clavor’s promise was firm.

Lukas smiled as well, the prospect of a team fight with his sister awakening his curiosity. That would undoubtedly be an interesting fight.

That night, after the guards returned with some game and the meal was prepared, everyone rested. Later, when the moon appeared in the sky, its silver light bathing the forest, Lukas sat outside the tent.

The forest was illuminated by a silver light, every leaf shining as though covered by a thin layer of ice. He closed his eyes, breathed slowly, and began absorbing lunar mana.

This time, the sensation was different. The energy entered his body more easily, as though his Source were more receptive. The Lunar Source, located within his body, seemed like a small reservoir of light, a miniature moon that pulsed in his chest.

Lukas began filling it, little by little, without rushing. It was then that he noticed something. He stopped, concentrated, and sensed the maximum amount of mana he could store. It seemed larger, perhaps only by a few percent, but it was larger.

Lukas opened his eyes, surprised.

“Is that normal?”

Clavor, sitting near the campfire, looked at him.

“What?”

“My Source. It seems like it’s bigger.” Lukas’s voice carried wonder.

Clavor nodded, his expression calm.

“It is.”

Lukas was surprised.

“How?”

“You have been using your mana constantly over the past few days. Especially until you get close to your limit.” Clavor stirred a small piece of firewood in the campfire, the embers glowing.

“At first, one of the most efficient ways to expand a Source is precisely to use it repeatedly.”

“So the more I spend…” Lukas began, understanding forming.

“And the better you recover.” Clavor finished.

“Yes.”

Lukas looked at the moon, a smile slowly appearing on his face. Now he had a path. He did not need to merely train strikes, nor did he need to simply fight. He needed to spend his mana, challenge his limits, and push his Source to exhaustion.

The more he demanded from his Source, the more it could grow. That meant the journey could be a perfect opportunity. Every day he could train, every day he could consume his mana, and every night he could recover it under the light of the moon.

Lukas clenched his fists, renewed determination in his eyes.

‘I’ll become stronger. This will be useful in the future.’

On the morning of the fourth day, Lukas approached Clavor before they even departed, his determination clear on his face.

“Father.”

“Hm?” Clavor replied, busy with the preparations.

“Can I go hunting with the guards?” Lukas’s question was direct, without hesitation.

Clavor immediately frowned, his expression hardening.

“No.”

“Why?” Lukas’s persistence was genuine.

“Because we are too far from civilization.” Clavor crossed his arms, his posture firm.

“These forests may have monsters you have never seen.”

“I can defend myself.” Lukas’s confidence was evident.

“Against a beast you have never seen? One that may have abilities you don’t know about?” Clavor’s voice was calm but filled with concern.

Lukas remained silent for a moment, acknowledging the truth in his father’s words.

Clavor continued, his voice softer.

“You are strong for your age, very strong. But that does not mean you are invincible.”

Lukas took a deep breath, organizing his arguments.

“I just want to train my Source.”

“I know.” Clavor’s understanding was immediate.

“I need to spend mana for real. I don’t want to just sit in the carriage.” Lukas’s frustration was evident.

Clavor remained silent, his eyes fixed on his son.

Lukas persisted, explaining that he did not intend to stray far, that he would stay close to the guards, and that he would immediately retreat if Clavor ordered him to. Even so, Clavor did not seem convinced, his eyes assessing his son with concern.

It took several minutes of arguing, each point being carefully presented. Finally, Clavor sighed, the air escaping his lungs.

“All right.”

Lukas’s eyes lit up.

“Really?”

“With conditions.” Clavor’s voice was firm.

“What conditions?” Lukas’s readiness was immediate.

“I’m coming with you.” The condition was clear.

Lukas immediately nodded.

“All right.”

“And it will only be at night.” The second condition followed.

“All right.”

“We won’t stray too far from the carriage.” The third condition.

“All right.”

Clavor narrowed his eyes, his voice taking on a more serious tone.

“And if I tell you to return, you return.”

“Yes.” Lukas’s answer was firm.

“Without arguing.” The final condition was emphasized.

Lukas hesitated for a second, then answered.

“…Yes.”

Clavor almost smiled, a small movement at the corners of his lips.

“Good.”