Emmet woke up the very next day with a sudden jolt. Kanone stood over his bed like a silent statue. He glanced toward the window.
The sun had not yet risen above the horizon. Darkness still blanketed the room, and the chill of the morning air drifted through the open gaps.
Emmet felt a wave of dissatisfaction wash over him. He glared at Kanone. She noticed his angry gaze but showed zero guilt for waking a sleeping child before dawn.
"Your grandmother told me to train you under the same circumstances she used for the other members of the Magic Special Forces," Kanone explained in a serious tone.
"She warned me about your immense talent. Everything comes easily to you. She feared you would become lazy with your training.
As her favored and only grandson, she refuses to let that happen. She has seen too many strong mages die from simple complacency. Stand up and prepare yourself. We have a very long day ahead of us."
Emmet found no room to refute her logical words. He decided to follow her instructions and get out of bed. Kanone left the bedroom to wait outside in the hallway. Emmet began his morning preparations.
He walked into the washroom and stepped into a cold bath. The icy water shocked his system and removed any lingering sleepiness from his mind. He dried off and changed into his comfortable training clothes.
The entire process took less than ten minutes. When he stepped outside, Kanone looked impressed. Even she usually required a longer period of adjustment before getting ready in the early morning.
Emmet's Estate, Early Morning
"First, we must build your physical body," Kanone told him as they stood on the damp grass outside.
"Since you are still a young child, your stamina and flexibility will be easier to develop. Every mage needs strict discipline.
You must ensure your body receives proper training so you do not have any obvious physical weaknesses compared to other fighters."
Kanone and Emmet began their run across the massive grounds of his grandmother's estate. Kanone maintained a steady, punishing pace.
Emmet followed closely behind her. He showcased the naturally healthy body he possessed. However, despite his physical blessings, he remained a five-year-old boy.
He had to sprint like a competitive runner just to match the casual jogging pace of his instructor. Kanone appeared to enjoy torturing him with this physical exertion.
Thirty minutes passed. Emmet felt his exhaustion becoming obvious. His breathing turned ragged. He heaved air into his lungs with a loud sound.
Yet, he continued to keep pace with Kanone. He ignored his burning muscles. A strange, intense gleam shone in his eyes. It was a look that screamed he would never give up.
Kanone saw his expression and smiled. She deliberately hastened her speed. Emmet let out a quiet groan but increased his own pace, pushing his tired legs even further.
This brutal run continued for more than two whole hours. Finally, Kanone stopped. She declared the first phase of their morning training complete.
Emmet collapsed onto the grass. He breathed heavily. His lungs burned like a man who had never walked a single day in his entire life.
Kanone retrieved a thick book that resembled a holy scripture. She activated a healing spell. A warm light surrounded Emmet, enhancing his natural recovery speed. Slowly, the heavy fatigue left his limbs at a noticeable rate.
"I did not know you could use Goddess Magic," Emmet observed as his strength returned. "Do you believe in the Goddess of Creation?"
"It is a strict requirement in the Magic Special Forces," Kanone answered. "You will fail the entrance exam if you cannot cast the most basic healing and diagnosis spells. Even minor magic can save a life on the battlefield."
Silence settled between the two of them. The morning sun finally began to rise over the horizon, casting a golden glow over the estate. After several minutes of rest, Kanone stood up tall.
Training Grounds, Mid-Morning
"Let us begin the second phase of our training," Kanone announced. "We will now engage in magic sparring. For this exercise, we are only allowed to use three specific magic spells. It does not matter if they are offensive or defensive. Limiting our options will increase our overall proficiency and creativity with magic."
"But I only know two magic spells," Emmet pointed out. "Will that not make things unfair?"
Kanone ignored his question. She assumed she understood his magical capacity. However, she still underestimated his true potential and his ability to adapt during a real fight.
They stood facing each other on the open grass. Both mages summoned multiple Zoltraak magic circles. The geometric patterns glowed brightly in the morning air.
Kanone also prepared defensive barriers, aiming them where Emmet placed his offensive spells.
Neither of them made the first move. Kanone had stopped underestimating his raw power after their brief encounter yesterday, even if she did not grasp his full limits.
Emmet broke the stillness. He activated three Zoltraak circles at the exact same time and fired the energy beams forward.
Kanone responded calmly. She fired one offensive beam to counter and erected three defensive shields that blocked Emmet's remaining attacks.
Emmet jumped backward to create distance. He manipulated a new Zoltraak beam, bending it so it slithered around Kanone's defensive barrier.
At the same time, he fired another blast straight toward her center. Kanone reacted. She activated the third and final spell she was allowed to use.
Magical energy surrounded her body, and she lifted off the ground into the sky using a flight spell.
As Kanone ascended, Emmet watched closely. His unique Blue Eyes focused on her flowing mana. He analyzed the structure of her flight magic, deciphered its complex formula, and copied it without any trouble. He now had a third spell in his own arsenal.
Kanone hovered in the air. She started bombarding Emmet with long-range Zoltraak blasts. She held the high ground advantage.
The two engaged in a tense stalemate for several minutes. Kanone flew freely through the open sky.
Emmet remained standing in the same spot on the grass, easily deflecting or dodging her attacks from below.
Emmet decided it was time to end the battle. He began to shape his Zoltraak energy into a long, flexible form. He fired the spell.
The beam of magic moved erratically, bouncing off unseen platforms in the air. It changed directions, mimicking the chaotic strikes of a giant snake. The attack homed in on Kanone with unpredictable angles.
Kanone watched the incoming spell. Her feelings of being impressed shifted into genuine fear. She realized just how monstrous Emmet truly was.
Throughout her entire life in the Magic Special Forces, she had never seen anyone wield the most basic attack spell with such incredible creativity and absolute mastery.
It was terrifying to see this level of skill from someone as young as Emmet.
Distracted by her own fearful thoughts, Kanone made a critical error. She miscalculated the sheer kinetic force behind Emmet's bouncing spell.
The snake-like Zoltraak smashed into her defensive barrier and shattered it. The beam pierced right through her remaining defenses and struck her in the right shoulder.
The physical damage did not seem severe, but a sudden realization hit Kanone. She noticed the trajectory of the spell.
The Zoltraak had originally been aiming directly for her head. Emmet had intentionally shifted the attack toward her shoulder at the very last second.
This revelation only added to her monstrous perception of the young boy standing below her.
Kanone floated back down to the ground. She pressed a hand against her wounded shoulder.
"First blood goes to you," Kanone announced. "Well done, Emmet."
She congratulated him on winning their sparring match. Emmet dropped to his knees and breathed heavily, creating a fake appearance of total exhaustion.
He wanted her to think he had used all his energy. Kanone did not show any visible reaction to his panting. She simply accepted the outcome.
This official victory marked the end of their morning training session. Emmet now had free rein over his own schedule until their afternoon magic lessons began.