The field was quieter now.
Not because the wind had stopped.
Because Nico had.
He stood still, head lowered, breathing heavy. Sweat dripped from his chin, hitting the grass below.
"…Five."
His voice was low.
He lifted his head slowly.
"Five seconds."
Longer than before.
Way longer.
But still not enough.
His body trembled slightly. Every muscle felt tight, like it was being stretched past its limit.
"…Again."
He stepped forward, planting his feet harder into the ground.
No hesitation.
He forced it.
Energy burst out.
Light green.
The aura snapped around him instantly, more stable than before. His fur shifted without delay, glowing under the moonlight.
One second.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
He held it.
His fists clenched.
"Stay…"
Six seconds.
The air around him distorted slightly from the pressure.
Seven
CRACK.
The aura shattered.
Gone.
Nico dropped to one knee, catching himself with one hand.
"…tch…"
His breathing was rough now.
Way worse than before.
That one hurt.
But his eyes stayed locked forward.
Focused.
"…Again."
He stood back up.
Slow.
Unsteady.
Still going.
"You don't just lose something like that…"
His voice was quieter now, but sharper.
"You take it back."
He closed his eyes.
For a moment, everything went still.
No wind.
No movement.
Just him.
Then
The aura exploded out again.
Faster than ever.
Cleaner than ever.
He didn't shout this time.
Didn't force it the same way.
He controlled it.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
Six.
Seven.
Eight
The aura flickered violently.
His legs shook.
"…hold…"
Nine
Gone.
Nico stumbled forward, barely catching himself.
"…Nine…"
He laughed, breathless.
"Okay…"
That was real.
That was progress.
He straightened up again, slower this time.
His body was reaching its limit.
He could feel it.
But he still raised his head.
"…One more."
The field lit up again.
And again.
And again.
Each burst pushing him closer.
Each second earned.
And Nico kept going.