Caine saw my expression and gave me a moment to think.
Then, as if understanding something, he began to speak.
"In my world, Plana and Mana exist both inside and outside of us."
He paused briefly.
"Try thinking of it like an organ."
"…Like your heart."
"It moves energy… the same way your heart moves blood."
------
I froze.
…An organ?
A quiet realization began to form.
If something was flowing inside my body—
Then it wasn't just something I controlled.
It was—
…part of me.
Like blood.
Like breathing.
Something natural.
Something that didn't need to be forced.
My thoughts slowed.
For the first time—
I stopped trying to control it.
And instead—
I felt it.
The flow.
Unsteady.
Chaotic.
…but real.
"…Then…"
I exhaled slowly.
"…I've been treating it like something separate from me."
I calmed myself.
Relaxing my body.
Focusing inward.
Silently letting the energy flow.
Feeling the slow and steady stream.
With each breath, I sharpened my senses.
This time, I let the energy move more evenly through my body.
I slowed down—trying to understand what was happening.
The steady flow of energy gathered toward a point at the center of my stomach.
Following it—
I saw it.
A pure white vortex, slowly churning.
As the flow continued, it began to accelerate.
Not as fast as when aided by the pendant—
…but natural.
Gradually—
a small white sphere condensed at its center, refining the loose energy into something solid.
Focusing on it, I sensed a slight instability.
Then—
as if my body answered my thoughts—
another stream of energy flowed into the same place.
This time—
a black vortex began to form.
But compared to the white vortex—
it was suppressed.
Like a small planet being pulled into a black hole.
I observed carefully.
Then let out a quiet breath of relief.
Even though it was suppressed—
it remained stable.
It didn't collapse.
Slowly, the energy within my body began to stabilize.
Its flow becoming smoother.
More natural.
Testing it—
I increased the speed slightly.
Then formed the basic flame array in my mind.
The energy flowed into it smoothly.
Not as fast as with the pendant—
…but far better than before.
At least one or two levels above what I could manage earlier.
A small flame appeared on my palm.
About the size of a walnut.
It flickered—
unsteady, but real.
For the first time since arriving here—
I felt a sense of accomplishment.
A quiet satisfaction.
The weight pressing on me began to ease.
"…I might actually be able to catch up."
"Congratulations, Eren. Looks like my advice worked."
Caine's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
I looked up.
"…Yeah. Thanks, Caine."
I stood up slowly.
"I think I'm ready."
"We can start sparring now."
He grinned.
"Good."
"Let's go."
He walked toward the center of the training ground.
I followed.
We stopped a few meters apart.
Both of us readied ourselves.
This time—
I adjusted my stance.
My left arm forward, acting as a guide.
My right leg slightly ahead—
my weight balanced toward the back.
Seeing this—
Caine's expression changed.
For the first time—
he looked cautious.
His eyes scanned my posture.
Searching.
Testing.
He began circling me slowly.
I followed his movement—
keeping him in front of me—
while inching closer.
Closing the distance.
Making sure he couldn't build momentum for another powerful charge.
The air grew tense.
Sharp.
As the distance between us shrank—
he stopped.
Then suddenly—
he moved.
I reacted instantly.
My arms raised in front of my face.
My right leg lifting slightly.
The moment he entered range—
I struck.
A spear-like kick—
driving straight toward his solar plexus.
It landed.
Solid.
The impact forced him to step back.
But I didn't stop.
I pressed forward immediately—
closing the gap.
Keeping within arm's reach.
I knew—
if I gave him space—
his reach and size would overwhelm me.
Staying close—
I curled my hand.
My fingers forming a spear.
And thrust upward—
toward his chin.
He reacted quickly.
His arms moved to block—
intercepting the strike.
My attack met his solid guard—
His thick arms absorbed the force.
Caine used his free hand to grab my outstretched arm.
Sensing the danger—
I reacted immediately.
Jumping forward—
I grabbed his neck and pulled him down—
driving my knee upward toward his face.
At the same time, I pushed my energy through my body—
forcing out more strength.
Caine responded instantly.
His body flared with golden plana—
both arms rising to guard.
My knee slammed into his defense.
A heavy impact—
but it didn't break through.
Caine's expression sharpened.
His focus narrowed.
In that moment—
he stopped hesitating.
Letting go of the lingering doubt in his mind—
his energy surged outward.
A burst of golden force erupted—
forming a small sphere that blasted me backward.
My body was thrown away—
only a short distance—
but enough.
Before I could recover—
he moved again.
Fast.
Enhancing his legs—
he charged.
I couldn't dodge.
Gritting my teeth—
I wrapped my body in white energy.
The collision hit.
Hard.
The force didn't break my bones—
but it knocked the air from my lungs.
My body was thrown several meters back—
slamming into the ground.
Dust and sand burst upward.
I lay there—
breathing heavily—
pain spreading through my chest.
Caine rushed over.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine…"
I coughed lightly, holding my chest.
"It felt like crashing into a guardrail while riding a motorcycle…"
He let out a small breath.
"That's good."
Then he looked at me more carefully.
"You improved."
"That knee strike—"
He raised his arm slightly, showing the bruise.
"If I hadn't reinforced myself… that might've broken something."
"…You also managed to send your energy outward," I said, letting out a breath.
"Congratulations."
Caine grinned.
"Thanks. You too—finally getting your energy under control."
A brief pause settled between us.
"…How about we head back?" he added.
"Come to my place. I'll treat you to dinner."
"Think of it as thanks for helping me break through."
I let out a small breath.
"…Sure."
"I'm curious what your dorm looks like anyway."
Caine chuckled.
Seeing that I wasn't in any condition to move—
he bent down without hesitation, lifting me onto his shoulder like a sack.
Then, as if it were nothing—
he started walking back toward the dorm area.