Leon stirred in one of the antechambers of the ritual chamber. Faint light trickled through a slender window. The oppressive weight of the mana torrent had dissipated, leaving a lingering warmth in his chest. His senses, once overwhelmed, now felt more attuned—sharp but manageable. He flexed his fingers, marvelling at the precision of each movement.

  "Welcome back to the land of the living," Marianne's voice cut through his reverie. She sat by his bedside, a faint smile playing on her lips.

  "Mari," Leon murmured, pushing himself upright. "How long was I out?"

  "Not long, about an hour," she replied, placing a hand on his shoulder to steady him. "Congratulations on completing the First Circle. Provost Lysandra was impressed."

  Leon took a moment to process her words, feeling the gentle hum of mana resonating from his heart. It was like having an additional heartbeat, one he could control with a thought.

  "Thank you," he said, still getting used to the new normal of his heightened awareness. "Lysandra wants to see me as soon as I woke up, right?"

  "Yes," Marianne confirmed, standing up and smoothing the dark fabric of her dress with practiced grace. "But before you go, there's something you should know." She paused, her eyes twinkling with a mixture of amusement and pride that made Leon wonder what exactly she'd been up to while he was unconscious. "You've caused quite a stir among your classmates. No one's ever performed the ritual this early before, not even some of the more notable alumni."

  Leon couldn't help but feel a twinge of satisfaction at that, though he tried his best to keep it from showing on his face. The steady thrum of his newly forged Circle seemed to pulse a bit stronger at the news. "Really?"

  "Cyrus hasn't left the training yard since. I believe he's taken it rather personally that you've pulled ahead." Marianne's lips quirked upward in that knowing way she had, the expression of someone who thoroughly enjoyed watching the drama unfold. "He's working himself into quite the state. Last I saw, he's gone through several practice dummies. The instructors are having quite the time trying to get him to take a break."

  Leon felt a small, guilty smirk cross his face.

  "But be cautious," Marianne added, her tone growing serious. "You've thrust yourself into the spotlight now. Some nobles may see your early success as an opportunity to curry favour or to pressure you."

  Leon nodded, understanding the weight of her words. He had always known this journey wouldn't be easy; every step forward would attract attention and scrutiny.

  "I'll be careful," he assured her.

  Marianne squeezed his shoulder gently before letting go. "I know you will be. Now go—Lysandra is waiting."

  Leon lifted himself from the mattress and strode to the exit, his heart fluttering with equal parts anticipation and unease.

  Leon stood before Provost Lysandra's door, a deep breath steadying his nerves. He knocked twice, the sound solid against the wood, reverberating through the hallway.

  "Enter," her voice rang out, firm and clear, carrying the same commanding presence she wielded in the lecture halls.

  Pushing the door open, he entered a room bathed in the warm glow of afternoon light. Lysandra sat behind an ornate desk, a servant standing nearby with a tray of tea. Her sharp gaze met his, and she gestured for him to sit.

  "Thank you," Leon murmured, lowering himself into a chair. The servant poured two cups of tea with practised grace before Lysandra dismissed them with a nod.

  "Congratulations are in order." Her firm voice carried an edge of approval. "Forging the First Circle so soon is no small feat."

  Leon took the offered cup, feeling the warmth seep through the porcelain. "Thank you. I—" He hesitated, unsure how to express the mix of pride and unease swirling within him. "I think everything went well."

  Lysandra leaned back, scrutinising him. "How is your condition? Any lingering effects? Pain? Disorientation?"

  He gently moved his head from side to side. "Nothing... merely a heightened awareness. It feels... peculiar."

  She inclined her head thoughtfully. "You possess the capability to evaluate your condition. Focus your attention within, and properly examine your Circle."

  Leon closed his eyes, drawing his focus inward. He reached for that pulse within his chest, letting it expand in his mind's eye. As he delved deeper, intricate patterns began to take shape—delicate weaves of mana forming a complex lattice.

  Fascination gripped him; he felt an overwhelming urge to understand each thread and knot within the construct. As if responding to his curiosity, his ability surged forth unbidden. Information bombarded him—details and intricacies unravelled themselves in his mind like words on a page.

  The sheer volume of it hit like a tidal wave. He gasped, recoiling as pain lanced through his skull. His awareness snapped back to reality, leaving him breathless and clutching his temples.

  Lysandra watched him intently over her teacup, her brow furrowed.

  Leon shook off the dizziness. "Why didn't you warn me that Evokers can read their own Circles after they're forged?"

  Lysandra paused mid-drink, setting her cup down with deliberate care. Her amber eyes bore into his with sudden gravity.

  "They can't."

  Unnerving silence fell across the room, the weight of Lysandra's words settling over them both like a shroud. Leon felt his heart thudding in his chest, each beat echoing in the quiet.

  He finally broke the silence. "I felt my ability activate before I could suddenly read it. It was like... everything just clicked into place."

  Lysandra's eyes narrowed, and she leaned forward, resting her elbows on the desk. "Explain," she demanded, her voice cutting through the tension.

  Stolen story; please report.

  Leon swallowed, trying to gather his thoughts. "It's hard to describe. My ability—it's usually about memory, perfect recall of things I've seen or heard. But this... it was different. It was as if I could see every detail of the Circle's construct all at once, reading it as if it were a book."

  Lysandra's stare grew more piercing. "And you claim this triggered because you wanted to understand it?"

  Leon nodded slowly, confusion creasing his brow. "Yes. It just... happened."

  Her fingers drummed a steady rhythm on the desk, her mind clearly racing behind those sharp eyes. "What else can your ability do?" she asked, her tone demanding precision.

  Leon hesitated, feeling suddenly exposed under her scrutiny. "When I activate it I can remember anything I've seen or heard with perfect clarity," he began, trying to find his footing in this unexpected interrogation. "I can recall conversations, books, patterns—anything I've encountered before. But this... what happened with the Circle... it doesn't fit the pattern."

  Lysandra studied him intently, as if searching for any hint of deception or uncertainty in his expression. "Has anything like this ever happened before? Any instance where your ability has expanded beyond memory?"

  Leon shook his head emphatically. "No, never. This is new to me as well."

  Lysandra's fingers stilled, her eyes unfocused as she sank into thought. Leon watched the play of emotions on her face—calculating, analysing, considering possibilities he couldn't begin to fathom. He sat quietly, the hum of his newly formed Circle a steady undercurrent in his consciousness.

  After what felt like an eternity, Lysandra finally spoke. "More should be revealed about your ability when you reach the Second Circle," she said, her voice firm and decisive. "That's when determining what an ability does becomes much clearer, as it can then function through touch."

  Leon nodded, feeling a mix of anticipation and trepidation at the thought of progressing further. The First Circle had already changed so much for him—what would the Second bring?

  "Come," Lysandra said with a firm yet inviting tone, rising from her chair with the effortless grace of a seasoned mentor. "I’ll take the time to teach you evocation myself.”

  Leon followed her out of the room and down the winding corridors of the academy. The walls were adorned with tapestries depicting great Evokers and legendary battles, each one a reminder of the legacy he was now a part of.

  As they stepped into the training grounds, Leon felt a familiar thrill course through him. This was where he belonged—where he could push himself, learn, and grow. The ground was inscribed with patterns that divided the space into distinct areas, while an array of training dummies stood ready along the edges.

  Lysandra turned to face him, her eyes alight with purpose. "First Circle evocations are limited to affecting your own body," she began, her tone instructive. "But even within that constraint, there is much you can accomplish."

  "Today, we'll start with basic enhancement," she said. "Enhancement is about improving your own physical capabilities. To do this, you'll need to attune yourself to the enhancement sigil."

  Leon nodded, his curiosity piqued.

  "Close your eyes," Lysandra instructed, her voice softer now but no less commanding.

  Leon complied, letting his eyelids drift shut. Darkness enveloped him, but he could still feel the cool breeze on his skin and hear the distant sounds of other students.

  "Focus," Lysandra's voice guided him through the void. "Think about how you have improved through training—your muscles growing stronger with each exercise, your balance becoming more precise with every drill."

  Images flashed through Leon's mind: the sweat and strain of sword forms under Captain Loren's watchful eye; the thrill of landing a perfect strike in sparring practice; the satisfaction of completing an arduous run without faltering. He could almost feel his muscles tensing and releasing in memory.

  "Now, think about the concept of improvement itself," Lysandra continued. "Imagine muscles becoming stronger, eyes that can see in the dark, ears that can hear a pin drop from across a room. Think about all these forms of enhancement."

  Leon's mind expanded to encompass these ideas. He envisioned his muscles swelling with power, his eyes piercing through shadows, his ears capturing even the faintest whispers. Each thought brought a sense of growth and potential, like seeds sprouting in fertile soil.

  As he delved deeper into these thoughts, he felt something stir at the edge of his consciousness. It was faint at first—a mere glimmer in the dark—but it grew stronger as he focused on it. The presence was abstract yet unmistakable: a singular symbolic representation of enhancement.

  It hovered just beyond reach, tantalisingly close but elusive. Leon concentrated harder, drawing upon every ounce of mental strength to bridge the gap. The symbol began to take shape in his mind's eye—an intricate pattern that seemed to pulse with latent energy.

  Lysandra's voice cut through the haze. "You are close, Leon. Reach out to it with your mind and attune yourself to its essence."

  Leon extended his awareness towards the symbol, feeling its resonance align with his own Circle's pulse. The connection was electric—vibrant and alive—and he knew he had found it: the enhancement sigil.

  "Now," Lysandra's voice cut through the silence, "draw mana from your heart. Let it flow through you, resonating with the enhancement sigil. Focus on making yourself faster."

  Leon visualised the mana within him, a brilliant light nestled in his chest. With deliberate care, he began to draw it out, guiding it towards the symbol etched into his mind. The connection strengthened, the mana flowing smoothly along an invisible path.

  "Good," Lysandra's approval was a steadying force. "Now, imbue your intent into the mana."

  He pictured his legs—each muscle fibre growing taut with power, each sinew humming with energy. The mana responded to his will, surging downwards like a river of light, suffusing every inch of his legs.

  "Release it into yourself," Lysandra instructed.

  With a deep breath, Leon let go of the control he held over the mana. It flooded into his legs, an exhilarating rush that made him gasp. His muscles tingled and tightened as if charged by lightning.

  The sensation was intoxicating—a raw surge of strength that demanded action. Without thinking, Leon launched himself forward. His feet barely touched the ground before propelling him further ahead. The world around him blurred; his mind struggled to keep pace with his newfound speed.

  But then came the snap—sharp and unmistakable—like dry branches breaking underfoot. Pain seared through his legs, an agony that stole his breath and sent him tumbling to the ground.

  He lay there, gasping for air, pain radiating from his shattered bones. His enhanced senses amplified every sensation—the cool earth beneath him, the sharp ache in his limbs—and he fought to remain conscious amidst the overwhelming tide.

  Lysandra's footsteps approached swiftly. She knelt beside him, her hands already glowing with healing light as she assessed the damage.

  "You pushed too hard," she said, her tone a mixture of sternness and understanding. "This was expected."

  Leon gritted his teeth against the pain, confusion mingling with frustration. "Expected? Why didn't you warn me?"

  Lysandra's eyes softened slightly as she continued to work on his injuries. "Because some lessons are best learned through experience," she explained. "This is why knowledge is critical for Evokers."

  She paused, letting her words sink in as the healing light mended his shattered bones and torn muscles. The pain began to ebb, replaced by a dull ache.

  "The bones in your legs couldn't handle the increased strain of your enhanced muscles," she continued. "And your mind couldn't react to the speed you achieved. It's not enough to enhance one aspect of yourself; you must consider everything involved in the action you're trying to accomplish."

  Leon absorbed her words, feeling the weight of his mistake. He had been so eager to push his limits that he hadn't thought about the consequences.

  "Enhancement isn't just about strength or speed," Lysandra went on, her hands never pausing their work. "It's about balance and harmony. If you enhance your muscles, you must also enhance your bones to support them. If you increase your speed, you must enhance your reflexes and perception to keep up."

  The glow from her hands faded as she finished the healing process. Leon tested his legs gingerly, relieved to find them whole again.

  "You have potential, Leon," Lysandra said, standing up and offering him a hand. "But potential means nothing without wisdom."

  Leon took her hand and pulled himself up. "I understand," he said, meeting her gaze with newfound respect.

  Lysandra nodded approvingly. "Good. Now, let's try again."