The training hall was silent, save for Alex's slow, steady breathing.
He had dismissed everyone, asking for some quiet as he needed to think about what Vanessa had told him.
His body ached, and his mind was clouded with frustration, but his determination burned hotter than ever.
Vanessa's words echoed in his mind.
"You rely on your abilities, but you don't understand them. You treat them as separate tools instead of an extension of yourself."
He clenched his fists, his gaze falling on his open palm. 'An extension of myself...'
He had never thought about his abilities in that way before.
To him, they were skills he could wield—separate forces that he activated at will.
After all, magic was supposed to be a weapon to protect oneself.
Magic was created to fight. To grow stronger and to defeat enemies.
Or was it not?
Alex didn't have the answer to that.
