For starters, I decided to summarize the problems of "Sylph's Blessing."
1. Long cast time.
Unfortunately, there was no way to speed it up without modifying the formula itself, and improving the formula would not be easy.
2. Requires constant concentration.
Maintaining concentration was even harder than casting most spells, which meant it would also be easier to disrupt.
I would need practice.
Still, this was something I could eventually get used to.
3. High mana consumption.
4. Casting complexity.
This spell was far more difficult to cast than ordinary spells, meaning I probably would not be able to cast it in the middle of a real battle.
This issue would also be difficult to solve. The concept of the spell itself was simply too complicated.
The same applied here—there was no time to improve it right now.
So, the two main problems came from the fact that the formula was still unfinished.
Even so, the current version should be more than enough for now. The spell did not interfere with my movement or swordsmanship in any way. The only drawback was that while maintaining it, I could not cast any other spells.
As for the concentration issue, I needed help with that.
I headed toward the training grounds.
There, I spotted Elerys and Cecilia.
As usual, they were training together.
"Hello," I said.
"Hi, Viren," Elerys replied.
We exchanged greetings. Cecilia simply nodded.
"Did you finish what you were working on?" Elerys asked.
She looked genuinely interested.
"Yes. I think the time was well spent."
"Really? Show me."
The three of us entered one of the private sparring rooms.
Thankfully, they were isolated from the rest of the training hall.
Here, I could use magic without exposing it to everyone.
Especially Sylph's Blessing.
Although I no longer hid my magic as aggressively as before, I still had no intention of showing it to just anyone.
Especially not my own original spell.
It was a trump card.
Elerys and Cecilia were exceptions.
"Well then, show us," Elerys said eagerly.
Her opinion of me was fairly high.
Even Cecilia seemed interested.
Her expression barely changed, as always, but after spending enough time around her, I had learned to notice small signs.
She was definitely curious.
I stood three meters away from Elerys.
"Don't attack. The spell needs time to cast."
I activated Sylph's Blessing.
One second.
Two.
Three.
The cast completed.
A current of wind wrapped around my body.
For a brief moment, I simply stood there.
It worked.
After two weeks of effort, countless failures, and endless adjustments, the spell had finally become reality.
A smile appeared on my face.
The wind felt natural.
As though it were becoming an extension of my own body.
Then I moved.
The moment I stepped forward, I felt the difference.
My speed had increased by roughly fifteen percent.
Elerys noticed immediately.
A grin spread across her face.
While I closed the distance, she launched a spell at me.
A single bolt of red lightning.
I dodged it with ease.
Then I smiled as well.
Before, every spell from Elerys demanded my full attention.
Now, avoiding that attack felt almost effortless.
A sense of satisfaction rose within me.
For once, I was the one forcing her to take things seriously.
The distance vanished.
Twelve Steps of the Storm.
My speed surged once more.
Combined with Sylph's Blessing, my movements became frighteningly fast.
For a moment, I felt as though I had stepped into an entirely different world.
Everything seemed slower.
Even Elerys struggled to react.
She could barely evade.
She could not even cast another spell.
Any distraction would allow me to land a hit.
On the fifth step, however, I made a mistake.
I misjudged my own speed.
My balance collapsed.
I fell.
The room went silent for a moment.
Then I let out a sigh.
"I lost."
"Elerys burst out laughing."
"Hehehehe."
"Just one spell made you this strong?"
"Yeah," I admitted.
"But the spell has plenty of flaws."
I rose to my feet.
"And I need help adapting to the increased speed. It's harder than it looks."
Elerys nodded immediately.
"Sure."
Although I had lost, disappointment did not last long.
The spell worked.
The problem was me.
Not the formula.
Not the concept.
Me.
Oddly enough, that realization made me even more motivated.
If I adapted properly, my strength would increase dramatically.
The entire remainder of Thursday and Friday, whenever I had free time, I sparred against Elerys and Cecilia.
The process was far from smooth.
More than once I lost control of my footing.
Several times I accelerated too quickly and nearly crashed into the arena walls.
Other times I overshot my attacks entirely.
Every mistake reminded me how difficult it was to control speed that exceeded my body's instincts.
Still, progress came quickly.
During those sparring sessions, I discovered something useful.
The mana recovery rate of my Sea of Consciousness was remarkably high.
In about thirty minutes, I could fully restore my reserves.
By the middle of Friday, I finally adapted.
This time I did not lose balance.
I did not stumble.
I did not make a single major mistake.
Sylph's Blessing had finally become part of my combat style.
A crude and imperfect part, but a part nonetheless.
We continued sparring afterward.
Whenever I used Sylph's Blessing, neither Elerys nor Cecilia could defeat me.
The spell was still flawed.
Its cast time was too long.
Its mana consumption was excessive.
Its formula remained incomplete.
Yet despite all of that, it was mine.
My first original spell.
Satisfied with my progress, I returned to my room and went to sleep.
Tomorrow was the rank advancement mission.
I needed proper rest.
---
Third chapter of the week I'm looking forward to your comments, I'd be delighted. Also, if you don't mind, feel free to contribute some Power Stones.