The sky island's central platform thrummed with restless energy, its rune-etched stone scarred and glowing faintly under the morning sun, the air thick with the sharp sting of ozone and the pulsing hum of mana. Floating boulders circled erratically, their runes flickering like embers, while the cliffs' prismatic light cast wild, shifting patterns across Darius's training robes, their blue wind motifs dancing in the swirling breeze. The fiery rings in the distance crackled, their glow intensifying with each of Ignatus's mana blasts, the island alive with the chaos of their exercise. Darius weaved through another silvery orb, his Zephyr form a shimmering blur of wind and light, non-mana attacks passing through him as he dodged, the blast grazing his robes with a searing crackle. His body ached, his focus strained from pulling fragments of Ignatus's mana, the warmth of each absorbed wisp fueling small, ineffective counters that fizzled before reaching the professor. Ignatus stood across the platform, his youthful-old frame poised in sleek, rune-embroidered robes, his gray eyes tracking Darius with unyielding calm, his presence a wall of mastery. The island's wind surged, the runes flaring, as Darius's mind raced, a spark of insight igniting amidst his exhaustion.

A sudden realization hit him—Ignatus had forbidden using his own magic but said nothing about manipulating the natural mana around them. The loophole sparked like a flame, tying to Thalassa's lessons on sensing ambient mana in Study of Water, her teachings on feeling the world's flow, and Sylph's chaotic wind rhythms in Study of Air, guiding him to harness the air's latent power. His heart leapt, the idea bold and risky, his mind visualizing a plan: use the island's natural wind mana to form a locking current, an adaptive barrier to trap Ignatus during one of his pauses, then absorb and redirect his blast to land a hit. The strategy crystallized, his vow to prevent a dark future pulsing in his chest, the need to surpass Lucien fueling his resolve. The system's silent aid flickered in his thoughts, amplifying his quick thinking, though he didn't dwell on it. The island's energy surged, the boulders shifting, their runes glowing brighter as if sensing his intent, the air humming with anticipation. Darius's robes fluttered, his Zephyr form steadying, his mind racing with excitement and the thrill of risk, suspense building as he prepared to execute his plan, the cliffs' light casting vivid patterns across the platform.

Darius waited, his eyes locked on Ignatus, tracking his movements for the next pause. The professor launched another blast, a dense beam of pure mana that tore through the air, the platform quaking as it passed. Darius dodged, his Zephyr form weaving through the wind, the blast's energy singing his robes. Ignatus paused, his stance still, his gray eyes calm, offering the moment Darius needed. With a sharp breath, Darius reached out, not with his own mana but with his will, tapping into the island's natural wind mana—a restless, swirling force that hummed in the air, alive with the island's energy. He shaped it, his mind drawing on Sylph's teachings, weaving the currents into an adaptive wind cage, a shimmering barrier of gusts that surged around Ignatus, locking him in place. The platform trembled, the runes blazing white-hot, the boulders tumbling as the wind roared, the cliffs' light flaring in sync with his effort. Ignatus's robes rippled, but he remained still, his expression unreadable, the cage holding him briefly, its currents swirling with relentless force.

Seizing the moment, Darius focused on the next blast, a silvery orb streaking toward him, its hum vibrating through his core. He dodged, his Zephyr form blurring, and reached out with his will, pulling a thick stream of the blast's mana into himself. The energy burned hot, flooding his senses, its warmth almost overwhelming, but he held it, shaping it into a shimmering bolt of raw power. With a shout, he redirected it, the bolt streaking back toward Ignatus, the air warping with its speed. The island reacted dramatically, the platform cracking under the strain, runes blazing like miniature suns, boulders tumbling wildly as the cliffs' prismatic light surged. The bolt grazed Ignatus's shoulder, singeing his robes, the energy dissipating into a shower of sparks that lit the air. Ignatus stepped out of the wind cage, his movement fluid, his calm unbroken, but a faint smile tugged at his lips. "Clever," he said, his tone warm with praise, his gray eyes glinting with approval. "Using the island's wind mana—quick thinking. That's enough for now; I've a class soon." The platform steadied, the runes dimming, the boulders slowing, the island's energy humming softly as the match ended.

Ignatus's praise landed heavily, his acknowledgment of Darius's ingenuity a spark of triumph amidst the exhaustion. "You saw the loophole and used it," he said, his voice firm but motivational. "Natural mana's your ally—learn to wield it, and your reserves will grow." The cliffs' light softened, casting gentle patterns, the air carrying a faint breeze that tugged at Darius's robes. He stood, his breath ragged, his Zephyr form flickering as it faded, the absorbed mana tingling in his core, his reserves slightly expanded from the effort. Ignatus's calm demeanor underscored the lesson's success, his centuries of mastery evident in his untouched poise, but his praise tempered Darius's frustration with hope. The island's vastness loomed, a testament to the challenges ahead, Darius's ambition burning brighter, his vow to prevent a dark future renewed, suspense lingering for the trials to come.

The central platform pulsed with a fading warmth, its rune-etched stone scarred from the match, the air carrying a soft hum of mana and the lingering scent of ozone. Floating boulders drifted lazily, their runes dimming to a gentle glow, while the cliffs' prismatic light cast delicate patterns across Darius's training robes, their blue wind motifs shimmering faintly in the morning breeze. The fiery rings in the distance flickered, the island settling into a quiet rhythm, its energy a mirror to the triumph of Darius's breakthrough. Ignatus stood nearby, his youthful-old frame poised in sleek, rune-embroidered robes, his gray eyes warm with approval, his trimmed white beard framing a faint smile. Darius's chest heaved, his Zephyr form fully faded, his body aching but alive with the thrill of landing the grazing hit, the absorbed mana still tingling in his core, a sign of his reserves stretching ever so slightly.

Ignatus stepped closer, his boots silent on the stone, his voice low but resonant, cutting through the island's hum. "You turned the tide today," he said, his tone blending strictness with encouragement. "Using the island's wind mana was clever—a step toward asserting your reality. But it's only a start. You need to make that instinct second nature, to pull and wield mana as naturally as you breathe." The cliffs' light pulsed softly, the boulders shifting as if nodding to his words. Darius nodded, his breath steadying, the weight of Ignatus's praise grounding him. The professor gestured to the platform, its cracks a testament to their clash. "This exercise wasn't just about hitting me—it was about seeing the world's mana as yours to shape. Keep that mindset, and your reserves will grow." The air stirred, a faint breeze tugging at Darius's robes, the runes glowing brighter as Ignatus's words sank in, his mentorship a guiding light that deepened their bond.

Darius's mind churned, the lesson's implications sinking deep. The idea of wielding natural mana as an extension of his will felt like a new path, one that aligned with his vow to prevent a dark future. The system's silent aid flickered in his thoughts, amplifying his ability to adapt, though he kept it buried, focusing instead on Ignatus's teachings. Elara's intensity sparked briefly, her focus a quiet push to match this new challenge, but he centered on the moment, the island's energy urging him forward. "How do I make it instinct?" he asked, his voice steady but eager, the platform's warmth steadying his stance. Ignatus's smile widened, his eyes glinting with wisdom. "Practice, Darius. Feel the mana around you—always. In battle, in rest, in every breath. It's not just power; it's your reality claiming its place." The boulders drifted closer, their runes pulsing, the cliffs' light casting vivid patterns as the island seemed to hum in agreement, its energy a canvas for Darius's growing potential.

Ignatus paced slowly, his robes glinting, his voice taking on a reflective tone. "When I was younger, I faced a mage whose earth mana shook mountains. I had no elements to match him, so I pulled from the air's mana, turned it into a blast that broke his defense. It wasn't strength—it was will." The story landed heavily, the island's wind swirling, the runes flaring as if echoing the tale. Darius's heart raced, the anecdote making the philosophy tangible, his ambition to master mana weapons—blasts, blades, raw force—burning brighter. He imagined himself wielding natural mana with Ignatus's ease, shaping it to turn battles, his vow to surpass Lucien a quiet fire in his chest. The platform trembled faintly, the fiery rings sparking, the air alive with the island's restless energy. "You're starting to see it," Ignatus said, his tone firm but warm. "Keep pulling, keep asserting. The universe will yield if your will is strong enough." Darius nodded, his resolve hardening, the lesson's weight settling into his bones, the island's hum a steady pulse urging him onward.

The training session wound down, the island's energy softening, the cliffs' light casting gentle patterns across the stone. Ignatus clapped Darius on the shoulder, his grip firm, his voice calm. "Rest now. You've earned it. We'll pick this up tomorrow." The boulders slowed, their runes dimming, the air carrying a faint breeze that cooled Darius's sweat-soaked skin. He felt the stretch in his mana reserves, a small but tangible growth, the grazing hit a victory that fueled his ambition. As Ignatus turned to leave, his robes shimmering in the morning light, Darius lingered on the platform, his thoughts turning to the day ahead. With no classes, the academy's dining hall called, the promise of warm porridge and fresh bread a grounding comfort after the morning's intensity. He took a final glance at the island's vast expanse, its sprawling platforms and rune-lit cliffs a reminder of the challenges yet to come, his vow to prevent a dark future burning steady.

Darius stepped to the platform's edge, summoning a gentle wind spell to carry him downward, the island's mana humming softly as he descended. The academy sprawled below, its oaks rustling, courtyards alive with students practicing spells, their laughter and mana bursts drifting upward. His stomach rumbled, the thought of the dining hall's bustling warmth pulling him forward. The cliffs' light faded behind him, the boulders settling into their slow drift, the island's energy a quiet promise of future trials. His robes fluttered, the blue wind motifs catching the sunlight, his mind alight with the day's breakthrough—using natural mana to graze Ignatus, a small step toward mastery. As he neared the ground, the academy's paths winding into view, a quiet determination settled in his chest, his ambition to wield mana as a force of his reality undimmed, the scent of fresh bread already calling him to the dining hall.

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