The next few days passed in a blur of training and refinement.
Leon continued his tempering process each morning, introducing small amounts of fire mana into his body, strengthening his muscles, bones, and internal mana circuits. The progress was slow, but it was undeniable. His endurance was improving, his mana control was becoming steadier, and most importantly, he was getting used to the sensation of fire coursing through him.
But as effective as his personal training was, it wasn't enough.
His grandfather saw that too.
"You're making progress, but relying solely on mana tempering won't be enough," the old man stated, watching Leon as he sat cross-legged on the ground, fire swirling faintly around his tiny hands. "Your body is still weak. If you want to wield fire properly, you need to strengthen it through physical training as well."
Leon inwardly sighed. Of course. It's never that simple.
Physical training at his current age would be tricky. His infant body simply wasn't developed enough for true exercise, and overexerting himself could backfire. But he wasn't going to argue—his grandfather was right. If he wanted true control over fire, he needed a body that could handle it.
His training changed from that day forward.
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Leon's mornings were now divided into two parts—mana tempering and physical endurance training.
At first, it was simple. His grandfather had him practice stretching and basic movements, nothing too strenuous. Crawling, sitting upright without assistance, gripping small objects—things that seemed insignificant but were crucial for building his foundation.
It was frustrating at times. His mind was that of an adult, but his body was still an infant's. He hated how easily he tired, how weak his muscles felt after only a short session.
But he endured.
Slowly, he adapted.
By the end of the week, he could maintain a steady flow of mana for nearly half an hour before exhaustion hit. His physical coordination improved as well—he no longer struggled as much when moving, and his grip had strengthened considerably.
It was small progress, but it was progress nonetheless.
His grandfather observed him closely, nodding in approval one morning. "Good. Your stamina has improved. That means we can move on to the next step."
Leon's tiny eyes narrowed. The next step?
The old man smirked. "Fire resistance training."
Leon's mind immediately processed the implications, and before he could even react, his grandfather raised a hand. A sphere of warm fire flickered to life in his palm.
"This will help your body adjust to fire's nature on a deeper level," the old man explained. "You've already started tempering yourself with mana, but experiencing fire externally will reinforce your control."
Leon took a deep breath. So that's how it is…
The training wasn't just about strength—it was about adaptation. If he wanted to wield fire, he needed to understand it completely.
Without hesitation, he nodded.
His grandfather's smirk widened. "Good. Let's begin."
Embracing the Flames
The first test was simple—exposure.
His grandfather surrounded him with faint, controlled flames, letting the heat wash over him. It wasn't painful, but it was intense. The warmth made his skin tingle, the air around him growing heavier.
Leon remained still, focusing on his breathing.
Fire was not just destruction—it was energy, movement, life itself. He had to accept it, not fight against it.
Minutes passed, and he adjusted. The heat no longer felt overwhelming; instead, it became familiar.
His grandfather nodded. "Not bad. Now, let's see how well you can manipulate it."
Leon extended a hand, willing the flames to shift.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then, slowly, the fire around him responded, bending to his will. It was crude, unrefined—but it was his.
Seraphina, watching from the side, placed a hand over her mouth in astonishment. "Already…?"
Her father let out a low chuckle. "He's learning faster than I expected."
Leon, despite the exhaustion settling in, felt a spark of pride.
This was only the beginning.
And he had no intention of stopping.