Ivor stuck to the same schedule for four days because it was effective, even if uncomfortable.
He trained every morning before the forest was fully awake, when the Scar was quiet. He practiced Edge Compression with his sword, sitting then standing, forming a thin mana band along the edge. He often failed, but the failures were less significant, the line held longer, and the density was steadier. For brief moments, the blade felt like more than just steel, confirming the skill's reality.
When his arm got tired from trying to be too precise, he switched to using Umbra reinforcement.
He tried weaving shadow around his arm and fist, making it feel tighter than a simple mana shield, even though he hadn't mastered Shadow Weave yet.
He hit trees and rocks gently to see if the shadow would hold. Sometimes it failed instantly, but other times it stayed put, making the impact feel softer, as if the shadow absorbed some of the force before it hit his bones.
