Challenge

The prince's lesson with the professor proceeded until their hour was done, punctuated by gritted grunts and several more implosions after that.

The longer they trained, the harder it got for Arthur to keep his core from imploding on itself.

At some point, the professor cast the firewood to the sides of the den, sending blocks of wood burning around them like torches attached to invisible stands.

After what felt like an eternity, the deputy headmaster announced the end of their session, bringing the arduous exercise with Arthur's mana core to a close.

With that, the professor stood and held his hand out to the boy on the ground, "Professor?"

"Stay still," the deputy headmaster replied.

This was all Arthur heard before an amber wave of mana crashed into his chest. The force from the pure mana sent him reeling backwards…