Arden, Clara, and Eliza lay sprawled on the training hall floor, their bodies still faintly glowing.
Steam rose from their skin as their breathing slowly returned to normal.
After a few minutes, the three of them sat up, blinking in confusion, testing their arms and legs.
Arden stretched first, his eyes wide. "Wait… I feel… strong. Like, really strong."
Clara clenched her fists, veins pulsing with energy. "Same here. It's like my whole body's alive."
Eliza brushed her hair back, sweat dripping down her cheek.
"Alive? More like overheating. I still feel like my tongue's on fire."
Garion stood nearby with his arms crossed, watching them closely and smiling widely.
"Good. You've all reached the Completion Stage of the Mana Cells Refinement Realm."
The three of them froze.
"Completion Stage? Already?" Arden's jaw dropped.
Garion nodded proudly. "You did well. It's fast, efficient, and..."
"Painful," Clara cut in. "Very painful."
Garion chuckled. "Yes, that too."
