Meanwhile, not too far away, Nox had stopped training completely.

At first it was because of the noise.

Then because of the shockwaves.

But after watching Torren stand there again and again...

Something inside her burned.

She bit her lip.

"These monsters are growing too fast..."

Another shockwave spread through the floor.

Instead of getting annoyed, she took a deep breath.

Fine.

She would use it.

She condensed the mana into her legs again.

Then her arms.

Shoulders.

Just like Lyra instructed.

After that she dashed into the obstacle course.

Fast.

The weights around her body shook with every movement.

The mana almost slipped apart immediately from the distraction behind her.

BOOM.

Another impact echoed.

Nox frowned.

"Stay together..."

She forced the mana back into shape while leaping over a low obstacle.

Then ducked beneath another.

Her breathing turned rough.

Keeping the mana condensed while moving wasn't easy.

Doing it while the floor literally shook underneath her was even worse.

But she refused to stop.

Watching everyone grow stronger was starting to irritate her.

Not because she hated it.

Because she wanted it too.

Selene had her crazy arrows now.

Althea's bindings were becoming ridiculous.

Torren had suddenly turned into a fortress.

Even Mel was evolving at a stupid speed.

How could she stay still?

She clicked her tongue.

"No way."

Her speed increased.

The mana around her feet remained intact longer this time.

She felt it.

A strange rhythm.

Like the mana wanted to move with her.

Not against her.

She pushed harder.

The obstacle course blurred.

Jump.

Slide.

Turn.

Dash.

Her body flowed naturally through movements she had repeated countless times.

Meanwhile the mana followed behind.

Still unstable.

Still rough.

But improving.

And through all of it, Torren and Lyra's impacts kept shaking the hall.

Yet Nox blocked everything out.

She focused only on movement.

Only survival.

Only speed.

Minutes passed.

Sweat rolled down her face.

Her muscles burned.

But she kept going.

She didn't even notice when Torren and Lyra finally stopped.

Torren was breathing heavily while staring at his shield like it was treasure.

And Lyra looked pleased.

Very pleased.

Torren finally stumbled back after the commander's last punch slammed into his shield.

The sound echoed through the hall as his boots dragged across the ground before he caught himself. His breathing was rough now and sweat covered his forehead, but the grin on his face only got bigger.

Commander Lyra lowered her fist and nodded.

"Good."

Torren laughed tiredly while resting the shield against the floor.

"Good? Commander, my arms are about to fall off."

"And yet you're still standing."

That alone made the rest of the squad smile.

They had all watched the entire exchange. Every pulse. Every impact. Every improvement.

What shocked them most wasn't the strength.

It was how fast Torren adapted.

Even Ryn folded his arms quietly while staring at the tanker.

"You really became a wall."

Torren smirked proudly.

"Damn right."

But before they could say anything else, the commander's gaze shifted away from him.

Toward Nox.

Naturally, everyone followed her eyes.

At the obstacle course, Nox moved through the training field at insane speed. Her body twisted through hanging poles while her feet barely stayed on the ground long enough to make sound.

Arthur narrowed his eyes slightly.

The mana in her legs was stable now.

Not perfect.

But stable.

Even the mana around her fists stayed condensed while she moved.

That alone was impressive.

Then Commander Lyra voice suddenly echoed out.

"Seems like you've gotten used to keeping the mana intact."

Nox looked up immediately.

Her chest rose heavily from exhaustion.

But she still nodded.

"A little."

Lyra's next words caught her off guard.

"Come at me."

Nox blinked.

"Huh?"

For one second confusion filled her face.

Then excitement replaced it instantly.

Arthur blinked.

"She really wanted this that badly…"

Ryn chuckled beside him.

"She's been waiting for this since the first day."

And honestly, it showed as she grinned.

Finally.

Lyra spoke again.

"You've gotten the basics already. So come at me."

Honestly, Nox already understood the commander's plan.

The obstacle course.

The weights.

The survival pressure.

All of it was preparing her body and mana for this moment.

It really was crude.

Typical Commander Lyra.

But effective.

Nox rolled her shoulders once.

Then smirked.

"Don't regret this, commander."

Lyra snorted.

"Move first before talking nonsense."

That was enough for Nox as she shot forward without hesitation.

Her speed exploded instantly as she crossed the distance between them in seconds.

The speed made the squad reacted.

Selene's eyes widened.

"She's gotten even faster?"

Arthur smiled faintly as he watched the mana around Nox's legs stayed condensed as she moved.

It wasn't perfect. But it was enough.

As her speed shot upward. Enabling her close the distance between herself and Lyra in an instant.

A huge grin spread across her face.

This was where she belonged.

Not standing still or waiting behind.

Right here.

Charging straight into the fight like she did now with the Commander who responded instantly. As she raised one hand casually.

BOOM!

Nox's foot slammed into Lyra's palm with enough force to create a sharp shockwave around them.

But before the impact fully settled, Nox flipped midair.

Her other leg came crashing down immediately after, mana wrapped tightly around it.

Arthur's eyes widened slightly.

Smooth.

Very smooth.

The commander blocked again, though this time she actually shifted half a step.

Nox landed low, then pushed forward again with her fist already flying toward Lyra's ribs.

The mana around her knuckles tightened heavily.

But Lyra caught the punch cleanly.

"Too stiff," the commander said instantly.

Nox clicked her tongue.

"I knew you'd say that."

"Because it's true."

The commander pushed her back lightly.

"Again."

Nox rushed forward immediately.

This time faster.

Arthur watched carefully from the side.

He already knew Nox had some foundation in fighting before joining the squad. The way she moved made that obvious long ago.

But now?

Now her agility had evolved into something sharper.