Alex stood in the center of the training grounds, his sword humming with a perfect blend of normal and corrupted mana. "Remember," Alex called out to the advanced students, his voice carrying a new confidence, "the key is balance. Too much corruption destabilizes your control, and too little defeats the purpose." He executed a precise strike, his blade leaving a trail of darkened energy in its wake. "Like this."
From his office window, Vell watched with a faint smile. Alex's growth was a clear sign that his plans were working, a testament to what The Broken Empire stood for.
[Alert: Multiple unauthorized mana signatures detected]
[Location: Western border]
[Classification: Dragon Section combat units]
'Right on schedule,' he thought. He turned to Ada, who was reviewing defense reports on a large crystal display. "How many?"
