NOVEL NEXT Chapter 86: training exercise
Liria crouched on the forest floor, brushing away a stray leaf from her hair as she glanced at her surroundings. She sighed, summoning her status screen for what felt like the thousandth time.
[Status Update:]
Name: Liria Silverthorn
Level: 14
Experience: 500/4000
Health: 2000/2000
Magic: 1400/1400
Attributes:
Strength: 42
Agility: 41
Endurance: 41
Intelligence: 29
Magic: 50
Abilities:
Swordsmanship (Level 4)
Endurance Training (Level 4)
Fireball (Level 4)
Ember Swipe (Level 3)
Blade Mastery (Level 3)
Inferno Burst (Level 2)
Hellstorm (Level 1)
Water Ribbon (Level 1)
Earth Sense (Level 1)
Stone Shot (Level 1)
Earth Wall (Level 1)
Spectral Binding (Level 1)
"Not bad for a twelve-year-old transmigrated girl with an overactive system that's mysteriously MIA," she muttered to herself.
"Talking to yourself already? That's promising," Ananara quipped from her shoulder. His leafy top bobbed mockingly.
Liria ignored him and glanced at Enara, who stood a few feet away, arms crossed, her demonic aura faint but noticeable.
[Status Update for Enara Valthorne:]
Name: Enara Valthorne
Level: 13
Health: 1500/1500
Magic: 800/800 Experience new stories on empire
Attributes:
Strength: 20
Agility: 25
Endurance: 19
Intelligence: 24
Magic: 35
Abilities:
Darkfire Manipulation (Level 3)
Shadow Step (Level 2)
Royal Intimidation (Level 2)
Charm (Level 1)
Enara caught Liria staring and arched an eyebrow. "What's your problem? Need a lesson in humility before we start?"
"Hard pass," Liria shot back. "I was just calculating how long it'll take before I have to save your royal backside."
Enara's eyes narrowed, but her smirk betrayed amusement.
"Focus," Daena interrupted, her deep voice cutting through their banter. The former demon queen stood at the edge of the clearing, her presence commanding as always. "This is a training exercise, not a chance for you two to bicker like children."
Liria raised a hand. "Technically, we are children—"
"Don't test me," Daena growled, silencing her with a glare.
The first task was simple: giant spiders. Or at least, Daena claimed it was simple. The sight of the first creature skittering toward them said otherwise.
The arachnid was as large as a carriage, its eight legs clicking against the rocky terrain as its crimson eyes locked on Liria. She could practically feel the murderous intent radiating from it.
"Of course, it's spiders," Liria muttered, gripping the hilt of her sword. "Why couldn't it be kittens? Or fluffy bunnies?"
"I'd pay to see you fight a kitten," Ananara snarked.
Before Liria could retort, the spider lunged. Its speed was shocking for something so massive, and she barely dodged in time.
"Fireball!" she shouted, thrusting a hand forward. Black flames erupted from her palm, slamming into the spider and sending it skidding back.
"Nice aim," Enara remarked, stepping beside her. "But don't get cocky. These things travel in packs."
As if on cue, three more spiders emerged from the underbrush, their legs moving in eerie synchronization.
"Perfect," Liria groaned.
Enara raised her hand, dark fire swirling around her fingers. "Let's make this quick."
The two launched into action. Liria focused on the largest spider, her blade cutting through the air with precision. The creature hissed, its fangs dripping with venom as it tried to counter her strikes.
[Spider: Level 10. Health: 1200/1500.]
Liria smirked. "Not so tough now, are you?" She unleashed an Ember Swipe, the black flames slicing through one of its legs. The spider screeched in agony, stumbling backward.
Meanwhile, Enara danced between two smaller spiders, her movements fluid and precise. With a flick of her wrist, she sent a wave of darkfire cascading toward them, burning their legs and forcing them into retreat.
"Showoff," Liria muttered, finishing off her opponent with a well-placed strike to its abdomen.
"Jealous?" Enara shot back, her tone smug.
"Of your ego? Never."
As the last spider fell, Daena clapped her hands. "Good. But don't get comfortable. Your next target won't be so easy."
"Great," Liria said, panting. "Can't wait to see what fresh nightmare you've got lined up."
Ananara piped up, his tone as cheerful as ever. "Maybe it'll be kittens this time."
"Shut up, Ananara."
Liria wiped the sweat off her brow, glancing down at the dissolving remains of the giant spider. As its body crumbled into ash, a faint golden glow enveloped her, and a familiar notification popped up in her mind.
[Victory Achieved!]
Experience Gained: 800 XP.
Level Progress: 1300/4000.
"Finally!" Liria muttered, a grin spreading across her face. "All that effort and only one leg smeared me with spider goo." She glanced at her boots, grimacing. "I'm never getting this out."
"You're welcome," Ananara chimed in from his perch on a nearby rock. "Without my moral support, you'd probably be spider food by now."
"Moral support?" Liria snorted, flicking a bit of ash off her blade. "You mean your endless sarcasm and screaming, 'Watch out!' every five seconds?"
"Details," the pineapple retorted, puffing up his leafy top smugly.
Before Liria could respond, Daena's booming voice interrupted. "Enough chatter. If you're done gloating, there's another target up ahead."
Liria groaned, looking toward the dense forest where eerie, translucent figures drifted between the trees. Their mournful wails echoed through the clearing, sending chills down her spine.
"Banshees," Enara said, stepping beside her. Her tone was calm, but Liria noticed the slight tension in her stance. "They're annoying, but manageable."
"I hate ghosts," Liria muttered, gripping her sword tighter.
"Not ghosts," Daena corrected, her arms crossed as she watched from a safe distance. "Manifestations of sorrow and rage. They'll target your emotions and try to break your focus. Stay sharp."
Liria rolled her eyes. "Great. Emotional attacks. Just what I needed today."
As they approached the banshees, one of the spectral figures turned its hollow gaze toward them. Its mouth opened in a bone-chilling scream, the sound reverberating through the air like shards of glass.
"Perfect," Liria said, her ears ringing. "Who doesn't love a good migraine with their morning hunt?"
The banshee surged toward her, its translucent claws swiping with unnatural speed. Liria ducked, narrowly avoiding the attack, and countered with Fireball. The black flames engulfed the banshee, but instead of disintegrating, it only grew more enraged.
"Wonderful," Liria grumbled, sidestepping another attack.
[Banshee: Level 12. Health: 800/1000.]
Enara appeared beside her, darkfire swirling around her hand. "Stop playing with it and finish it already."
"Excuse me, princess," Liria snapped, "but not all of us can conjure emo flames and call it a day!"
Enara ignored her, unleashing a wave of darkfire that struck another banshee approaching from the left. The spectral creature shrieked, its form flickering before vanishing into the shadows.
"See? Efficient," Enara said with a smirk.
"Oh, shut up," Liria growled, focusing her energy. She thrust her palm forward, summoning her newest ability: Spectral Binding. Black chains erupted from the ground, wrapping around the banshee and pinning it in place.
The creature writhed and howled, its movements growing frantic. Liria seized the opportunity, raising her blade and channeling her magic into it.
"Inferno Burst!" she shouted, slashing downward. A torrent of black fire erupted from her sword, consuming the banshee entirely.
[Victory Achieved!]
Experience Gained: 600 XP.
Level Progress: 1900/4000.
Liria exhaled, her knees slightly trembling as the glow of her victory faded. "Okay, that was… actually pretty cool."
Enara raised an eyebrow. "Did you just compliment yourself?"
"Yeah," Liria said, brushing soot off her sleeves. "Someone has to."
As they regrouped, Daena approached, her expression unreadable. "Not bad, but don't let your guard down. The next wave will be harder."
Liria groaned, leaning on her sword. "Let me guess. Giant slime monsters? Bloodthirsty centaurs? Man-eating unicorns?"
"Centaur warriors," Daena corrected with a faint smirk.
"Of course," Liria muttered, shaking her head. "Why not throw in a dragon while we're at it?"
"You're not ready for dragons," Daena said, her smirk widening.