NOVEL NEXT Chapter 183: 3 Months Later...
Time seemed to blur for Kyle, as three months had passed in what felt like the blink of an eye. Yet, despite the rapid passage of time, the changes in his skills, abilities, and even his personality were undeniable.
———————
Beginner Lightning Mage: Lv 8
EXP: 20067/27000*
Beginner Chaos Mage: Lv 6*
EXP: 5011/12000*
HP: 300*
Energy: 376*
MP: -*
Agility: 171*
Strength: 205*
Vitality: 150*
Stamina: 188*
Intelligence: 151* Read exclusive content at empire
SP: 0
[Elements]
[Skills]
[Lightning Bolt(Lv 4)]*
[Lightning Dash(Lv 4)]*
[Inspect(Lv 3)]*
[Gobbler(Lv 2)]
[Undying]
[Chaotic Pulse(Lv 2)]
[Chaotic Whirlpool(Lv 1)]
Skill Points: 0
———————
(A/N: Incase your math isn't mathing; remember that he gains stat points from leveling up too.)
Kyle's progress in his cultivation had been phenomenal. He was just a bit shy of reaching Level 9, with only a few thousand EXP away.
And all those progress had occurred without him using any mana core. He had more than enough credits to level up but had decided to stockpile them instead. He already had plans for when to use them, and the time wasn't ripe yet.
Meanwhile, his chaos element was no longer a chaotic force he struggled to control. Kyle could now manipulate chaos spells as effortlessly as breathing.
"I can't wait to put this to the test," Kyle mused, his thoughts drifting to the imminent battles ahead. He would have plenty of opportunities soon enough, with the Grand Yearly Vyna Tournaments rapidly approaching.
The Yearly Vyna Tournaments were the academy's most anticipated event. Held every year, they served as a stage for students to prove their worth, showcasing their skills and abilities in front of esteemed faculty, external sponsors, and influential spectators. Kyle could feel the weight of the event pressing down on the academy's atmosphere.
The tournament schedule had already been released, fueling both excitement and anxiety among the students. Before that, however, they all faced a crucial hurdle: the mid-term tests, which were set to begin the following week. These tests weren't just academic; they also included practical evaluations that determined a student's standing in the academy.
For most students, mid-terms were a make-or-break moment. A poor performance could lead to demotion into a lower class, while first-year students who failed outright could face expulsion. It was a harsh, uncompromising system, but it kept everyone on their toes.
Everyone except Milo.
Kyle's self-proclaimed rival had undergone a noticeable shift in demeanor. Once as hardworking as anyone, Milo had grown colder and more detached in recent weeks.
His once-intense dedication had seemingly vanished. He skipped classes frequently, his attendance so sparse that it had become the subject of gossip among the other students.
"What's his deal?" Kyle wondered on more than one occasion. Despite his curiosity, Kyle found himself more focused on his own goals.
It wasn't just in magic that Kyle had made strides. Over the past three months, he had succeeded in branching out to another discipline as well, further rounding out his skillset.
Under the strict guidance Riya, Kyle had progressed quickly, learning to brew potions up to the advanced tier with confidence. His own cauldron, a sleek black vessel inscribed with faint glowing runes, was one of the few items he had splurged on. "If I'm going to do this, I need the right tools," he had reasoned when purchasing it.
His efforts into becoming better at rune making had also paid off. Kyle had advanced to creating basic runic circles! The process was painstaking and required a level of precision that tested his patience, but the results were worth it.
Runic circles were far more versatile and powerful than runes, and few second-years could create them, talk more of first years like him and Lora.
Of course it was all because of Lora. Her patient guidance had helped Kyle overcome numerous hurdles, and likewise, Kyle had kept to his deal with Riya, carefully teaching her the art of rune making as well.
He didn't have to stress much over it as she was almost as talented as him in the craft and it didn't take her too long to begin inscribing basic runes.
Even Void had seen significant improvement. Instructor Dan, out of his kindness had decided to take an interest in the dragon's development.
Dan had helped Void with honing his combat instincts and refining his techniques, transforming the once-reckless dragon into a disciplined fighter.
But the most remarkable improvement Kyle saw was in his sword intent.
[Sword Intent Mastery: 99.81%]
Kyle was just too close to achieving full mastery, and the minor difference was evident. Whenever he felt threatened, the white line always came out.
But that only happened when the threat was genuine and that was why Dan was the best instructor for him. He always managed to ensure that all his attacks were threatening to Kyle, forcing him to use his intent as much as possible.
'I owe this to him,' Kyle often thought after training sessions, his muscles sore but his resolve stronger than ever.
During the nights, the arena had become Kyle's second home during these three months. Under the alias Abyss, he had carved out a reputation as an undefeated fighter. With over 500 consecutive wins, Kyle's name was whispered with a mix of awe and intimidation among the rest.
"Every fight is a step forward," Kyle reminded himself. Each victory not only brought him closer to his goals but also flooded his account with credits. He was practically swimming in wealth now, though he spent sparingly, always mindful of the future.
[Credits: 446,799]
And then there was the [Frozen Claw]. Orion was finally done with the promised upgrade on his katana. Even though he had given Orion a deadline of 2 weeks, Kyle never fully expected him to be done by then.
He had eventually decided to give Orion more time, stretching it to three months. At the moment, he had just retrieved the katana from Orion, ensuring not to [Inspect] it yet.
'If it's taken this much time, it must be something extraordinary,' Kyle thought, anticipation bubbling within him. He couldn't wait to get home and try it out.
***
Kyle could barely contain his excitement as he walked inside his converted training room. He glanced over at Void who stayed still at the corner of the room, cultivating.
Kyle observed the young dragon for a moment and his heart swelled with pride.
| Void |
| Race: Omni Drakkon |
| Level: 9 |
| EXP: 101,800/128,000 |*
| HP: 360 |
...
[Skills: Lightning Breath (Lv 4)*, Lightning Dash (Lv 4)*, Invisible (Lv 4), Phase (Lv 3), Chaotic Pulse(Lv 1), Chaos Whirlpool(Lv 1)]
Over the past three months, Void had taken his cultivation to a whole new level. Void's relentless efforts had pushed him closer to Level 10, which was the threshold for breaking through to the Intermediate Mage realm.
Kyle smiled, though he couldn't help but sigh. The memory of their agreement from months ago resurfaced in his mind.
"I promised him 1000 mana cores when he reached Intermediate Mage," Kyle muttered under his breath.
It was a hefty promise, but Kyle didn't regret it. Void had earned it through sheer effort and determination. Besides, with his current wealth, he could easily afford it.
"He deserves it," Kyle said firmly, reassuring himself. "And it'll only help him grow stronger."
With that thought, Kyle turned his attention to the middle of the training room, materializing a long, sleek box from his inventory, where Orion had placed his katana.
His fingers tingled with anticipation as he undid the latches and lifted the lid, revealing the sheathed katana inside.
The moment Kyle laid eyes on it, his breath hitched. The former Frozen Claw had undergone a complete transformation.
The blade gleamed with a mesmerizing blend of blue and gold, the two colors intertwining like rivers of light and ice. Faint runic patterns glowed along the length of the blade, shifting subtly as if alive.
The hilt was wrapped in high-quality blue leather, accented with golden threads that shimmered faintly. The guard, once simple, now resembled a snowflake embedded with a radiant crystal at its center.
Kyle gently picked up the katana, marveling at its new weight and balance. It felt perfect in his hands, as though it had been custom-forged for him. He couldn't help but smile as he recalled the original stats of Frozen Claw before its upgrade.
[Frozen Claw]
[Weapon Type: Katana]
[Weapon Rank: Intermediate]
[Enchantments: Ice Slash]
[Ice Slash: Momentarily imbue properties of the ice element on blade.
Mana is required to activate this property.
Time and power of this effect increases with proficiency of the water element.]