Dave took a deep breath as he prepared for the next stage of his training. The raw power of Matter Control had pushed his limits, but now it was time to focus on something even more complex: Mind Control.
"System," he commanded, "begin the next phase. I need to push my control over minds to its peak."
"Understood, Host," the system replied. "I will generate multiple clones to act as targets for your Mind Control ability. You will need to control each one simultaneously while giving them distinct instructions. The difficulty will increase as more clones are added."
Dave stepped forward into the Pod's center, the world around him shimmering as the simulation adjusted. In moments, he was surrounded by ten identical versions of himself, each standing still, awaiting his command.
He could feel the weight of the challenge already. Controlling one mind was difficult enough, but to control multiple minds at once—each with a different set of instructions—was a whole new level of strain.
"Begin."
The first test was simple: Dave had to command the clones to perform basic tasks. He closed his eyes, feeling the familiar hum of power rise in his mind. The sensation of reaching out and touching another consciousness, bending it to his will, was both exhilarating and exhausting. He extended his control to the first clone, commanding it to walk forward. The clone obeyed, taking steady steps across the rocky terrain.
'That's one,' Dave thought, his confidence growing.
He reached out to the second clone, instructing it to walk in the opposite direction. It complied smoothly. For a moment, everything felt manageable.
But then the real challenge began.
"Host, you must control all of them simultaneously. Begin increasing the complexity of commands."
Dave gritted his teeth, extending his mind further. He issued a different command to each clone—one to jump, another to run, a third to pick up a stone. Each task was simple, but the sheer act of managing so many minds at once was draining. His head began to throb as the mental strain intensified.
The clones responded, each following his instructions without hesitation. But as the number of tasks increased, Dave could feel his focus slipping. One clone stopped mid-step, another hesitated in its movement. The coordination was faltering.
'Focus,' Dave told himself, forcing his mind to sharpen. He adjusted his mental grip, refining his control over each clone. Slowly, they resumed their tasks, the synchronization returning.
"Now for the next level, Host," the system said. "Increase the number of clones and diversify the instructions."
In an instant, twenty more clones appeared around him, each standing still, awaiting his command.
Dave felt a wave of fatigue wash over him, but he couldn't back down now. He extended his mind further, reaching out to the new clones. His consciousness felt like it was being stretched to its limits, each additional mind adding to the weight on his shoulders. But he had no choice. This was the only way to grow stronger.
He began issuing new commands: one clone to kneel, another to sprint, yet another to balance on a narrow rock. His mind raced as he tried to keep track of each individual task, struggling to maintain control over the rapidly multiplying instructions.
The strain became almost unbearable. Sweat dripped down his face as he focused with every ounce of willpower. The clones moved, some hesitating, others executing their tasks perfectly. Dave's control wavered, but he refused to let go. He forced his way through, pushing his mind to its absolute limits.
"Host, you must control them more precisely," the system urged.
Dave grunted in response, splitting his attention even further. He adjusted his commands, fine-tuning each action. One clone lifted a rock, another twirled in place, a third began climbing a steep hill. The mental juggling act was overwhelming, but with each passing moment, Dave could feel himself improving. His mind was adapting to the challenge, becoming sharper, more efficient.
As the hours ticked by inside the Pod, Dave's mastery over Mind Control deepened. He could now issue more complex commands with ease, guiding the clones through intricate patterns of movement, instructing them to fight each other, dodge attacks, and even engage in conversation—each with its own unique script.
But the true test came when the system ramped up the difficulty once more.
"Final phase: all clones must engage in combat, with different strategies assigned to each."
Dave gritted his teeth. This would be the hardest part. He had to command each clone to fight, while also managing their unique tactics. His mind was on the verge of splitting apart, but he refused to give up. He issued the commands, feeling the strain increase as the clones began to spar, their movements swift and precise.
Some fought with brute force, others with agility, while a few used ranged attacks. Dave's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and instructions, each clone reacting to his commands in real-time.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the system spoke again.
"Training complete. Host, your control over minds has significantly improved."
Dave staggered back, breathing heavily. The mental exhaustion was immense, but he could feel the progress. His ability to control minds had reached a new level—he could now manipulate multiple targets with complex instructions, even in the heat of battle.
"Mind control… mastered," he muttered to himself, wiping the sweat from his brow. But he wasn't done yet.
"System, let's move on. It's time to focus on my stats."
With the next challenge looming, Dave stepped forward, ready for what came next.