Klaus's body was enveloped in an eerie, dark smoke, wisps of ethereal energy billowing from his form like ghostly tendrils. Unbeknownst to him, his very being was undergoing a profound transformation, yet he remained entranced by the power surging through him. Oblivious to the strange phenomena manifesting within, he continued his relentless assault with the wooden sword, each strike radiating power and intensity.
SLASH!
The air itself seemed to shriek with each mighty swing, as the thick black energy shrouding his weapon crackled with dark power. Klaus's frenzied fervor pushed his body to the limits, causing the ground beneath him to tremble and fracture. The once-calm atmosphere of the training ground was now charged with an ominous energy.
As the dark energy surged, the wooden sword could no longer withstand the immense power channeled through it. With a deafening explosion, the weapon shattered into countless splinters. But Klaus was undeterred; he had tapped into something extraordinary.
Once the wooden sword lay in ruins, the malevolent energy that had enveloped it began to recede, flowing back into Klaus's body. His ocean-blue irises, which had disappeared amidst the inky void, slowly regained their natural hue, but the experience left him reeling. Gasping for breath and trembling, Klaus was overwhelmed by the unfathomable power that had just coursed through him.
'What just happened?' he pondered in shock and amazement. His question found an unexpected answer with the cryptic chiming of the notification:
Ding
[You have exited a Trance state]
[All Stats increased by 3]
Ding
[You Have Successfully combined The Arcane Energy And Mana Inside Your Body]
[You have achieved a great feat]
[All Stats increased by 5]
The messages popped up before him, and Klaus was dumbfounded. He sat down abruptly, his mind racing to comprehend the inexplicable transformation that had taken place.
"What The..." Klaus murmured, struggling to articulate the overwhelming emotions he was experiencing. He closed his eyes, attempting to make sense of the profound changes that had overtaken him. The enigmatic power he had unlocked was beyond anything he had ever imagined.
He examined the core of his being and noticed that his mana circuit, which should have been a standard blue in color like everyone else's, had inexplicably turned pitch black. Yet, contrary to his expectations, it felt remarkably comfortable, even soothing. His mana circuit, once a source of frustration, had evolved into something inexplicably powerful.
Klaus couldn't help but mutter to himself, "All that just because I was swinging a sword?" He knew deep down that this newfound power was inextricably linked to his training.
His intense training had unleashed untapped potential, and he realized that it had only been a matter of days. The thought of what he might achieve with the freedom to train unhindered filled him with awe and wonder.
Fueled by determination, Klaus rose to his feet, gazing up at the sky as he lay on his back. A wide smile crept across his face as he considered the boundless possibilities that lay ahead.
"Guess I need a bath," he remarked with a chuckle, casting a spell that miraculously cleansed his body, a sign of his rapidly improving magic.
He rose from the ground, his casting speed significantly enhanced by the mysterious change within him. Instead of heading to the library, as he was accustomed to doing when at Ludovic's mansion, he strolled down the grand corridors to the ground floor. He reached a silver door and stepped inside.
Before him lay a magnificent bath chamber. The room was dominated by a colossal pool that emitted billowing steam. Klaus swiftly removed his clothing and immersed himself in the soothing, hot waters. The sensation was nothing short of heavenly, like a balm for his weary muscles and an elixir for his racing mind.
The warm waters embraced him, and the world faded into blissful serenity as he sank deeper into the pool, the profound changes within him unfurling like secrets waiting to be discovered.
***
Emerging from the mansion's bath, Klaus was filled with renewed vigor and an unquenchable desire to test his newfound potential. However, his stomach had other plans, rumbling its discontent with an audible growl.
'Well, I guess I should eat first, something warm for once,' he mused, thoughts drifting to the whistle he wore around his neck.
'Should I just blow it? Okay, let's try,' Klaus thought, his curiosity piqued by the whistle. He hadn't initially intended to trouble Ludovic, relying on the supplies he had left for him. But considering the remarkable progress he had made, Klaus believed he deserved a warm meal for once.
With a deep breath and a sense of anticipation, he blew into the whistle. To his bewilderment, no sound emanated from it.
'Did I break it?' Klaus wondered, perplexed by the silent whistle. Undeterred, he gave it another try, but the result remained the same—no sound.
'I guess it's broken,' he concluded, preparing to return to the training ground to practice without the assistance of magic. Yet, he didn't have to wait long for a response to his unintended summons.
Barely five minutes after he had blown the whistle, Klaus sensed a presence behind him. He turned swiftly, readying a spell to face whoever had dared to approach. His gaze probed the area, but he couldn't see anyone.
He resorted to using his magic, invoking the power of the Second Circle Magic: Detection to pinpoint the concealed figure's location. Upon identifying their perfect hiding spot, Klaus aimed his sharp gaze in that direction.
"Stop playing hide and seek and show yourself," he commanded with an authoritative tone, his voice echoing through the spell-enhanced air.
"Sorry, young master, it's me," a voice finally responded from the concealed location. The person raised a hand in a submissive gesture and approached Klaus.
However, Klaus continued to regard the stranger with a stern, unyielding gaze. "And you are?" he inquired with composure, his voice resonating in the air thanks to his quick spell.
"I'm Sebastien, Master Ludovic's attendant," the man replied, bowing his head politely to Klaus. He couldn't help but wear a perplexed expression; the frail boy he remembered from previous encounters had transformed into someone unrecognizable.
Sebastien, though slightly flustered, continued, "I'm here because you called for him," pointing to the whistle hanging around Klaus's neck.
For Klaus, the sight of Sebastien triggered a vague sense of recognition, but he chose to maintain the façade of a stranger. His gaze remained fixed on the attendant, wordlessly assessing him.
Sebastien, feeling the weight of Klaus's scrutiny, adjusted his suit and offered an apologetic explanation. "I didn't mean to hide myself. I apologize. I hope the young master can forgive me."
Klaus exhaled and signaled for Sebastien to rise. "How can I serve the young master today?" the attendant inquired in a gentle tone, awaiting Klaus's response. Before Klaus could answer, his rebellious stomach issued a resounding growl.
GRRRR
"Oh, I see," Sebastien responded with an understanding nod. Klaus, embarrassed by the interruption, cleared his throat.
"Follow me," Sebastien instructed, leading Klaus back into the mansion. Klaus obediently trailed behind, maintaining his silence. The pair eventually arrived at the mansion's dining room.
Sebastien guided Klaus to one of the chairs around the oval, luxurious table. In no time, several maids, under Sebastien's direction, set the table with a bountiful buffet of warm, delectable dishes.
"Do you perhaps need anything else, young master?" Sebastien asked, his head respectfully lowered.
Klaus, his attention firmly fixed on the enticing spread before him, replied, "It will be enough. You can leave."
Sebastien and the maids promptly exited the room, offering a polite bow before they withdrew. Left alone with the feast before him, Klaus's gaze remained anchored to the mouthwatering food.
As his senses were enraptured by the aroma and sight of the dishes, Klaus couldn't help but take a hearty bite, and a blissful moan of satisfaction escaped his lips.
"Now you are talking!!!" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with elation. He proceeded to fill his plate to the brim and devoured the delicious food with an almost insatiable appetite as if he had never tasted such culinary delights before.