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Chapter 4 - A Surprise

As Su Lingxi walked back towards the house where she had spent her first night in the abandoned village, memories flooded her mind like ghosts from the past. The air was heavy with the scent of dew-soaked grass and the faint whisper of distant whispers. Each step she took felt like a journey through time, each creak of the floorboards beneath her feet echoing the footsteps of those who had once called this place home. Despite the chill that lingered in the air, there was a warmth in her heart a sense of belonging that she couldn't quite explain. As she reached the doorstep and gazed upon the weathered facade of the house, she knew that she had come home, in more ways than one.

Su Lingxi brought a chair from the house to the outside and sat on it, the old wood creaking beneath her weight. She gazed out at the tranquil scene before her, feeling a sense of peace wash over her weary soul. The abandoned village seemed to come alive in the soft light of dusk, its crumbling buildings bathed in a golden glow. For a moment, she allowed herself to forget the trials that had brought her here and simply basked in the beauty of the moment, grateful for the simple pleasure of being alive.

The decision of her class for the God Race and Divine Spirit Race was not to be taken lightly. She pondered the strengths and weaknesses of each option, weighing the path of a healer against that of a warrior, or perhaps even a scholar. Each class held its own allure, its own potential for greatness, but also its own challenges and responsibilities. She knew that whatever she chose would shape not only her own destiny but also the fate of those who looked to her for guidance. With a furrowed brow, she delved deeper into her thoughts, searching for the answer that resonated most deeply with her heart and soul.

As Su Lingxi pondered which class to choose, a noise echoed from the path leading to her house. It was too close for comfort. With a mix of curiosity and caution, she turned towards the sound, her heart quickening with anticipation. Gripping her rusted, broken knife tightly, she prepared for whatever awaited her on the path.

As Su Lingxi cautiously approached the source of the noise, her eyes widened in surprise and dread. There, stumbling along the path, was a lone zombie, its decaying form lurching towards the north. A shiver ran down her spine as she watched the undead creature, her mind racing with questions and fears. Should she confront it? Or flee back to the safety of her house? With her rusted, broken knife in hand, Su Lingxi braced herself for whatever lay ahead.

As Su Lingxi watched the lone zombie shamble closer, her mind raced with thoughts of how to dispatch the undead menace. She knew her rusted, broken knife wouldn't be enough to defeat it outright. Perhaps she could aim for its head, the traditional weakness of such creatures. Or maybe she could use the environment to her advantage, leading it into a trap or finding a makeshift weapon nearby. With each step the zombie took, Su Lingxi's determination grew, her focus sharpening as she prepared to confront the threat head-on.

As she pondered how to utilize her magic powers, her thoughts drifted to her master's remarkable ability to heal without the need for chants or incantations. Could she possess a similar talent? The image of the zombie engulfed in flames flashed through her mind a vivid manifestation of her desire to protect herself and her home. Drawing upon the memory of her master's healing touch, she focused on channeling that same energy, but with a different intent. With a determined flicker in her eyes, Su Lingxi extended her hand towards the advancing zombie, silently willing the flames to consume it.

As Su Lingxi concentrated on her newfound magical power, envisioning flames engulfing the approaching zombie, something unexpected occurred. Instead of flames, a surge of energy crackled around her, coalescing into a black arc that shot forth towards the undead creature. With a flash of intensity, the arc sliced through reality itself, creating a rift that tore through space. Su Lingxi watched in astonishment as the zombie was struck by the reality slash, the force of the impact causing it to stagger and falter. It was a manifestation of her untapped potential, a power beyond her comprehension. As the reality slash dissipated, Su Lingxi realized that she had unlocked a formidable ability

Perplexed by the unexpected outcome of her magic, Su Lingxi pondered the strange alignment of her intentions and reality. Despite her clear visualization of fire, a skill seemingly related to reality had manifested instead. Determined to unravel this mystery, she resolved to seek answers where her journey had begun at her master's abandoned mansion in the heart of the village.

As Su Lingxi ascended to the second floor of her master's abandoned mansion, anticipation coursed through her veins. However, as she stepped into the library, her breath caught in her throat at the sight that greeted her. The room stretched out before her, vast and seemingly endless, its shelves extending far beyond the confines of the village and its ceiling soaring higher than the tallest trees she had ever seen. Su Lingxi stood in awe, her gaze darting from one towering bookcase to the next, marveling at the sheer magnitude of knowledge that lay within this extraordinary space. With a sense of reverence, she ventured further into the labyrinthine library, eager to uncover the truths that awaited her amidst its boundless expanse.

As Su Lingxi stood in the awe-inspiring library, a book materialized before her, its title simply stated as "Records." Intrigued, she reached out and opened it, the pages flipping effortlessly beneath her touch. Her eyes scanned the text until they settled on a section titled "Magic Basics." Here, she found a wealth of knowledge detailing the fundamental principles of magic its origins, its laws, and its infinite potential. With each word she read, Su Lingxi's understanding grew, her mind expanding to grasp the intricacies of the arcane arts. It was a revelation, a guiding light illuminating the path towards unlocking the mysteries of her own power. With determination burning in her heart, she delved deeper into the pages, eager to uncover the secrets that lay hidden within the ancient tomes of her master's library.

As Su Lingxi focused her thoughts on "Magic Basics," the book before her reacted, flying into her hands as if drawn by an unseen force. With each page she turned, the mysteries of magic unfolded before her, revealing its foundational principles and elemental truths. As she delved deeper into the text, a profound realization dawned upon her the element of Chaos, her prime element, was not just one among many, but the primordial essence from which all magic flowed. With this understanding, Su Lingxi's connection to her elemental affinity deepened, her awareness expanding to encompass the vast and boundless potential of Chaos magic. It was a revelation that resonated deep within her soul, igniting a sense of purpose and destiny that guided her towards a greater understanding of her own power.

After absorbing the knowledge contained within the pages of the "Magic Basics" book, Su Lingxi laid back, her mind buzzing with newfound insights and revelations. As she gazed upon the myriad shelves stretching out before her, each laden with tomes of untold wisdom, a sense of awe washed over her. Here, within the confines of her master's abandoned mansion, lay a treasure trove of knowledge waiting to be discovered. With a sense of anticipation tinged with excitement, Su Lingxi imagined the possibilities contained within those books the secrets of ancient civilizations, the mysteries of forgotten magics, the lore of legendary heroes. Each volume held the promise of unlocking new truths and expanding her understanding of the world around her. With a determined resolve, Su Lingxi vowed to explore every corner of this vast repository, hungry for the knowledge that awaited her amidst its dusty pages.

"So that's how it is," Su Lingxi murmured to herself, contemplating the revelation she had just uncovered. "To perform elemental magic, you need the corresponding Mana Element to channel it. But I have Chaos Element, and every element descends from it." She paused, the implications sinking in. "I need to convert my Chaos mana element to other elements to use it effectively. If I use Chaos Element to perform magic as the name suggests, it'll be chaotic and random." With this understanding, Su Lingxi realized the complexity of harnessing her unique affinity for Chaos magic. It wasn't just a matter of wielding power it was a delicate balance of control and precision, a mastery over the very essence of creation itself. And as she prepared to embark on this journey of discovery, Su Lingxi knew that she would need to tread carefully, lest the chaotic forces she sought to command consume her in their unpredictable embrace.

As Su Lingxi delved into her memories of her chosen class, the mage, she felt a surge of determination. With a sense of purpose, she searched for a basic book about mages within the expansive library. After a brief exploration, she discovered a tome that detailed the fundamentals of magecraft. As she flipped through its pages, her eyes fell upon a section describing the mage class's innate skill: "Mana Essence."

Throughout the night, Su Lingxi dedicated herself to mastering the intricacies of the Mana Essence skill she had discovered. With each passing hour, she delved deeper into its mysteries, honing her focus and concentration. Through intense meditation and practice, she gradually unlocked the ability to perceive the mana that flowed through the world around her. As the night wore on, Su Lingxi's senses sharpened, and the subtle currents of mana became visible to her inner eye. By dawn's light, she had achieved a breakthrough, her perception attuned to the vibrant energies that pulsed through the very fabric of existence.

As Su Lingxi focused her newly honed Mana Essence skill, she found herself drawn to a nearby mirror. As she gazed upon her reflection, a sense of wonder overtook her. Her body was enveloped in a shimmering aura of violet particles, dancing and swirling around her form like ethereal flames. With each breath, the particles pulsed with energy, resonating with the latent power that coursed through her veins. Su Lingxi marveled at the sight, feeling a deep connection to the magic that suffused her being. It was a moment of revelation

As Su Lingxi marveled at her newfound abilities, a sudden cacophony of noise shattered the tranquility of the moment. Startled, she rushed to the window to investigate the source of the disturbance. To her horror, she saw a horde of zombies massing outside, their relentless advance directed towards the north. Fear gripped her heart as she realized the imminent danger posed by the undead horde.

"Oh no," Su Lingxi muttered with fear as she observed the approaching undead horde. Panic threatened to overwhelm her as she contemplated her options. Using her magic seemed like the logical choice, but the thought of harnessing her chaotic element as mana filled her with trepidation. Chaos magic was unpredictable and dangerous, capable of wreaking havoc if not properly controlled.

Su Lingxi weighed her options carefully, her mind racing with thoughts of survival. She couldn't afford to let fear dictate her actions, but she also couldn't risk unleashing the full force of her chaotic magic upon the undead horde. With a deep breath, she made a decision. Instead of facing the horde directly, she would seek refuge and find a way to evade them.

As Su Lingxi rushed to the front door to secure it against the encroaching horde, a steely determination gripped her. "Instead of evading them, I must protect this place," she thought to herself, her resolve firm. With the safety of her Master's home at the forefront of her mind, she knew she had to find a way to defend it with the minimum amount of damage.

As she closed the door, Su Lingxi's mind raced with possibilities. Then, a brilliant idea struck her. "The library," she whispered aloud. "There should be information about these zombies. I can use that." With a sense of purpose, she hurried back to the library, her steps quick and purposeful. Amidst the towering shelves of knowledge, she sought the answers she needed to devise a strategy to protect her home and herself from the impending threat. With determination burning in her heart, Su Lingxi plunged into her search, ready to uncover the secrets that could save her from the encroaching darkness.