THE SYSTEM I MADE
Chapter 6
"Virtual grounds and Real ambitions"
Alex stirred awake to a gentle touch, his head pounding slightly as he adjusted to the dimly lit room. His dedicated maiden, Mirelle, hovered nearby, her expression laced with concern.
"How are you feeling, young master?" she asked softly, her eyes scanning his face for any sign of distress.
"I'm okay, really," Alex reassured her with a weak smile. Even though his body ached from the defeat, his mind was racing with possibilities.
Mirelle seemed relieved yet troubled. "You were healed by Mage Thendril. Despite his efforts, the news is... you lost to Julian." She hesitated, expecting disappointment.
To her surprise, Alex smirked slightly, puzzling her. "Why do you smirk, young master? Such a loss is no laughing matter."
"It's nothing, Mirelle. Just remembered something amusing," he lied smoothly, his mind replaying the match, not as a defeat, but as a learning opportunity.
Sighing, Mirelle continued, "Since you didn't win, you won't go to the Valor Mage Academy. The patriarch is sponsoring only the victors. They'll be official mages soon after the academy, ready to face the monsters beyond our lands after their training."
Then after, Mirelle left the room to attend her duties.
The heavy wooden door closed with a soft click behind Mirelle as she exited, leaving Alex alone in the spacious room that served both as his quarters and his occasional sanctuary. He lingered by the window for a moment, gazing out at the sprawling grounds bathed in the gentle glow of the afternoon sun.
"Since she's gone, I want to test something at the training grounds," he murmured to himself, a spark of determination lighting up his eyes. The idea had been nagging at him for a while now, an experiment he needed to conduct away from prying eyes and well-intentioned interruptions.
Slipping on his boots and grabbing his lightweight practice gear, Alex made his way out, his steps quick with anticipation.
driven by a newfound resolve, Alex strode into the Eldraine training grounds, his every step fueled by determination.
Standing at the center of the Eldraine training grounds, Alex gripped his practice sword with renewed focus.
"Activate Augmented reality video" as he activated the Augmented Reality Video, the programmed version of Julian materialized, ready to spar.
As the digital Julian advanced, mimicking the very movements of his real-life counterpart, Alex found himself dissecting every detail, from the angle of an attack to the slight shuffle of feet that telegraphed a coming strike.
"Despite the barriers set by Eldraine's strict rules, this...this is how I'll forge my path," he muttered under his breath, sweat beading on his brow as he parried a particularly aggressive thrust.
He understood the logic behind the regulations—without sufficient experience, facing real monsters could be a death sentence. The Eldraine children, precious heirs to Lord Gerald's legacy, were sheltered for this reason. The academy was their proving ground, a safe haven to hone their abilities until they were deemed ready.
"But I'm not one to wait passively," Alex continued, dodging a swipe and countering with a quick jab. "If the rules say I can't face real dangers, I'll make my own here. With Aida's help and this AR technology, I'm essentially learning from the best."
He paused, stepping back to catch his breath, watching as the virtual Julian reset to its starting position. "It's like having my own copy magic. Not the real Julian, but close enough to the real thing. It's more than just practice—it's preparation for the reality I'll one day face."
With each session, Alex grew not only in skill but in understanding. Each interaction with the virtual opponent fine-tuned his instincts and reactions, transforming theoretical knowledge into practical expertise.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the training yard, Alex sheathed his sword, his eyes alight with unspoken promises. The real challenge lay beyond the walls of Eldraine Estate, in the wilds where monsters roamed and true mages were forged.
"Today, I train in simulation," he whispered to the quiet field.