Magnus sat cross-legged on his bed, taking a deep breath to center himself. The recent A-Rank Door raid had been exhilarating—a mix of danger, discovery, and unexpected fun. The thrill of using his powers effectively, especially when he took down the Door boss in a single, decisive move, had left him feeling stronger than ever.
Closing his eyes, Magnus felt the familiar pull into the Lone Dream. When he opened them again, he was surrounded by the cosmic expanse of stars and shimmering energies. The space felt more vibrant than ever, resonating with an energy that mirrored his own.
"Welcome back, Magnus," Xavier's voice echoed as his golden text form appeared before Magnus. "I see you're eager to explore your new abilities."
Magnus nodded, curiosity sparking in his chest. "Yeah, I'm curious about this Lone Dream upgrade. You mentioned it's like a status window?"
"Exactly," Xavier replied, his form shifting into a more humanoid shape composed of golden light. "The upgrade provides a detailed overview of your abilities, skills, and potential growth paths. Think of it as a guide to help you understand and develop your powers."
Intrigued, Magnus raised an eyebrow. "That sounds incredibly useful. How do I activate it?"
"Simply focus on the concept of a status window, and it should manifest," Xavier instructed.
Magnus closed his eyes again, concentrating. He visualized a translucent screen appearing before him, displaying his stats and abilities. Almost instantly, a golden-hued window materialized in the air, shimmering with a soft glow.
[Lone Dream: Status Window]
Name: Magnus Lynton
Race: Human
Age: 20
Mana Capacity: 2208/2208 (Outstanding)
Abilities:
• Portal Creation: Create and manipulate portals for travel and combat (Max: 5)
• Dimensional Storage: Store and retrieve items from a personal pocket dimension.
• Portal Entrapment: Trap enemies within a confined space of portals.
• Lone Dream: Allows the user to enter a mind-realm where recovery is accelerated. Also provides a status window to view abilities and growth.
Self-learned Skills:
• Portal Guillotine: A powerful attack that can sever targets by closing portals around them.
• Mana Weapon: Create weapons using mana.
• Mana Eyes (Stage 2): Enhanced vision, capable of seeing through illusions and walls for a short period.
Infusions:
• Poison Infusion: Infuse attacks with poison for added effect.
Potential Growth Paths:
• Enhanced Portal Mastery: Increase the number and stability of portals.
• Advanced Mana Control: Improve the efficiency and potency of mana-based skills.
• Spirit Communication: Develop the ability to communicate and potentially control spiritual beings.
• Mana Manipulation: Manipulate mana around the user.
Weak Points:
• Low stamina
• Weak body
Next Evolve Requirements:
• Clear A-rank Door alone
As Magnus absorbed the information, he marveled at the detailed breakdown of his abilities and potential growth paths. It was like having a roadmap to his own development, offering clear directions on where to focus his training.
"This is incredible," Magnus muttered, still taking it all in. "It's like having a personal guide to becoming stronger."
Xavier's form pulsed with a gentle light. "Indeed. This tool will help you not only track your progress but also set goals for further growth. Remember, each of these paths requires dedication and effort."
Magnus nodded, understanding the implications. The challenges he faced in the A-Rank Door had shown him the limits of his current power. To face future threats, he needed to push beyond those limits.
Clearing an A-Rank Door alone sounded daunting at first, but after his recent experiences, Magnus felt a surge of confidence. "Clearing an A-Rank Door alone? That should be easy," he said with a smirk. "I've already done it with a group; going solo will just be another challenge."
Xavier chuckled softly. "Confidence is good, Magnus, but always be prepared for the unexpected. There are many variables in each Door, and you must be ready for anything."
Magnus nodded, though inwardly he was already strategizing how to tackle an A-Rank Door solo. The potential rewards and the growth he could achieve from such a feat were too enticing to ignore.
As he looked at the "Weak Points" section, noting the issues of "Low stamina" and "Weak body," Magnus frowned. "Why do I need to train my body when I can just fight with my portals and mana?"
Xavier's form flickered, his tone becoming more serious. "Magnus, relying solely on your abilities can be risky. There are many powers and skills out there that can disrupt or nullify your abilities. If you face someone with those capabilities, your physical resilience and endurance will be crucial. A strong body isn't just for combat; it's essential for survival."
Magnus considered his words, realizing the truth in them. He had seen firsthand how unpredictable and dangerous combat could be, especially in the chaotic environments of the Doors. Still, the thought of traditional physical training felt daunting compared to honing his magical skills.
"Okay, I get it," Magnus finally admitted. "So, where do I start?"
Xavier's form brightened, as if pleased with Magnus's openness. "There's someone you should meet—my old master. He's not an Ascender, but he's a master of martial arts. He can teach you the fundamentals of physical training and help you build a strong foundation."
Magnus raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Not an Ascender? Then how is he going to help with my training?"
"Being an Ascender is not just about magical or superhuman abilities," Xavier explained. "It's also about discipline, skill, and mastery of oneself. My master, despite not being an Ascender, has unparalleled knowledge and experience in these areas. He can teach you to harness your physical potential and combine it with your existing skills."
The idea of training with a martial arts master was unexpected, but Magnus found himself intrigued. It was a new challenge, something outside his usual comfort zone. If he was serious about pushing beyond his limits, this seemed like the right step to take.
"Alright," Magnus said, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "I'll do it. Where do I find him?"
Xavier's form glowed warmly. "You shall join the Fighting Dojo Tournament. You have to win it then fight my master. If he finds you worthy, he will accept you as his disciple. However, I recommend that you evolve your ability first... you will need it."
"I see, then I shall solo the A-Rank Door... bye Xavier, I will return when I complete the requirement," Magnus said farewell as he went back to reality.
As Magnus returned to reality, he lay down, thinking about what Xavier just said. A fighting tournament... will I be able to win? I know that I have Portal Guillotine, but against humans, I feel like it's completely useless. They could just dodge the portal. I mean, nobody would be stupid enough to stay still when there is a portal around them.
As he was deep in thought, the golden status window suddenly appeared right in front of him.
[Do you want to summon the A-rank Door?]
"Summon the door? Nice, I don't have to go find it or ask other people for a favor."
"Yes."
As he said that, a bright white door appeared beside him. With no hesitation, he opened it and went inside. Inside was a large forest filled with trees. He couldn't even see his surroundings because of the dense foliage.
Magnus activated his mana eyes and could now see everything behind the trees. It looked like this time, the monsters he would be dealing with were orcs. He counted about ten orcs surrounding him. They seemed to have sensed his presence as they were now approaching him. Deciding to take the initiative, Magnus conjured a mana dagger and created a portal that would lead him behind one of the orc groups that had about three orcs.
As he stepped through the portal, he crouched down, dagger at the ready. He was right behind the orcs when they suddenly turned around. Their senses seemed to be extraordinary. Magnus quickly made five portals around them—three encircling the orcs, one in front of him, and one above. Just as the orcs were about to charge, he used Portal Entrapment, trapping them inside a cube. Magnus rushed through the portal in front of him, dagger poised to strike. As he emerged, he was right next to one of the orcs and swiftly slashed with his dagger. Finishing off the first orc, he moved through another portal to position himself for the next attack.
The other two orcs were now confused as Magnus darted around using his portals. They swung their axes wildly, unable to pinpoint his location. Magnus decided to finish them from above, summoning another mana dagger. As he stepped through the portal above them, he dropped down, daggers ready. In a swift motion, he beheaded both orcs, landing gracefully on his feet.
"Whoo, that was exhausting. Seems like the status window was right, I have low stamina," Magnus muttered to himself, breathing heavily. "I guess I'll just have to rely more on my abilities."
Refocusing, Magnus used mana eyes to locate the remaining orcs. Summoning portals behind each orc's head, he shot poison-infused arrows through them, taking out the orcs with ease. After clearing the first room, he proceeded through the second, third, and fourth rooms, using his abilities to efficiently dispatch the monsters.
Finally, he reached the entrance to the fifth room, the boss chamber. Magnus entered with confidence, ready for whatever challenge awaited him. Inside stood a massive high orc, its body emanating a strange, space-like aura.
"A Space Attribute High Orc, huh? Well, it's not like it's going to survive my Portal Guillotine," Magnus said confidently, activating his skill. However, as the portal closed around the orc, it passed through harmlessly. Magnus was taken aback—his portal had no effect.
Realization dawned on him. "Of course, space attribute. My portals won't work on it!"
As the high orc charged, Magnus tried to slow it down with Portal Entrapment, but the orc easily broke through. Panic set in as the orc closed in, its massive axe swinging.
[Calm down and teleport behind the orc,] Xavier's message flashed on the status window.
"Xavier?!" Magnus exclaimed, startled by the sudden communication.
[Focus on the fight,] Xavier's message urged.
Magnus teleported behind the orc, summoning a dagger in each hand and infusing them with poison. The orc continued its charge, unaware of Magnus's new position. In a swift move, Magnus teleported again, appearing at the orc's neck and stabbing both daggers deep into its flesh. The orc roared in pain, thrashing as Magnus slid down its back, daggers tearing through its hide.
As Magnus landed, he saw the orc's axe coming down at him. He barely teleported out of the way in time. "How is it still alive?" he muttered, exasperated.
Determined to end the fight, Magnus summoned a large portal. From it emerged a massive, poison-tipped spear. He aimed and launched it at the orc, who raised its axe to block. Just before the axe could intercept, Magnus redirected the spear through another portal, sending it straight through the orc's back.
The high orc let out a final, gurgling roar before collapsing. Magnus stood over its fallen body, catching his breath.
"Finally, it's over," Magnus sighed, feeling the weight of the battle lift. He glanced at the status window, satisfied to see the notification confirming his success.
[Objective Complete: A-rank Door Cleared]