Today, I was determined to explore the potential of my new skills and the artifact. The first step was to visit the training grounds, a high-tech facility where people could hone their magic abilities.
"Kael, breakfast is ready!" Alaric's voice echoed from downstairs.
I quickly dressed and made my way to the kitchen. Alaric was already seated, munching on a piece of toast. He looked up as I entered, a playful grin on his face.
"You seem awfully chipper this morning," he said between bites.
"I've got plans," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant.
"Plans, huh? Mind sharing?"
I hesitated, wondering how much to reveal. "I'm heading to the training grounds. I want to see what I can do with this new skill."
Alaric's eyebrows shot up. "The training grounds? That's a pretty serious place. You sure you're ready for it?"
I nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. "I have to start somewhere. Besides, I need to understand what this artifact is capable of."
Alaric leaned back in his chair, looking thoughtful. "Just be careful, alright? Those places can be intense. Lots of people with big egos and something to prove."
I chuckled. "Sounds like a challenge."
We finished breakfast, and I grabbed my bag, slinging it over my shoulder. As I headed towards the door, Alaric called out, "Hey, Kael. Good luck."
"Thanks," I replied, feeling a surge of determination. "I'll need it."
The walk to the training grounds was relatively uneventful, though I couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation. The streets were bustling with people, and I exchanged polite nods and greetings with a few familiar faces. As I approached the facility, its sleek, modern design stood out against the older buildings around it. The entrance was flanked by tall columns, and the glass doors reflected the morning light.
I entered the building, feeling a slight chill from the air conditioning. The lobby was spacious, with high ceilings and polished floors. People of various ages and backgrounds were milling about, some engaged in animated conversations, others focused on their own thoughts.
I approached the reception desk, where a bored-looking clerk glanced up at me. "Name?"
"Kael," I replied.
The clerk typed something into the computer. "Purpose of visit?"
"Training," I said simply.
The clerk nodded and handed me a visitor pass. "Take the elevator to the third floor. The training coordinator will assist you from there."
"Thanks," I said, pocketing the pass.
I made my way to the elevator, my heart pounding with anticipation. As the doors slid shut, I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. The ride was smooth, and before I knew it, the doors opened to reveal a large, open space filled with various training equipment and a series of doors leading to individual training rooms.
A tall man with a stern expression approached me. "Kael?"
I nodded. "Yes, that's me."
"I'm Gavin, the training coordinator. Follow me," he said, leading me towards one of the rooms. "This facility uses advanced technology to create a virtual training environment. You'll be transported to a magic space where you can practice your skills without any real-world consequences."
"Sounds impressive," I said, trying to hide my awe.
"It is," Gavin replied. "But it's not for the faint of heart. You'll be facing simulated challenges that are designed to push you to your limits."
We stopped in front of a door labeled 'Training Room 3.' Gavin turned to me. "Before you start, you'll need an access card. You can get one from the registration desk on this floor. Good luck."
"Thank you," I said, heading towards the registration desk.
As I walked, I noticed a group of people gathered nearby, engaged in a heated discussion. One of them, a tall boy with a haughty expression, noticed me and sneered.
"Hey, look who it is," he said loudly. "It's the commoner trying to play with the big boys."
I ignored him, focusing on my goal. But he wasn't done.
"What's the matter? Too scared to respond?" he taunted. "Or maybe you just realized you don't belong here."
I stopped and turned to face him. "I'm here to train, just like everyone else."
The boy's sneer widened. "Train? With what? A relic from a junkyard?"
His friends laughed, and I felt a surge of anger. But I kept my composure. "Everyone starts somewhere."
The boy stepped closer, his expression menacing. "You should know your place. This isn't for people like you."
I met his gaze steadily. "We'll see about that."
He looked taken aback by my defiance but quickly recovered, turning to his friends with a dismissive wave. "Come on, let's leave the commoner to his delusions."
I watched them go, feeling a mix of anger and determination. I wasn't going to let anyone deter me from my path.
I reached the registration desk and filled out the necessary forms. The clerk handed me an access card and directed me to a testing area where my abilities would be assessed.
The testing area was a large, open space with various magical devices scattered around. A few people were already there, undergoing their assessments. I approached the main testing station, where a stern-looking examiner was waiting.
"Name?" she asked.
"Kael," I replied, handing her my access card.
She scanned the card and nodded. "Very well. Step into the testing circle."
I did as instructed, feeling the eyes of the other candidates on me. The examiner activated the testing device, and a soft hum filled the air. A screen appeared, displaying my stats and abilities.
"Begin," the examiner said.
I focused, channeling my mana into the testing device. The familiar sensation of mana rushed through my body, and I felt a surge of power.
The examiner watched closely as I demonstrated my abilities. After a few minutes, she nodded and recorded the results. "You have a high mana capacity for someone your age. Impressive."
"Thank you," I said, feeling a sense of pride.
The examiner handed me back my access card. "You're cleared for the training grounds. Good luck."
I took the card and headed towards the training room Gavin had indicated earlier. As I approached the door, I could hear whispers and murmurs from the other candidates. Some looked curious, others skeptical.
"Did you see his mana levels? He's just a kid!"
"Yeah, but did you see the artifact he has? It's probably just a fluke."
Ignoring the whispers, I swiped my access card and stepped into the training room. The room was empty except for a large, circular platform in the center. I stepped onto the platform, and a soft voice instructed me to close my eyes.
When I opened them again, I was in a completely different environment. The air was filled with the scent of pine, and the sound of birds chirping echoed around me. I looked around in awe, taking in the lush forest that surrounded me.
"This is incredible," I whispered, feeling a surge of excitement.
The training environment was so realistic, it was easy to forget it was all a simulation. I took a deep breath, feeling the magic in the air. It was time to test my skills and see just how far I could go.
The simulation provided various challenges, starting with the basics. The first level involved navigating through the forest while avoiding magical traps and obstacles. I started with the basics, practicing my Barrier Skill and trying to get a feel for the environment.
I took a deep breath, centering myself. "Alright, Kael, time to see what you're made of," I muttered, clenching my fists. I felt the artifact pulse faintly against my chest, a subtle reminder of its presence.
As I moved through the forest, I could sense the mana in the air, a tangible energy that seemed to hum with life. The first trap was a simple one: a series of laser beams crisscrossing the path ahead. I could see the faint glimmer of the beams in the sunlight, a deadly net that would slice through anything that tried to pass.
I crouched down, studying the pattern of the beams. "Okay, let's see if I can do this without getting myself fried." I took a deep breath, focusing on the mana within me. The Barrier Skill was still new, but I had to trust it.
I extended my hand, feeling the mana flow from my core to my fingertips. A translucent barrier formed in front of me, shimmering in the light. I stepped forward, the barrier leading the way. The laser beams struck the barrier and fizzled out, unable to penetrate its magical shield.
"Alright, that's one down," I said to myself, a small smile forming on my lips. I continued through the forest, encountering various traps and obstacles. Each time, I used the Barrier Skill to protect myself, growing more confident with each success.
The next challenge was a bit more complex: a series of enchanted vines that writhed and twisted, trying to ensnare me as I moved forward. "Great, as if the lasers weren't enough," I muttered, eyeing the vines warily.
I took a deep breath, centering myself. "Alright, Kael, focus. You can do this." I extended my hand, summoning the barrier once more. The vines struck at the barrier, but I held firm, pushing forward with steady determination.
As I navigated the forest, I couldn't help but reflect on everything that had brought me here. The artifact, the training grounds, the taunts from that boy... It all seemed like a whirlwind, a chaotic storm that had upended my life in ways I couldn't have imagined.
But through it all, there was a sense of purpose, a feeling that I was on the right path. "I'm not just a commoner," I said to myself, dodging a particularly aggressive vine. "I have a destiny, and I'm going to see it through."
The challenges continued, each one more difficult than the last. There were magical creatures that needed to be subdued, puzzles that required quick thinking and sharp reflexes, and physical obstacles that tested my endurance and agility.
At one point, I found myself facing a wall of fire, the flames licking hungrily at the air. "Seriously? Fire now?" I shook my head, a wry smile on my lips. "Alright, let's see what this barrier can really do."
I summoned the barrier once more, stepping into the flames. The heat was intense, but the barrier held, protecting me from the worst of it. I pushed through, feeling the sweat trickle down my back as I emerged on the other side, breathless but unscathed.
I paused to catch my breath, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over me. "Not bad, Kael. Not bad at all." I looked around, taking in the forest around me.
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Hi Guys!
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- Nomage