Max stepped out of the VR capsule, his body aching from hours of relentless training in the digital world. The dim light of the mountain house filtered through cracks in the stone walls, casting long shadows across the room. He stretched, feeling the residual fatigue fade as his mind processed everything he had learned.
Enough was enough—for now. While the VR training had been invaluable, it was time to shift focus. The simulator's cooldown was finally over, and Max knew that simulating his pets could yield even greater results. But first, he needed to decide who would benefit most from another run.
Sitting on the edge of the capsule, Max called out softly, "Lucy."
A faint hum echoed through the air before a shimmering green light materialized near him. Lucy appeared, her form flickering like sunlight dancing on water. Her glowing eyes locked onto Max's, and she tilted her head slightly, letting out a soft. " mimimi".
"Hey, Lu," Max said with a small smile. "I've been thinking. Simulating the crows again won't bring much benefits, at least not with just one simulation and probably we only have time for one before the ordeal with Kain-city. But you... you're different."
Lucy's eyes widened at the mention of herself. She floated closer, her curiosity piqued.
"Your simulation is kinda of a gamble," Max continued, his tone serious. "But if it means you can get stronger for what's coming up in Kain-city than it's worth this small risk.
Moreover I have a plan. so tell me did you memorize those two blueprints
Lucy mimicked his expression, nodding eagerly. her excitement was palpable.
' memorize. memorize. memorized!...'
Good, now Here's the plan: first I need you to... And.... Than... finally... ."
Lucy wasn't sure she understood the reasoning behind Max's orders but she remembered them nevertheless, as she nodded in confirmation.
" also Use whatever resources you find, whether it's minerals, plants, or anything else. And remember, don't hold back. If you encounter something dangerous, face it head-on and use full strength immediately."
Lucy let out a determined "mimimi", her form pulsing with green light as if affirming her resolve.
"Good," Max said, activating the simulator. "Let's see how far you can go."
He already studied the map of this world, and there was two suitable starting locations for Lucy, both are mountains within cities, one should be a Capital City from its location and how big it was, so Max picked it, since he didn't have enough information to judge which of the two locations were better.
"Ready?"
Lucy responded with an enthusiastic "mimimi", her light growing brighter.
"Alright then," Max said, starting the simulation. "Let's do this."
[Simulation starting]
[In the first year, you found yourself in the heart of a bustling human capital. A towering mountain stood at the center of the city, its peak shrouded in Mist, and you were right in front of it. Without hesitation, you merged with the mountain, spreading your consciousness through its rocky veins.]
[In the second year, you observed the humans below, learning their language and customs. Using the Kraxtal weaving forging method, you crafted small trinkets and tools simply for practice while ensuring your actions remained subtle and unnoticed.]
[In the third year, some of your skills were growing stronger passively, this mountain was stronger than any mountain you possessed, as far as you can remember but you ignored the matter as it wasn't of importance, and you had a job to do.
By the end of the year you mastered the language of this world in both text and speech.
This was the first step of the plan Max told you to follow so you were proud of yourself, but you still had to practice more with the Kraxtal weaving, and master the two blueprints and modify them a little which will take some time.]
"huh! A special mountain.."
[In the fifth year, several witches began to notice your presence. Unlike knights, who were oblivious to spirits, those witches possessed an innate sensitivity to entities like you.
Following Max's instructions, you eliminated any witch who approached the mountain, using telekinesis to crush them silently before they could raise alarms.
Although You weren't too sure who was a witch and who wasn't, so according to Max's orders you simply killed anyone suspicious within the mountain, man or woman immediately on sight.
At some point you simply started crushing anything that seemed to half-suspicious].
[In the tenth year, rumors of strange occurrences around the mountain spread among the populace. Some whispered about a spirit guarding the peak, while others claimed it was cursed.
Others claimed it was witches, and even sent knights to investigate.
You ignored these tales, focusing instead on refining the preparations for the plan.]
[In the twentieth year, you completed preparations for Max's big plan. Though you didn't know the specifics, you trusted that your efforts would contribute to it. You'd start forging and designing immediately and by your estimates it should take a few years to finish.
Meanwhile, you continued practicing telekinesis and observing the kingdom below.]
[In the twenty-third year, the city hosted a grand carnival, drawing crowds from all corners of the realm. Even the king and queen made appearances, parading through the streets amidst cheers and festivities. From your vantage point, you watched the spectacle unfold, deciding this was a holiday so you had to rest.]
[In the twenty-fifth year, whispers spread throughout the kingdom about a fearsome witch-hunter stalking the land. Unbeknownst to the people, this "hunter" was none other than you, systematically eliminating witches that approach the mountain one by one. Your efficiency and ruthlessness earned you a reputation among the superstitious masses.]
[In the thirty-sixth year, a powerful witch approached the mountain.
She wasn't just any witch—it was the queen herself, a master manipulator hiding in plain sight.
Recognizing her, you hesitated for a fraction of a second simply out of surprise, breaking your usual pattern of instant execution. In that moment, the queen unleashed a devastating spirit attack, wounding you severely.
You attacked at the same time using your full might, and although you managed to kill the queen, the damage was done.
The spirit attack struck deep, shattering your mental clarity. As the years passed, you slipped into a brain-dead-like state. You no longer knew who or what you were, existing only as a faint consciousness tethered to the mountain.]
Max slapped his head in speechlessness.
"Just my luck!.."
Lucy had just lost whatever little intelligence she had, thid simulation was practically over.
[In the 97th year, Years went by, and life continued around you.
One day a certain skill of yours seemed more alive, and it pulled at your subconscious. Although you didn't understand what was happening and what you were doing.
The vines within the mountain began to move instinctively, responding to some primal urge buried deep within your subconscious. Over time, these movements evolved into deliberate practice sessions.]
[In the 140th year, You are a dragon or at least that's the answer you came out with after years of wondering what you were.
This was the only logical conclusion you came to, as your skill (Dragon Vine) experienced small success, and you became stronger.]
"huh?"..
[In the hundred-ninetieth year, you had unknowingly mastered Dragon Vine to the Advanced mastery while ignoring all other skills, believing yourself to be a dragon reincarnated.
With each passing day, your connection to the vines grew stronger.
The kingdom kept sending troops to deal with the troublesome haunted Mountain, although you just considered them as the enemy of the Dragon race and dealt with them all.]
"what the?....."
[In the hundred-ninety-first year, you achieved Perfected Mastery in Dragon Vine, gaining the perfected effect 'Dragon Spirit' which undo the normal use of the skill, and changes it to summoning dragon vines capable of acting independently.
You believed that those were your kin coming to your aid after so many years of loneliness.
You no longer had to fight against the enemy of the Dragon race in a lonely War, you had companions now.
Knights charged against the animated flora, their swords clashing against thorny tendrils. You responded by summoning one dragon vine after another although it took a long time, but with four Dragon Vines you overwhelmed your foes.]
Your companions wreaked havoc across the city, forcing the kingdom to take drastic measures.
They invited a legendary witch from a distant land to deal with the "haunted mountain."]
[In the two hundred sixty-seventh year, the invited witch arrived, wielding powers beyond anything you had faced.
Despite your mastery over Dragon Vine, you fell victim to the witch's cunning spells. With a final burst of energy, the witch defeated you, severing your connection to the mountain.]
[You died.]
[Simulation ended. Please pick your reward.]
Max sighed heavily, disappointment weighing on his shoulders. He had hoped for more, but even so, Lucy's growth was undeniable.
Still he had to confirm something. "Simulator scan Lucy and tell me if there is a problem with the skill Dragon Vine."
[ reporting... there is no problem with the skill nor any kind of hidden danger.]
"so it's safe to bring this perfected mastery version?".
[ Affirmative.]
"huh! So it's just Lucy's special mind state, or lack of, that caused what happened inside the simulation..."
Selecting Dragon Vine as the reward, Max leaned back in his chair, deep in thought as Lucy regained her focus and titled her head feeling the changes in her skill (dragon vine).