At his apartment, Leon's fatigue was momentarily forgotten as he prepared to train with Azrael's guidance. The rain outside had stopped, leaving the city in an unsettling stillness. Leon knew he had little time to waste.
The dim light of his living room flickered as the System interface materialized on the wall. Azrael's imposing form appeared beside it, his ethereal presence filling the space with an otherworldly chill. The angel's eyes, hollow and ancient, bore into Leon with a sense of both authority and expectation.
"You've made progress, Leon," Azrael's voice was grave. "But you are still at Level 5. Your current abilities are limited to what you can unlock at this stage. To grow, you must engage in challenges and complete tasks that will earn you experience."
Leon nodded, feeling a mixture of determination and frustration. "I need to understand more about how this System works. What do I need to do to advance?"
Azrael's gaze shifted to Leon and explained the Skill Tree of a Level 5 System user
Defense Skill Tree:
Dispel (Level 4): Nullifies all enemy magical effects and debuffs within a target area.
Astral Ward (Barrier) (Level 4): Creates a radiant shield of celestial energy that deflects both magical and physical attacks, providing robust protection to allies within its range.
Offense Skill Tree:
Hellblazer (Level 5): Unleashes a torrent of infernal flames that sears enemies within a large radius, dealing devastating fire damage and inflicting burning effects over time.
Light Shards (Level 4): Conjures a barrage of radiant shards that pierce through enemies, dealing high light damage and temporarily blinding those struck.
Entity Extraction (Level 1): Performs a basic exorcism to expel minor malevolent entities, cleansing the area of their presence and weakening their influence.
Passive Skill Tree:
Fortified Resolve (Level 5): Increases resistance to status effects and debuffs by 25%, enhancing overall durability in combat.
Evasive Maneuver (Level 5): Boosts dodge chance by 15%, reducing the likelihood of being hit by enemy attacks.
Arcane Resilience (Level 5): Increases magical damage resistance by 20% and reduces the duration of incoming debuffs by 30%, enhancing overall survivability against arcane attacks.
Vigilant Presence (Level 5): Grants a 10% increase in accuracy and a 15% boost to critical hit chance when enemies are below 50% health.
Mystic Fortitude (Level 5): Enhances mana regeneration by 25% and increases maximum mana by 15%, allowing for more frequent spellcasting.
"To advance to higher levels," Azrael explained, "you must complete specific tasks and face challenges that push your limits. The System is designed to measure your growth through trials and your mastery of skills."
Leon's eyes followed Azrael's presence. "So, to unlock higher-tier skills, I need to gain experience and demonstrate my abilities in various situations?"
"Yes," Azrael confirmed. " I, The System tracks your performance and growth. Each skill tier has requirements you must meet to unlock the next level & unlock new skills, enhancements or weapons and add more time on your life. You need to engage in combat, solve magical puzzles, or undertake significant tasks related to your goals."
Leon absorbed the information, feeling a sense of resolve. "I'll focus on practicing the skills I have and seek out challenges to advance."
Azrael's eyes gleamed with a hint of approval. "Very well. Begin by mastering your current skills. Use Defensive skill in various scenarios to build proficiency. Likewise, practice Hellblazer and Light Shards in combat situations. Each skill you improve will contribute to your overall growth."
Azrael's form began to fade, his voice resonating with a final piece of advice. "Remember, Leon, the System is a tool, but your success depends on how you wield it. Growth is not just about increasing your level; it's about mastering your abilities and facing the darkness within and outside. Also remember that you now only have a few time left in your life."
As Azrael vanished, Leon felt the weight of his new reality settling in. The city of New Dresden was full of danger, and he now had a clear path to strengthen himself. With renewed determination, he set out to put his training into practice.
Leon spent the next several days in intense training. He practiced each skill in various scenarios, pushing his limits to understand the nuances of each skill. The Barrier was tested against magical attacks and physical strikes, while Dispel was used to neutralize minor magical effects he encountered.
For offense, he focused on mastering Hellblazer & Light Shards. He engaged in combat simulations, honing his ability to unleash infernal flames and project piercing shards of light with precision. Each practice session brought him closer to mastering these skills and preparing for the challenges ahead.
The training was grueling, but Leon's resolve never wavered. He knew that each improvement, each skill learned, brought him one step closer to confronting the Conjurer and protecting New Dresden from the impending darkness.
As Leon reached the limits of his training, he felt a profound shift within him. The System was not just a tool but a reflection of his growth and determination. Each skill he mastered, each challenge he overcame, was a testament to his resilience and strength.
The path to mastery was long and arduous, but Leon was ready. With the System as his guide and Azrael's guidance, he was prepared to face the darkness within and outside, determined to protect the city and unlock his full potential.
Standing at the window, Leon gazed out at the city of New Dresden. Its sprawling skyline seemed eerily calm under the pale moonlight, but he knew better. Darkness still festered in the alleys and shadows, and the Conjurer's threat loomed ever closer.
Leon flexed his hand, feeling the latent power of Hellblazer ready to ignite at his command. He had come far, but the road ahead was uncertain. Yet, for the first time, he did not fear it.
Azrael's final words echoed in his mind, a constant reminder: growth is not just about levels or skills, but about facing the darkness within. Leon smiled grimly. He was ready to face it all.
The next battle awaited. And this time, he would be the one setting the terms.