Ethan sat cross-legged on a runic circle, a blue book suspended in midair before him. Trevor was busy in another room, honing his martial arts skills and practicing Smoke manipulation, still searching for a cultivation technique suited to his affinity.
Ethan focused intently, the words from the guidebook swirling in his mind. With the aid of his system, he had committed everything to memory. His high Intelligence stat accelerated his understanding, allowing him to break down the material into five digestible sections, like the volumes in a traditional guidebook. At this moment, he was engrossed in the first volume.
Three hours had passed, and despite grasping the theoretical concepts quickly, the practical application eluded him. He felt a rush of sweat cascading down his back as he struggled to lift the book using only his willpower. Each second felt like an eternity, and with every attempt, the strain on his mind increased. He could feel his body pushing its limits, the ache in his head pulsating like a drum.
Telekinesis, he had learned, hinged entirely on willpower. Unlike other Psychic variants, which could be trained more easily due to the variety of factors involved, Telekinesis was notoriously difficult to master. Even with his above-average willpower, Ethan found himself grappling with the challenge. Historically, Telekinesis users had needed months of rigorous training before they could wield their power effectively.
Finally, he felt a moment of success—the book lifted a few inches off the ground, hovering for a brief instant. But just as quickly as it rose, it fell again, crashing to the ground as Ethan's strength waned. Exhausted, he succumbed to the toll his training had taken on him and collapsed, darkness enveloping him.
Just then, Trevor entered the room. He was immediately taken aback, finding Ethan unconscious and drenched in sweat. Panic surged through him as he rushed over, noticing the book floating nearby. *What in the world...?* he thought, but he set aside his surprise and focused on his friend.
"Ethan! Wake up!" Trevor called, shaking him gently. When there was no response, he hastily fed him a recovery pill, hoping it would revive him.
With some effort, Trevor lifted Ethan and carried him outside, determined to get him to safety.
---
When Ethan finally came to, his head throbbed painfully. He tried to move but found he was restrained by Trevor's firm grip.
"Welcome back," Trevor said, his voice laced with both relief and frustration. "I advise you not to try to get up; otherwise, I might have to knock you out again."
Ethan blinked, trying to gather his bearings. "Where are we?"
"In my apartment," Trevor replied nonchalantly. "I'll be living here once we graduate to 2nd year. I can't keep flying back and forth to the academy."
Ethan's eyes widened in disbelief. "W-What?! Your apartment?!"
"Hey, relax. It's no big deal. It's closer to the academy. Plus, you can come and stay here anytime; I'll be by myself. My siblings are busy with their own stuff."
"Really? I'll think about it," Ethan said, still processing the unexpected offer.
"Think all you want. I know you'll end up here. We've got a month to decide," Trevor added with a knowing smile.
By now, Ethan's mind was racing. "By the way, what happened? I saw you passed out when I entered your room."
Ethan chuckled sheepishly. "I was training my affinity. Managed to raise a book, but I can only hold it for a few minutes before reaching my limit."
Trevor's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you insane?! You can already lift a book with your willpower?"
"Yeah, is that a problem?"
"Monster! You don't realize what you've done, do you?"
"What do you mean?"
Trevor let out a heavy sigh. "Just rest. I'll get you some food."
"Can't you tell me—"
"Shut up and rest! Monster!" Trevor's tone shifted from disbelief to genuine concern. He couldn't wrap his mind around Ethan's capabilities. The idea that his friend could lift a book with sheer willpower was astounding. It made him question everything he thought he knew about their training.
---
Ethan closed his eyes, fatigue washing over him like a heavy blanket. It felt as though he had run multiple marathons without a break. His body craved rest, and as soon as he shut his eyes, sleep claimed him, unaware of the blue eye rune that shimmered into existence on his forehead.
---
Meanwhile, in a simulated forest far away, Leon sprinted effortlessly, his blue hair whipping in the wind as he sought out prey. A massive buster sword, adorned with intricate blue engravings and a pulsating blue snowflake at its center, gleamed in his grip. He was on the verge of breaking through to the Advanced Rank, and this training session felt crucial.
Suddenly, three Bronze Rank Lavahounds lunged at him, their flaming manes glowing ominously. The leader, fierce and fiery, stomped the ground, sending a stream of lava barreling toward him. Leon sidestepped swiftly, conjuring a barrier of ice to prevent the lava from spreading.
He felt the heat of the moment as the beasts coordinated their attacks, their movements fluid and instinctual. Leon was outnumbered, and he quickly assessed his surroundings. The Lavahounds' fiery affinity was a natural counter to his ice; he needed to be careful.
Feeling the thrill of battle surging through him, Leon distanced himself from the beasts, a grin creeping onto his face. This challenge could be the catalyst he needed for his breakthrough. He sensed a powerful energy rising within him, something linked to his Path, and he welcomed the rush.
With a flick of his wrist, Leon summoned a massive snowflake above him, its magic pulsating with potential. As he leaped back into the fray, he felt more alive than ever, ready to face whatever came next.