Diluc sat cross-legged in his room, eyes fixed on the shimmering vials and bundles of herbs before him. His goal was clear: to push his limits, advance his cultivation, and prepare for the upcoming exams. On the table was a vial of Astral Elixir, a rare potion known for increasing one's mana capacity significantly by enhancing mana flow. This elixir was crucial for expanding the mana rings around his heart. Alongside the elixir, there was Verdant Heartroot, a potent herb that aided in the enhancement of his ki pool.
He sighed. Despite his recent progress, Diluc knew that compared to other cadets, he was still behind. The average student was at mid to peak Rank 8, and the true elites—the heirs of prestigious families like those of the Dragons, Phoenixes, and High Humans—were already at Rank 6 or even Rank 5. For them, power and talent were inherited gifts. For him, it was something he would have to claw his way toward.
He picked up the Astral Elixir and downed it in one swift motion. A rush of energy surged through his body, spreading from his core out to every limb, amplifying his mana flow as it sought to condense into more mana rings. The elixir's effects were immediate. He felt his mana surge, and the once chaotic flow around his heart began to stabilize, preparing for the creation of new rings.
He sat in his usual cross-legged position, focusing inward. His mana swirled around his heart like a raging storm, but the effects of the Astral Elixir allowed him to harness that storm with more precision. Soon, the fifth mana ring solidified, followed closely by the sixth. His breathing became shallow as the seventh mana ring began to form. He grit his teeth, pushing through the mental and physical strain until, finally, the seventh ring was completed.
⟦ Status Update ⟧
Rank: 9
Dexterity: 8/10
Strength: 7/10
Intelligence: 6/10
Endurance: 5/10
Agility: 7/10
Mana Rings: 7/10
Ki Pool: Rank 9 (Peak)
Skills:
Weapon Mastery
Keen Senses
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Diluc exhaled, feeling the newfound power surge through him. His mana had reached a new level, and his ki, thanks to the Verdant Heartroot, had also increased to Rank 9 Peak. It was a good feeling, but it was also humbling to know that even after all this, he was still behind the top cadets.
He rose from his meditation, muscles slightly sore but heart full of determination. He had increased his mana rings and ki pool, but it wasn't enough. Not yet. The VR Training Chambers awaited him.
---
Inside the VR Training Chamber, Diluc stood in a simulated forest clearing. This was where he'd spend the next few hours, honing his combat skills against dangerous creatures. The VR world's time ratio to the real world was 1:3, meaning he had three times the training time in this virtual space compared to reality.
The interface before him showed a list of potential training scenarios. He selected the Red-Eyed Crimson Wolf, a fearsome Rank 9 beast known for its speed and viciousness. The simulation would start with one wolf, but for every success, the number of wolves would double.
As soon as the environment settled, a low growl echoed through the trees. From the shadows, a Red-Eyed Crimson Wolf emerged. Its crimson eyes glowed with a dangerous light, and its muscular body moved with unsettling agility.
Diluc adjusted his grip on the spear, feeling the weight of the weapon in his hands. The wolf snarled, then leaped toward him with incredible speed. Reacting quickly, Diluc sidestepped, thrusting his spear forward. The wolf dodged easily, circling him before lunging again. The fight was fierce, the wolf's speed outmatching his own, but Diluc managed to keep up, barely avoiding its sharp claws and fangs.
With a well-timed strike, his spear found its mark, plunging deep into the wolf's side. The beast let out a howl of pain before dissolving into virtual particles. The simulation reset, and now, two wolves appeared.
As the wolves attacked, Diluc fought with renewed vigor. He had been pushed to his limits before, but now with the VR system, he could push even further. The wolves were relentless, and after several failed attempts—where he "died" only to respawn moments later—he finally managed to defeat them.
But the difficulty kept increasing. Two wolves became four. Then eight. By the time sixteen wolves stood before him, Diluc was drenched in sweat, his breathing ragged. Every time he failed, he respawned, but with each attempt, he learned a little more—adjusting his movements, fine-tuning his spear technique, and mastering the art of dodging and countering.
After what felt like days, he finally brought down all sixteen wolves. The victory felt earned, but it had taken everything he had.
---
The next challenge was a Viridian Serpent, a long, green-scaled snake known for its poisonous fangs and agility. Its venom could incapacitate foes within minutes, and its slithering movements made it difficult to predict. The serpent struck quickly, lunging with its fangs bared. Diluc barely managed to parry the attack with his spear, narrowly avoiding being poisoned. The fight was a test of reflexes and endurance, each missed strike costing him precious time.
Finally, after several failed attempts, Diluc managed to impale the serpent's head, ending the battle.
But his challenges weren't over yet. The next beast was the Ironhide Boar, a creature with a body covered in dense, rock-hard armor. The boar charged at him, its massive bulk shaking the ground with every step. This fight was different—brute strength would be needed to pierce its defenses. Diluc had to adjust his strategy, using his spear to target the weaker joints in the boar's legs and underbelly.
After a brutal back-and-forth, the boar fell, its armor shattered by precise strikes.
---
Exhausted but exhilarated, Diluc finally stepped out of the VR chamber. His body felt heavy, but his mind was sharper than ever. He had faced powerful beasts, learned from his mistakes, and pushed his limits. His combat skills had improved drastically, but there was still work to be done.
The exam was only days away now, but for the first time, Diluc felt prepared. His mana rings and ki pool were at their peak, his spear techniques honed, and his body conditioned to face whatever the exam threw at him.