The door to his room clicked shut, the muffled sounds of the bustling academy fading into the background. Diluc sat at the small desk, eyes fixed on the training manual he had borrowed from the library. His thoughts raced as the realization of his upcoming trial in seven days weighed heavily on him. Seven days to prepare. Seven days to decide his future. Seven days to prove that he wasn't just another average cadet at Aetherion Academy.
He opened the manual, flipping through pages of diagrams and descriptions about cultivating ki and mana. Both were essential to progress, but each required unique training. As the text explained, mana could be condensed into rings around the heart, each ring amplifying a cadet's magical abilities. On the other hand, ki strengthened the body, making every muscle fiber, bone, and tendon resonate with the surrounding energy. Achieving balance between the two was the key to real power.
Diluc had decided to specialize in the spear, as it allowed for a safer distance from enemies and relied heavily on dexterity—something he had a natural aptitude for. But he knew that weapon skills alone wouldn't be enough. He needed to increase his ki pool and master the ability to form mana rings if he hoped to succeed.
As he pondered the daunting challenge ahead, a realization struck him: he had no real practice in cultivating techniques. The limited knowledge he had was due to the books he had skimmed through when he was younger, but actual training had always been out of his reach. The illness that had plagued him during his childhood had made even basic training impossible.
In fact, the only reason he had managed to reach Rank 9 was because of a favor called in by the Ashborne family. His adoptive parents, concerned for his health, had sought the help of an old friend—a Rank 7 expert whom the family had once aided. This expert had used a combination of potent herbs and medicinal techniques to help strengthen Diluc's body, allowing him to recover from his illness. Over time, his body had grown stronger, and thanks to the treatments, he had ascended to Rank 9.
But the truth was, his strength was artificial, at least in part. He had never cultivated his ki or formed his mana rings through traditional means. He had the raw power of Rank 9, but without real experience, it was nothing more than untapped potential. He needed to learn to control it, to refine it, and to use it in battle if he wanted to have any hope of succeeding in the upcoming exam.
He closed the book, pushing it aside as he summoned his status screen once more.
⟦ Diluc Ashborne ⟧
Rank: 9
Dexterity: 8/10
Strength: 7/10
Intelligence: 6/10
Endurance: 5/10
Agility: 7/10
Mana Rings: 4/10
Skills:
Weapon Mastery
Keen Senses
??? (Locked)
??? (Locked)
??? (Locked)
Attributes:
Void
Lightning
Darkness
Unique Talent:
Beast Tamer - Loved by monsters (Neutral creatures become favorable; aggressive creatures turn neutral)
??? (Locked)
Despite having above-average stats for a regular person, he knew this wouldn't be enough to compete at the academy. Most cadets at his level had refined their skills far more than he had. Even though he had strong potential, it wasn't realized yet.
His eyes lingered on the locked skills. What lay behind those? He suspected that unlocking them would change the game entirely, but for now, he had to work with what he had. And that meant starting with his training.
---
Day 1: Foundation
Diluc walked into the academy's training grounds early the next morning, the crisp air filling his lungs. There were various zones designated for different forms of practice—some for weapons, others for mana manipulation, and a special field for ki cultivation.
He made his way to the Ki Cultivation Zone. This area was designed to help students resonate with the natural energy in the surroundings. Lush trees lined the boundary, and the ground hummed faintly with ambient energy, feeding into the students as they meditated or performed physical exercises.
Diluc found a quiet spot beneath a large oak tree, away from the distractions of other students. Sitting cross-legged, he closed his eyes and began to focus on his breathing, following the instructions from the manual. The goal was to tap into the ki in the environment and sync it with his body.
For the first hour, nothing happened. His mind wandered as doubts crept in. Could he really do this? But as he pushed those thoughts away and refocused, he began to feel a faint warmth spread through his limbs. The sensation grew stronger, like tendrils of energy coiling around his body, seeping into his skin.
"That's it," he muttered to himself, adjusting his breathing pattern to deepen the resonance. The energy pulsed inside him, and slowly, he could feel his ki pool expanding. It was subtle at first, but with every passing minute, the connection to his surroundings deepened.
He continued for several hours, alternating between meditation and physical training. By the end of the day, his ki had grown noticeably stronger. Not quite at its peak, but he could feel the potential within him, waiting to be tapped further.
---
Day 2: Spearmanship Begins
On the second day, Diluc shifted his focus to weapon training. He stood in front of a large stone pillar in the training yard, spear in hand. The smooth metal felt cold against his skin, but it was reassuring, a reminder that he was ready to face whatever came next.
The manual he had taken described a basic set of spear techniques—thrusting, sweeping, and maintaining footwork while keeping the opponent at bay. It emphasized controlling the distance, using the length of the weapon to dictate the flow of battle. For now, he had to start with the fundamentals.
He practiced the same motions repeatedly, embedding them into muscle memory. His stance shifted as he tried to maintain balance, the spear moving in fluid arcs, aiming for precision and speed. Occasionally, he stopped to review his form, then adjusted his grip and started again.
Sweat dripped down his face as he worked relentlessly, alternating between offensive and defensive movements. Each strike was accompanied by a conscious effort to channel his ki through his muscles, making every blow more precise and powerful.
By the end of the day, Diluc's progress with the spear was noticeable. He hadn't yet mastered it, but he had a solid foundation to build upon. His movements were becoming smoother, his strikes sharper.
---
Day 3-4: Mastery of Movement and Ki
For the next two days, Diluc focused on refining his techniques and improving his ki control. He had chosen a simple but effective movement skill called "Lightning Step." It allowed for short, rapid dashes during combat, increasing his agility and making him harder to hit. The movement skill synchronized well with his Lightning attribute, amplifying his natural speed.
Each time he used Lightning Step, a faint crackle of electricity sparked beneath his feet, propelling him forward. It wasn't perfect yet, but with practice, he knew it would become an invaluable tool during battle.
He continued cultivating his ki, steadily increasing its pool. His body felt more robust, his muscles and bones denser, stronger. The more ki he absorbed, the more resilient he became, inching closer to reaching the peak of Rank 9 in ki control.
---
Day 5: The System's Challenge
The fifth day arrived, and as Diluc woke up, the familiar blue screen materialized once more in front of him.
⟦ Quest Issued ⟧
Objective: Reach Rank 8 before the exam.
Reward: Special Technique – Mindscape Training (1 hour real-time = 20 hours in mind)
Diluc stared at the screen, his heart racing. This was it—the system's way of pushing him toward greater strength. If he could achieve Rank 8, he would gain access to an incredible technique that would allow him to train in a virtual world where time was distorted, giving him a significant edge in mastering skills and techniques.
But reaching Rank 8 in such a short time was no small task. He needed to push himself harder than ever, use every resource available, and focus on nothing but progress.
With determination in his eyes, Diluc steeled himself for the final stretch of his seven-day trial.