As Milo and Lira made their way to the academy's gym for their final class of the day, the anticipation weighed heavily on their minds. Both of them were still adjusting to the bizarre revelations they had experienced earlier in the day, but this class felt different. It carried a sense of importance, almost like a rite of passage. The gym itself was grand, filled with training areas, energy nodes, and sparring equipment that hummed with latent magical power.
When they entered, a few other students were already gathered, talking in low voices. The room's air was charged with the faint scent of ozone and energy, as if the entire space was alive with the possibility of growth. At the front of the room stood a tall, imposing figure in a dark robe, their eyes glinting with authority.
The instructor, a stern but commanding presence, raised their hand to gather attention.
"Welcome," they said, their voice carrying across the room. "Today, you take your first step into your true potential. This gym will be your training ground, but before you start, you must understand the foundation of your journey here: the Skill Trees."
Milo exchanged a quick glance with Lira, who nodded in acknowledgment. He could see the eagerness in her eyes despite everything they had gone through. As for himself, the idea of growing stronger for the sake of his family and Zana burned within him, even if the methods were strange.
The instructor continued, "Each of you has the potential to become something far greater than you are now. But power is nothing without direction. The Skill Trees are the paths you will follow to focus and amplify your abilities. There are several paths—Offense, Defense, Support, Ero Skills, and even more specialized branches. You will choose a branch, and the first skill from that tree will be given to you for free."
Lira leaned toward Milo, whispering, "Free skill? That sounds promising."
Milo nodded, intrigued but also cautious. This was their first real taste of the academy's cultivation system, and it was already shaping up to be complex.
The instructor stepped forward, drawing their attention back. "This first skill will be your foundation, the cornerstone upon which all other abilities will build. You must choose carefully. The wrong path can limit you, but the right one can help you master your potential more quickly."
With a flick of their hand, a series of energy diagrams appeared in the air above the instructor, each representing a different skill tree. The glowing branches spread out like intricate maps, each one connected to different abilities that radiated power.
"You will now have time to contemplate your decision. Each skill tree serves a different purpose, and each path can lead you to incredible power. Whether it's raw offense, stalwart defense, or something more... unique, your journey starts with this choice."
The diagrams displayed abilities from various trees, and Milo felt a strange pull toward the Offense tree, his heart pounding with the desire to protect those he cared about. But at the same time, a part of him was drawn to the Support tree, knowing that being able to help others—especially Lira—might be just as important.
Lira, on the other hand, was mesmerized by the Ero and Kink trees, though not in the way most might think. There was something about their playful nature that intrigued her—she saw in them not just fun, but a deeper connection, one that might give her an edge in their strange journey.
The instructor interrupted their thoughts. "Once you've chosen a branch, the first skill will be granted to you. But remember—this is your only free skill. The rest will require energy and dedication."
The room was quiet, the other students deep in thought as they weighed their options. Milo felt the tension, the weight of the decision before him. The instructor's gaze passed over each student, landing on Milo and Lira for just a moment longer than the others, almost as if sensing the significance of their choices.
"Choose wisely," the instructor said, their tone ominous yet encouraging. "Your future begins now."
Milo glanced at Lira, who gave him a small smile of reassurance, then back at the glowing branches in front of him. His hand hovered in the air as he prepared to make his selection, the possibilities swirling in his mind.
Milo, feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices and the mysterious skill trees in front of him, glanced toward the instructor. With all the students pondering their selections in silence, he raised his hand.
"Um, do you have any recommendations?" Milo asked, trying to sound casual, though he couldn't hide the nervousness in his voice.
The instructor's lips curled into a mischievous smile. It was subtle enough that Milo missed the strange glint in their eyes, but Lira's sharp gaze caught it, though she didn't say anything.
"Ah, a curious student. I like that," the instructor said, their tone soft but laden with amusement. "If you're open to my suggestion, there are two skill trees that are... uniquely powerful in their own way. Not many explore them at first, but those who do find they can harness tremendous potential."
Milo leaned forward, intrigued, completely missing the mischievous undertone. "Really? Which ones?"
The instructor raised a hand, and two glowing branches lit up before Milo, their titles shimmering in the air: Ero Skill Tree and Kink Skill Tree.
Milo stared at the names, completely clueless about what they meant. He could feel Lira looking at him from the corner of his eye, but he pressed on. "And what do they do?"
The instructor's smile widened, their eyes gleaming with mystery. "Ah, that is not something I can tell you directly. Think of it as a riddle—one that you must solve through experience. The powers contained within are... transformative, and not always what they seem. But they are strong, if you can handle them."
Milo furrowed his brow, the words swirling in his head. A riddle? He wasn't great with riddles, but the instructor made it sound like these trees were worth exploring. He glanced at Lira, unsure.
Lira gave a thoughtful nod, her curiosity piqued by the strange names. "They sound pretty cool, actually," she said, giving him a supportive smile. "Why not try one? You wanted something unique, right?"
Milo stared at the glowing branches again. It wasn't like he had a better idea. He squinted at the names of the skills under the Ero and Kink trees, but without any descriptions, they were just words. One in particular caught his eye, though—Seductive Aura. The name seemed... powerful, in a strange way. Maybe it would help him control situations? He wasn't sure, but it definitely stood out.
"I think I'll go with this one," Milo said, pointing to Seductive Aura.
Lira giggled a little. "That sounds... interesting. You sure?"
Milo shrugged. "It sounds kind of badass. I guess I'll find out."
Lira scanned the other skills under the Kink Tree, biting her lip in concentration. Then one caught her eye: Lustful Surge. The name made her blush, but it also felt... bold, like something with raw, untamed power behind it. It wasn't like they knew much about these skills anyway, so she figured she might as well choose something exciting.
"This one," she said, pointing to Lustful Surge. "It sounds... strong."
The instructor nodded approvingly. "Good choices, both of you. These skills will serve you well on your journey—if you learn how to master them."
Milo felt a flicker of doubt at the instructor's strange words but pushed it aside. He was already committed. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, but the allure of gaining power for his family and Zana outweighed his hesitation. As the selection process finished, a warm glow surrounded both Milo and Lira as their chosen skills were bound to them.
The instructor smiled. "Now, with these skills, you will find that your power will grow faster than you ever imagined. Welcome to the first step of your cultivation journey."
Milo clenched his fist, feeling a subtle but unfamiliar energy ripple through his body. He couldn't quite place what the Seductive Aura would do yet, but he was determined to figure it out. And as for Lira, the mischievous glint in her eye was a sign she was just as eager to explore what Lustful Surge could offer.
They had no idea what they'd just gotten themselves into, but whatever it was, there was no turning back now.