Chapter 7: The Night Before
The moon hung high in the sky, casting a pale glow through the window of Raven's room. Inside, he was drenched in sweat, his body tense with concentration as he floated several feet above the floor. The air around him hummed with energy, swirling like a storm, but it was controlled—his control.
His heart pounded in his chest, the rapid beats matching the rhythm of his thoughts. "It's time," Raven whispered under his breath, the words barely audible in the stillness of the night. He had been training in secret for months, honing his wind manipulation, pushing it beyond the limits of what he had once thought possible.
The soft whirr of wind surrounded him, swirling in thin currents, then expanding as he carefully shaped it. His fingers trembled slightly, but he held himself steady. "Wind Manipulation, B Rank," the system notified him, the familiar voice echoing in his mind.
Raven gritted his teeth as the power surged through him. His wind manipulation had evolved once again, growing stronger, more refined. He felt a surge of exhilaration, but also caution. Tonight was different. He was going to push his abilities further than ever before, but he had to be careful. Too much attention, even from a distance, could unravel everything he had worked for.
With a sudden burst of air, he jumped, propelled effortlessly into the night sky. His wind currents surrounded him like a protective cloak, allowing him to float with ease. Raven's body moved through the air as if gravity had no hold over him. In the blink of an eye, he soared over the high walls of the orphanage, the sound of the wind barely audible as it whipped around him.
"Speed, focus…" Raven murmured to himself as he sped towards the forest. The tall trees in the distance were now clearly visible—about 100 meters away. He could feel the cool breeze against his skin, his wind manipulation wrapping around him in a seamless current that propelled him forward. The forest was calling to him, a place where he could freely test the boundaries of his power.
As he reached the edge of the trees, Raven landed gracefully, the wind cushioning his fall. He let the currents flow around him, keeping his senses sharp and ready. He had been practicing with precision and control, but this would be a real test of his power—something more than just small training exercises.
The forest was alive with sounds—the rustling of leaves, the distant call of a bird. But for Raven, it was silent. He focused, drawing his wind energy in. He stretched out his hand, directing the flow of air with a single motion.
"Wind Slash," he whispered.
In an instant, a sharp gust of wind exploded outward, so fast and powerful that the trees around him trembled. With a razor-thin edge, the gust sliced through the forest. Three massive trees, their thick trunks towering overhead, fell in an instant as if they had been cut with a blade. The wind was so precise, so fast, that it left no trace of struggle. The trees hit the ground with a deep, resonating thud, their heavy bodies crashing in unison.
Raven stood in the center of the destruction, his heart still pounding in his chest. His body was bathed in the wind, the air swirling around him like an extension of his own will. "B Rank... I can feel it," he thought, awe mixing with the tension inside him. His power had grown so much stronger, but the responsibility that came with it was heavier than ever.
As the adrenaline began to fade, Raven could feel the familiar drain on his mana reserves. His breathing was heavy, his chest rising and falling as his body worked to recover from the exertion. But as his mana flickered down, something strange happened. Raven could feel his capacity expanding, like a balloon being inflated with each passing second. His body hummed with energy as the system's effects took hold.
"Mana capacity increase detected. Physical stats enhanced due to extensive mana usage," the system chimed softly in his mind, as if congratulating him for pushing his limits.
Raven's body felt lighter, stronger. His muscles were burning from the exertion, but they were growing at the same time—his stamina increasing with every breath. He clenched his fists, feeling the strength in his arms, the power in his legs. His physical form was improving, becoming more solid with each movement, and it was directly tied to how he used his mana.
"It's true," Raven thought, his mind racing. "Every time I use mana—especially when I exhaust it—I get stronger. Not just my mana capacity, but my body too. The system isn't just giving me power… it's making me more capable in every way."
He took a few deep breaths, feeling the energy coursing through his body. The physical changes were becoming more noticeable. His muscles ached, but they were stronger now, more refined. Even his endurance seemed to grow with every bit of mana he spent. The longer he trained like this, the more his body would evolve in tandem with his powers.
He exhaled slowly, letting the wind dissipate. "I'll need to control this more carefully tomorrow," he muttered to himself, turning his gaze back toward the fallen trees. His senses were alert, listening for any sign of disturbance in the forest. The wind had been so powerful that it could've easily attracted attention, but the area around the orphanage was quiet—nothing had stirred.
Raven stayed for a few more minutes, soaking in the sensation of his wind manipulation abilities now fully unlocked at B Rank. He could feel the difference. His body ached from the strain, but he was satisfied. He had taken a significant step forward, and now it was time to rest. Tomorrow was a new day—one that would bring the picnic with his fellow orphans, but Raven knew that it would also bring new challenges, and he had to be ready.
"Tomorrow will be interesting," he thought as he silently turned to leave, his body already surrounded by the wind currents that would carry him back to the orphanage. He disappeared into the night, the wind whispering behind him as he sped back to the safety of the orphanage walls.
Tomorrow, he'd enjoy the picnic—but in the back of his mind, the shadows of training and preparation would always linger.
'Let's check the progress'
"Status "
Name: Raven
Age: 12
Race: Human
Class: None
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Stats:
Physical Strength: 100
Endurance: 95
Agility: 120
Intelligence: 135
Wisdom: 110
Spirit: 100
Mana Capacity: 4,500 / 5,000
Mana Regeneration: 120 per minute
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Abilities:
Wind Manipulation (B Rank)
Allows manipulation of wind currents, controlling the direction, speed, and force of air.
Stealth (C Rank)
Improves the ability to move silently and remain undetected, enhancing awareness of surroundings.
My stealth skill is actually improving pretty well .
But how do i get a reference for my stats. Since I dont have appraisal I will have to put some efforts in finding out.