The next room he found himself in was a vast field of vibrant green grass, stretching as far as his eyes could see, surrounded by towering mountains under a clear blue sky. The gentle breeze brushed against his skin, warm and comforting, making the scene feel almost serene.
"This is... unexpected," he muttered to himself.
The last room had been nothing but a barren plain, so this sudden shift to a lively field took him by surprise. He hadn't anticipated anything like this.
[This is your final trial. In this trial, you must learn to channel your Manu into a weapon, thereby enhancing its performance. You are given ten minutes to complete this task.]
The voice of the AI reverberated through the open field, clear and steady.
"Enhance a weapon?" He glanced around but saw nothing resembling one. "But... there's no weapon here."
Just as he began to wonder how he was supposed to pass this trial, a metallic clang echoed behind him. He turned swiftly, and there, lying on the grass, was a longsword. It seemed plain, but its sudden appearance felt deliberate.
"A sword?" He reached down, picking it up. The weight was heavier than expected, but with his enhanced strength, it wasn't unmanageable.
"Why a longsword? Are we in the Middle Ages or something?" he joked to himself, still puzzled by the scenario.
[You will now channel your Manu into the longsword. You have ten minutes.]
The AI's reminder jolted him back to focus. He raised the sword, staring at it with uncertainty.
"How am I supposed to enhance this thing?" He furrowed his brow, trying to figure out the mechanics of the task. "Do I just...?"
Before he could finish his thought, the black burn mark on his cheek flared up with a searing heat.
"Argh!" He winced in pain, but something strange followed. He felt a surge of energy flow from within him, coursing down his arm and into the sword.
"What the hell is this?"
A dark aura began to swirl around the blade, coating it in an ominous glow. The sensation was unfamiliar yet strangely exhilarating.
"Is this what weapon enhancement feels like?"
But then, a sharp cracking sound broke his concentration. His eyes widened as he saw fractures begin to spider across the sword's surface, unable to contain the power of his Manu.
Crack! Crack!
"What the—!? No way!"
The cracks multiplied rapidly, and the blade began to glow dangerously, humming with unstable energy.
"What's happening!?"
In a panic, he hurled the sword as far as he could. He sprinted in the opposite direction just as the sword erupted in a deafening explosion.
BOOOOOM!!
The shockwave rattled his bones, and he stumbled, barely managing to stay on his feet. Gasping for breath, he glanced back at the smoldering remains of the sword.
"That was... way too close!"
[Final trial complete. You have passed.]
The AI's calm voice cut through the aftermath of the explosion, bringing him back to reality. Somehow, despite the chaos, he had passed.
"Haha..." He chuckled awkwardly, still dazed. "I can't believe that worked."
As he stood there, waiting for what came next, the field around him shimmered, and he was transported again.
This time, he found himself in a stark white room, empty except for two chairs. Sitting in one of them was Darius, a wide grin plastered across his face, clearly excited.
"Took you long enough," Darius said with a chuckle.