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A month had passed since Dabi's awakening ceremony, and everything had changed. Standing in front of the mirror,
Dabi barely recognized the person looking back at him.
His once frail, sickly frame had transformed into a physique defined by lean muscle, and his posture now held a newfound confidence.
His siblings, Eli and Mira, couldn't hide their excitement whenever they saw his progress. "Dabi, you're like a real hero now!"
Eli would often say, his admiration shining through.
Mira would nod in agreement, a proud smile on her face.
Their excitement only fueled his determination to push harder.
Dabi's transformation was more than physical.
His strength had soared to an impressive 27, marking him as one of the more capable individuals in the realm, comparable to rare awakeners known as geniuses.
Most in his world improved through random gains, relying on training and combat experience to gradually increase their stats.
But Dabi's system was different, granting him direct control over his growth.
His unique abilities, paired with a rare Mana Stone he had acquired, had expedited his transformation to an extent that even surprised him.
Yet, strength alone wasn't enough to fulfill his goals.
Dabi had his eyes set on the prestigious national academy, an institution where only the best awakened individuals were accepted.
This academy wasn't just a place for learning but a gateway to opportunities for education on dimensional gates, advanced training, and an environment where he could refine his skills alongside top talents.
Graduates are left with ranks and privileges, allowing them to face dimensional gates filled with dangerous creatures, magical artifacts, and unknown worlds.
For Dabi, the academy was more than just a dream; it was the path to something greater.
To make it to the academy, he committed to a rigorous training regimen.
Each day he journeyed into the Darkwood Forest, a dense and ominous place filled with monsters, where he tested his growing abilities.
He focused on honing his Elemental Control skill, which allowed him to manipulate basic elements like fire and air.
This skill, when combined with his heightened intelligence and strategy, made his attacks more versatile and powerful.
One afternoon in the forest, Dabi encountered a fierce creature he hadn't seen before a Dire Wolf.
It was a low-level monster compared to what seasoned adventurers faced, but for Dabi, it was a challenge.
The wolf's yellow eyes glinted, and it snarled, crouching as if ready to strike.
Dabi steadied himself, feeling the rush of adrenaline. "All right, let's see what you've got," he muttered, a faint smile playing at his lips.
As the wolf lunged, Dabi used his fire manipulation, sending a burst of flame toward the creature.
It yelped in surprise, momentarily thrown off balance.
But Dabi knew better than to get cocky.
He followed up with a quick, controlled burst of air to push the creature back, creating just enough space to recalibrate his stance.
The wolf circled him, now more cautious, but Dabi noticed an opening.
With a swift movement, he gathered both elements and struck, combining a burst of fire with the push of air.
The wolf staggered, unable to recover from the impact. Within moments, it lay defeated.
Dabi felt the rush of experience surge through him.
It was moments like these that reminded him of how far he had come.
Yet he knew he was only scratching the surface of his potential.
---
System Notification: Level Up! You have reached Level 11.
---
Excitement surged through him as he opened his stat screen.
Each level came with precious points, which he could allocate to further refine his skills and abilities. He took a moment to assess his progress.
Level: 11
Strength: 27 (+3 newly allocated points)
Agility: 13
Endurance: 12
Intelligence: 46
Memory: 45
Mana Points: 10
Unused Points: 0
He felt a surge of satisfaction as he confirmed his allocations.
His strength had now reached a level that would make even veteran fighters take him seriously.
But strength alone wouldn't be enough for the challenges that lay ahead he needed strategy, resilience, and adaptability.
As he wrapped up his training session, he returned home to find Eli and Mira waiting for him at the small wooden table they shared for meals.
They were practically bouncing with excitement, their curiosity barely contained.
"Dabi! Tell us about your training today!" Mira insisted, her eyes wide with enthusiasm.
"Yeah! Did you beat any monsters?" Eli chimed in, his eyes bright with admiration.
Dabi chuckled, sitting down between them. "Well, I did run into a Dire Wolf today," he started, enjoying their reactions as they gasped in unison.
"And?" Mira asked, leaning forward.
"And I won," he said, trying to keep his tone casual but unable to hide his own pride.
Eli and Mira broke into applause, clapping as if he'd just won a tournament.
"You're getting so strong, Dabi!" Mira said, practically bouncing with excitement.
"I still have a long way to go," Dabi replied, his voice softening as he looked at his younger siblings.
"But I have big plans. One day, I want to get into the top academy and become the best.
And when that happens, I'll be able to protect you both from anything."
They stared at him in awe, their faith in him shining clearly. Dabi felt a warmth spread through him.
This, he realized, was his true source of strength the love and support of the only family he had left.
The days flew by as Dabi continued his relentless pursuit of power.
Each day brought a new lesson, a new challenge.
Dabi could feel the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders as he faced increasingly tougher foes in the forest.
Yet he pushed through, knowing that each fight, each level-up, was bringing him closer to his goal.
The next few months would be critical, and he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
With his eyes set firmly on the future, Dabi felt a surge of determination as he prepared for the journey to come.
He was no longer just a weak boy; he was a rising force, and nothing could hold him back.
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