Zod stepped through the gates of the Academy of Magic, his eyes scanning the towering spires and intricate runes that adorned the ancient stone walls. He had been preparing for this moment, though not in the way most students had. While they spent years training in magic under their families' guidance, Zod had been guided by something far greater—the Arcanum System.
Even now, as he walked through the bustling Academy grounds, the system remained a constant hum at the back of his mind, whispering its silent encouragement. He knew it was always there, calculating his progress, waiting for him to take the next step.
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"Welcome to the Academy of Magic, Sovereign. New quests and challenges await."
The system prompt appeared at the edge of his vision, a faint glow only he could see. Zod had grown used to these notifications, but this one carried a sense of importance—a new stage of his journey had begun.
Quest Unlocked: Prove your superiority at the Academy. Progress will be rewarded.
Zod's lips curled slightly. The Arcanum System never simply granted power—it expected him to earn it. But the rewards were always worth the effort. He could already feel the power within him growing stronger with each passing day, and the Academy would be the perfect place to push his limits further.
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The first few days passed in a blur of introductions and formalities. Zod quietly observed his peers as they boasted about their magical prowess. He could see the pride in their eyes as they displayed simple fire spells or wind summons to one another, eager to outshine their fellow nobles.
But Zod remained silent. He didn't need to show off his power—not yet. He was waiting for the right moment.
On the fourth day, the students were led to the combat training grounds, where their abilities would be put to the test. The field was vast, surrounded by tall stone pillars inscribed with protective runes, meant to contain the magical duels that would take place here.
Master Graven, their combat instructor, stood at the center of the field, his gaze stern as he surveyed the students. "Today, we will begin your training in combat magic. Each of you will have the opportunity to demonstrate your abilities. We expect nothing less than excellence."
Zod watched as the first few students stepped forward, showcasing their spells. Fireballs, gusts of wind, and shields of earth dominated the duels, each student eager to display their control over their chosen element.
But as impressive as they seemed to the untrained eye, Zod could see the gaps in their control—their over-reliance on raw power rather than finesse.
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As he observed, the familiar system prompt appeared once again, drawing his focus.
Status:
● Level: 4
● Experience: 87%
Next Level: 5 (Unlock: Time Magic Tier 1)
He was close to leveling up. The next duel would likely push him past that threshold. And the reward? Time Magic—a coveted form of magic that few mages ever mastered. Zod felt a thrill at the thought. Time itself would soon be under his control.
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When Master Graven called his name—Zod of House Elandor—he stepped forward, his expression calm as he took his place in the center of the field. His opponent, Gareth, was a stocky boy with a confident smirk on his face, his hands already glowing with the energy of earth magic.
Zod felt the familiar tingle of the system activating in his mind, readying itself for the challenge.
Challenge: Defeat your opponent using a combination of three elemental spells. Reward: 15% experience.
Perfect. Zod was already planning to do just that.
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The duel began with Gareth slamming his fists into the ground, sending sharp stone spikes hurtling toward Zod. But Zod was ready. With a single motion, he summoned a wall of fire, incinerating the spikes before they could reach him.
Gareth frowned, clearly surprised, but he wasn't done yet. He summoned a massive boulder from the earth, hurling it toward Zod with all his strength.
Zod's eyes narrowed. He raised his hand, and the shadows around him twisted to life. The shadow tendrils caught the boulder midair, holding it in place before flinging it back at Gareth, though not with enough force to harm him.
Before Gareth could react, Zod called upon the power of lightning, striking the ground at his opponent's feet with a crackling bolt of energy. The earth beneath Gareth split, sending him stumbling backward.
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System notification: Challenge completed. Experience gained: +15%.
Level Up! You are now Level 5. Time Magic Tier 1 unlocked.
The surge of power that accompanied the level-up was immediate. Zod felt the new magic settle into his veins, the flow of time itself bending to his will. It was a strange, exhilarating sensation, like holding the threads of reality in his hands.
Master Graven, watching from the sidelines, raised an eyebrow. "Impressive. You've mastered the combination of elements. Keep up this level of control, and you'll go far."
Zod gave a small nod, his mind already racing with thoughts of the next step. He had unlocked Time Magic, but there was still so much more to learn. And the Arcanum System was far from done with him.
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That Evening: First Use of Time Magic
Later that evening, Zod found himself alone in the Academy's library, a quiet sanctuary filled with ancient tomes and scrolls. The glow of the setting sun cast long shadows over the rows of shelves, but Zod's thoughts were elsewhere.
He sat at one of the long wooden tables, his fingers brushing over the pages of a spellbook, though his focus was not on the words. He could still feel the newly unlocked Time Magic swirling within him, waiting to be tested.
Without a second thought, he stretched out his hand, calling upon the magic. The air around him seemed to still, the flicker of candle flames slowing until they barely moved. Zod stood, walking through the frozen moment as though time itself had bowed to him.
It was a strange sensation—controlling time. He could feel the weight of the spell, the way it bent reality, yet it didn't overwhelm him. The Arcanum System had given him the knowledge, and now it was up to him to master it fully.
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As the spell faded and time resumed its normal flow, Zod leaned back in his chair, satisfied. The leveling system was clear: as long as he continued to push himself, the system would reward him. And with Time Magic now at his disposal, he was one step closer to mastering all forms of magic.