Warlock Ch 27. First Training Session
Damian scratched the back of his neck, feeling slightly embarrassed by the question. He wasn't exactly sure how to explain it. "Uh, well... I've got [Dark Bolt] and [Shadow Barrier], I think... and [Arcane Bolt]."
Cassius nodded slowly, though his expression remained unreadable. "Basic skills. Good for a start." He looked at Evelyn, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. "You've done well in getting him this far."
Evelyn shrugged, her expression nonchalant. "He figured most of it out on his own. I just helped him not die."
Damian shot her a look, raising an eyebrow. "Helped me not die? That's reassuring."
Cassius chuckled softly. "She's not wrong. You've been thrown into this world with very little warning, and yet you've adapted quickly. But those skills are just the beginning. You'll need more if you're going to survive what's coming."
Damian frowned, feeling that familiar knot form in his chest again. "What exactly is coming?"
Cassius's smile faded slightly, and he glanced at Evelyn before turning back to Damian. "There are forces moving against you. Beings who will sense your power and want to use it—or destroy it—before you even understand what you're capable of."
Damian swallowed hard, his mind racing. "And this... amulet," he said, touching the pendant around his neck. "It'll keep me hidden from them?"
"For now," Cassius said. "The amulet will cloak your true strength, but it's not foolproof. Eventually, someone will notice, and when that happens, you need to be ready."
"Great," Damian muttered. "So, I'm on borrowed time."
Cassius's expression grew more serious. "Time is never guaranteed in our world. But you have an advantage now. You know what you're up against."
Damian glanced at Evelyn, who nodded subtly in agreement.
"So, what now?" Damian asked, his voice quieter but resolute. "What's the next step?"
Cassius smiled again, but this time, it was more like a challenge than comfort. "Now, we train. You're going to learn what it means to be a warlock—not just in name, but in power."
Damian felt a surge of apprehension mixed with a strange sense of excitement. He had no idea what was coming next, but for the first time since all of this had started, he felt a flicker of hope. Maybe—just maybe—he could handle this.
"All right," Damian said, nodding. "Let's do this."
Cassius's eyes gleamed with approval as he clapped Damian on the shoulder once more. "Good. We start now."
Damian barely had a moment to brace himself before Cassius led him through a heavy wooden door that groaned under its own weight. On the other side was a large, empty space—bare walls and floors with no furniture, just eerily quiet.
Damian glanced around, confused. "What is this place? Doesn't exactly scream 'training ground,'" he said, his voice echoing slightly off the blank walls.
Cassius stepped forward, raising his hand. "It's not what it seems." His voice was calm, almost too calm for what Damian felt was about to happen. Cassius muttered something under his breath, an incantation in a language Damian didn't recognize. A shimmering barrier suddenly formed around the room.
The change was immediate. The air felt denser, thicker, charged with magic.
"This barrier will nullify any impact," Cassius said, turning back to Damian, his expression unreadable but firm. "You're free to let loose without destroying anything—or yourself."
Damian raised an eyebrow, cautiously intrigued. He reached out toward the barrier, but Cassius held up a hand, stopping him.
"Trust me," Cassius added with a slight smirk. "It's best you don't touch it."
Damian nodded, pulling his hand back and taking a breath. He watched as Cassius snapped his fingers, the sound sharp and sudden in the quiet room. From thin air, two shadowy creatures emerged, twisting and forming into monstrous shapes. Their bodies were dark and massive, their forms barely solid—almost like living shadows. They looked far worse than the ones Malthus had sent after him.
Damian's pulse quickened. These things didn't just look dangerous; they felt like they could rip him apart without a second thought.
"Meet my servants, Obsidar and Vrex," Cassius said, gesturing casually to the two shadowy monsters as if they were pets. "Both are here to assist—and test you."
Obsidar < Level 12>
HP: 341 / 341
MP: 30 / 30
Vrex
HP: 432 / 432
MP: 100 /100
Damian's eyes widened as he instinctively took a step back. His heart raced. "This is... next level. They look like they could tear me apart."
Cassius chuckled softly, his tone calm yet commanding. "They won't—at least, not if you're careful. Now, focus. Let's begin with the basics."
Damian swallowed hard, his nerves buzzing as he tried to steady his breathing. He wasn't ready for this. Not even close. He thought Cassius would give him something basic. Magical targets, perhaps? Or maybe just punching bags. Not as dangerous as the creatures that had tried to kill him the night before.
Under Cassius's watchful eye, Damian took a deep breath and raised his hand, summoning the first spell that came to mind—[Arcane Bolt]. He could feel the familiar flicker of blue energy sparking from his fingers. The bolt shot toward the creatures, straight for Obsidar.
The bolt hit with a crackling snap, but Obsidar barely flinched. His shadowy form absorbed the hit like it was nothing more than a gust of wind.
[Obsidar] took 10 damage.
Damian gritted his teeth. "That... didn't do much."
Cassius stepped closer, his arms crossed as he observed. "It's a basic spell. Enough to get a feel for your magic, but it won't take these creatures down. Not yet, anyway."
Damian felt a bead of sweat trickle down his forehead. "Okay, so what now?"
Cassius raised a brow. "Try something stronger. Use your [Dark Bolt] next. Focus the energy and aim carefully. These creatures are resistant to most magic, but dark spells should have a greater effect."
Damian nodded, his mind racing as he shifted his focus. He closed his eyes briefly, summoning the darkness within him. He could feel it, cold and heavy, swirling around his fingertips. When he opened his eyes, the bolt formed quickly—darker and more potent than the [Arcane Bolt]. Without hesitation, he launched it toward Vrex, who had been watching him with glowing, hollow eyes.