Lennon steadied himself as the spectral figure of the Fourth-Circle Magus loomed before him, radiating a power unlike anything he had ever encountered. This wasn't an ordinary trial; it was a confrontation with the remnants of a truly formidable mind. The energy thrumming through the chamber was suffocating, each pulse of mana threatening to crush him.
The specter's voice boomed, filling the room. **"You seek my inheritance. But power is not given—it is earned. Prove yourself."**
The air around Lennon grew dense, as if weighed down by the magus's lingering will. He clenched his fists, feeling the warmth of his AI buzzing within his mind, preparing tactical analyses and defensive strategies. This wasn't going to be like his fights with mindless beasts; he was about to face the intellect and prowess of a Fourth-Circle Magus. Even a fragment of such an entity was a terrifying force.
**"AI, give me a breakdown. What am I dealing with?"** he muttered under his breath, keeping his gaze locked on the specter.
**"Analyzing mana composition… Projected attack capability: fourth-circle spells, likely to exhibit complex spell combinations. Defensive magic probable,"** his AI reported. **"Warning: direct confrontation highly unfavorable."**
Lennon's jaw tightened. A part of him wanted to retreat, to abandon this trial and find another way to grow his power. But the allure of the inheritance—the knowledge, the arcane secrets—was too much to ignore. He was already in too deep to back down now.
The specter's form shimmered, its eyes narrowing as it lifted a ghostly hand. **"Let us begin."**
With a flick of its fingers, the air around Lennon ignited in a blinding blaze. Flames crackled, forming a dense, fiery dome around him. This wasn't ordinary fire—its heat was amplified by layer upon layer of complex enchantments, its force easily surpassing any third-circle spell he had ever encountered.
**"Third-circle spell: Void Barrier Fortress!"** he shouted, pouring all his strength into his defense.
The spell materialized around him, creating a bubble of crackling black energy that absorbed the initial flames. But the pressure was relentless, the fire growing in intensity as it gnawed at his shield. His AI's voice chimed in again.
**"Mana reserves depleting at an accelerated rate. Sustaining Void Barrier Fortress is not viable for prolonged exposure."**
Lennon cursed under his breath. He had to go on the offensive. Summoning a deep breath, he focused on a narrow gap in the flames, channeling his mana with razor-sharp precision.
**"Third-circle spell: Abyssal Lance!"**
The dark, needle-thin lance shot forth, slicing through the fiery dome and piercing toward the specter's heart. But the apparition merely flicked its wrist, and the lance dissolved midair, as if absorbed by an invisible barrier.
Lennon's mind raced. The specter's defenses were formidable—simple third-circle spells wouldn't be enough here. He needed something with more punch, something that could destabilize the entity before it retaliated.
The specter extended its hand again, this time conjuring a series of massive, glimmering chains that surged toward Lennon. Each chain crackled with arcane energy, their weight seemingly crushing the very air around them. This was a fourth-circle binding spell—designed to immobilize and drain the target's mana.
Desperation sparked a wild idea in Lennon's mind. He took a deep breath, knowing it was risky, but he had no choice.
**"AI, full energy output into a mana burst. I'm going to use a combined spell,"** he ordered.
**"Warning: this will deplete mana reserves and potentially damage neural pathways. Proceed with caution,"** the AI cautioned.
**"Do it."**
Lennon closed his eyes for a split second, gathering every last ounce of mana within him. When he opened them, his expression was cold, resolute.
**"Third-circle combined spell: Graviton Collapse and Abyssal Cascade!"**
The space around him warped as gravitational force concentrated at the spell's core. Simultaneously, a torrent of dark energy erupted from his hands, swirling around the gravitational point and creating a miniature black hole. The chains disintegrated as they were drawn into the spell, their energy unraveled by the immense gravitational pull.
The specter paused, watching with a look of intrigue. Lennon took this brief hesitation as his chance to strike. Pushing his depleted mana reserves to the limit, he launched himself forward, intent on striking the specter directly. But just as he approached, a wall of shimmering energy materialized, stopping him cold.
**"Well done,"** the specter said, its tone both impressed and condescending. **"But raw strength alone will not see you through."**
Before Lennon could react, the specter flicked its hand, and a wave of force slammed into him, sending him sprawling across the chamber. Pain radiated through his body, his vision blurring. He was exhausted, his mana reserves nearly empty, and his AI warned him that his energy levels were at a critical low.
Gritting his teeth, Lennon struggled to his feet, blood trickling down his face. The specter began chanting, its voice low and menacing. The air grew thick with power as the figure prepared its final attack.
**"AI, what's my status?"** he gasped, barely holding himself together.
**"Mana reserves at 3%. Physical condition deteriorating. Probability of survival: less than 5% if another direct attack lands."**
He was out of options, out of tricks, and nearly out of hope. But then, a thought sparked in his mind—a desperate gamble, but his only remaining shot.
**"AI, divert remaining energy to neural uplink. I'm going to synchronize directly with you,"** he whispered, his voice barely audible.
**"Warning: synchronization at low mana levels may result in permanent neural damage. Confirm to proceed."**
**"Confirm."**
A sharp jolt surged through him as he merged with his AI, his perception of reality sharpening to a razor's edge. Time seemed to slow, every detail coming into perfect clarity. He could feel the intricate weavings of the specter's spell, each strand of mana pulsating with lethal intent.
Taking a steadying breath, Lennon focused every remaining ounce of energy on dismantling the spell. His mind worked in tandem with the AI, analyzing the spell structure, identifying weak points, and destabilizing its core.
The specter's eyes widened slightly as its spell began to unravel, dissipating into harmless wisps of light. It regarded Lennon with a mixture of surprise and respect.
**"You… are resourceful,"** it murmured, its tone no longer condescending.
Lennon, barely able to stand, glared back at the apparition. **"Enough. You've tested me. Now fulfill your end."**
The specter inclined its head, a faint smile playing on its lips. **"Very well. You have proven your worth."**
With a wave of its hand, the spectral figure dissolved, leaving behind a faint, glowing sigil in the air. The sigil floated toward Lennon, entering his mind and infusing him with a torrent of arcane knowledge. He felt the power of the Fourth-Circle Magus's inheritance surging through him, each spell, each technique, etched into his consciousness.
For a moment, the pain, exhaustion, and fear faded, replaced by a profound sense of accomplishment. He had survived the trial and claimed the inheritance.
As the sigil finished its transfer, Lennon sank to his knees, his vision fading as the strain took its toll. The last thing he heard was his AI's voice, calm and steady.
**"Synchronization complete. Recommended action: rest and recovery."**
With a faint smile, Lennon allowed the darkness to take him, his mind finally at peace.