Alden looked at the description of his next spell: Shadow Manipulation.
Unlike Shadow Steps, which was rare and most people had to train a lot before they could learn it, Shadow Manipulation was common and was unlocked as soon as one started practicing any Shadow Mana Tome.
It was a foundational ability of every shadow element user in the world.
This ability granted the Shadow Element users ability to control, shape, and mould shadows at will. Without mastering this, no shadow user could grow strong.
Alden looked down where his shadow was cast as he reached out his hand toward it as he tried to feel a faint connection with it.
At first, sensing the connection felt like grasping at air. But he soon felt the the faint connection, as if his shadow was part of his own body. The shadow pulsed faintly, as though responding to his thoughts.
His shadow felt alive, as if an extension of his own being as it flickered slowly.
"Let's try this," Alden whispered in excitement as he channelled mana into his hand.
"Rise." He said in an overly dramatic voice, trying to appear cool, as it was not even necessary.
And soon he found his shadow obeying his will as it slowly lifted up from the ground without a proper shape before collapsing back into place.
"F*ck, why is it so difficult?" He cursed as he wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, this time focusing more deeply.
Instead of forcing the mana, this time he let it flow naturally like a flowing river, allowing the connection to strengthen as he tried moving his shadow like his limbs.
He felt his connection with his Shadow strengthen a bit as it was more responsive this time.
"Alright, let's see how far I can push this," Alden said his excitement increasing more as he tried to shape the shadow in a sphere.
He imagined his shadow forming a sphere as the shadow that was lifted off from the ground was slowly but surely coming together, forming a sphere.
Just as he was celebrating his success, his focus wavered as the sphere collapsed and his shadow returned to its original position again.
He tried it again; this time he successfully formed a sphere.
"Now that's more like it," he spoke, his grin widening.
Pride swelled in his chest as he stared at the floating sphere, proof of his his growing control.
The longer he held the shape, the more strain he felt on his mana, so he released his control as the shadow returned to its original position.
The possibilities flooded Alden's mind. He recalled all the cool abilities he had read about in his previous life. All those cool abilities of many protagonists he read about didn't seem that far away anymore.
He could use this to bind enemies, create barriers, or even wield the shadows as weapons. The versatility of Shadow Manipulation was more impressive than he'd imagined.
But his exhaustion reminded him that his mastery was still at the novice stage. Each attempt drained too much of his mana and was too taxing on his mind.
He knew he had to train it and increase his mastery over it more before effectively being able to use it in battle.
He felt so exhausted that he just wanted to sleep. But he had something else he wanted to try before then so he mediated for a bit to recover his mana.
After recovering his mana he got up to test it again, but this time not on his own shadow but shadows in his surroundings.
"Let's see how much control I really have," he muttered under his breath, wanting to test the limits of his ability.
He went toward one of the trees in the distance as he looked at its shadow.
He tried to focus on the shadow of trees as he extended his hands and his mana outward as his dark-coloured energy connected with the shadow ofa tree. He felt a faint connection form with its shadow.
The connection he felt was fainter than with his own shadow, as if the shadow of the tree resisted his control.
If trying to move his own shadow felt like moving his hand underwater, then moving the shadow of the tree felt like moving a huge boulder.
"So, that's how it is," Alden murmured, narrowing his eyes. "Controlling other shadows isn't as easy as controlling my own. Makes sense as they're not a part of me."
His mana was being depleted rapidly, but he wasn't the one to give up. He focused harder, pouring more mana into the connection.
Slowly but surely he could see small movement in the shadow of the tree as it began to shift. It moved bit by bit until it finally followed the movement of his hand.
The small movement was too taxing on his mana, his forehead damp with sweat, but he couldn't help but grin.
"Gotcha," he muttered under his breath.
He released his control over it, his mana nearly depleted. As the shadow collapsed back in its original shape.
Alden staggered slightly, as his mind felt heavy due to mental exhaustion.
"Controlling external shadows… definitely advanced stuff," he said, wiping his brow. "But I'll get there. Just need more practice."
He sank to the ground, not having any more strength to stand.
"I'll have to get more proficient in my skills before attempting to claim the Sword of Chaos." He resolved.
He knew he had no chance of completing the hidden quest with his current level of strength. But he had time, a lot of time.
"I have thirty days," he spoke, his voice filled with determination. He had thirty days to master his skills and complete the hidden trial.
"I'll train for the remaining days and only attempt the hidden trial on the last days after all preparations are done." He decided his future plan.
His eyelids were heavy due to exhaustion as he slipped into dreams, all the exhaustion of the day catching up with him.