At that moment, Aaron's attention shifted from the magical energy circulating within him. His gaze locked onto the translucent screen that only he could see.
[Name]: Aaron
[Life]: 1000/5000
[Ability]: God Rewards Those Who Work Hard
[Skills]:
Asgard Meditation LV1 (1/10)
Fighting Technique LV3 (633/1000)
Spear LV3 (723/1000)
Sword LV3 (300/1000)
[Attributes]:
Intelligence: 3
Strength: 4
Speed: 3
Endurance: 4
Energy Strength: 2
Fighting Skill: 4
(Scale: 1-7, to balance early-stage power growth)
[Strength Evaluation]: Surface Level (Second-rate Superhero)
[Introduction]:
Diligent people should receive the rewards they deserve. Your skill level and strength are determined by your effort. As long as you work hard enough, your ability will increase infinitely!
Aaron's eyes widened. "Infinite improvement? Does this mean my potential is unlimited?"
He was stunned.
His focus fell on the meditation skill. After a moment of hesitation, he instinctively resumed his practice.
[You have performed the Asgard Meditation Technique earnestly. Your magical energy reserves have increased. Meditation Technique proficiency +1.]
The meditation skill changed: LV1 (2/10).
He felt the slight but undeniable surge of magical energy within him. Though still weak, it was a beginning—a glimpse into a vast, untapped power.
Aaron's mind raced. If I keep leveling up meditation, will my absorption efficiency increase as well?
If so, then in time, his magical energy reserves could rival Loki's… no, surpass him entirely.
No longer would he compare himself to Loki. Odin would be the new benchmark.
No—why stop there? Even the mighty Celestials could be within reach.
And this was just meditation. If he learned other spells—illusion magic, for instance—could it eventually materialize reality itself, just as the Old Loki had done? Could he create entire worlds with his magic?
Portals could evolve into dimensional gateways. Cross-universe teleportation could become a reality.
The possibilities were staggering.
Magic varied in strength. The weak could barely conjure a spark, but the strong could wield forces beyond comprehension—Hoggoth's Thunder, Bossett's Wrath, the Monsoon of Exile, which claimed to harness the magic of an entire universe.
Time magic, capable of reversing fate itself.
If he could learn and enhance these spells… could he elevate them to a conceptual level? Could even the simplest spell, when strengthened infinitely, ascend to the realm of gods?
Aaron's breath quickened. He had only sought survival in this dangerous world. But now—now he had seen a path to something greater.
Endless improvement. Endless possibilities.
For the first time, ambition flared within him.
He would grow stronger. He would become invincible.
No longer would he rely on luck to escape danger. He would control his own fate.
With renewed determination, he delved back into meditation.
[You have performed the Asgard Meditation Technique earnestly. Your magical energy reserves have increased. Meditation Technique proficiency +1.]
…
[You have performed the Asgard Meditation Technique earnestly. Your magical energy reserves have increased. Meditation Technique proficiency +1. Meditation Technique has been upgraded!]
Before long, Meditation reached LV2.
The next level required 100 proficiency points, and each session now granted +2 instead of +1.
Fifty more sessions to advance again.
Aaron glanced at his status screen. His magic had grown, but the rest of his attributes remained unchanged.
He took a deep breath and resumed meditation.
Meanwhile, the other apprentices struggled.
Though they all possessed the innate ability to wield magic as Asgardians, getting started was an entirely different challenge.
No matter how hard they tried, they could not feel the presence of magical energy.
Their expressions darkened with frustration.
"Did you sense anything?"
"No. Just darkness. You?"
"Same. It feels like magic doesn't even exist."
"Maybe we should've joined warrior training instead. At least then we could fight in the Nine Realms alongside Prince Thor."
"Are we doing it wrong? Why can't we feel anything?"
One by one, they gave up, dropping out of their meditative states and whispering among themselves in hushed, disheartened tones.
Before long, nearly everyone had abandoned their attempts—except for one person.
Aaron.
Still seated with his eyes closed, utterly absorbed in meditation.
His unwavering focus drew their attention.
"Hey, look at him. He seems… different."
"Aaron? No way. If we failed, there's no way he succeeded."
"But look at how focused he is."
"He'll give up soon. Just wait."
The room murmured in skepticism, but one person noticed something the others did not.
Irene.
She had remained silent, observing from the sidelines. She had planned to reassure the students—after all, perceiving magic was no simple task. The rarity of powerful Asgardian magicians was proof enough of that.
But then she saw Aaron.
Her expression shifted. Her brows furrowed slightly.
Her eyes sharpened.
Then, they widened.
"…Is that… a magic wave?"
Her breath hitched.
Aaron had sensed magical energy.
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