The afternoon sun poured through the training grounds behind the inn, casting golden light on Kazuki’s focused face. Sweat dripped from his brow as he sat cross-legged, hands resting on his knees, eyes shut tight.
> Ding!
[INT stat increased by +1]
[Current INT: 60]
Kazuki took a deep breath.
“I need to think beyond strength… I need versatility… adaptability.”
His Intellect stat, which had started at 40, now reached 60 after relentless studying—magic theory, battle tactics, elemental flow. But he needed more than numbers. He needed control.
“Fire. Lightning. They’re raw. I need balance. Earth… Light…”
He reached deep inside, visualizing the flow of mana below the surface. For hours, he sat, unmoving. Until—he felt it. A steady, rumbling force.
He raised his hand, and with a spark of mana, the ground shuddered. A jagged earth spike burst upward beside him.
> Ding!
[You have acquired the Element: Earth]
[New Spells Unlocked: Earth Spike, Rock Armor]
His eyes widened. “I did it.”
But he didn’t stop. He sat again, this time focusing on light—clarity, warmth, purity. His breathing slowed.
A soft glow formed in his palm. Gentle… radiant.
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> Ding!
[You have acquired the Element: Light]
[New Spells Unlocked: Light Flash, Minor Heal]
Kazuki smiled faintly.
“Now… let’s take this further.”
He began practicing both elements—creating barriers of stone, flashes of light to blind, even minor healing. His INT stat ticked up with each spell cast.
Then a new thought struck him:
“Power means nothing if I can’t hit my enemy.”
He began experimenting with movement—speed, burst acceleration, mana-infused strikes. Again. Again. Again.
Until finally—his body moved in a blur. A clean slash appeared on the dummy behind him. No one saw it coming.
> Ding!
[Skill Unlocked: Swift Swing]
An invisible slash, impossible to detect or counter for enemies at or below your level.
He exhaled. “That should do it.”
---
Nearby, Garron was sweating buckets, swinging his heavy sword with both speed and ferocity. He’d strapped weights to his limbs, forcing his muscles to grow.
> Ding!
[STR increased by +1] [Current STR: 49]
[AGI increased by +1] [Current AGI: 42]
“Come on!” he roared, slicing through stone training blocks.
He began shadow dueling, dodging, striking, rolling, trying to simulate real combat.
“Speed… strength… I’ll catch up to Kazuki, just watch.”
---
Elara stood inside a circle of glowing runes, her eyes shimmering with focus. She chanted softly, and golden light poured from her hands.
> Ding!
[Magic: Heal II unlocked]
[Current MANA: 180/250]
She switched quickly to fire magic, conjuring controlled flames and launching them toward targets.
> Ding!
[Firebolt II learned]
[MAG stat increased by +1]
Her control grew, her mana pool expanded, and her confidence strengthened. “I won’t just stand back anymore…”
---
A knock came at the training field gate. A guild runner, panting hard, held a scroll in trembling hands.
“Kazuki! Garron! Elara! The guild needs you—now!”
Kazuki stepped forward. “Report.”
“A mutant beast is attacking a caravan outside the northern gate. Knights are injured, mages down—many casualties. You’re the only ones available strong enough to reach them in time!”
Without hesitation, the three of them suited up.
Kazuki's black coat fluttered as he fastened his now sleeker, curvier daggers to his belt. Garron adjusted the straps of his rune-forged sword. Elara slung her staff across her back, her magic already humming at her fingertips.
---
As they arrived at the chaotic northern road, destruction was everywhere.
A twisted, hulking beast tore through the remains of a caravan. Its fur was like armor, eyes glowing a deep red, tusks dripping black saliva. Knights screamed as they were thrown aside. Mages had collapsed, their mana gone.
Bodies lay motionless. Others barely clung to life.
> Ding!
[Quest Triggered: Emergency – Mutant Beast Assault]
[Objective: Defeat the Beast | Bonus: Save the Remaining Caravan Members]
All seemed lost.
Until—A gust of wind swept in.
Kazuki landed first, body low, eyes sharp, his aura humming with restrained power.
Garron followed beside him, breathing deep, blade in hand, muscles coiled.
Elara stepped forward last, nervous but glowing with magic.
One wounded knight looked up. “W-Who…?”
Kazuki stepped forward. “Backup.”
Elara whispered, “Heals ready.”
Garron cracked his knuckles. “Let’s save them.”
The mutant beast turned to face them.
Kazuki’s eyes glinted.
“Let’s show them what we’ve become.”
