Eron and his party moved at a steady pace across the misty path. Scarvane Cavern loomed behind them, the spoils of victory stored in the Arcvault and the slime humming softly on his shoulder.
A notification pinged in his system.
[Level Up Complete – Eron Lv. 11]
Stat Allocation ReminderYou have 2 unspent boosts (from Lv. 9 & Lv. 11)
Option Selected: +2 to All Stats (x2)
Final Result:▸ STR: 13 ➤ 17▸ AGI: 15 ➤ 19▸ VIT: 12 ➤ 16▸ INT: 27 ➤ 31▸ WIS: 20 ➤ 24▸ CHA: 17 ➤ 21▸ Mana Capacity: 72 ➤ 84▸ Mana Regen: 4/sec ➤ 5/sec
He exhaled slowly, flexing his gauntlet.
"Everything's syncing perfectly."
Just as they reached the stone archway near the outer Academy boundary, a figure stepped onto the path.
Tall, refined, and dressed in dark sapphire robes lined with alchemy glyphs, he carried a glaive with a crystal core.
Name: Zayne RothveilYear: SecondSpecialty: Elemental Manipulation & Summon FusionTitle: Prodigy of the Azure SpireIntent: Hostile Duel Request
"I heard you're chasing the Primordial Slime route," Zayne said, voice sharp. "I can't allow that."
Eron raised an eyebrow. "Didn't realize I needed permission to evolve my summon."
Zayne smirked. "You don't. But I'm under House contract to develop the first successful Primordial Slime. They've poured thousands of gold into me. You're a problem."
Neha's flames rose slightly. The slime bounced, preparing to fight.
"Back off," Eron said. "I don't fight puppets."
Zayne's eyes narrowed. "Then break the strings."
[Duel Initiated – Custom Conditions]Wager: Winner may claim 1 combat item from the loserArena: Auto-generated → Ridgewatch HollowRules: No lethal magic; full skill allowance
Create Concept: "Taker's Mark"
Eron grinned and activated his system.
[Create Concept – Activated]
Skill Name: Taker's Mark (Lv. MAX)
Type: Passive/TriggerEffect: When defeating an opponent in a non-lethal duel, the system marks 1 held or equipped item or core. The item is auto-stored in Arcvault.Note: Cannot affect bound weapons or legacy gear
Cooldown: 6 Hours
"Let's play for real," Eron whispered.
Zayne unleashed Hydra Threads — three blue serpents made of twisting water, each launching in different directions. At the same time, his fused summon — a Shell Serpent Golem — burst from a mana circle.
"Too many angles," Neha warned.
Eron raised Requiem Edge and activated Tactical Flow.
Combo: Wind Shift + Bind Glyph + Slip Dash + Reverb Slash
→ Target Locked – Zayne's left flank exposed
He charged forward, the slime flanking wide, already forming a watery membrane to counter incoming pressure blasts.
The blade hound collided with the serpent golem mid-lunge, forcing it back.
[Slime uses new ability: Water Bolt Spiral – Ranged water-type burst attack]
Damage registered. Cooldown: 5 secondsRange Advantage Established
Eron caught Zayne's hand and disarmed his crystal accessory.
Requiem Echo: Split Pulse!— Three arc blades fired at once.
Zayne crumpled to a knee.
"Impossible—my stats should outmatch yours!"
"You're playing mage chess."
Eron narrowed his eyes.
"I play war."
[Victory Confirmed – Eron Wins Duel]
[Taker's Mark Triggered]➤ Claimed Item: [Azure Skill Core – Tier B – Water Spiral Spear]➤ Stored in Arcvault
Back at the Academy garden, Eron sat under the moonlit tree and held the glowing blue Skill Core in his palm.
[Skill Core Absorption – "Water Spiral Spear"]
▸ Status: Magic-based projectile, piercing damage, spins at high velocity▸ Mana Cost: 28▸ Learned: Yes – Added to Eron's spell arsenal
Beside him, the slime jiggled. He extended the core to it.
"Eat up, warrior."
The slime absorbed it instantly.
[Skill Inherited: Water Spiral Spear]
Modified for Slime AnatomyAdded Bonus: Slime can absorb nearby water to strengthen the projectile
Neha watched from the nearby railing. "So we're just casually stealing powers now?"
"We're earning them," Eron corrected. "With blood and strategy."
[Party Update]• Eron: Lv. 11• Slime: Lv. 10 – Ready for Evolution• Blade Hound: Lv. 6• Neha: Lv. 7
Skills Created:• Kill-Chain Mastery (+2% per 50 kills, up to 200%)• Taker's Mark (Item Theft on Victory)• Requiem Edge Techniques
Evolution Progress:• Unique Core 1: Obtained• Slime Evolution Status: Ready• Arcane Origin Trial: Next Destination