That succubus was with someone else, so why the hell did you get so worked up! What if you get in trouble for this? Do you think the Cult of Joy is some pushover?!
Alaric's mouth twitched as he read the text scrolling through his mind. He really didn't want to admit that his simulated self would fly into a rage over something like that.
Before he could continue his self-critique, the simulation log kept rolling.
[Before the young man can react, you expertly search Liliana's corpse.
You find a copy of the Pleasure Grimoire and several vials of 'Aphrodisiac Magic Potion.'
You feel this is enough proof that you killed a succubus from the Cult of Joy, but the young man, humiliated and enraged, wants revenge for his 'soulmate.'
You're about to leave, but you sense someone watching from the shadows.
An idea strikes. You restrain the young man, shouting that you're taking him to the Sunfire Knights to sort this out.
You've barely taken a few steps before you're stopped by an old man.
With a grim face, he says he's known a succubus was seducing people nearby and was planning to follow her back to her lair, but you killed her. You quickly explain yourself.
The old man stares at you for a moment, sighs, and says, 'This must be fate,' before leaving. You are utterly confused.]
[Month 3: You successfully join the Sunfire Knights as an outer member.]
[Month 4: You want to offer up the Codex of the Restoration School in exchange for resources, but you worry your contribution will be stolen by someone else.]
[Month 5: You've finally gotten familiar with the logistics staff of the Knights.
After making inquiries, you learn that the Elder in charge of logistics is a man of integrity.
You find an opportunity to present the codex to him.
As expected, he doesn't take it for himself and rewards you with what you asked for: a 'Treant Sprout.'
You wisely offer a portion of your saved crystals as a 'tribute,' which he happily accepts.]
[Month 6: Drawing on the immense life energy from the 'Treant Sprout,' you finally achieve initiation in the Codex of the Restoration School.]
[Month 8: After two months of hard training, the first trace of a faint Wood element affinity is born within you.
However, the energy in the 'Treant Sprout' is now completely depleted.
You have no choice but to start taking quests to earn the merits needed for your next cultivation resource.]
[Year 2, July: After nearly a year of hard work, you exchange your merits for another 'Treant Sprout' and continue your training.]
[Year 3, May: You break through to Level 9, and your Wood element affinity has risen to 'Level 3.'
You decide to focus on maxing out this talent before considering the breakthrough to Novice Mage.]
[Year 5, March: After exchanging for another 'Treant Sprout' and training intensely, you achieve a minor mastery of the codex.
Your Wood element affinity reaches 'Level 4.' You can now vaguely sense the free-floating life energy in the air.
This means you can now train slowly even without external resources. You are overjoyed.]
[Year 6: Relying on your ever-improving codex, you perform remarkably well in the outer members' annual tournament.
You use the merits you earned to exchange for a higher quality 'Treant Sprout' and begin a period of secluded cultivation.]
[Year 7: After more than half a year in seclusion, your Wood element affinity reaches 'Level 5.' You decide to pause your talent training to accumulate resources for an 'Advancement Mana Potion.']
[Year 8: After a year of hard work, you finally buy a dose of 'Advancement Mana Potion.'
Thanks to your improved talent, you succeed on the first try and officially become a Novice Mage. After stabilizing your rank, you leave the Knights to travel.
As you pass by some ancient ruins, you feel a strange resonance.
You suspect this might be the Sage's sanctuary.
You cautiously investigate the perimeter.
The moment you enter, an unknown seed falls and hits you on the head. Terrified, you flee the area at top speed.]
[Year 9: After half a year in seclusion, you find no ill effects from the seed.
Instead, your Wood element affinity has leaped again. You are now a minor prodigy with a 'Level 7 Wood Element Affinity.' You are both shocked and delighted.]
[Year 10: While you are in seclusion, the ground suddenly shakes violently.
You realize with horror that the Knights' defensive lines have been breached.
As you emerge from your dwelling, you find the air thick with demonic energy.
A Demon Lord grins savagely and lunges at you. Before you can even resist, you lose consciousness.]
[You are dead!]
"Not bad. I actually lasted ten years this time!"
Although the outcome was still death, setting this new record actually put Alaric in a pretty good mood. He waited with a hint of excitement for the reward summary.
[Simulation Complete]
[Evaluation: Your life was arduous, but you successfully advanced your rank, surpassing the majority of mediocre mages.]
[Based on the simulation, you may choose one of the following rewards:]
[1. View a first-person recording of the simulated life.]
[2. The rank of a Level 9 Magic Apprentice.]
[3. Level 7 Wood Element Affinity]
Alaric's eyes widened slightly as he looked at the second reward.
In the simulation, he had clearly become a Novice Mage, yet the reward only offered the rank of a Level 9 Apprentice. He felt a pang of disappointment.
He had briefly wondered if he could suppress his rank, then have a sudden breakthrough in a simulation and become a Master or even a Sage in one go.
It seemed he was overthinking things; the system wouldn't leave that kind of loophole for him.
He wasn't too disheartened, though. This step-by-step progression would help him avoid countless dangers in future simulations.
Quickly steadying his mind, Alaric focused on the three options again. The first option was worthless, so he ignored it.
Between rank and talent, there was barely any hesitation. He chose the Level 7 Wood Element Affinity.
He had toiled for seven long years in the simulation just to get his affinity to 'Level 5.' It was only a stroke of unknown luck that got him to 'Level 7.'
Compared to that, the rank of a Level 9 Apprentice seemed insignificant.
As he made his choice, a fresh, natural aura enveloped Alaric.
A warmth spread through his body, an indescribable comfort.
At the same time, a bright, vibrant green light bloomed in the depths of his consciousness.
The moment it appeared, this green light pushed aside the dozens of other dim specks representing his other muddled talents.
Alaric tried to immerse his consciousness in the green light, using it to sense his surroundings.
A moment later, his eyes shot open in delight.
For the first time in his life, he could clearly 'feel' the free-floating, vibrant life energy in the air.