The dawn of Astraea painted the city in streaks of gold and crimson. Ethan sat atop the roof of his guild lodgings, staring at the glowing runes carved into the towers and spires. The events of the sewer anomaly had left him both exhilarated and drained. His first real battle outside the simulation was over—and yet, something deep inside him stirred, reminding him this was only the beginning.
The Simulator hummed softly in his mind, a gentle pulse that matched the rhythm of his heartbeat.
[Next Simulation Available in 3 days, 12 hours, 47 minutes]Optimal preparation recommended: skill refinement, technique enhancement, tactical analysis.
Ethan flexed his fingers, feeling the lingering heat of Ember Surge. The technique had stabilized, but the Simulator hinted there was more to unlock. He needed to grow faster, to master his abilities before the next simulation's cooldown ended.
1. Assessing Strengths and Weaknesses
He pulled out a small, circular crystal embedded in his wristband—a focus given to him when he first joined the guild. It glowed faintly, analyzing his mana flow.
[Mana Core Assessment: Flame Affinity – High Grade]Current Techniques: Flare Burst (Level 2), Ember Surge (Stable Version)Weaknesses: Limited ranged versatility, low defensive capability, minor stamina strain during prolonged combat.
Ethan frowned. He had raw power—but raw power alone wasn't enough to survive in a city full of mages. Some of the higher-tier students he had glimpsed at the guild were already far beyond his level, and the mysterious Higher Mage who had observed him would likely continue monitoring his growth.
He needed strategy. He needed diversity. He needed control.
2. Training Regimen Begins
Ethan descended to the guild's training yard, a large open space lined with floating mana glyphs and elemental dummies. The morning was quiet, but the air buzzed with residual mana from previous training sessions.
He began with basic exercises:
Mana Circulation: Focusing his core to regulate flow.
Heat Control: Modulating the intensity of Ember Surge to avoid burnout.
Rapid Deployment: Launching Flare Bursts in succession while moving unpredictably.
Hours passed, the sun climbing high, but Ethan didn't stop. Sweat soaked his clothes, and his arms trembled from repeated fire bursts. Each strike, each burst of flame, felt slightly sharper, slightly more refined.
[Skill Growth Detected: Flare Burst – +3% Efficiency, Ember Surge – +5% Stability]
The Simulator's update brought a small smile to his face. Progress, however minor, was tangible.
3. Tactical Study
After physical training, Ethan turned to tactical preparation. He scrawled diagrams in the sand, plotting distances, attack angles, and potential escape routes.
"Mana fields are unpredictable," he muttered. "Especially corrupted anomalies… or opponents using environmental manipulation."
He created simulations in his mind: sewer battles, street encounters, even open-field clashes with multiple enemies. For each scenario, he imagined himself moving, striking, and countering. He considered not only offense but also defense, stamina management, and psychological factors.
[Tactical Understanding – Level 1]Expected improvement during next simulation: +10% adaptive response
Ethan nodded. Each layer of planning was a step closer to mastery.
4. Experimenting with Ember Surge
Next, he decided to experiment with Ember Surge beyond simple bursts. He gathered scattered leaves and twigs from the guild courtyard, forming a makeshift target.
Focusing his energy, he let Ember Surge flow in a continuous stream, shaping it like a whip of flame. Leaves scorched, twigs ignited, and sparks danced upward. He experimented with range, spread, and controlled explosions.
[Technique Evolution Detected: Ember Surge – Prototype Advanced]New potential: Split Flame, Area Ignition
The realization struck him: the Simulator wasn't just monitoring progress—it was actively rewarding experimentation and initiative. The more he tested, the more growth the system encouraged.
5. Mental Fortitude
Training wasn't just physical or tactical; it was mental. Ethan sat cross-legged, eyes closed, practicing mana meditation.
[Meditation Sequence Activated]Purpose: Synchronize mind and body for advanced mana control, reduce stress under high-intensity combat conditions.
Images of the sewer battle floated in his mind. He relived the fear, the adrenaline, and the moment he had absorbed the Anomaly Core. Instead of panic, he focused on analysis: reactions, flow of energy, mistakes, and victories. Each memory became a lesson, each heartbeat a measure of control.
By evening, his breathing was steady, his mana core humming like a calm furnace. He had grown stronger in a single day than many apprentices did in months.
6. A New Opportunity Appears
As Ethan prepared to leave the courtyard, a sudden shimmer in the air caught his attention. A faint, golden light, shaped like a small orb, hovered in front of him.
[System Notification]Optional Skill Unlock AvailableRequirements: Ember Surge mastery, Mana Core Regulation ≥ 80%Reward: Ignition Technique – Advanced Level
Ethan blinked. A new skill. This could dramatically improve his combat potential. He stretched out his hand, and the orb entered his palm, integrating seamlessly with his core.
[Skill Acquired: Ignition Technique]Description: Allows controlled ignition bursts in multiple directions, combining offense and defense.
A grin spread across Ethan's face. Every hour spent today had compounded his potential. The next simulation would be the real test—but he felt ready.
7. Reflection Before Rest
As night fell over Astraea, Ethan sat on his rooftop once again, gazing at the glowing city. Lanterns floated like stars, and distant laughter and the hum of magic filled the air.
The Higher Mage who had observed him before had not appeared today, but Ethan felt their presence lingering like a shadow at the edge of his perception.
"Good," he whispered. "They can watch. I'll show them what I'm made of."
The Simulator pulsed softly, reminding him that the cooldown was ticking. Three days, twelve hours, and counting. He had prepared, evolved, and adapted.
When the next simulation began, he would step into it not as a novice, but as a rapidly growing force—ready to face any anomaly, enemy, or challenge.
And as he finally closed his eyes, the city of mages beneath him felt alive with possibilities—and danger.