The academy's training grounds were quiet in the late afternoon, the kind of stillness only a student with no scheduled classes could enjoy.
Lucien stretched, a wide grin on his face.
"Finally… alone time. Let's see how much this human brain can optimize talent and affinity."
Kael, Brom, and Elarion were busy elsewhere, leaving Lucien free. Normally, he thrived in chaos—but today, he wanted precision practice.
SOLO TRAINING BEGINS
Lucien's system floated in front of him as always:
SYSTEM NOTICE:
New Training Session Detected
Focus: Talent Improvement / Affinity Enhancement
Duration: Unlimited
Lucien rubbed his hands together.
"Okay… I know from my previous life what works. Time to combine science, gaming logic, and otaku knowledge."
He set his affinity to fire first.
Step 1: Max control of small flames
Step 2: Manipulate fire's temperature precisely
Step 3: Test reaction speed with multiple small bursts
Step 4: Record mana consumption for efficiency
Flames danced along his fingertips, forming rings, spirals, even miniature tornadoes. His system displayed subtle numerical feedback.
Fire Affinity Control: 67% → 71%
Talent Response: 60% → 65%
Lucien grinned. "Not bad for a warm-up."
TACTICAL THINKING (GAMER MODE)
Lucien set up small enchanted targets along the yard. Each target had a mana sensor to measure precision and mana efficiency.
"Alright… otaku tactics time," he muttered. "Phase one: learn combo patterns. Phase two: maximize output without wasting mana. Phase three: exploit environmental advantage."
Flames shot out in a precise pattern, each target lighting up in sequence. Lucien noted every minor fluctuation.
System Notice:
Talent Synchronization Progress: +3%
Affinity Control Progress: +4%
Lucien laughed.
"Even in-game tutorials don't give you this much feedback!"
SYSTEM — QUEST DETECTED
Suddenly, the system beeped.
SYSTEM QUEST DETECTED:
Name: Trial of Affinity
Objective: Master precise control over your main elemental affinity
Requirement: Solo completion
Reward: Affinity Awakening + Special Item
Lucien's grin widened.
"A quest? Now we're talking. Solo? Perfect."
He knew from his previous life that system quests were not only about power—they gave rare rewards that normal leveling didn't.
TRIAL OF AFFINITY
The system manifested a magical projection of elemental constructs in the middle of the field. They were harmless—but fast and unpredictable.
Step 1: Observe movement patterns
Step 2: Predict elemental rotations
Step 3: Strike weak points with minimal mana use
Lucien combined his fire affinity with clever spatial positioning.
System Notice:
Damage Efficiency: 92%
Precision: 95%
Mana Conservation: 90%
Quest Progress: 50%
"Halfway done and not even sweating," Lucien muttered. "Now, phase two!"
He pushed himself further—splitting his mana to control two fire streams simultaneously, dodging constructs that moved in chaotic patterns, all while keeping a perfect rhythm.
System Notice:
Quest Progress: 100%
Reward Ready: Affinity Awakening — Fire
REWARD — AFFINITY AWAKENING
Lucien felt a surge of mana. His fire affinity deepened—the flames he produced now had subtle new properties:
Faster reaction
Sharper heat
Mana-efficient
Slightly enhanced destructive radius
SYSTEM NOTICE:
Affinity Upgraded: Fire → Fire (Advanced Control)
Minor Passive Boost: +5% elemental damage
Bonus Item Acquired: Flame Focus Crystal (enhances training effectiveness)
Lucien's grin widened until it hurt.
"Look at that… even in a solo trial, efficiency rules. +5% elemental output for free."
THOUGHTS OF STRATEGY
Lucien leaned back, letting the afterglow of magic settle.
Bonding multiplies everything… but solo training is just as important.
If I can master affinity alone, bonds will make me unstoppable.
He rubbed his chin.
"And the best part? This is just F/E-Rank training. Wait until I hit C and beyond… the multiplication alone will be insane."
ELARION & KAEL OBSERVE FROM AFAR
Elarion whispered to Kael.
"Did he… just make fire circles dance in perfect pattern? Alone?"
Kael frowned.
"He's pushing limits. He's… insane."
Brom laughed from behind a tree.
"Insane is fun!"
SYSTEM — QUIET UPDATE
Affinity mastery quest completed
Talents sharpened
Multiplication bonus for bonding increased
Flame Focus Crystal added to inventory
New System Feature Unlocked: "Solo Training Bonus" (Increases EXP gain and bond efficiency when combined with team activity)
Lucien rubbed the crystal in his hand.
"Time to level up… not just me, but the entire team."