The Festival of Valor and Honor had been an emotional rollercoaster. The recognition, the cheers, the medals—it was all overwhelming in the best way. But with the accolades came an undeniable weight. Standing alone in my room, the quiet allowed me to reflect on everything that had happened. The cheers of the crowd, the pride in my parents' eyes, and the feeling of accomplishment would stay with me forever. But beneath that pride, there was an unspoken pressure—expectations, the kind that could break or elevate you.
I had finally told my parents about the demon incident, and their reactions were a mix of pride and frustration. They were glad I had stood my ground, but also angry that I hadn't confided in them earlier. "Why didn't you tell us before?" my mother had asked, her voice laced with both relief and concern. I had left out details about Scarlett for now—some things were too personal to share just yet. I'd find the right time later.
The Academy had rewarded us with A-rank skill books, and I'd picked one based on light magic. Scarlett had gone with a shadow skill, which had intrigued me. I was curious to see how she'd wield such power.
Now, here I was, in one of the club rooms with Olivia. I had asked her to teach me light magic, and she had agreed—but only if I owed her a favor. "You owe me one, Noah," she had said with that teasing smile. Our relationship had certainly grown since we first met, and I respected her for pushing me to be better.
"Alright, Noah," Olivia said, her voice firm, no longer playful. "Time to get serious. Light magic isn't as easy as it looks. Focus and precision are key."
I tried to steady my nerves, nodding. "Got it. Focus and precision."
"Good. Now, we start with the basic spell: Light Orb," she instructed, her gaze sharp as she assessed me. "Visualize the light forming in your hands. Close your eyes and concentrate."
I shut my eyes, drawing in a deep breath. I could feel the warmth of my mana, swirling within me. But shaping it into a spell was a different challenge altogether. "Alright... let's see if I can pull this off," I murmured under my breath.
"Focus, Noah!" Olivia's sharp tone pierced through my thoughts. "No distractions. You're not going to get anywhere if you keep talking."
I stiffened, instantly quieting down. "Yes, ma'am," I muttered, feeling the weight of her expectations. She was tough when she wanted to be.
"Now," Olivia continued, her eyes narrowing as she observed me closely, "visualize the light—bright, warm, glowing in your hands."
I focused harder, picturing a small orb of light materializing between my palms. At first, nothing happened, but then I felt the faintest flicker of warmth. I opened my eyes, surprised to find a small orb of light hovering between my hands, flickering like a candle in the wind.
"Not bad," Olivia commented, her voice softening slightly. "But now you need to keep it stable. Focus!"
I clenched my jaw, feeling a rush of determination. I pushed my mana, trying to stabilize the orb. The flickering light steadied, glowing more brightly as I focused.
"Good," Olivia said with approval, crossing her arms. "Now, expand it."
I pushed forward, visualizing the orb growing larger, its light spilling out to fill the room with a soft glow. A smile tugged at my lips. I'd actually done it.
"Nice," Olivia said, her tone approving but still measured. "But don't get cocky. Light magic isn't just about creating glowing orbs. It's about control—especially in combat."
I nodded, excitement and apprehension mingling. "What's next?"
"Next, we'll work on the Light Beam," she said, her expression shifting to something more serious. "It's an advanced spell, but I think you can handle it. But first, focus. No distractions."
I nodded, trying to push away my thoughts of the upcoming VR Island Survival Test. The competition was looming, and I wanted to be ready. The winning team would receive a Double Upgrade Scroll, a prize that could elevate a skill by two levels. I wasn't going to let anything get in the way of that.
"Are you even listening?" Olivia's voice snapped me out of my thoughts, sharp as a whip. I quickly refocused on her, embarrassed.
"Yes! Sorry, I'm listening," I said, trying to sound earnest. "I was just thinking about the competition."
"Focus on your training first," she said, her voice stern. "The competition will come. But if you don't master this now, it won't matter."
"Understood," I replied, shaking off my distractions. "Let's get back to it."
"Good. Now, for the Light Beam, you need to channel your mana into a concentrated beam. This will take precision and control. Start by forming the light in your hands again, but this time, visualize it extending outward."
I took a steadying breath, clearing my mind of everything else. The warmth of my mana pulsed inside me, ready to be shaped. "Alright, here we go," I muttered, focusing all my attention on the task at hand.
As I concentrated, I felt the light extend from my palms, forming into a narrow beam. It wasn't perfect, but I was making progress.
"I think I'm doing it!" I said, excitement creeping into my voice.
"Not quite," Olivia countered, her gaze unwavering. "You need to maintain the beam's intensity. If it flickers or fades, it won't be effective."
I grimaced, pushing harder. The beam wavered, but I focused on stabilizing it. "Come on," I muttered under my breath, willing it to stay strong.
"Better," Olivia said, still watching me closely. "But you need to keep practicing. This spell requires consistency, especially in a battle."
"I won't let you down," I said, my resolve solidifying. I kept going, adjusting my focus until the beam steadied. After several more attempts, I finally managed to create a steady Light Beam.
"Yes!" I couldn't help but shout, a rush of triumph sweeping through me.
"Not bad," Olivia said with a small smile. "But don't get too cocky. You still have a long way to go. The trial is tomorrow, and you need to be ready."
"I know," I said, my mind already racing ahead to the challenges ahead. "I'm ready."
"Just pace yourself," she cautioned. "Don't burn out before the competition begins."
"Right," I said, taking her advice to heart. "I'll find the balance."
As the hours passed, I continued to train under Olivia's watchful eye, pushing myself to the limit. My mana sense was expanding, and I was eager to see how far I could go. To sharpen my focus, I activated Mind Acceleration, letting it enhance my ability to process her instructions quickly and execute spells more efficiently.
"Alright, that's enough for today," Olivia said, finally stepping back with a satisfied look. "You've made good progress. But don't forget to meditate tonight—it'll help you recharge."
"Thanks, Olivia," I said, feeling gratitude for her tough but fair guidance. "I appreciate your help."
"Just remember, you owe me a favor," she said with a smirk, and I couldn't help but chuckle. I knew she meant it.
As I left the club room, my thoughts were consumed by the upcoming trial and the competition. I had invested so many CP into my skills, and now I had to make every second count. The VR Island Survival Test was my chance to prove myself, and I couldn't wait to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
"System," I muttered inwardly, "how long will the trial take?"
[Time flows differently in that dimension. One day in the real world equals one year in that dimension. You can complete the trial just before the competition and still make it back in time, unless you get trapped.]
"Got it," I thought, a surge of excitement coursing through me. "I can make it work."
With renewed determination, I dove back into my training routine—classes, Olivia's lessons, meditation, and now the added bonus of Mind Acceleration. My mana sense had already expanded to 500 meters, a skill that would serve me well in the competition.
The pressure was building. Tomorrow was the competition, and today was my last chance to complete the trial. 24 hours. That was all I had.
"Let's do this," I muttered to myself, clutching the black and gold stone in my hand. With a deep breath, I crushed it, feeling the energy surge within me as the trial began.