After emerging victorious from the survival test, Noah was greeted by a wave of congratulations from his peers. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, and even Layla and Lyra approached him—an unexpected gesture. Lyra, in particular, was known for her aloof nature, rarely speaking to anyone. Noah couldn't help but smile, guessing the reason behind Layla's enthusiasm. She must have watched me fight Charlotte, he thought with a small grin.
As the crowd began to disperse, Miss Elsa stepped forward, her expression warm and proud. "Well done, Noah! I can't believe how strong you've become," she said, her voice thick with genuine admiration.
After receiving his reward and exchanging a few words with Scarlett, Noah returned to his room, the weight of the day pressing down on him. His eyes fell on the purple scroll resting on his desk, a wave of eager anticipation surging through him.
For a moment, he considered using the scroll to enhance his Divine Eyes, but the system cautioned that such a high-level scroll would not be compatible. With a determined nod, he set his sights on his original plan—upgrading his sword art.
Concentrating on the scroll, he tore it open with a swift motion.
Ding!
[Upgrading Eclipse Sword Art]
[Upgrading to Grade 4]
[Upgrading to Grade 5]
[A Grade (5) sword art has been formed]
[Does the host wish to see it now?]
"Yes!" Noah replied, his excitement palpable.
[Eclipse Blade Art (Grade 5)]
First Form: Shadow Strike – A swift, near-instantaneous strike that leaves a shadowy afterimage, disorienting the foe and reducing their vision.
Second Form: Gale Dance – A flurry of attacks enhanced by wind, creating a whirlwind of blades. Now includes a defensive element, deflecting incoming attacks.
Third Form: Phantom Edge – Summons multiple phantom blades that converge on the target, dealing massive damage. Upgraded to include a homing effect, ensuring the blades hit their mark.
Fourth Form: Umbral Eclipse – Unleashes a massive, shadowy blade, cleaving through the opponent and leaving a trail of darkness.
Fifth Form: Celestial Void – A devastating final strike that creates a temporary void, nullifying the opponent's defenses and dealing critical damage.
"No bad! Even the first three forms have been enhanced. Now, I have two more moves that are even deadlier," Noah mused, his mind racing with possibilities.
"System, how many elements can I control now?" he asked.
[Host can now use Fire, Water, Wind, Nature, Light, Earth, Lightning, Shadow, Time, Space—all ten elements that the system grants.]
"Are there any other elements I can acquire?" he inquired further.
[Affirmative. Thunder, Ice, Storm, Inferno, and other derivative elements exist.]
[However, there are mysterious elements like Void and Chaos, which are powerful enough to alter reality itself. Even the system has limited knowledge of them. Should the host wish to acquire these, it must be done either personally or through the system's authority.]
"I see. Thanks," Noah responded, his resolve strengthening.
"System, fuse Nature's Embrace and Grace's Heal."
[Fusing Nature's Embrace with Grace's Heal]
[Fusion complete]
[New spell: Radiant Bloom created]
Noah experimented with the new spell. As he channeled the magic, golden vines erupted from the ground, followed by blooming flowers that shimmered with radiant light. It perfectly encapsulated the concept of "Radiant Bloom"—a fusion of nature's growth and radiant light. With a satisfied nod, he stopped the spell, watching as the vines dissolved into trails of light.
Feeling accomplished, Noah decided to rest. He lay on his bed, closed his eyes, and drifted into a peaceful slumber.
A few hours later, he woke up feeling refreshed. After a shower and a meal, his mind buzzed with the excitement of his new abilities. Today, he planned to put his newly fused skill—Mana Domain—into practice. This skill combined his mana sense and control, allowing him to sense mana within a kilometer radius and manipulate it within a short range. It was a significant leap forward.
Overwhelmed by the sheer number of elements he had to master, Noah made a decision. I'll focus on the Space element, he thought. If I can master short-distance teleportation, it'll be a game-changer during the cooldown of Flash Step.
With no classes until midterms and then a vacation, he felt this was the perfect opportunity to clear dungeons and sharpen his spells.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang, breaking his thoughts. Curiosity piqued, he opened the door to find Scarlett standing there, her cheeks flushed.
"Scarlett! What brings you here?" he asked, a smile spreading across his face.
"I—I was thinking," she stammered, looking away slightly. "Now that there are no classes, why don't we hang out together?"
"Are you asking me on a date?" he teased, arching an eyebrow.
"Wha—Ahem! You don't want to!" she blurted out, her face deepening in color.
"No, I would love to go," he replied without hesitation, his heart skipping a beat.
"Okay, meet me in two hours at the academy gate," she instructed, regaining her composure.
Before she could escape, he called out, "What are you going to wear?"
"You'll have to wait and see," she shot back, her playful smile making him grin. Then she dashed off, still blushing.
Chuckling to himself, Noah couldn't help but feel the excitement building. I bet she'll look amazing, he thought. He quickly decided to keep it simple yet stylish, opting for a black shirt and trousers that would complement whatever she wore.
Two hours later, Noah stood at the academy gate, his heart racing. He scanned the area until his eyes landed on Scarlett. She was wearing a stunning black one-piece dress, simple yet elegant, accentuating her figure beautifully. As she approached, Noah felt a rush of admiration.
"You look incredible," he said, his voice filled with appreciation.
"Thank you! You look great too," she replied, her eyes sparkling.
They stood there for a moment, the other students casting curious glances their way. Noah gently took her hand, offering it with a soft smile. "Shall we?"
"Yes," she beamed, intertwining her fingers with his.
As they walked side by side, Noah reflected on how far they'd come since their first meeting. The bond between them had only grown stronger, and he cherished every moment spent together. He even thought about introducing her to his parents, hoping they would accept her as he had.
The day unfolded in laughter and shared stories, each moment bringing them closer. Noah felt a peace and happiness he hadn't experienced in a long time. The outside world seemed to fade as they focused solely on each other.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the academy, Noah realized this was just the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. With Scarlett by his side, he felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead—together.