After deciding to create a new training plan, Kael headed home. The rest of the day passed as usual. Following dinner, he retreated to his room to map out his next steps.
That night, he sat cross-legged on the floor, moonlight casting long shadows through the window. He furrowed his brows in thought, then muttered, "Mage or Augmenter… This question has plagued me since I started training. Initially, I didn't know which path I was suited for, so I focused on improving my body and mana control. After all, they are fundamental to becoming either a mage or an augmenter." He exhaled slowly, his gaze drifting to the ceiling. "But now, I know I have the potential to become either. So the real question is, which path should I take?"
He clasped his hands together, his thoughts growing more intense. "A mage wields overwhelming destructive power from a distance, while an augmenter dominates in close-range combat with enhanced physical abilities. Both have strengths and weaknesses." His brows furrowed.
"Until now, I haven't thought too much about it. But I can't afford to remain undecided. If I want to reach greater heights, I need to lean toward one path.
To become a mage, I need spell books or a tutor—proper guidance to ensure I don't develop bad habits in spell casting or controlling mana when casting. The same applies to augmenters. I will need manuals on combat techniques, rigorous martial arts training, and weapon mastery. Even if I self-study, a tutor will be essential to ensure proper execution of techniques."
He sighed. "Unfortunately, my parents are ordinary commoners; they are neither mages nor augmenters. So I can't expect any help in these fields like how I got help in Runecrafting from Helena."
Kael fell into deep contemplation. After several moments, a sudden realization struck him.
"Wait…why do I need to follow just one path?" His eyes widened. "I've been thinking to limit myself unnecessarily. Instead of adhering to the conventional paths, I should develop my own combat system—one that integrates the strengths of both augmenter and mage."
A surge of excitement coursed through him as he grabbed his notebook and started scribbling:
1. Close-Range Combat: Master swordsmanship and the Ironhide Clan's body reinforcement for close-quarters fighting.
2. Mid-to-Long-Range Combat: Develop lightning-based projectiles—javelins, arcs, or any form of energy-based attacks to extend my reach and maintain versatility.
3. Mobility: Refine FlickerStep for combat evasion and rapid repositioning.
After jotting down his strategy, he paused. "This approach is unorthodox, even risky. But in a world where extras die forgotten,unconventional methods might be my key to survival."
He glanced at another section of his notes. His mind buzzed with possibilities. "Since I've already started Runecrafting, I should push for grandmaster-level mastery. If I can seamlessly incorporate runes into my combat system, it will give me an edge by making my fighting style even more unpredictable."
With his path set, he turned his focus to revising his training plan.
"First, I need to evaluate my current routine." He flipped to a page where he had outlined his schedule:
- 5:00 AM - 7:30 AM: Morning workouts.
- 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Blink training.
- 1:30 PM - Evening: Runecrafting and family time.
- After dinner: Meditation for mana sensitivity.
Scanning the list, Kael analyzed each segment carefully. "The morning workouts have lost their effectiveness ever since I started practicing the Ironhide Clan's body reinforcement method. That method has made my body far stronger than I imagined, and because of that, I've gotten comfortable with my current exercises."
He tapped the quill against the page. "Should I add weights?" He immediately dismissed the thought. "No, my body is still developing. Adding weights too soon could stunt my growth. Instead, I should increase the intensity by incorporating more exercises and higher repetitions."
A new idea crossed his mind. "If that still isn't enough, I could use pressure seals to add difficulty. I need to research whether they have any adverse effects, but if they don't, I should integrate them into my training early on."
Moving on to his morning training, he reflected, "Up until now, I've prioritized mastering Blink, which has slowed my progress with lightning element. The problem is that both require significant mana reserves. If I focus solely on lightning, my progress in Blink will become stagnant. But if I split my time too much, I won't improve meaningfully in either."
After careful thought, he reached a conclusion. "Dedicating four days to lightning training should yield better results. The remaining time will be split, with two days focused on improving Blink's sustainability and one day dedicated to refining the Ironhide Clan technique."
Next, he considered his Runecrafting. "It's been three years since I started, and I advanced to the beginner stage in less than one year. Most take three years just to reach this level. Even Helena took the same time. That's why she has been adamant about me focusing entirely on Runecrafting. I'm currently doing better than others. At my current pace, I should reach the intermediate level in a year and a half or even sooner. I don't need to change this part of my training."
Finally, he reviewed his meditation. "Four months ago, I started sensing ambient mana. Since then, I've been trying to absorb it but haven't succeeded yet. It might take another couple of months before I break through." He let out a self-deprecating chuckle. "To think that the protagonist of this world achieved in six months what has taken me nearly three years... and I still have a ways to go."
Pushing aside that discouraging thought, he focused on adjusting his training. With everything analyzed, he outlined his new schedule:
* Dawn (5:00 AM - 7:30 AM): Enhanced workouts with higher intensity. Introduce pressure seals once got comfortable with new plan.
* Morning (8:00 AM - 12:30 PM): Alternate between lightning mastery and Blink training on different days while also beginning swordsmanship practice.
* Afternoon (1:30 PM - Evening): Runecrafting lessons with Helena.
* Night: Meditation until he achieves mana absorption. Afterward, he will focus on absorbing mana while moving.
Kael set his quill down and leaned back, satisfied. His new plan was well-structured and balanced.
Glancing at the flickering candlelight beside him, he exhaled softly. "This is it. From tomorrow onward, I'll push myself beyond my limits. If I want to survive and surpass even the protagonist, I have no room for complacency."
With that final thought, he closed his book, lay down on his bed, and drifted into sleep, his mind already preparing for the grueling training ahead.