The Duel and the New Awakening

Later that morning, before classes began, Elian found a quiet corner in the academy's tech lounge. He activated his personal interface—a translucent, holographic display floating before him. The Skill Tab unfurled, listing all twenty potential magic skills. Most remained locked, except for a few he had already unlocked. As he scrolled, one entry in particular caught his eye:

Beast Tamer: [Locked]

Sub-skills: Beast Communication, Pack Leader, Alpha's Command, …

A small notification blinked in his mind:

[System Prompt: Use your newly earned 5 Skill Points to unlock a new skill.]

Recalling last night's epic battle with the Corrupted Direwolf, he remembered the rewards that had come with his level-up—5 Attribute Points and 5 Skill Points. After a moment of thought, he tapped the interface, allocating 3 of his new skill points to unlock Beast Tamer. Almost instantly, the first sub-skill, Beast Communication, activated. Eve's familiar voice confirmed,

"Beast Tamer unlocked: Beast Communication is now available."

With that satisfying upgrade complete, Elian then opened his Attribute Tab. His current numerical stats were clearly listed:

Strength: 9

Agility: 7

Stamina: 7

Mana: 9

Charisma: 5

He quickly spent his 5 Attribute Points—adding 1 point each to Strength, Agility, Stamina, Mana, and Charisma—watching the numbers update in real time. Though he didn't fully grasp the extent of his hidden potential, each incremental boost filled him with cautious hope.

---

After finalizing his upgrades, Elian joined the throng of students heading toward the combat evaluation arena. The vast coliseum-like space was already buzzing with energy, as groups of students sparred in preliminary bouts. He found a seat on one of the floating platforms and watched intently as several duels unfolded—each match a showcase of skills and raw power.

His mind remained alert, analyzing every movement and technique. Finally, an announcement over the academy's magical loudspeaker called his name.

"Elian Drayven, step forward for your evaluation match."

Taking a deep breath, he strode into the arena. Today, his opponent was a moderate student known for his balanced skills—Marcus Lorian, a Silver Rank combatant with a reputation for aggressive yet methodical fighting. Marcus had a lean build, dark hair, and a determined gaze that promised a fair, yet challenging duel.

The match began with a ceremonial gong. Without hesitation, Marcus charged forward, attempting to overwhelm Elian with a series of swift melee strikes. In response, Elian kept his focus on his only chosen arsenal for this fight—his fire abilities.

He activated Fire Manipulation, summoning controlled streams of flame that danced around his fingertips. As Marcus lunged, Elian released a measured burst of fire toward his opponent, forcing him to step back. The crowd murmured in surprise at the precision of the attack.

Then, sensing the right moment, Elian advanced further by channeling Firestorm—a sub-skill he had honed through countless hours of training. A swirling vortex of intense, controlled flames erupted around him, the heat distorting the air in a mesmerizing display. The torrent of fire cascaded toward Marcus, who barely managed to raise a protective ward in time.

The impact was undeniable. Marcus was pushed back by the overwhelming force, his defenses crumbling under the relentless assault. Elian's focused barrage of fire continued until, with a final explosive burst, Marcus was forced to yield. The referee's hand dropped, signaling the end of the bout.

A notification appeared in Elian's vision:

[Combat Evaluation Complete: EXP Gained: 350]

His EXP bar updated accordingly, inching him closer to the next level. Though he had revealed only a fraction of his potential—merely 10% of his true power—the controlled display of his fire skills impressed many in attendance.

As he exited the arena, a calm satisfaction washed over him. In that brief duel, he had not only earned valuable EXP but had also validated his decision to upgrade his system the night before. With his newly unlocked Beast Tamer skill and enhanced attributes, Elian sensed that the road ahead was as treacherous as it was promising.

Eve's voice chimed in softly:

"Excellent work, Elian. Your measured display today brings you one step closer to mastering your true potential. Remember, every battle, every victory, fuels your growth."

Walking through the bustling corridors of Astralis Academy, Elian felt the weight of his responsibilities—and the thrill of his hidden power—intertwined. The future, though uncertain, beckoned him forward with the promise of challenges yet to come.