Welcome to the gothic-style magitech city known as Arcanum Haven, where knights and wizards from the wizard cultivation genre thrived amidst a blend of mystical energies and advanced technology.
The city's architecture was a marriage of intricate stone spires and towering crystalline structures that emitted a soft, ethereal glow. Airships floated gracefully in the skies, powered by magitech engines that hummed with energy.
The lifestyle in Arcanum Haven was a mix of ancient traditions and modern conveniences. Citizens adorned themselves in elaborate attire that combined eastern robes with western corsets and steampunk accessories.
The city bustled with a sense of purpose, as knights patrolled the streets clad in enchanted armor, and wizards conversed in hushed tones about their arcane studies, from Apprentices to Official Wizards.
The economy of the city thrived on a delicate balance of trade in magical artifacts, enchanted goods, and rare resources. Crystals that emitted mana, the life force of the world, were the most sought-after commodity.
These crystals were used to power everything from street lamps to airships, and the city's prosperity hinged on their availability.
Factions in Arcanum Haven were numerous and diverse, each with its own agenda and methods. The most powerful among them were the Wizard Council and the Knightly Orders.
The Wizard Council consisted of powerful wizards who delved into ancient tomes and conducted experiments to push the boundaries of magic.
The Knightly Orders, on the other hand, were organizations of skilled knights who upheld justice and protected the city from supernatural threats.
The geography of Arcanum Haven was a mesmerizing blend of mystical landscapes. Enchanted forests with trees that whispered secrets and crystalline lakes with waters that shimmered with magical energy surrounded the city.
These natural wonders were protected by powerful spells and creatures that responded to the harmonious balance of the world.
Necessary resources in Arcanum Haven included mana-infused crystals, rare herbs for potion-making, and elemental stones that enhanced magical abilities.
Political tensions often arose between the Wizard Council and the Knightly Orders, as their approaches to maintaining order and ensuring the city's safety sometimes clashed.
When he descended into his virtual avatar, Dante found himself within the central hall of the faction known as the Celestial Arcanists.
This faction was renowned for its dedication to both wizardry and knighthood, allowing its members to choose their path based on their abilities and preferences. The atmosphere within the Celestial Arcanists' headquarters was one of studious dedication, with ancient tomes lining the shelves and enchanted devices emitting soft glows.
Around Dante were 15 other people with various builds and forms, most of them far younger than he was. The oldest among them was around 15 years old, a good 6 years younger than Dante himself.
As Dante stood in the central hall of the Celestial Arcanists, he felt a mixture of interest and curiosity. After all, the wizard cultivation world was on the top 5 wishlist of readers in terms of places they would like to reincarnate to.
The other candidates surrounding him exuded a similar energy, each one eager to prove their worth and secure a place within the faction.
The faction's leader, a wise and elderly wizard known as Master Elandor, stood at the front of the hall, his robes adorned with intricate symbols that seemed to shimmer with their own magic. With a calm and commanding presence, he addressed the candidates.
"Welcome, aspiring members of the Celestial Arcanists." Master Elandor's voice echoed through the hall as his eye roved over each of them, pausing on Dante for a bit.
"Today, you underwent a series of tests to determine your aptitude in both magic and knighthood. Our faction valued individuals who could seamlessly blend these two disciplines, for true power lay in the harmony of the arcane and the martial." He concluded simply, his arms folded behind his back the entire time.
The rest could only share uncertain looks before nodding and following him to the various testing locations. While they were on the move, Dante descended with his real body and creaked his muscles, enjoying the feeling of his power returning.
The first test was a magical aptitude assessment.
Each candidate was given a crystal imbued with special enchantments and instructed to channel their minds and spirits into it. The crystal glowed with varying intensities based on the potency of the candidate's magical aura.
As the candidates took turns, Dante stepped forward, his calm smile making a few deacons nod with approval.
He held the crystal in his hand, closed his eyes, and focused his mind. With a deep breath, he channeled his mental power into the crystal, all 500 points of it.
The moment his aura touched the crystal, a brilliant and blinding light radiated from it, illuminating the entire hall. Gasps and whispers of astonishment filled the air as the intensity of Dante's magical energy far surpassed anything they had seen before.
Master Elandor's eyes widened ever so slightly, a glint of curiosity in his gaze. The other candidates exchanged incredulous looks, their own magical auras paling in comparison to Dante's luminous display.
It was as if a star had ignited within him, casting its radiance upon the room. Dante calmly took his hand away and stood by the side until the rest were done, and they moved to the next test.
The second test assessed combat aptitude, focusing on physical strength, agility, and reflexes.
A series of wooden targets were set up, and the candidates were tasked with hitting them accurately with a practice sword, axe, or spear while dodging enchanted projectiles. Dante's turn came, and he moved with the skill of an up-and-coming warrior.
His strikes were swift and precise, each blow landing with a satisfying thud against the wooden targets while wielding his halberd that he had specially requested. They humored him due to his earlier magical aptitude, even though halberds were seen as unorthodox knight weapons.
As he moved about, Dante's agility truly captured everyone's attention. He weaved effortlessly between the enchanted projectiles, his movements fluid and graceful. His reflexes were lightning-fast, allowing him to anticipate the projectiles' trajectory and avoid them with ease.
It was not just his agility that caused this but his powerful spirit sense that, even when not active, could detect anything within 10% of his active range, which in this case, was 50 meters. Within such a range, his 500 points of agility ensured he could easily dodge it.
Master Elandor's eyebrows rose in appreciation as he observed Dante's performance. The other candidates watched in awe, recognizing the monstrous talent that stood before them. It was as if Dante had transcended the limits of what a human body was capable of.
As the tests concluded, the candidates were led to a room for orientation. Master Elandor addressed them once more, his gaze lingering on Dante.
"You all displayed commendable skills today." Master Elandor began as he nodded to each of them who passed.
His eyes then landed on Dante with undisguised appreciation and respect. "However, there was one among you who possessed a truly exceptional and rare talent. Dante, your magical aura and physical prowess were beyond extraordinary. You were a beacon of potential, a prodigious individual who had the power to reshape the balance of magic and knighthood within our faction."
The other candidates turned their attention to Dante, a mixture of admiration and curiosity in their eyes. To
be acknowledged in such a manner by the faction's leader was a testament to his unparalleled abilities.
Dante nodded respectfully to Master Elandor, a sense of amusement simmering within him.
He had only detailed that he wanted to arrive in the powerful city of Arcanum Haven to seek power and resources in the introduction of his character, and it seemed that the world had placed him with the Celestial Arcanists for a reason.
Was it the typical plot of a declining faction in which the protagonist revived them using his monstrous talent not seen in ages? Dante didn't mind, as long as this faction had necessary techniques and resources to help him reach the peak of the world's power system.
"Dante, follow me." Master Elandor called while another deacon came to lead the other candidates away.
Dante walked with the older man and noticed that his white hair hid slightly longer ears. A half-elf?
"Our faction had a long and storied history, as well as many potent techniques and legacies for new apprentices to accept. However, all of these were distributed based on not only power and talent but tutelage."
As Master Elandor stated this, he turned to smile at Dante meaningfully. Dante immediately understood what he was getting at and bowed slightly.
"Master Elandor, I would like to take you as my teacher!"
Master Elandor laughed happily and patted Dante's shoulder with a look of approval. "You were truly destined to go far, Apprentice Dante!"
Both men shared a knowing look, understanding that the other was well versed in the ways of the world. Master Elandor then became slightly more serious as he led Dante towards the Library where the Meditation Techniques as well as the various Knight Breathing techniques were kept.
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