"Please check me in," I requested the receptionist, gesturing towards the four large trunks stacked behind me and the heavy bag slung over my shoulder.
"A big room will cost around one silver coin per day," she informed me, scanning me from head to toe.
'I told you that you should've done your hair properly. Now she can't see your pretty face, and no discount for us,' Blaze chimed in with his usual teasing.
"It's fine. Get me a room for four days... no, five days," I decided, not minding the lack of discount.
The receptionist nodded and diligently recorded my information in the registry. She handed me the keys, and I gratefully accepted them.
With the keys in hand, I made my way down the corridor to room number 12. Upon entering, I was pleasantly surprised by the spaciousness and the abundance of sunlight filtering through the windows.
After taking a refreshing shower, I sat down to eat the fruits I had brought with me. I wasn't particularly hungry, but I needed some nourishment to keep going.
"System," I murmured, summoning the blue slate in front of my eyes.
'I tend to forget that you have this thing. You don't use it at all, huh?' Blaze commented.
"That's true," I admitted. It might sound foolish for someone who had been transported into a game world with a functioning system to be reluctant to use it, but I couldn't help feeling suspicious about it. The system made everything seem too artificial, and I preferred not to depend on it more than necessary. While I did use it when required, I tried to rely on my own instincts and abilities whenever possible.
'Isn't it because it makes you feel like you are in a fake world?' Blaze asked, trying to understand my hesitation.
I pondered for a moment, trying to make sense of his question. "Maybe... There's something about it that just doesn't sit right with me. I can't explain it, but it feels like relying too much on the system would disconnect me from the reality of this world."
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STATUS WINDOW
[Ren Chris Hilton]
Age: 16
Race: Purebred Phoenix
[Level 1: Ember Initiate]
Current Progress.
Intelligence: 9.1/10
Strength: 100/100
Mana: 100/100
[Next Level: Flame Adept]
[10000/11000 Exp]
(Level up available!)
Elemental Attributes: Fire
Advancements of Elements: Lightning
Unlock New Advancement: (Open)
Contracted Beast: One
Spirits: None
Skills:
1) Body Strengthening
2) Fireball
3) Inferno Bolt
Learn New Skills: (Open)
Store: (Open)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
"Flame adept, huh," I mused, reviewing my status window. I had gathered a considerable amount of experience points during my journey from Sephra to Solstice. I had also discovered that I earned experience points and blood points when Blaze killed enemies.
"Level Up," I commanded, and another permission slate appeared. With a click, I initiated the process.
"Hup!" Suddenly, my heart skipped a beat, and a moment later, I collapsed to the floor with a thud. Blaze looked at me with a worried expression as I felt a strange sensation of being frozen in place.
My mind was racing as I tried to comprehend what was happening. The numbing sensation in the back of my mind was disconcerting, and the feeling of being frozen in time was bewildering. It was as if the world had come to a standstill, and I was trapped in this moment of suspended animation.
"Blaze, what's going on?" I managed to say, my voice barely whispered.
"I don't know," Blaze replied, his usual fiery demeanor is now tinged with concern. "This... this has never happened before."
I tried to move my limbs, but they remained unresponsive. Panic started to creep in as I realized that I was completely paralyzed, unable to even twitch a finger. It was as if I was trapped in my own body.
With the passage of time distorted, it felt like hours had passed while I was stuck in this motionless state. My thoughts raced as I tried to figure out a way to break free from whatever had immobilized me.
Then, just as suddenly as it began, the numbing sensation started to fade away, and I regained control of my body. I gasped for breath, feeling as if I had been holding it in for far too long.
"Blaze, what was that?" I asked, still shaken by the experience.
"I don't know, Ren," Blaze said, his voice serious. "It felt like some kind of interference, as if someone or something was trying to halt your progress."
"Interference?" I repeated, my mind racing with possibilities. "Do you think it was the system? Did it do something to me?"
"I can't say for sure," Blaze.
I sighed, trying to shake off the strange feeling that had just overtaken me. I shook my head, but instead of regaining my balance, my head felt unnaturally heavy, and my whole body swayed uncontrollably. In my disoriented state, I accidentally hit the wall beside me with my head, which only added to my confusion.
Then, as if a voice from another realm, an ethereal presence seemed to call out to me, resonating in the atmosphere. It was as if someone or something was trying to communicate with me, but the words were vague and fleeting.
[The Clan Calls, Must Go.]
"Hey, did you hear something?" I asked Blaze, hoping to confirm if I was losing my mind or not.
"No... I didn't hear anything," Blaze responded promptly.
"I heard... nothing," I hesitated, realizing that perhaps it was just my imagination playing tricks on me. The moment passed, leaving me unsettled but unable to explain the strange occurrence.
Shaking my head again, I decided to focus.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
STATUS WINDOW
[Ren Chris Hilton]
Age: 16
Race: Purebred Phoenix
[Level 2: Flame Adept]
[3 Star Mage In Human Terms.]
Current Progress.
Intelligence: 8/10
Strength: 50/100
Mana: 50/100
[Next Level: Scorchmaster]
[0/15000 Exp]
(Level up unavailable!)
Elemental Attributes: Fire
Advancements of Elements: Lightning
Unlock New Advancement: (Open)
Contracted Beast: One
Spirits: None
Skills:[22 skills.]
Learn New Skills: (Open)
Store: (Open)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The surge of power coursing through me was exhilarating. I could feel the vastness of my mana pool, and it seemed as if my bones had grown stronger, more capable of handling the abundant mana that flowed within me. With the newly acquired Flame Adept level, my mana strengthening abilities were enhanced, allowing me to push my limits even further.
As I stood in my room, I could sense the presence of others around me with raw mana detection. It was like an invisible web that connected me to every living being in the vicinity. I could tell the number of people in the tavern and even their magical abilities.
Elemental vision granted me a deeper insight into the world around me. In the kitchen, two fire mages and one water mage were currently using magic to prepare the meals. The vibrant colors of white mana emanated from them, contrasting against the hollow traces of raw mana that surrounded the non-mages in the tavern.
The feeling of power and control was overwhelming but also empowering. I knew that with my current strength at the Flame Adept stage of the phoenix, I could easily match the abilities of a five-star mage in human terms. It was an achievement I was proud of, knowing that my hard work and dedication had paid off.
Yet, I couldn't help but feel a tinge of annoyance at the minor deduction in intelligence after leveling up. It was frustrating to see my attributes decrease, even by a single point. But I knew that growth came with sacrifices, and as I continued to develop my skills and advance further, such fluctuations would become less significant.
As I stood in front of the mirror, I couldn't help but notice the subtle changes in my physical appearance. My two canines had grown slightly, giving me a somewhat vampiric look. They weren't as large as those of a full-fledged vampire or Dracula, but they were prominent enough to make me appear a bit different than before.
"It's not that noticeable, but still... I feel like a vampire," I remarked, studying my reflection closely. The changes were not significant enough to cause concern, but it was strange to see such alterations in my appearance.
Blaze chuckled in my mind, finding my reaction amusing. "Well, well, it seems you've gained a touch of the mystical allure. Maybe you'll have to start practicing your brooding looks now," he teased.
I rolled my eyes at his jesting. "Oh please, as if I need any more attention drawn to me," I replied, trying to downplay the whole situation.
As I lay on the bed, my mind was filled with anticipation for the upcoming days at the Imperial Academy. The admission test was just two days away, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. It was a chance for me to prove myself and showcase my abilities as a Purebred Phoenix and a Flame Adept.
Closing my eyes, I tried to calm my thoughts and focus on my breathing. I knew I needed to be well-rested and prepared for the challenges that lay ahead. With the flick of my fingers, a small fireball appeared in my hand, a testament to the power and control I had over fire magic.
I examined my reflection in the mirror once more, noticing the two oval white rings around my pupils that appeared when I cast the spell. It was a unique aspect of my phoenix heritage, and it served as a reminder of the incredible potential within me.
"Two days," I murmured to myself, feeling the weight of time ticking away.
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