The low rumble from the ruins grew louder, reverberating through the earth as the corrupted creatures shuffled out of the shadows. Their twisted forms moved unnaturally, their glowing eyes fixed on Cendikia and Elena. The creatures were once human scholars or mages who had delved too deep into the dark magic of the Ruins of Talvalis and paid the price for their arrogance.
Cendikia's heart pounded in his chest, his grip tightening on the dagger at his side. He wasn't ready for this. His combat skills were still minimal, and the system's earlier punishment had weakened his mana and stamina. Facing these corrupted beings would be his first real test beyond the walls of the academy.
As the creatures advanced, Cendikia knew he needed to act quickly. He couldn't rush into this blind. Without taking his eyes off the approaching enemies, he muttered under his breath:
"Status open."
The system responded instantly, and a familiar window appeared in his mind, listing his current status:
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Name: Cendikia Paramarta
Role: Scholar (Side Character)
Level: 2
Health: 70/100
Mana: 45/70
Stamina: 50/100
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Skills:
Ancient Language Decoding: Level 2
Knowledge of Forgotten Lore: Level 2
Beginner Combat Skill: Level 2
Forbidden Rites (Dark Magic): Level 2
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Current Mission:
Survive the first test of Talvalis
Mission Completion: 0%
Ongoing Mission:
Undermine Aiden Drystan's Influence
Mission Progress: 50%
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His health and stamina were still diminished from the punishment, and while his mana had recovered slightly, it was nowhere near full strength. His combat skill had improved, but it was far from where it needed to be to face creatures of this magnitude. On the other hand, his proficiency with Forbidden Rites had grown, and that was his best chance of surviving this encounter.
But using dark magic meant risking the system's punishment again. The more he relied on forbidden power, the more dangerous his path became.
Cendikia cursed under his breath. He had no choice. These creatures wouldn't give him time to plan or hesitate.
"Ready?" Elena's voice cut through his thoughts, her twin blades gleaming in the low light. She had already dropped into a fighting stance, her eyes locked on the creatures, sizing them up with the cool confidence of someone who had faced worse.
Cendikia nodded, though his nerves were fraying. 'I'll have to let her take the lead in combat,' he thought. "I'll support from behind," he said quickly.
"Just don't die, scholar," Elena shot back, her smirk barely visible as she readied herself to charge.
The creatures moved faster now, their limbs twitching unnaturally as they closed in. The first one lunged toward them, its body distorting as it leaped through the air. Elena was quick to react, her blade flashing in a blur as she sliced through the creature's midsection, black blood spraying across the stone.
The creature let out a guttural howl, collapsing to the ground, but more were coming.
Cendikia backed up a step, his mind racing. 'If I can't outfight them, I'll outthink them.'
He reached into his satchel, pulling out the Forgotten Scholar's Grimoire. Its pages fluttered open, glowing faintly with dark energy. He could feel the magic swirling within, the forbidden knowledge waiting for him to use it.
The system's warning flashed in his mind:
[Warning!!!
Overuse of dark magic may result in punishment.]
Cendikia swallowed hard. He didn't have time to second-guess. If he didn't act now, they were both dead.
"I'll weaken them!" Cendikia called out to Elena, his voice steady despite the chaos. He focused on one of the approaching creatures, his mind racing as he recited the incantation he had memorized from the grimoire.
The ancient words slipped from his lips, and a dark mist began to form around his hands. The air around the creature grew heavier as the magic took hold, slowing its movements and sapping its strength. The creature faltered, its body jerking unnaturally as the curse seeped into its bones.
Elena moved in swiftly, her blades flashing as she struck the weakened creature down with a single, decisive blow.
"Nice one," she muttered, already turning to face the next threat.
But Cendikia wasn't done. He focused on the next creature, his hands trembling as he began another incantation. His mana drained with each spell, the pull of the dark magic taking its toll on his body. He could feel the system watching, waiting for him to slip up, to push too far.
Elena dodged the attack of a third creature, slashing across its back in a clean arc. "We're getting swarmed here, Cendikia!" she shouted, frustration leaking into her voice.
Cendikia's vision blurred as he cast another weakening spell, the darkness coiling around the creature's limbs, dragging it to the ground. His mana reserve dipped dangerously low, and sweat dripped down his face. The strain of the forbidden rites was growing unbearable, but it was working.
For now.
[Health: 60/100]
[Mana: 20/70]
He gasped for breath, his body trembling from the exertion. His stamina and mana were depleting faster than he anticipated. The system wasn't forgiving, and he knew if he drained himself too much, the punishment would be swift.
[Mission Update: 50% Complete]
Only half done. The creatures weren't stopping, and more were emerging from the ruins, drawn to the ancient magic in the air. The dark power within the Ruins of Talvalis was waking up, and it wouldn't stop until it consumed them both.
Elena was moving in a blur now, her blades dancing as she cut down the corrupted beings, but even she was starting to falter. The creatures were relentless, and there were too many of them.
Cendikia's head spun, his mind reaching for any solution that could turn the tide of the battle. He had to think, had to find a way to end this without draining himself completely.
Suddenly, the grimoire's pages fluttered, as if responding to his desperation. A new incantation appeared before him, one that he hadn't seen before. It was more powerful than the weakening curses he had been using, but far more dangerous.
'Should I risk it?'
The creatures were closing in, and Elena wouldn't be able to hold them off much longer. He had no other choice.
Gritting his teeth, Cendikia began to chant the incantation. The words felt foreign on his tongue, ancient and powerful. The air around him grew cold, and the ground beneath his feet trembled. Dark tendrils of magic coiled from his hands, snaking through the air toward the creatures.
As the spell took hold, the creatures screamed, their bodies contorting as the dark magic ripped through them. Their limbs twisted, and their forms began to disintegrate, the corrupted magic inside them unraveling in a cloud of black mist.
Elena stared in shock as the creatures collapsed, one after another, their bodies dissolving into nothingness.
But Cendikia wasn't celebrating. The moment the last creature fell, a sharp pain lanced through his body, and the system's voice rang out coldly.
[Punishment Activated:
Stamina and Mana permanently reduced.]
He gasped, his knees buckling as the punishment hit him. His vision swam, and he felt his strength draining away, faster than he could recover. The dark magic had worked, but the cost was higher than he had anticipated.
[Health: 40/100]
[Mana: 10/70]
[Stamina: 30/100]
Cendikia collapsed to the ground, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. The system had taken its toll, punishing him for using magic beyond his control.
Elena approached him cautiously, her blades still drawn. "What… what did you just do?"
Cendikia shook his head weakly, unable to find the words. He had survived, but barely. The power of the Forgotten Scholar's Grimoire had saved them both, but it had come at a steep price. His mana and stamina had been drained to dangerous levels, and the system had punished him once again for overstepping his bounds.
Elena frowned, her eyes narrowing as she studied him. "You're more dangerous than I thought, scholar."
Cendikia let out a weak laugh, his body trembling. "You have no idea."
The ruins fell silent, the creatures destroyed, but the air was still thick with magic. Cendikia pushed himself to his feet, his legs shaking beneath him. He had completed the mission, but the cost weighed heavily on him.
[Mission Complete!!
Survive the first test of Talvalis.]
[Reward:
Arcane Combat Skill Unlocked.]
The system's message flickered in his mind, and he felt a new surge of energy, a faint one, but enough to know that his arcane combat abilities had improved. It wasn't much, but it was something. He would need every advantage he could get moving forward.
Elena sheathed her blades, still watching him carefully. "So, what's next?" she asked, her voice calmer now that the immediate danger had passed.
Cendikia glanced toward the deeper parts of the ruins, where the true secrets of Talvalis awaited. His body was weakened, but his mind was still sharp. There was more to discover here, more knowledge and more power.
He just hoped he had enough strength left to claim it.