Alaryc returned to his dormitory, exhausted but satisfied with the day's progress. As he was about to lie down to sleep, a familiar voice echoed in his mind.
"At your request to become stronger, I have created a new function that may prove extremely useful, Master Alaryc," announced Freya, his system.
Intrigued, Alaryc asked, "What function?"
Freya responded calmly, "I have designed a mental training ground where time is significantly slowed. One minute in the real world equals one hour inside. This way, you can train extensively while allowing your body to rest."
Alaryc's eyes lit up with excitement. "That's incredible! Take me there right now!" he declared.
In an instant, he closed his eyes and suddenly found himself in a vast space resembling an arena. All around him were targets for practice, various weapons, and automated combat dummies.
Curious, he pointed at the dummies and asked, "Freya, what's their functionality?"
Freya answered in a composed voice, "These dummies are specifically designed to adapt to the level of their opponent. They have no limit and will become as powerful as necessary to match your progress."
Smiling with enthusiasm, Alaryc asked, "They really have no limits?"
"None," Freya confirmed.
"Alright, let's activate them!" he said, a glint of challenge in his eyes.
The first dummy activated immediately and charged at Alaryc with exceptional speed. Alaryc narrowly dodged the initial attack and countered using the Shadow element, launching a shadow blade toward the dummy. But it dodged the attack effortlessly and countered with a kick so powerful that Alaryc was sent crashing into a wall, leaving a large crater.
Blood dripped from Alaryc's mouth, but he quickly healed himself with his Light element. Instead of worrying, he grinned with excitement. "This is exactly what I need," he muttered before dashing at the dummy at high speed.
This time, he combined the elements of Water and Fire, creating electricity in his legs to boost his speed. Blending martial arts and magic, he engaged in a fierce and devastating battle. Every strike he delivered seemed more precise and powerful as he adapted to the rhythm of the fight.
However, the dummy was also adapting, growing increasingly formidable. Eventually, it regained the upper hand and delivered a punch so devastating that Alaryc was hurled across the arena, coughing up a large amount of blood.
On the brink of collapse and nearly unconscious, something inside him awakened. Entering a trance state, all his elements fused together. His hair turned a brilliant white, and his eyes glowed with an otherworldly light. Fixing the dummy with his gaze, he declared in a calm yet determined voice, "Now, I'll go all out."