In the world of Eldria, strength was measured in **nine main tiers**, each divided into **ten sub-levels** of progression.
#### **Mages:**
1. **Magic Apprentice** *(Levels 1-10)*
2. **Arcane Disciple** *(Levels 1-10)*
3. **Spellweaver** *(Levels 1-10)*
4. **Mage** *(Levels 1-10)*
5. **Archmage** *(Levels 1-10)*
6. **Grand Archmage** *(Levels 1-10)*
7. **Sage** *(Levels 1-10)*
8. **Magus** *(Levels 1-10)*
9. **Arcane Sovereign** *(Levels 1-10)*
#### **Knights:**
1. **Squire** *(Levels 1-10)*
2. **Blade Disciple** *(Levels 1-10)*
3. **Weaponmaster** *(Levels 1-10)*
4. **Knight** *(Levels 1-10)*
5. **High Knight** *(Levels 1-10)*
6. **Champion** *(Levels 1-10)*
7. **Warlord** *(Levels 1-10)*
8. **Paragon** *(Levels 1-10)*
9. **Imperial Vangua
rd** *(Levels 1-10)*
The dormitory was silent save for the occasional groan of ancient timber settling in the night. Ethan Gale sat cross-legged on his narrow bed, the Celestial Vanguard text resting closed beside him. Moonlight streamed through the window, casting silver patterns across the rough wooden floorboards.
He had reached the peak of Magic Apprentice Level 10 three days prior. Now, on this quiet night, he would break through to Arcane Disciple.
*"System,"* he whispered. *"Initiate breakthrough sequence."*
**[Confirming Host's Request]**
**[Current Level: Magic Apprentice 10 (Peak Stage)]**
**[Preparing Advancement to Arcane Disciple 1]**
**[Warning: Physical vessel stability at 72% - proceed?]**
Ethan didn't hesitate. *"Proceed."*
The transformation began instantly.
A deep vibration started in his bones, resonating outward until his entire skeleton hummed with power. His muscles tensed as liquid fire replaced his blood, coursing through veins that glowed faintly gold beneath his skin. The System's voice echoed as the transformation accelerated:
**[Meridian Reconstruction Commencing]**
**[Core Formation in Progress]**
**[Mana Purity Increasing...]**
Ethan's back arched as white-hot energy surged through him. His vision whited out, replaced by fractal patterns of light—an infinite mosaic of magical potential. For a timeless moment, he existed both within and outside his body, watching himself from multiple angles as his very cells reconfigured.
The pain should have been unbearable, but the System filtered it into mere pressure—like being forged between celestial anvils. Sweat evaporated from his skin before it could form, creating a shimmering halo of mist around his trembling form.
**[Stage One Complete]**
**[Spiritual Awakening in Progress]**
New sensations flooded Ethan's consciousness. The dormitory walls became transparent to his enhanced perception—he could see the mana currents in the stone, the residual magic clinging to centuries-old mortar. The breathing patterns of sleeping students three floors away echoed in his ears with crystalline clarity.
His hands came up instinctively as the breakthrough reached its crescendo. Between his palms, a miniature star formed—a perfect sphere of condensed mana that pulsed in time with his heartbeat.
**[Physical Vessel Stress at Critical Levels]**
**[Recommend Immediate Stabilization]**
Ethan gritted his teeth. *"Continue."*
The star collapsed inward, sending a shockwave through his body that rattled the bedframe. Every nerve ending fired simultaneously as his magic core finalized its evolution.
**[Breakthrough Successful]**
**[New Level: Arcane Disciple 1]**
**[Mana Purity: +380%]**
**[Spell Efficiency: +220%]**
**[Vessel Stability: 59% - CRITICAL]**
Ethan collapsed onto his bed, gasping. Golden-tinged sweat soaked through his shirt as his body trembled from the ordeal.
**[Warning: Physical Vessel Cannot Sustain Current Magic Power]**
**[Solution: Begin Knight Cultivation Immediately]**
**[Recommendation: Acquire Knight Cultivation Manual Within 24 Hours]**
Ethan wiped his brow, staring at the System's message. The solution made sense—if his body couldn't handle his magic, he needed to strengthen it through physical cultivation.
*"Understood,"* he murmured. *"Tomorrow, I'll visit the library for knight cultivation manuals."*
He called up his full status screen:
**[Ethan Gale]**
**Level:** Arcane Disciple 1
**Magic Affinity:** 100 (Transcendent)
**Mana Pool:** ∞
**Physical Vessel Stability:** 59% (Critical)
**Spells Mastered:**
- Holy Light Sword (Level 9)
- Gravity's Grasp (Level 9)
- Emberflame Serpent (Level 9)
- Zephyr Step (Level 9)
- Worldroot Awakening (Level 9)
**[Recommendations]**
1. **Acquire Knight Cultivation Manual**
2. **Rest for Minimum 8 Hours**
3. **Avoid High-Level Spellcasting Until Vessel Stabilized**
Ethan exhaled slowly. His body ached, his vision swam, and golden flecks still danced at the edges of his sight—remnants of the breakthrough's intensity.
He needed rest.
Extinguishing the candle with a thought, he lay back on his bed. The System's final message flickered in his vision as sleep took him:
**[Vessel Stabilization Countdown: 23:59:59]**
Tomorrow, he would walk the path of a knight.
But for tonight, he slept.
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