Chapter 10: Echoes of Power
**Dawnspire, Eldoria – Year 10**
The early morning sun broke through the clouds over Dawnspire Academy, casting a warm glow across the cobblestone yard where kids aged 9–10 gathered for a new challenge. Taren, now ten, stood among them, the crisp air filling his lungs as he adjusted to the growing intensity of his training. The tall stone building stood firm, its Mana Stone lamps flickering softly, and the yard hummed with the excited chatter of kids and the steady pulse of mana. Zane Ryde's old life—steeped in fierce business wars and fight ring glories—felt like a distant tale, but his sharp mind remained keen and determined. This year brought deeper tests, drawing him nearer to the age of coming at 11–13 when his true strength would burst forth.
Master Veyn led them to a forested edge beyond the academy, his gray beard catching the light, his voice steady. "Today, you'll hunt a mana beast," he said, holding up a map with marked trails. "Work in pairs, track it, and return with proof. Stay safe." Taren paired with Mina, his heart thumping with a mix of fear and excitement. The forest loomed dark and wild, its trees whispering in the breeze, and they moved quietly, following faint tracks—broken twigs and scuffed earth. A strong mana tingle guided him to a small clearing where a fox-like creature with glowing eyes waited, its energy pulsing. Taren signaled Mina to stay back, then tossed a stick to distract it, grabbing a shed claw as proof before they slipped away.
A *ding* rang clearly in his mind.
*ding*
- New Objective.
- Objective: Beast Hunt – Track and retrieve proof from a mana beast.
- Reward: Agility Boost (D-rank).
- Penalty: +10 Profile Points (PP).
Kael lingered nearby, his silk clothes snagging on branches, sneering, "You'll run from it, peasant." Taren ignored him, focusing on the task, but Kael's group charged the beast, scattering it. Taren and Mina stayed calm, retracing steps to find another trail, their teamwork shining. His past life's leadership guided him, turning chaos into opportunity. Back at the academy, Veyn nodded at the claw, impressed by their caution.
After the hunt, Taren explored the academy's hidden spots. The training yards echoed with older kids' spell blasts, their lights cutting through the air. The library pulled him again, its shelves groaning with old books, and he overheard a boy mention a forgotten temple with mana relics—a hint that lit his curiosity. Gavren's story of a birth-night light tied to the beast's energy flashed in his mind. The **Dusk Circle**'s dark rumors grew louder, hinting at shadowy forces, but other secrets stayed out of reach, teasing his thoughts.
That night, Taren sat in his dorm, the candle flickering as he held the claw, its mana hum faint but real. He focused on the energy, his small body tiring but driven, the pulse growing stronger in his hands. A *ding* broke his focus.
*ding*
- Progress Check.
- Host's effort noted. Mana control improving. Keep going.
The next day, Veyn introduced a stealth drill, tasking them to cross a marked zone without tripping sensors. Taren crouched low, moving silently, his ears tuned to faint clicks. He dodged a beam, guiding Mina through, their steps light. Kael's group triggered alarms, laughing it off, but Taren's team succeeded, earning a rare grin from Veyn. The zone's mana hum felt like a guide, boosting his confidence.
During a break, Taren sat by a pond, watching older students shape water into shields, their focus intense. He wondered if those skills hid greater power, adding to his questions. A dark figure flickered near the trees, its outline clearer this time, then vanished, stirring that old unease. No one else seemed to notice, and he kept it quiet, sensing a link to his past.
*ding*
- Event Detected.
- Unknown presence noted. Avoid attention to prevent PP spike.
Taren nodded mentally, returning to the group. The academy's walls felt like a fortress and a riddle, pushing him to learn more. Lira visited with bread, her worried eyes soft. "Stay safe, Taren," she said, hugging him tight. Gavren's tales of market rifts, silent traders, and a glowing figure deepened his curiosity about Eldoria's hidden depths.
That evening, Taren practiced alone, moving through staff forms in the dorm, the wood thumping rhythmically. The mana flow grew steadier, and he imagined leading a team, building a legacy as the Obsidian Sovereign. The title rooted deeper in his heart, a goal to chase with every move. He recalled the temple hint, wondering if it held answers, but stayed focused.
The next morning, Veyn added a team hunt, pairing Taren with Mina and Ryn. Their map led to a ravine where a larger mana beast—a deer with antlers aglow—roamed. They planned quietly, Taren scouting ahead, Mina watching flanks, and Ryn ready with a net. The beast charged, but Taren lured it into the net, and they secured a horn fragment. Kael's group failed, retreating, and Taren's team won, their bond strengthening.
Afterward, Taren sat with Mina and Ryn, sharing berries, their talk turning to the academy's secrets. Ryn mentioned a locked door in the basement, guarded at night—a tale that sparked his imagination. The cracked sky above hinted at more, its rifts a silent challenge. The dark figure appeared again, lingering near the ravine, its gaze felt before it faded, deepening his unease.
*ding*
- Quest Update.
- Quest Accepted: Beast Hunt.
- Time Limit: 12 days.
- Reward: Agility Boost (D-rank).
- Penalty: +10 PP.
As night fell, Taren looked out at the glowing Mana Stones, the cracked sky promising trials. *This is my path,* he thought, his resolve hardening. He pictured a future where he stood tall, guiding others, the Obsidian Sovereign name his to earn through grit and quiet growth. The academy's hum, the figure's shadow, and Eldoria's mysteries fueled his drive to uncover truths, step by steady step.
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