The training sessions with Kael quickly became the bedrock of Rudelion's physical and Mana-infused regimen. Every dawn, long before the academy grounds stirred with the sleepy murmurs of other students, they met in the secluded western fields. Kael, a walking dynamo of raw power, was the perfect foil. His Berserker Blood Imprint, unrestrained and eager, provided the relentless pressure Rudelion needed to push his new Mana abilities to their breaking point, without ever truly breaking a sweat.
Rudelion meticulously guided Kael, feeding him subtle tactical advice, tweaking his Mana flow, optimizing his impact. In return, Kael unleashed increasingly ferocious, Mana-infused physical assaults. Rudelion experimented. He didn't just block; he began to redirect Kael's blows with Mana Shield, using a subtle flick of his wrist to channel the incoming force away, sending Kael stumbling harmlessly to the side. He combined Void Step with Mana Bolt, disappearing mid-lunge and reappearing directly behind Kael, delivering a precise, non-damaging Mana impact to his back. This wasn't just evasion; it was offensive repositioning, a deadly dance.
"Again, Kael! More Mana into that uppercut! Don't hold back!" Rudelion would instruct, his voice calm, his eyes analyzing Kael's every movement, every shift in his Mana signature. He was teaching Kael, yes, but he was learning infinitely more. He was internalizing the physics of Mana-infused physical force in this world, mapping its weaknesses, its predictable energy dissipations. He was integrating his Murim combat instincts with the Arcana system, forging a new, terrifyingly efficient fighting style.
Kael, predictably, loved it. He was seeing tangible improvements, his attacks becoming faster, more concentrated, his defensive Mana tougher. "Rudelion, you're a genius! I feel like I could punch through a mountain now!" he'd exclaim, utterly oblivious to the true nature of their training. Rudelion merely offered a knowing smile, his Charisma doing its silent work, cementing Kael's unshakeable loyalty. A loyal, powerful, and utterly biddable tank was a valuable asset in any game, especially one rife with death flags.
Beyond the Kael sessions, Rudelion dedicated hours to refining his Mana skills. In the Whispering Grotto, the air thick with ancient Mana, he focused on Mana Bolt and Basic Elemental Infusion. He aimed for leaves fluttering in the wind, for droplets of water splashing in the hidden stream, for the faint Mana signatures of small, scurrying creatures. His control grew exquisite. He could now launch a Mana Bolt infused with just enough 'Wind' Mana to gently nudge a falling leaf off course, or a 'Fire' Mana bolt no larger than a spark, capable of briefly warming a stone. This precision was far more valuable than raw power; it was control over the very fabric of this world's magical energy.
He began to delve into the subtle nuances of his Thaumiel Blood Imprint. His Blood Imprint Manifestation passive hummed constantly now, a quiet anchor to the vast, abyssal Mana reservoir within him. He started experimenting with conscious draws from this reservoir, focusing on small, controlled releases. Instead of raw, destructive power, he aimed for subtle distortions. He found he could, with extreme focus, cause a flickering lantern flame to briefly dim, or a shadow to subtly deepen in a brightly lit corner. These were nascent abilities, echoes of the Demon God's true power, but he was shaping them, bending them to his will, not letting them overwhelm his human vessel. This was not the chaotic demonic qi of his past, but a disciplined, methodical progression within this world's Arcana framework.
He also started pushing the limits of his Mana capacity. He would channel Mana from the environment into his core until his head throbbed, then initiate Basic Mana Recovery, feeling his reserves replenish with surprising speed thanks to Mana Conduit Optimization. He was training his Mana circuits like muscles, expanding their capacity, increasing their efficiency, ensuring that when the real challenges came, his stamina would be unmatched.
His DAILY OBJECTIVES continued to yield a steady stream of Gacha Tickets. He continued to save them, hoarding them like a dragon guarding its gold, waiting for a critical mass. He had 20 Gacha Tickets now. It was time for another pull.
That evening, alone in his dorm, Rudelion tapped the [GACHA] tab.
Gacha Tickets: 20
He selected 10x Pull. The familiar kaleidoscope of Mana exploded, the melodic chime filling his mind. Ten ethereal cards materialized, flipping over one by one.
[STAT INCREASE: Mana Capacity +15][SKILL ACQUIRED: Abyssal Blink (Active, SR)]Description: An enhanced form of Void Step. Allows for near-instantaneous, short-to-medium distance (up to 50 meters) teleportation. Leaves no detectable Mana signature at origin or destination. Creates a brief, localized Mana disruption.Rarity: Super Rare (Unique to Thaumiel Bloodline)
[STAT INCREASE: Dexterity +3][SKILL ACQUIRED: Mana Cloaking (Passive, Rare)]Description: Subtly alters your Mana signature, making it harder for others to sense your presence or determine your true Mana affinity. More effective when stationary or moving slowly.Rarity: Rare
[STAT INCREASE: Vitality +3][SKILL ACQUIRED: Greater Mana Recovery (Passive, Rare)]Description: Significantly increases the passive regeneration rate of your Mana reserves, especially during periods of rest or light activity. Stacks with Basic Mana Recovery.Rarity: Rare
[STAT INCREASE: Wisdom +2][SKILL ACQUIRED: Arcane Pulse (Active, Rare)]Description: Releases a controlled burst of Mana outwards, pushing back nearby opponents or disrupting weaker spells. Inflicts minor arcane damage.Rarity: Rare
[STAT INCREASE: Strength +2]
Rudelion felt a powerful surge. Another SR skill! Abyssal Blink was a significant upgrade to Void Step. It offered greater range, true teleportation, and, crucially, no Mana signature residue. This was perfect for infiltration, escape, or decisive strikes. Paired with Mana Cloaking, he was becoming a phantom, almost undetectable. Greater Mana Recovery was an excellent boon for sustained combat and faster skill regeneration. Arcane Pulse was a defensive or crowd-control tool.
He immediately pulled again, using his remaining 10 tickets.
[STAT INCREASE: Mana Capacity +10][SKILL ACQUIRED: Mana Construct: Wall (Active, Rare)]Description: Manifests a temporary, semi-tangible wall of condensed Mana, providing robust physical and magical defense. Requires significant Mana and concentration.Rarity: Rare
[STAT INCREASE: Charisma +3][STAT INCREASE: Vitality +2][STAT INCREASE: Dexterity +2][STAT INCREASE: Mana Purity (Passive, Common)]Description: Slightly increases the overall purity and efficacy of your Mana, leading to minor improvements in all Mana-based abilities.Rarity: Common
[STAT INCREASE: Strength +1]
Another satisfying surge of power. Mana Construct: Wall was a superb defensive utility, offering area denial or emergency cover. His Charisma continued its ascent, making him even more inexplicably appealing.
He checked his [PROFILE] again, a pleased hum resonating through his Mana core.
[Host Profile: Rudelion Von Thaumiel]Status: Alive (Vessel of Incipient Demon God)Level: 1Mana Capacity: 110/180 (Significantly Improved!)Blood Imprint Affinity: Thaumiel (Abyssal/Void)Base Stats:
Strength: 15
Dexterity: 15
Vitality: 22
Intelligence: 18 (Override: Host Cognitive Framework)
Wisdom: 17
Charisma: 24
His Mana capacity was nearing 200, a truly formidable number for his level. His physical stats were now well into the double digits, making him far more resilient and capable than any starting character. And his Charisma… 24. It was absurd. He was becoming a walking magnet for admiration, a living embodiment of the game's unintentional fanservice. This was a shield more potent than any Mana barrier, a subtle weapon against the narrative itself.
He reviewed his new skill list.
[Mana Shield (Active, Rare)][Thaumiel's Shadow Step (Active, Rare)][Basic Mana Recovery (Passive, Common)][Arcane Insight (Passive, Rare)][Mana Bolt (Active, Rare)][Defensive Arcana Weaving (Passive, Common)][Basic Elemental Infusion (Active, Rare)][Blood Imprint Manifestation (Passive, Rare)][Void Step (Active, SR)] -> UPGRADED TO [Abyssal Blink (Active, SR)] (Automatically)[Arcane Ward (Active, Rare)][Basic Scrying (Active, Common)][Mana Conduit Optimization (Passive, Rare)][Abyssal Blink (Active, SR)][Mana Cloaking (Passive, Rare)][Greater Mana Recovery (Passive, Rare)][Arcane Pulse (Active, Rare)][Mana Construct: Wall (Active, Rare)][Mana Purity (Passive, Common)]
The System had automatically upgraded Void Step to Abyssal Blink once he acquired the latter, consolidating his movement skills. He now had a comprehensive toolkit: superior offense (Mana Bolt with Elemental Infusion, Arcane Pulse), robust defense (Mana Shield, Arcane Ward, Mana Construct: Wall, Defensive Arcana Weaving), unparalleled mobility and stealth (Abyssal Blink, Mana Cloaking), and potent passive benefits (Mana Conduit Optimization, Greater Mana Recovery, Mana Purity, Arcane Insight, Blood Imprint Manifestation).
He also had 1 Arcana Core Fragment remaining. He decided to use it to upgrade Abyssal Blink.
He tapped on the skill.
[Abyssal Blink (Active, SR)]Level: 1/5 | Experience: 0/100 | Upgrade Cost: 2 Arcana Core Fragments OR 2x Gacha Tickets (SR)
He mentally selected the Arcana Core Fragment as the payment method.
[Abyssal Blink UPGRADED to Level 2!]Description: An enhanced form of Void Step. Allows for near-instantaneous, short-to-medium distance (up to 75 meters) teleportation. Leaves no detectable Mana signature at origin or destination. Creates a brief, localized Mana disruption.Level: 2/5 | Experience: 0/150 | Upgrade Cost: 3 Arcana Core Fragments OR 3x Gacha Tickets (SR)
A satisfying thrum of power vibrated through him. His primary movement skill was now even faster, even further-reaching. His Mana core throbbed with a deeper resonance, the Demon God's essence within him responding to the efficient, systematic growth. He was not just gaining power; he was mastering it, bending it to his will.
The Whispering Grotto called to him. He still needed to complete his Prime Mana Confluence quest, an hour of undisturbed meditation daily to accelerate his Thaumiel Blood Imprint Awakening. He was nearly halfway there. He would continue this nightly ritual, pushing his understanding of the Abyssal/Void Mana that now defined his core power.
As he lay on his bed, the scent of jasmine now faintly intertwined with the metallic tang of Mana-infused air, Rudelion felt a profound sense of control. This was a different game, with different rules, but the fundamental principles of strategy, accumulation, and ruthless optimization remained the same. His training was systematic, his progression undeniable. The academy was his personal gym, his Mana was his fuel, and the System was his ultimate cheat sheet.
He smiled into the darkness, his heterochromatic eyes closed, the world of GoldenFrisk2 spread out before him like a chess board. He was not sweating. He was meticulously, joyfully, preparing. And soon, the true games would begin.