The hall of trials was massive, carved from black stone that shimmered faintly with divine runes. Lightning crackled along the ceiling, though there was no storm outside—this was no ordinary place.
[System Notification: Silver-tier Trial Initiated – Target: Elemental of Storm]Objective: Survive and defeat the Elemental.Reward: Silver Rank, Skill Unlock – [Sky's Authority]
I swallowed hard. Bronze-tier I could handle, but this… this was something else. The system hummed, the voice of Zeus echoing faintly in my mind.
Child of Zeus, control the spark… and bend the storm.
The air shimmered, and a figure emerged: a humanoid made entirely of living lightning and wind, its eyes glowing white-hot, movements faster than my perception.
I raised my hands instinctively, summoning a crackle of Bolt Manifestation. The elemental lunged, releasing arcs of electricity in all directions. I dodged, feeling the system warn me:
Warning: Body risk – 85%
Even controlling lightning within myself wasn't enough. My movements alone couldn't keep me alive. I needed to think like the storm itself.
I remembered Richa's words: "Strategy, control, creativity."
Focusing, I let the system guide me, sending a thin ribbon of electricity across the stone floor. It split midair, striking the elemental from two angles simultaneously. Sparks danced across its body, but it wasn't enough.
[System Hint: Environmental Manipulation – Enhanced]
I glanced at the carved runes on the walls. Their glow pulsed faintly with divine energy. With a thought, I redirected my lightning along the lines, amplifying its power. The elemental screamed, staggering backward.
[Bolt Manifestation: Full Control – 100%][Trial Reward: Bronze Progress +25%]
I clenched my fists. Lightning arced along my arms like living serpents. A surge of confidence hit me—I wasn't just surviving anymore. I was beginning to command the storm.
With a deep breath, I released a controlled, massive bolt directly at the elemental's core. It shattered into sparks, dissipating into the air.
The system chimed:
[Trial Complete – Silver-tier Progress Unlocked][Experience +300][Skill Unlocked: Sky's Authority – Minor Control of Weather & Storms]
I stumbled to my knees, exhausted, chest heaving. The elemental's roar still echoed faintly in my mind, a reminder that this was only the beginning.
Richa appeared beside me instantly, eyes wide but smiling. "Caelum… that was incredible. You've surpassed what I expected from a Bronze-tier. You're… becoming something else entirely."
I smiled weakly, lightning still dancing along my fingertips. "This is only the beginning. I have to climb… all the way to the top."
And for the first time, I truly felt it—the path to Silver wasn't just a rank. It was power, control, and authority over the very elements themselves.
Bronze → Silver… the storm rises.