With the knowledge of the Shadow Seekers now flowing through him, Arlen dedicated himself to mastering the basic spells he had unlocked. He found a quiet training ground outside Rivenford, where the forest shadows ran deep and the air hummed with old magic—a perfect place to hone his new abilities without drawing unwanted attention.
Day by day, Arlen practiced Shadow Veil, learning to control the duration and depth of his invisibility. At first, he could vanish for only a few seconds, but soon he could move silently through the trees for minutes at a time, remaining undetected even by the keenest eyes. With each attempt, the System chimed:
[Skill Progress: Shadow Veil (47%)]
For Umbral Bolt, Arlen worked on both power and precision. He set up targets at varying distances, adjusting his mana output to fire quick, narrow blasts or wider, more forceful beams. He experimented with firing from different stances and even while moving, striving for flawless control.
[Skill Progress: Umbral Bolt (52%)]
Sense the Hidden required a quieter focus. Arlen would close his eyes and let his awareness expand, feeling for magical currents and faint traces of concealed things nearby. Gradually, he grew adept at picking out hidden runes, pressure plates, and the subtle presence of living creatures lurking in the underbrush.
[Skill Progress: Sense the Hidden (38%)]
As weeks passed, Arlen's proficiency soared. The System recognized his dedication:
[Skill Mastery Increased]
Shadow Veil (68%)
Umbral Bolt (71%)
Sense the Hidden (54%)
Arlen emerged from his training not just as a user of these new spells, but as a true practitioner of the Shadow Seeker arts—ready to face greater threats, unravel deeper mysteries, and protect the innocent with powers few could even imagine.