Arlen spent his final days in Rivenford making careful preparations for his journey to Lake Selis. The System's map glowed softly in his mind, the sigil for the Luminous Depths labyrinth beckoning him onward. But he knew that magic alone wouldn't be enough for what lay ahead—his next trials would require not only elemental and stealth skills, but also greater mastery of the blade.
While gathering supplies and finalizing his travel route, Arlen visited the guild and local libraries to learn more about Lake Selis. He discovered that the lakeside town was renowned not just for its beautiful waters, but also for its martial academies. These institutions attracted adventurers and swordsmen from across the land, offering rigorous classes in advanced martial arts and intermediate sword techniques. Some classes were traditional, focusing on speed, precision, and stamina, while others specialized in integrating elemental magic with swordplay.
Arlen's research revealed that the academies at Lake Selis offered:
Intermediate Sword Arts: Techniques for fluid movement, powerful ripostes, counterattacks, and sword-magic synergy.
Martial Arts Classes: Training in unarmed combat, agility, and evasion—skills that would complement his stealth magic.
Duelist Circles: Supervised sparring and tournaments where students tested their skills against one another, gaining practical experience in live combat situations.
Elemental Swordplay: Courses designed to teach warriors how to channel elemental affinities (like water) through their weapons, creating unique hybrid attacks.
Arlen realized that by enrolling in these classes, he could further sharpen his swordsmanship, integrate his newfound water affinity, and become a truly balanced Shadow Seeker—blade and spell in perfect harmony.
With purpose renewed, Arlen secured passage to Lake Selis, determined to train at the academies, master new sword arts, and prepare for the challenges of the Luminous Depths. The next chapter of his journey was about to begin, where martial discipline and magical prowess would come together on the shores of the legendary lake.