Weeks turned into months as Arlen threw himself into the rigorous training at Azure Wave Academy. He rose before dawn for meditation, drilled sword forms until dusk, and practiced water manipulation late into the night. The effort was relentless, but the results were undeniable.
Gradually, Arlen's movements became more fluid, his sword and magic blending into a seamless whole. He began to win sparring matches, earned nods of respect from instructors, and was entrusted with leading small training teams. The System rewarded his perseverance with another status update:
[Status Update]
Name: Arlen Drayke
Level: 12
Strength: 15
Agility: 15
Intelligence: 27
Endurance: 15
Mana: 56
[Unlocked Skills]
Intermediate Sword Arts (Progress: 17%)
Martial Arts (Progress: 9%)
Water Manipulation (Mastery: 31%)
Elemental Swordplay (Progress: 6%)
Intermediate Magic (Progress: 34%)
Shadow Veil (Mastery: 94%)
Umbral Bolt (Mastery: 97%)
Sense the Hidden (Mastery: 80%)
Basic Swordsmanship (Mastery: 100%)
Survival Instinct (Passive)
Mana Channeling (Passive)
Arlen reviewed his stats with satisfaction. His dedication had transformed him—physically stronger, magically sharper, and a true hybrid of sword and spell. With graduation approaching and the labyrinth's challenge looming, he knew he was closer than ever to unlocking the next tier of the Shadow Seeker's legacy.