Chapter 11: A Growing Fire

Kael woke the next morning with the familiar ache of sore muscles, a reminder of the previous day’s sparring session. His body was still getting used to the rigorous training, and though the improvements were slow, they were there. Every strike, every block, and every dodged blow had been a step forward.

He sat on the edge of his bed, thinking about the sparring match with Jorn. Though his Sword Talent (Flicker) was still far from evolving, he had felt a subtle shift in how his body moved, how he responded to attacks. His proficiency hadn’t jumped significantly, but the small gains were starting to stack up. That was the key—small, steady progress.

Kael stood and stretched, feeling the tension in his muscles ease as he moved. The village outside his window was coming to life, people starting their daily routines, blissfully unaware of the dangers lurking beyond the forest. But Kael couldn’t afford to be complacent. The baron’s hunt might have ended, but there were still threats out there—human and beast alike.

More than that, he knew he needed to grow stronger if he ever wanted to be considered for the Academy. The village wasn’t his entire world anymore. The baron’s lands were just one small part of a much larger kingdom, and somewhere out there were people far stronger than he was—people who would challenge him, push him, and force him to become better.

Kael grabbed his sword and left the house, his mind already focused on the day ahead.

By midday, Kael found himself back at the village training grounds, this time with a clearer goal in mind. The sparring match with Jorn had been useful, but now he needed to refine his skills and focus on his weaknesses.

Several of the village guards were there, practicing with each other or honing their skills with different weapons. Kael caught sight of Jorn, who nodded in his direction but seemed preoccupied with another guard. That was fine with Kael—he wanted to train on his own today.

He moved to an open space and began his drills, focusing on the basics first: footwork, striking, and defensive movements. His Sword Talent (Flicker) was still low, but Kael could feel it coming to life as he practiced. Each swing felt more natural, his body gradually learning to move with the rhythm of combat.

But it wasn’t enough to simply train. Kael knew he needed to experience real fights—battles where his life was on the line, where his instincts had to kick in. He needed to participate in more combat, both against beasts and other people, to steadily improve his talents and grow his essence.

As he trained, Kael couldn’t help but overhear a conversation nearby between two of the guards.

“You hear about the selection trials?” one of them said, swinging his sword in slow arcs as he spoke. “The viscount’s holding them next week. Ten spots for the Academy. Only the best get in.”

Kael’s movements slowed, his ears perking up. He hadn’t heard about this. The Academy trials were happening soon?

“Yeah, I heard,” the other guard replied, wiping sweat from his brow. “They’re coming through all the villages under the viscount’s rule. Anyone who thinks they’ve got a shot can participate, but it’s only the strongest that make it.”

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The first guard laughed. “Not just the strongest. You’ve got to impress the nobles. It’s not just about winning fights—you’ve got to show that you’re worth training in the capital.”

Kael’s mind raced. This was it—the chance he had been waiting for. The Academy was no longer just a distant dream. The selection trials were happening soon, and he had a shot at being one of the ten chosen from the viscount’s lands to go to the capital.

But the guard’s words echoed in his mind: It’s not just about winning fights. You’ve got to impress the nobles.

That meant Kael couldn’t rely on raw talent or a few lucky victories. He needed to be exceptional, to show not only strength but also control and mastery over his talents. The Flicker aptitude might hold him back in the eyes of some, but if he could evolve his talents and push his essence to Aura, he’d have a chance to stand out.

He paused his training, sheathing his sword as he considered his next move. Time was short, and he couldn’t afford to waste it.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of preparation. Kael focused on his strengths, continuing to refine his swordsmanship and pushing his body to its limits with endurance exercises. His Endurance Talent (Spark) had made significant progress since awakening, but like everything else, it required time and effort to evolve. Every training session, every battle would add to his proficiency, but the process was slow.

By the time the sun began to set, Kael’s muscles were screaming for rest. He wiped the sweat from his face, feeling the dull ache of fatigue setting in. But he couldn’t stop now. Not with the Academy trials looming.

As he walked through the village square, Kael’s thoughts turned to the other potential candidates. There were others in the viscount’s lands—young warriors, mages, and talented individuals—who would be competing for the same ten spots. Many of them would be stronger than him, with better aptitudes and more refined talents.

But Kael wasn’t afraid of the competition. He knew that his advantage lay in his unique skills—God Eye and Copy & Evolve. Those abilities would allow him to grow in ways others couldn’t. While his peers would be limited by their innate talents and essence, Kael could copy and evolve talents from those he defeated, gradually surpassing his limitations.

Still, Copy & Evolve required EXP points, and Kael hadn’t accumulated enough to make major strides. His next goal would be to earn enough EXP to push his Sword Talent and Sharp Senses forward, evolving them further. And if he found someone with a higher-ranked talent during the trials, he could copy and replace his weaker versions.

But for now, he needed to focus on building his proficiency through steady progress.

The next morning, Kael found himself on the outskirts of the village again, this time heading toward the forest. He wasn’t planning on going deep into the woods where the larger beasts roamed, but he needed real combat experience—something beyond sparring with guards.

As he ventured into the trees, Kael kept his senses sharp, his eyes scanning the area for any sign of movement. The forest was quieter than usual, the distant sounds of wildlife muffled by the dense canopy. Kael’s Sharp Senses (Stream) allowed him to detect the subtle shifts in the environment—the rustle of leaves, the faint movements of small animals, and the breeze through the branches.

After a few minutes, he heard it—a low growl coming from deeper in the forest. Kael tensed, gripping his sword tightly as he moved toward the sound. The growl grew louder, more aggressive, and soon he spotted the source.

A lone wolf, larger than most, with matted fur and glowing yellow eyes. It snarled, its lips pulled back to reveal sharp teeth, and Kael could sense the danger it posed. This wasn’t like the weaker beasts he had fought before. This one was a challenge.

Kael activated his God Eye, quickly scanning the creature’s status.

Beast Identified: Dire Wolf

Essence Level: Pulse (Rank 2)

Talents:

— Agility (Flicker)

— Sharp Senses (Flicker)

Kael’s heart pounded in his chest. This was it—another chance to test his strength, to improve his proficiency, and to push his talents further. The wolf’s Pulse (Rank 2) essence was higher than his own, but its talents were still at Flicker, giving him a fighting chance.

The wolf lunged at him, its claws extended as it swiped at his chest. Kael dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack, and countered with a swift slash of his sword. The blade cut into the wolf’s flank, drawing blood, but the creature barely flinched. It circled him, its glowing eyes locked on his every movement.

Kael felt his Sharp Senses (Stream) kick in, allowing him to track the wolf’s movements more easily. Every step the wolf took, every flick of its tail, registered in his mind, giving him the edge he needed to anticipate its attacks.

The fight was fast and brutal, with the wolf lunging at him repeatedly, each strike more aggressive than the last. Kael dodged, parried, and struck back, using every ounce of his training to keep the wolf at bay. His Sword Talent (Flicker) was still weak, but he could feel it improving with every swing, every block.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Kael landed a decisive blow, driving his sword into the wolf’s side. The creature let out a final howl before collapsing to the ground, its body twitching before going still.

Kael stood over the fallen beast, panting heavily, his chest rising and falling as he caught his breath. The battle had been tougher than he expected, but it was exactly what he needed.

The system prompt appeared.

[Beast Defeated: Dire Wolf]

Do you wish to copy the following talents:

— Agility (Flicker)?

— Sharp Senses (Flicker)?

Kael considered his options. He already had Sharp Senses (Stream), so copying a Flicker version wouldn’t be useful