Chapter 12: A Path Forward

Kael stared at the system prompt hovering in front of him, weighing his options. The Sharp Senses (Flicker) talent offered by the fallen Dire Wolf was far below his own, so copying it would be pointless. But the Agility (Flicker) talent intrigued him. It wasn’t a particularly high-ranking talent, but it was something he could work with, something that could complement his growing set of abilities.

He quickly made his decision.

“Copy Agility (Flicker).”

The now-familiar surge of energy pulsed through his body as the talent took root, a subtle enhancement to his movements and reflexes. It wasn’t a massive leap in power, but it was another step forward. Small gains like these were what would allow him to grow over time—incremental improvements that would compound as he continued to fight and train.

[Agility (Flicker) copied.]

Kael exhaled, feeling the tension drain from his body as the energy from the fight ebbed away. The wolf lay still at his feet, and the forest, once full of tension, felt strangely quiet. The battle had been hard-fought, but it had given Kael exactly what he needed: real combat experience and another talent to work on.

His Agility (Flicker) talent wasn’t impressive yet, but with enough practice and use, he could push its proficiency up and eventually evolve it, just as he had with Sharp Senses. The path was clear: he needed to fight more, train harder, and keep pushing himself to reach the next level in both his essence and talents.

But that would take time.

As Kael stood over the fallen wolf, the reality of his progress settled in. He had come far since the day of his awakening, but he was still at Mote (Rank 1). His essence aptitude, though fixed at Flicker (Rank 3), didn’t mean he would automatically jump to higher levels. He needed to gather essence slowly, steadily, by defeating beasts, engaging in real battles, and absorbing what he could.

His talents, too, would only evolve with practice. The proficiency of each talent was still low, but he was moving in the right direction. It was a steady climb, not a sprint.

Kael sheathed his sword and turned back toward the village, his mind already focused on the next steps. The Academy trials were approaching fast, and with only ten spots available for the entire viscount’s lands, he would have to prove himself against some of the most skilled and powerful individuals in the region. He wasn’t ready yet, but he was getting closer.

As he made his way through the trees, Kael felt the weight of the challenge ahead. The Academy was no ordinary school. It was where the strongest, most talented warriors from across the kingdom—and even other continents—were trained. The competition would be fierce, and if he wanted to stand out, he needed to push himself harder than ever before.

Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

But it wasn’t just about raw strength. The Academy would be looking for people who could control their talents, who could think strategically in battle, and who could rise above their limitations. Kael’s Flicker aptitude might seem like a disadvantage on the surface, but his unique skills—God Eye and Copy & Evolve—gave him an edge that others didn’t have. If he played his cards right, he could turn his weaknesses into strengths.

The village was quiet when Kael returned, the sun beginning to set on the horizon. As he made his way toward his home, he spotted his father speaking with a group of villagers near the square. The topic of conversation seemed serious—likely something related to the Academy trials or the baron’s hunt.

Kael approached them cautiously, catching snippets of their conversation.

“…heard they’re sending scouts from the capital to oversee the trials,” one of the villagers said, his voice low. “The nobles want to make sure only the best get selected.”

His father nodded, his expression grim. “It makes sense. The Academy doesn’t take just anyone. Only those who stand out—either in combat or in their potential.”

Another villager chimed in. “It’s going to be tough. Most of the young ones in our village won’t stand a chance against those from larger towns or the city.”

Kael’s heart sank slightly at that. He knew they were right. The competition wouldn’t be easy. The people selected from the viscount’s lands would be the best of the best, and many of them would come from noble families, with access to better training and resources than Kael could imagine.

But he wasn’t going to let that stop him.

Kael’s father noticed him standing nearby and motioned for him to come over. “Kael,” he said, his voice filled with a mix of pride and concern. “Have you heard the news? The trials are starting soon. You’ll have to be ready.”

Kael nodded, his jaw set with determination. “I’m getting stronger every day.”

His father’s eyes narrowed slightly, studying Kael’s face. “I know you are. But remember, it’s not just about strength. The trials are about more than that. The nobles will be watching, and they’re looking for more than just power. You’ll need to be smart, strategic.”

“I will be,” Kael said, his voice firm.

The conversation with his father lingered in his mind as he walked the rest of the way home. Strength alone wouldn’t be enough, not for the Academy trials. He needed to refine his talents, sharpen his skills, and prepare himself mentally for what lay ahead.

He spent the next few days continuing his training, focusing on the basics while also trying to push his talents forward. His Sword Talent (Flicker) was improving slowly, his movements becoming more fluid, more precise, but it was still far from reaching the next rank. His Agility and Endurance talents, too, would require time and effort to evolve.

Kael could feel the pressure building as the days ticked by. The trials were just around the corner, and he still wasn’t where he wanted to be.

The morning of the Academy trials came faster than Kael expected.

He stood in the village square, surrounded by other young warriors and mages from the surrounding villages. The atmosphere was tense, a mixture of excitement and nerves as they waited for the viscount’s scouts to arrive. Everyone knew what was at stake. Only ten of them would be selected to go to the Academy.

Kael scanned the crowd, recognizing a few faces from his village but also seeing plenty of new ones—people from other parts of the viscount’s lands, many of whom looked far more experienced than he was. Some wore fine clothes, likely nobles or wealthy commoners who had been trained by professionals.

His heart pounded in his chest, but he forced himself to stay calm. He couldn’t afford to let the pressure get to him.

After what felt like an eternity, the viscount’s scouts arrived. They were tall, imposing figures dressed in the uniform of the capital, their presence commanding respect. The leader, a man with graying hair and sharp eyes, stepped forward and addressed the crowd.

“You have all been called here for one reason,” the man said, his voice booming across the square. “To prove yourselves. Only the best will be chosen for the Academy. We are not looking for brute strength alone. We are looking for those with the potential to rise above the rest—those who can adapt, learn, and survive.”

Kael felt a surge of adrenaline as the man’s words washed over him. This was it. The trials were about to begin.

“Form into groups of five,” the scout commanded, “and prepare for your first test.”

Kael quickly found himself grouped with a few others from the village—some familiar faces, some not. They exchanged nervous glances, but Kael kept his focus on the task at hand.

The trials had begun, and there was no turning back.

He would prove himself, one step at a time.