Katrina Mikhailova stared at the notification in front of her, a mixture of excitement and anxiety churning in her stomach.
"You must choose your path: Combattant or Support. This decision will shape your tutorial challenges and determine your role in the existential war against the Outer Beings."
She bit her lip, her mind flashing back to the events just before the System Integration. The memory was vivid, her heart racing as if she were still there.
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She was running, her breaths coming in ragged gasps as she fled through the dark alleyways of Moscow. Her red hair was a beacon in the night, and she cursed herself for not having tied it up better. The sounds of footsteps behind her echoed in her ears, her pursuers relentless. They were agents of a rival family, determined to capture her due to her position as the strategic genius of the Mikhailova family.
Katrina had always been the vibrant spark of her family, her strategic mind helping to elevate their influence and business. But that night, all her intellect and strategic prowess had been focused on one goal: survival.
She had narrowly escaped a kidnapping attempt, her quick thinking and knowledge of the city's layout her only advantages. As she darted through the maze of alleys, she could hear the shouts of her pursuers growing closer.
"Get her! She can't get away!"
Her heart pounded in her chest, fear and adrenaline driving her forward. She spotted a small gap between two buildings and squeezed through, the rough edges scraping her skin. She stumbled into a quiet courtyard, gasping for breath, her mind racing for a plan.
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Katrina shook herself from the memory, her hands trembling slightly. That night had changed her. The vibrant, confident young woman had been replaced by someone more cautious, more guarded. The tutorial was an opportunity to redefine herself, to build a new strength that no one could take away.
Combattant.
She made her choice, the decision solidifying in her mind. She wouldn't be the hunted anymore. She would become the hunter.
The mission hall was her next stop. As she walked in, the attendant greeted her with a polite nod. "How can I assist you today?"
"I need challenges that will help me develop skills for long-range combat, strategy, and mana channeling," Katrina said, her voice steady and determined.
The attendant raised an eyebrow, impressed by her clarity. "We have several challenges that can help you with that. I would recommend starting with the basic combat and mana control challenges, and then moving on to strategic scenarios."
Katrina nodded, her mind already formulating a plan. She would approach this systematically, just as she had handled the complex business strategies for her family.
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The first challenge was focused on her combat skills. Katrina found herself in a large open field, a bow and quiver of arrows strapped to her back. The task was to hit a series of moving targets at varying distances. She took a deep breath, nocking an arrow and drawing the string back.
"Focus," she whispered to herself, her blue eyes narrowing. The first target appeared, darting across the field. She released the arrow, watching it fly true and hit the target dead center.
"Congratulations! You have gained the skill: Archery (Level 1)."
A small smile tugged at her lips.
‘I knew taking those classes would one day be useful!’
She repeated the process, each shot becoming more precise, more controlled. Hours passed, her focus unwavering as she honed her skill.
"Congratulations! You have increased the skill: Archery (Level 5)."
Skill: Archery (Level 5)
Description: Enhances accuracy and control with bows. Each level increases precision and range by 1%.
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The next day, Katrina tackled the mana channeling challenge. She sat in a room filled with a subtle, glowing energy, her task to draw the mana from the environment and channel it through her body. It was a delicate process, requiring both mental and physical control.
At first, it was difficult. The mana felt elusive, slipping through her grasp. But she persisted, focusing her mind and reaching out with her senses.
"Feel the energy, connect with it," she whispered, concentrating on the mana around her.
"Congratulations! You have gained the skill: Mana Sensitivity (Level 1)."
"Good, now guide it," she murmured, her hands trembling as she concentrated. Slowly, she began to draw the mana in, feeling it flow through her veins.
"Congratulations! You have gained the skill: Mana Channeling (Level 1)."
Encouraged by her progress, she continued to practice, her control growing more refined with each attempt. By the end of the day, she had achieved significant progress.
"Congratulations! You have increased the skill: Mana Channeling (Level 5)."
Skill: Mana Channeling (Level 5)
Description: Enhances the ability to draw and control mana. Each level increases efficiency and control by 1%.
"Congratulations! You have increased the skill: Mana Sensitivity (Level 5)."
Skill: Mana Sensitivity (Level 5)
Description: Enhances the ability to sense mana in the environment. Each level increases sensitivity and range by 1%.
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Strategic thinking was next on her list. The challenge involved solving complex scenarios and puzzles designed to test her planning and decision-making skills. Each scenario was a simulated battle, requiring her to command troops and resources to achieve victory.
Katrina approached each scenario with the same meticulous planning that had served her well in her family's business. She analyzed the situation, considered her options, and made strategic decisions that led to success.
"Congratulations! You have gained the skill: Strategic Thinking (Level 24)."
The scenarios grew more difficult, but Katrina's resolve never wavered. She thrived on the complexity, her mind racing with possibilities and outcomes.
"Congratulations! You have increased the skill: Strategic Thinking (Level 27)."
Skill: Strategic Thinking (Level 5)
Description: Enhances the ability to plan and execute strategies. Each level increases decision-making and foresight by 1%.
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Katrina's days were a blur of intense training and relentless challenges. She pushed herself to her limits, driven by a determination to become stronger, to never be a victim again. Her focus on long-range combat, strategy, and mana channeling paid off as she steadily improved.
She also focused on developing a skill that would complement her strategic mind: Concentration. The challenge required her to maintain focus on a single point while various distractions were introduced. It was a test of her mental resilience.
At first, she struggled, the distractions breaking her concentration. But she persevered, her determination unwavering. She found that by controlling her breathing and focusing her mind, she could block out the distractions.
"Congratulations! You have gained the skill: Concentration (Level 1)."
As the days passed, her concentration improved, allowing her to maintain focus even under the most challenging conditions.
"Congratulations! You have increased the skill: Concentration (Level 5)."
Skill: Concentration (Level 5)
Description: Enhances the ability to maintain focus despite distractions. Each level increases concentration and mental clarity by 1%.
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Katrina's training was grueling, filled with challenges and pain. She pushed herself to her limits, driven by a desire to become stronger and more capable. Her body ached, and her mind was exhausted, but she refused to give up. Each challenge not only honed her skills but also earned her tutorial points and experience points, helping her grow stronger.
By the end of the week, Katrina had accumulated 50 tutorial points from the common challenges. She had also leveled up several times, reaching Level 5 and gaining 25 free stat points to distribute.
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Name: Katrina Mikhailova
Level: 5
Race: Human
Alignment: Human (Earth)
Mana: 160/1600
Strength: 12
Dexterity: 15
Endurance: 13
Vitality: 13
Intelligence: 16
Wisdom: 14
Charm: 14
Free Stats: 0
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Skills:
* Archery (Level 7)
* Mana Channeling (Level 7)
* Strategic Thinking (Level 27)
* Concentration (Level 7)
* Mana Sensitivity (Level 7)
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As Katrina reviewed her progress, she felt a sense of pride and satisfaction. The week had been challenging, but she had emerged stronger and more capable. Her skills had improved significantly, and she was more confident in her abilities.
The vibrant, strategic young woman she once was still lingered beneath the surface, but she had learned to channel that energy into her training. The tutorial had given her a clear path to overcome any future enemies, and she was determined to take it.
As she prepared for the next phase of her journey, Katrina reflected on her progress. The memory of that night in Moscow had driven her to choose the path of a combattant, and she was determined to never be a victim again. The challenges ahead would be tough, but she was ready to face them head-on.