Nyx Shadowbrook woke up with puffy eyes and a heavy heart. The events of the previous day—creating his first physical clone and witnessing its spectacular laziness—weighed on him like a sack of enchanted bricks.

He dragged himself out of bed, his movements as sluggish as a sloth under a slow-motion spell. "Some mage you are," he muttered to his reflection in the mirror. "Can't even make a clone that wants to work."

As he prepared for another day at the Mage Guild, Nyx seriously considered abandoning his clone technique altogether. What was the point of having such a unique ability if it only served to amplify all of his traits?

With a sigh, he trudged out of his apartment and made his way to the Mage guild. The usually awe-inspiring sight of the Four Towers looming over the city did little to lift his spirits. If anything, their majesty only reminded him of how far he had to go.

As Nyx approached the Mage Guild, he couldn't help but marvel at its grandeur. Pushing open the massive oak doors, intricately carved with runes of protection and wisdom. Nyx stepped into the guild hall. The cavernous space bustled with activity, a cacophony of voices and magical sounds assaulting his senses. Apprentices scurried about, arms laden with scrolls and potion ingredients, while senior mages engaged in heated debates over obscure magical theories.

The air crackled with raw magical energy, making Nyx's skin tingle. Floating orbs of light drifted lazily near the vaulted ceiling, casting a warm glow over the polished marble floors. Along the walls, enormous bookshelves stretched from floor to ceiling, filled with tomes of ancient knowledge and magical lore.

As Nyx entered the guild hall, he was immediately accosted by Magister Eldridge. The taskmaster's face wore his usual expression of mild disappointment, but there was a glint in his eye that made Nyx slightly nervous.

"Ah, Apprentice Shadowbrook," Eldridge said, his tone unnervingly cheerful. "I have a special assignment for you today."

Nyx's heart sank. "Special" in Eldridge-speak usually meant "particularly unpleasant."

"We've received a request from the Flux Tower," Eldridge continued. "They need someone to assist in cataloging a newly discovered cache of transformation scrolls. It's delicate time-consuming work."

Nyx gulped. "And you want me to do this, sir?"

Eldridge's smile was positively predatory. "Indeed. Consider it an opportunity to prove yourself, Shadowbrook. Unless, of course, you don't think you're up to the task?"

Something in Eldridge's tone sparked a fire in Nyx's chest. He straightened his back and met the Magister's gaze. "I can handle it, sir. When do I start?"

"Immediately," Eldridge replied, handing Nyx a scroll. "Here are the details. Don't disappoint me, Shadowbrook."

As Eldridge walked away, Nyx unrolled the scroll with trembling hands. The task was indeed challenging—he'd need to carefully examine each transformation scroll, categorize its effects, and transcribe its contents without triggering any accidental transformations. It would require focus, precision, and a level of magical control he wasn't sure he possessed.

That's when it hit him. His clone! If he could use it responsibly, this could be the perfect opportunity to prove himself.

The Flux Tower stands as a testament to the ever-changing nature of magic itself, dedicated to the intricate and often unpredictable nature of transformation magic and alchemy. Unlike its more stable counterparts, the Flux Tower's very structure embodies the principles it studies, with its form constantly shifting and reshaping.

Transformation magic, the primary focus of the tower's research, deals with the alteration of matter and energy. Practitioners of this art can transmute elements, reshape objects, and even modify living beings. The potential applications are vast, ranging from practical uses like reshaping ores to more esoteric pursuits such as granting flight to land-bound cats.

Alchemy, closely intertwined with transformation magic, is both an art and a science. It involves the manipulation of fundamental substances to create potions, elixirs, and other magical concoctions. Alchemists within the Flux Tower push the boundaries of what's possible, seeking to unlock the secrets of life, death, and everything in between.

The entrance to the tower was equally perplexing—a shimmering veil of energy that seemed to analyze each person who approached. Nyx took a deep breath and stepped forward, feeling a tingling sensation wash over him as the tower's magic assessed his intentions and abilities.

Once inside, Nyx found himself in a labyrinthine complex of ever-shifting corridors and rooms. The air was thick with the scent of exotic herbs and alchemical reagents, and the walls pulsed with an otherworldly light.

As he climbed the spiraling staircase, he formulated a plan. He'd use one physical clone to assist with the cataloging. While using mental clones for enhanced focus, and mana regeneration.

Reaching the designated room from the scroll he had gotten. With a deep breath, Nyx summoned his physical clone. As the doppelganger materialized, Nyx groaned inwardly. There stood his exact replica, wearing nothing but a mischievous grin.

"Oh, for the love of— Can't you manifest with clothes on?" Nyx grumbled, averting his eyes.

The clone struck a pose. "Hey, I'm just embracing my natural state. You should try it sometime."

Rolling his eyes, Nyx rummaged through his bag. "Here," he said, tossing his spare robe at the clone. "Put this on before someone sees you and I have to explain why there is a naked version of me running around the Flux Tower."

As the clone reluctantly donned the robe, Nyx cleared his throat. "Alright, listen up. We've got an important job to do. No slacking off this time, got it?"

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

The clone rolled its eyes but nodded. "Fine, fine. What's the plan, boss?"

Nyx quickly explained the task and their roles, surprised and relieved to see genuine interest spark in his doppelganger's eyes.

"Huh, sounds less boring than usual, is Eldridge testing us?" the clone said aloud his words hanging in the air.

"Let's do this." Nyx said with a serious look.

As they settled into their work, Nyx also initiated his mental clones for meditation. The combination of focused physical work and continuous mana regeneration created a strange but not unpleasant sensation, as if his mind was stretching in multiple directions at once.

"You know," the physical clone murmured as they pored over a particularly complex scroll, "I'm starting to see why you like this magic stuff. It's kind of... fun."

Nyx grinned. Maybe this assignment wouldn't be so bad after all.

Hours passed in a blur of careful examination, precise note-taking, and the occasional muffled cursing when a particularly tricky scroll proved difficult to decipher. Despite the challenging nature of the task, Nyx found himself enjoying the work.

There was something satisfying about unraveling the mysteries contained in each scroll, and working alongside his clone felt surprisingly natural. As the day wore on, Nyx noticed something strange. His magical control, usually as stable as a drunken goblin on a tightrope, felt steadier.

Moving his mana around and controlling it should have exhausted him by now. But now it came easily, and he could sense the subtle magical currents in the scrolls with increasing clarity. Just as they were finishing up for the day, Nyx felt a familiar rush of energy.

A translucent blue screen appeared before his eyes:

Level Up!

Level: 2 → 3

HP: 110 → 120

MP: 175 → 350

Strength: 6 → 7

Vitality: 9 → 10

Agility: 8 → 9

Intelligence: 18 → 21

Mental Clone Level Up! (Level 1 → Level 2) - Can now create up to three mental clones during meditation - Mana regeneration rate increased to 15% per active clone

Skill Unlocked: Enhanced Magical Sensitivity (Level 1) - Increases ability to detect and analyze magical energies

Nyx had always considered his low mana reserves to be his greatest weakness as a mage. It was a convenient excuse, a reason to avoid pushing himself too hard or taking on challenging tasks. After all, how could he compete with his peers when his magical fuel tank was barely half full?

But deep down, Nyx knew this was just a comfortable lie he told himself. Throughout magical history, there had been numerous examples of powerful mages who achieved greatness despite having limited mana reserves. The legendary Archmage Sylvia had revolutionized illusion magic with barely a trickle of mana to her name. And who could forget the infamous battle mage, who single-handedly defended the city of Lumina against an army of elementals using nothing but his wits and precise mana control?

These mages had proven that raw power wasn't everything. Creativity, skill, and determination could more than make up for a lack of magical reserves. Nyx had always known this, but it was easier to hide behind his perceived limitation than to face the challenge head-on.

Now, as he felt the rush of energy from his level up, Nyx blinked in surprise. His MP had doubled, just as the ancient tome had hinted it might. With a grin, he dismissed his physical clone, absorbing its memories and experiences from the day.

The surge of power was exhilarating, but it also brought a twinge of guilt. How much progress had he missed out on by using his low mana as an excuse? How many opportunities had he let slip by, convinced he wasn't capable enough?

As the memories of his clone's day merged with his own, Nyx realized that his true limitation had never been his mana reserves, but his own self-doubt. The ancient tome's technique hadn't just increased his magical power – it had shattered the mental barriers he'd built around himself.

The truth dawned on Nyx like a sunrise breaking through morning mist. Eldridge gave him the task because he knew Nyx was capable of completing it. In fact, every assignment Eldridge had ever personally given him was within his means to accomplish, even if they seemed daunting at first.

This revelation painted Eldridge in a new light. The taskmaster wasn't a tormentor, but a mentor. He saw potential in Nyx that Nyx himself had failed to recognize. Each challenge was a carefully calculated step, designed to push Nyx just far enough to grow without breaking him.

Nyx felt a mix of gratitude and shame wash over him. How many times had he grumbled about Eldridge's assignments, viewing them as punishments rather than opportunities? The taskmaster had been silently supporting his growth all along, and Nyx had been too blind to see it.

With this new understanding, Nyx felt a renewed sense of purpose. He wouldn't let Eldridge's faith in him go to waste. From now on, he would approach each task not with dread, but with determination to prove Eldridge right.

With this newfound clarity, Nyx felt a surge of determination. No more excuses. No more hiding behind perceived limitations. It was time to see what he was truly capable of, regardless of the size of his mana pool.

As he made his way back to report to Magister Eldridge, Nyx felt a spring in his step that hadn't been there in years. He had not only completed the challenging assignment but had done so with flying colors.

Eldridge listened to Nyx's report with an increasingly bemused expression. When Nyx finished, the Magister was silent for a long moment. "Well, Shadowbrook," he finally said, "I must admit, I'm impressed. You've shown a level of competence today that I... well, frankly, that I didn't think you capable of."

Nyx felt a warm glow of pride in his chest. "Thank you, sir. I've been working hard to improve." Eldridge nodded thoughtfully. "Keep this up, and you might just make something of yourself yet. I'll be keeping an eye on your progress." As Nyx left the guild hall, his mind was racing with possibilities. He had proven to himself that he could use his unique ability responsibly and effectively.

The clone technique wasn't a shortcut or a way to avoid work—it was a tool that, when used properly, could help him achieve way more of his full potential.

Energized by his success, Nyx decided to push himself a little further before heading home. He made his way to the Mana Springs, a secluded magical facility nestled in the heart of Arcanum City. As he approached the ornate entrance, he fished out two gold coins from his pouch, the standard daily fee for access to this sacred space.

The attendant, an elderly mage with eyes that sparkled like starlight, accepted the coins with a knowing smile. "Seeking to deepen your connection to the magical currents, young one?" she asked, her voice as soothing as a gentle breeze.

Nyx nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and reverence as he stepped through the shimmering barrier that separated the Springs from the outside world.

The Mana Springs was a marvel of magical engineering. Crystal-clear pools of liquefied mana dotted a lush, otherworldly garden. The air hummed with raw magical energy, making Nyx's skin tingle pleasantly. Soft, bioluminescent plants provided a gentle, ever-shifting light that seemed to pulse in rhythm with the magical currents flowing through the area.

Finding an unoccupied pool, Nyx carefully lowered himself into the shimmering liquid. The sensation was indescribable - like being embraced by pure magical potential. As he settled into his usual meditation pose, he could feel the mana seeping into his very being, amplifying his magical essence.

Closing his eyes, Nyx focused on creating his mental clones. One... two... three... The familiar sensation of his consciousness splitting filled his mind. But then, something unexpected happened. Nyx felt a new sensation, a fourth point of awareness flickering at the edge of his perception.

His eyes flew open in shock, causing ripples to dance across the surface of the mana pool. How Could this be? Was he on the verge of creating a fourth mental clone?

The possibility both thrilled and terrified him. What new doors would this open?