The forest's nocturnal symphony enveloped Adrian. The rustling leaves and distant animal calls created a discordance that spoke of feral environment.
Having successfully captured seven formidable beasts, Adrian had now positioned two Gloomfang Wolverines to test his newfound Lightning Elemental Spells. He couldn't have picked a more fitting environment for this experiment. The beasts were trapped, and the element of surprise was on his side.
Adrian's thoughts were a whirlwind. He recalled the instructions and incantations he had found in Marcus's belongings.
"Alright, 'Static Bolt' first. Let's see how you fare." Adrian's voice was low as he focused his energies.
The incantation flowed from his lips, feeling strange and exhilarating, almost as if the spell had a life of its own.
"Electricity, heed my call, strike my foes in a brilliant flash!"
A bolt of lightning surged from Adrian's fingertips, arcing towards one of the Gloomfang Wolverines. The air crackled as the electricity danced towards its target.
The Gloomfang Wolverines had been snarling and snapping at the magical cage, their predatory instincts urging them to escape. When the lightning bolt struck one of them, a spectacular burst of sparks and smoke erupted.
The affected Gloomfang Wolverine yelped in pain, its fur standing on end as it writhed from the shock. Its mate, however, let out a fierce growl and lunged at the magical cage, trying to tear through it.
Adrian was taken aback by the power of the 'Static Bolt,' especially when unleashed upon a beast as fearsome as the Gloomfang Wolverine. It wasn't a fatal blow, but it was enough to wound and disorient the creature.
His adrenaline surged as he realized the potential of this spell. It was a quick and precise offensive tool.
The second spell, 'Chain Lightning,' promised even more spectacular results. He recited the incantation with growing excitement.
"Electricity, weave through the air, connect the unbroken chain!"
Adrian watched in awe as sparks of electricity danced between his outstretched fingers. With a gesture, he directed the lightning towards the injured Gloomfang Wolverine.
The spell's true beauty manifested as it hit the wounded creature. An intricate web of lightning weaved between the two Gloomfang Wolverines, lashing them in a spectacular display of electricity.
The shock sent both of them into convulsions, and they howled in agony. It was a chaotic dance of electricity, scorching fur and flesh as they were thrust to the ground.
Adrian couldn't help but admire the power he wielded. 'Chain Lightning' was a devastating spell, and in the confined space of the magical cage, the Gloomfang Wolverines had no chance.
As the storm of electricity subsided, he gazed at the defeated creatures. They were still alive, but severely wounded. His excitement was tinged with satisfaction; the spells had worked just as he had hoped.
Now, as the forest echoed with the distant sounds of nocturnal creatures, Adrian contemplated his next moves. The potential of his newfound powers was vast, and he was determined to unlock every facet of it.
He had tested the spells on the Gloomfang Wolverines, and the results were exhilarating. The beasts were formidable at the Third Order Rank, and yet the Lightning Elemental Spells had brought them to their knees.
'With these spells in my arsenal, I've got a trump card up my sleeve. It could be the game-changer when facing a formidable foe.'
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Adrian's mind raced with strategic possibilities, mapping out scenarios where the Lightning Elemental Spells would come to the rescue.
While lost in thought, he put his Shadow Energy to good use. The magical cage had served its purpose, but now it was time to put the captured Gloomfang Wolverines to rest, or rather, into his Shadow.
With a focused concentration, he commanded his Shadow Energy to absorb the lifeless bodies of the creatures. It was an odd sensation, feeling the connection with his Shadow grow stronger as it absorbed the remains.
After finishing with the Gloomfang Wolverines, Adrian's attention shifted to the four Stormhowler Panthers and the Thunderback Serpent. These creatures were fierce, and simply slaying them seemed like a wasted opportunity.
No, he intended to put his other skills to the test. The next step was to infuse his Shadow Energy into his Magic and then unleash the spells upon these mighty beasts.
Adrian focused on the task at hand, infusing his Shadow Energy into the Magic.
The two forces merged seamlessly, creating a new, potent energy he had yet to explore. He aimed to test this enhanced power on the Stormhowler Panthers and the Thunderback Serpent.
He started with the "Static Bolt" spell, whispering the incantation under his breath as he channeled the spell's energy.
The magical electricity crackled around his fingers, and with a sudden, confident motion, he sent it flying towards one of the Stormhowler Panthers.
The moment the bolt connected, it was a spectacular sight.
The spell, now charged with the formidable might of his Shadow Energy, struck the beast with an intensity that surpassed his wildest expectations.
It was a lethal surge of raw power, and it seemed to completely ignore the beast’s resistance to lightning as the Stormhowler Panther's defiant roars resounded in the area before it went silent as it crumpled to the forest floor.
'Wow, that's some serious oomph!' Adrian marveled as he watched the lifeless form of the creature.
The Static Bolt spell, infused with the Shadow Energy, had outperformed its previous version by leaps and bounds. It was more than just a bolt of lightning performed by a Third Order Mage but appeared to be a powerful lightning spell launched by a Fourth Order Mage.
The remaining Stormhowler Panthers looked agitated, growling and prowling around their fallen comrade.
Adrian felt the adrenaline coursing through his veins as he cast the "Chain Lightning" spell, which he had meticulously prepared. The powerful energy arced from his fingertips and jumped from one Stormhowler Panther to another. In moments, all three of them were struck by the electrifying display.
Their howls of pain echoed through the forest, and for a split second, they were lit up by the dazzling display of lightning, making them appear like ferocious, electrified specters. The "Chain Lightning" spell had proven to be even more devastating than he had anticipated.
'This power… it's exhilarating.' Adrian couldn't help but feel a newfound sense of confidence. With his enhanced abilities, he believed he could face just about any challenge that came their way.
Still, there was work to be done. The Thunderback Serpent remained, and Adrian had an idea for a final test.
As the surviving Stormhowler Panthers retreated into the depths of the forest, leaving their fallen kin behind, Adrian focused on the Thunderback Serpent. This beast had a much stronger natural resistance to lightning compared to Stormhowler Panthers, but he was curious to see if his Shadow-infused spells could overcome that.
Adrian invoked the "Static Bolt" spell once more, pouring his energy and Shadow power into it.
The bolt streaked towards the Thunderback Serpent, and Adrian held his breath, unsure of the outcome. The serpent, aware of the incoming threat, braced itself for the impact.
And then it happened, the moment of truth.
The "Static Bolt" struck the Thunderback Serpent, its entire body convulsing with raw energy. The creature roared in pain, a sound that seemed to shake the very foundations of the forest.
Adrian couldn't believe his eyes.
The "Static Bolt" spell, infused with his Shadow Energy, had not only bypassed the serpent's lightning resistance but had also proved to be overwhelming. The beast thrashed uncontrollably, and within moments, it lay lifeless.
'Incredible…' Adrian was left in awe of the newfound power he had unlocked. The synergy of Shadow Energy with his Magic was a game-changer.
'Now, I've got some seriously potent tricks up my sleeve. This Shadow Energy... it's going to change everything.'
With the forest now eerily quiet, Adrian focused on the fallen Thunderback Serpent.
As he had done with the Gloomfang Wolverines, he started to absorb the beast's corpse with his Shadow Energy.
The process was swift, the serpent's form seeming to dissolve into shadows as its energy was consumed by the powerful force residing within him.
'This is incredible. I can feel that it's getting even stronger,' Adrian marveled at the sensation.
Once the Thunderback Serpent had been entirely absorbed, Adrian began to collect the remaining Stormhowler Panthers, letting his Shadow Energy envelop them one by one. The shadows danced around the lifeless bodies, making them vanish into thin air.
As the last traces of the beasts' corpse was drawn into his Shadow, Adrian absorbed the Shadow back into his body.
As he did so, he experienced a peculiar tingling sensation all over his body. It was as though his very being was bolstered.
His muscles were becoming stronger, his reflexes becoming sharper, and he couldn't help but grin at the sensation of increased vitality.
And then, something astonishing happened.
Adrian could feel his Battle Aura surging, its power ascending to new heights. It was a transformative moment, and with a sense of awe, he realized that he had broken through to the High Level of the Third Order Rank of a Warrior.
His Battle Aura was more potent than it had ever been, radiating a palpable aura of strength and resilience.
'High Level of the Third Order…' Adrian couldn't help but be amazed at his own progress. The fusion of the beast's energy with his own had unlocked new doors of power.
He sensed a similar ripple of advancement in his Shadow Energy, though not as pronounced. It had inched forward, but there was still a sense that it had a long way to go.
With a heart full of confidence, Adrian was ready to head back to the inn.
On his journey home, Adrian decided to do some hunting. He had a good reason for it. He didn't want Zelene or anyone else to catch on to his training in the forest, especially when it came to his newfound powers.
The beast corpses would serve as a perfect excuse. When Zelene inevitably questions his whereabouts, Adrian could just show her the results of his hunting trip.
Besides, there was always the option to sell the corpses in the market. While it might not cover the cost of the traps and materials, it was a decent payday and better than having nothing for all that he invested on those traps.