Balt

  Today was the day Balt would conquer these stairs once and for all. He’d been close a few days ago, but now he was fresh off a level up, Arc Lightning newly enhanced by the talent point the System had granted him. His staff, upgraded to Level Five earlier this week, thrummed with stored mana, three embedded gems glowing faintly, waiting to be unleashed.

  Balt twirled the weapon, loosening his body. No aches, no stiffness, his joints felt young again. He looked and felt like a man in his thirties, and some days he barely recognized himself. Tucker might still call him “old man,” but Balt knew the truth: he looked damn good. Miranda would eat her heart out when she saw him.

  “Balt, get your head out of your ass. My tea’s up there getting cold.”

  Balt bowed quickly. “Sorry, Master. I got lost in my preparations.”

  Master Kim rolled his eyes, lifting both hands to make exaggerated quotation marks as he spat out the word “preparations. Let me guess, something in a tight dress with questionable morals?”

  Balt tried to look innocent, but the old man saw right through him. He just smiled instead. The Master gave him a side-eye, then smirked, shifting into what Riven had once dubbed the pre-game speech.

  “Balt, you want that tea, don’t you?!”

  Balt straightened his back ramrod straight, voice rising with conviction. “I want that tea so fucking bad!”

  The Master stepped closer, his tone sharp and commanding. “You need that tea, don’t you, Balt?!”

  “This disciple needs that tea more than he’s ever needed anything, Master!”

  Now the Master leaned in, his voice a growl in Balt’s ear. “Then go get it. And I swear to the System, if you screw this up, I’ll throw you down the mountain myself like last time and let that water dragon sleeping in the lake have another shot at you!”

  Balt’s face paled. The crazy old man would do it; he knew it. That last “training session” had been a nightmare, the dragon chasing him halfway up the mountain as the Masters lightning fell from the sky, striking so close to him it made his hair standup.

  With the tournament starting tomorrow, Balt couldn’t afford another tango with the beast, much less being electrocuted as Master Kim cackled.

  Balt exhaled deeply, steadying himself. With a flick of will, he summoned his force orbs, the balls of condensed mana shimmered into existence behind him. He cracked his neck and began to climb.

  The moment his mana sense detected those damn birds being conjured, he launched the orbs in rapid succession, tearing them apart with ease. He’d learned long ago that hesitation was fatal; there were two hundred steps to the pergola, and if he lingered too long at any point to recover, the monsters he’d already defeated would respawn and swarm him again.

  So he pushed forward, pumping his legs for all they were worth.

  Twenty steps ahead, a massive bull materialized and charged. Balt didn’t falter. He triggered Arc Lightning, the surge of power reinforcing both his body and his staff with crackling energy. Strength flooded his limbs. With a roar, he met the bull and brought the staff down in a brutal arc, slamming it onto the creature’s head before it had time to react.

  Balt moved in a relentless rhythm up the mountain, unleashing Force and lightning as he climbed. Step after step, bringing him closer to his goal.

  At last, only the last twenty steps remained. His foot hit the twentieth step, and he waited for his nemesis to appear, he didn't have to wait long for a twin-headed hydra to materialize, its presence radiating menace. This monster was on a whole other level from the others. The overgrown two headed lizard had barred his progress for over a month.

  But Balt squared his shoulders, staff crackling with power. He would take it down, no matter what this time. Using the stored mana in his staff, he unleashed Force ball after Force Ball. The hydra just shrugged him off and launched a wind blade out of its mouth. Balt threw up a Shield, but after the third wind blade hit, it shattered, forcing him to Blink out of the way.

  The hydra reared back, both maws opening in a deafening roar that shook the mountain steps. Its scales shimmered with green mana, its eyes burning with hatred. Balt tightened his grip on the staff, heart pounding, sweat dripping down his brow.

  He drew in a breath and let his mana surge. The three embedded yellow gems in his staff flared to life, glowing like miniature suns. Force magic swirled into a compressed sphere at the tip, vibrating with dangerous intensity. At the same time, Lightning mana flooded through the weapon, arcs snapping across its length, crawling up his arms, filling the air with the scent of ozone.

  The hydra lunged, one head snapping forward with jaws wide. As the other prepared to launch another wind blade at him. Balt roared back, thrusting the staff forward.

  A colossal beam of crackling energy tore through his staff and launched through the air. “Stormbreaker Cannon.” The Talent was a force-propelled lightning cannon. His ultimate move, the compressed Force, shattered the hydra’s defenses, ripping through its scales like paper, while the Lightning seared flesh and bone, exploding outward in a storm of destruction.

  The mountain shook as the blast detonated, thunder echoing across the peaks. One of the hydra’s heads shrieked in agony before the beam consumed it entirely. Flesh, bone, and scale disintegrated in a blinding flash, leaving nothing but a charred husk of what used to be the hydra head.

  When the light faded, the hydra staggered, its massive body writhing in pain. Balt stood firm, staff humming with residual energy, chest heaving. He had done it, the impossible, he had wounded the creature, now it was just a matter of time before he defeated it.

  But before he could celebrate, the hydra’s flesh knitted itself back together, and the head began to visibly grow back. Balt’s eyes widened. “What the hell is this bullshit, that's cheating dammit!”

  He was so close the pergola, it was within reach, hell a Blink would put him sitting in the chair next to his waiting Master. Realization struck. I don’t have to defeat this thing. I just have make it to the top.

  He Blinked. The world folded, and he reappeared at the pergola next to Master Kim.

  Kim smiled, pouring a cup of hot tea and beckoning him to take a seat "I was worried you’d never figure it out. But in the end, you finally got there.”

  Balt took his place across from his master and took the cup he had been offered, almost unbelieving that, that had actually worked. He took a sip, it tasted amazing, perfectly brewed with a hint of jasmine. He felt his mana return to him as he continued to sip, somewhat dumbfounded by the situation.

  Master Kim let out a contented mmm as he sipped his own tea. Before sitting his cup down and explaining. “Not every opponent can be taken head-on. Sometimes even a mighty river must bend around a mountain.”

  Setting his cup aside, Kim handed Balt a folded set of robes and boots. “This is your graduation present, Disciple.”

  Balt cast Identify and nearly dropped his tea.

  Balt’s eyes widened as the robes unfolded in his hands. They were unlike anything he had ever seen, woven from a fabric so dark it seemed to drink in the light, yet streaked with threads of golden-yellow that shimmered like lightning caught in cloth. The contrast gave them a regal, commanding appearance.

  The moment he touched the garment; he read its stats.

  Master Kim rose to his feet, his expression solemn. He gave Balt a slight bow, a gesture of respect rarely seen from the old man.

  “You have become an Elite, Balt. My congratulations. Now make me proud.”

  Riven

  I stood at the center of the arena, Ember in hand, my aura swirling gently around me. Hitting Level 50 yesterday had earned me two extra Talent Points, and with the two I’d been saving, I finally had enough to upgrade Ember again, pushing my weapon to new heights.

  Me hitting level 50 had delighted Master Matt, his eyes gleaming with approval as he said, “It’s time for your combat assessment.”

  That was fine with me, I was ready. I scanned the battlefield for threats as I idly twirled Ember.

  Out of my periphery, I spotted Master watching from the edge of the arena with Tucker lying down lazily next to him. Matt’s arms were folded, eyes sharp as always as he observed me. Tucker had grown as big as a polar bear now but still acted like he was the size of a puppy. He was sprawled out next to Matt with his tongue out. The Master caught me looking and spoke, “show me, disciple. Show me what you learned. Your assessment begins now!”

  Four Minotaur's each over level 100 appeared and squared off with me. They were massive, muscle-bound beasts with skin the color of stone. They immediately charged at me, their hooved feet shacking the arena’s stone floor. These creatures were apparently not the type to wait for the fight to come to them.

  They let out war cries, brandishing axes and huge clubs. I summoned my Spheres and let them orbit me.

  I faced them calmy as my Regalia formed around me. I had upgraded it as well. The armors new appearance was completely solid now, a silver armor lined with sapphire scrollwork of radiant energy that clung to my form like a second skin of living steel. Every movement I made carried weight; every step resonated with power.

  The fastest of the Minotaur's had closed the distance and lunged at me, its axe swinging down with bone-crushing force. I dodged out of the way of the powerful but slow strike. Ember flared and I slashed out, unleashing multiple Searing Scars, at the other Minotaur yet to close the distance. The Scars sliced through the air at breakneck speed at my targets. They ether dodged or were hit; the Scars were not meant to kill but to buy me time to deal with the immediate threat in front of me.

  I felt another axe strike coming and pivoted to the left and hit the beast’s chest with an Eclipse strike. Since I had upgraded Limit Slash, this move had become my bread and butter for armored foes and creatures with tough skin. Blood flew from the creature’s chest, as the tough hide split open. The Minotaur bellowed in pain, staggering back.

  Another came at me from behind, horns lowered, red mana covering its body. My two Spheres orbiting didn’t hesitate to blast the creature. I didn’t miss my opening. Using a controlled burst of Aura to launch into the air above both creatures.

  I spun Ember in a wide arc, releasing four more Searing Scars in rapid succession. The blades of energy screamed forward, slashing into the creature’s shoulders and legs, forcing both opponents to collapse in a heap of cut-up muscle and rage. I Flash Stepped to each creature and, after two quick Eclipse Strikes; the monsters numbered two less.

  I turned and stared down at the remaining two. One beast, noticeably larger than the other stepped forward, and the smaller one tried to circle me.

  Snarling, the larger Minotaur hefted its club with both hands. The weapon looked more like a tree trunk than an actual weapon, and when it slammed into the floor in challenge, the whole arena shook. The other beast circled, its horns gleaming that red color, waiting for its chance to gore me from the side.

  My pulse slowed; my focus sharpened as I gave him a come and get it gesture. "Challenge accepted time to end this."

  The big one attacked first. Using the length of its tree trunk sized weapon to keep some distance between us. I dodged left and right and even jumped over a low strike. The creature and weapon turned bright red, and the club suddenly sped up and came down at me in a blur.

  I Flash Stepped forward, aura bursting beneath my feet as I avoided the attack. The strike shattered the stone floor, creating a crater where I’d been standing. Ember hummed in my hands, alive with power. The Minotaur had not had time to bring the weapon up in guard after his massive attack and I unleashing a Searing Scarright at its chest.

  Sparks and blood flew as the Minotaur’s chest and torso split open. It was a stubborn one though and roared its defiance and swung again, refusing to fall. I simply stepped back avoiding the haphazard attempt. It charged up the crater trying to rush me.

  I dodged several incoming strikes in quick succession; I was just too fast for this creature. The Minitour overextended and I took the opening launching myself right at its neck. As it tried to react, I Flash Stepped behind him and whirlwind using my body's momentum to sever its neck.

  I knew only one remained now and was somewhat surprised it had not tried to blind side me while I fought his brethren. I searched and was dumbstruck at what I saw, the damn chicken shit big bad Minitour was running away. What struck me as even more odd was the thought of, where the hell was it trying to go?

  I landed on the ground and twirled Ember, channeling mana until the air itself vibrated. My newly re-summoned Searing Spheres locked onto the last beast. Twin bolts of energy blasted it, staggering it mid-getaway. Where it had been trying to run to, I did not know.

  I Flash Stepped high, twisting in the air, and unleashed a storm, five Searing Scars in rapid succession. The blades of energy screamed toward it, carving into the creatures’ shoulders, arms, and throat. The monster couldn't handle my attack and dropped, gurgling, before collapsing in a thunderous bloody heap.

  Silence filled the arena.

  I landed, Ember still humming softly. I let my aura fade back to a steady gentle glow. I breathed out and released my buffs. I looked over at the carnage I had wrought. I couldn’t help the grin tugging at my lips. I had grown so much these last few months.

  Master Matt’s voice cut through the quiet. “Well done, Riven. You didn’t just survive, you dominated.”

  I lowered Ember, letting the weapon rest at my side, before dismissing it. I gave a formal bow. “Thank you, Master, your training has been one of the greatest honors of my life.”

  Master Matt smiled and gave me a bow as well. “Now enough of that. Let's head back to the dojo. A portal appeared, and soon we were back.

  Tucker lumbered up to me, and I gave his massive head a pat. “You looked great out there.”

  I ruffled his hair. “Thanks buddy.”

  As soon as we got back to the dojo. Master Matt stepped forward, his expression unreadable. “I am proud of you, my student. You’ve turned Ember into a storm, and your Regalia into a fortress. You’re ready for the next step. But I cannot let you go without one last gift.”

  A beautiful pair of black combat robes that were lined with sapphire and silver in the seams appeared in Matt’s hands. I talked to Master Kim about the colors and if your party member passed his trial, he will receive a similar set of his own. “I know how you have gotten accustomed to the style of this floors combat robes, so I thought these would be perfect for you. Put them on and let me see you in them before you depart.”

  He handed them to me, and all I could do was to give my Master another bow before putting them on.

  I took off my old equipment, which had been with me since almost the start of the tutorial, and put on my new robes and took a moment to look over all of my stats after the massive upgrade to my equipment.

  I looked myself up and down. “If you have time to upgrade your boots and gloves, I would do it. But that should set you up nicely for what’s coming.”

  Matt put his hands on his hips and smiled. “You've been training with me for months, and I couldn’t be prouder of you. The tournament is tomorrow, so I will let you leave early and get you some extra sleep. Settle your mind and, above all, kick ass!”

  He gave me a fist bump, and with gesture Tucker and I left the dojo. Finally, we were going to see what the best of the best had to offer tomorrow.