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Chapter 20 - Chapter 20: This doesn't even making me Sweat (End)

The final days of Rudelion's rigorous training unfolded with a relentless intensity that transcended the conventional limits of a human body, even an Arcana-enhanced one. He had pushed beyond the realm of mere physical exertion, transforming his workouts into meditations on Mana control and self-mastery. The academy's facilities, once vast and challenging, now felt almost quaint.

His daily sessions with Kael had reached a crescendo of controlled chaos. Kael, unknowingly, was experiencing an unprecedented surge in his own capabilities, thanks to Rudelion's precise and subtle guidance. Kael's Berserker Blood Imprint now thrummed with a terrifying efficiency, his Mana-infused blows possessing a newfound focus and devastating impact. Yet, for all Kael's explosive power, Rudelion remained untouchable. He danced through the onslaught, a blur of Abyssal Blink and Void Step, weaving through Kael's attacks like a shadow in the wind. When a direct hit was unavoidable, his Mana Shield shimmered, absorbing the impact without a tremor, or his Arcane Ward would materialize, a transparent wall deflecting Kael's charge. He didn't even need to use his Vitality anymore, so adept had he become at physical and Mana defense.

"You're like… a ghost, Rudelion!" Kael would pant, sweat plastering his hair to his forehead, his face flushed crimson. "I can't even touch you!"

Rudelion would merely offer a calm, knowing smile, his own breathing perfectly even, his skin dry. "It is merely an understanding of space and Mana flow, Kael. Remember what I told you about anticipation?" He'd then demonstrate a subtle counter-movement, a precise flick of Mana that would make Kael's Mana signature momentarily falter, creating an opening. Kael would absorb it, his brow furrowed in concentration, then nod vigorously, utterly convinced of Rudelion's genius. The brute's admiration was now boundless, a potent shield of loyalty that Rudelion meticulously cultivated.

Beyond sparring, Rudelion had dedicated himself to mastering every nuance of his Gacha-acquired skills. Mana Bolt was no longer just a projectile; it was an extension of his will. He could now shape it into intricate forms, curving it, splitting it into multiple smaller bolts, or even making it oscillate between elemental infusions in mid-air. His Basic Elemental Infusion was becoming seamless, allowing him to subtly mask the true, abyssal nature of his Mana with common elements, creating a versatile illusion of normalcy.

His Abyssal Blink was now so refined that he could execute near-instantaneous, consecutive shifts, appearing and disappearing in rapid succession, creating a bewildering afterimage. He could even phase through denser materials, like the ancient stone walls of the academy's lower dungeons, leaving no trace. This level of mobility was beyond any conventional Arcana, a testament to the awakening Thaumiel Blood Imprint and the inherent Void affinity. He often thought of it as a spatial folding, a tear in the fabric of reality itself.

The Thaumiel Blood Imprint Awakening was progressing rapidly. His nightly meditations in the Whispering Grotto had finally borne fruit.

[Prime Mana Confluence: Day 20/20 completed!][Quest Complete! Reward Delivered: Arcana Core Fragment x3, Thaumiel Blood Imprint Awakening Progress +20%!]

A profound, cold power surged through him as the notification appeared, resonating with the abyssal depth of his black eye. The Mana Wellspring, now fully attuned to him, pulsed with a benevolent energy. His Thaumiel Blood Imprint progress shot up to 80%. He felt a visceral connection to the Void, a deeper understanding of spatial manipulation, of shadows, of pure consumption. The Demon God's essence, once a latent power, now felt truly integrated, a part of him, obedient to his will. He had cultivated it, tamed it, and made it his own.

He now possessed a total of 3 Arcana Core Fragments, plus his previously saved Arcana Core Fragment. That was 4 Fragments.

And his DAILY OBJECTIVES had accumulated another week's worth of Gacha Tickets. He now had 35 Gacha Tickets.

He initiated a series of 10x Pulls with ruthless efficiency. The first 10x Pull yielded a mix of STAT INCREASES (Strength +3, Dexterity +3, Vitality +4) and a Rare passive skill: Mana Amplification (Passive, Rare) - Slightly increases the power output of all Mana-based abilities.

The second 10x Pull was even more significant. It provided STAT INCREASES (Mana Capacity +20, Intelligence +2, Wisdom +2) and a Super Rare (SR) active skill: Thaumiel's Abyssal Chains (Active, SR) - Manifests ethereal chains of pure Void Mana, capable of binding, draining Mana, or disrupting Mana conduits. Scales with Blood Imprint Awakening and Mana Capacity. Unique to Thaumiel Bloodline.

Rudelion felt a jolt of genuine excitement. Abyssal Chains was a direct manifestation of his Blood Imprint, a potent crowd control and offensive spell. It directly tied into his abyssal power, allowing him to drain Mana – a truly terrifying ability in this world.

He used his remaining 15 Gacha Tickets in another 10x Pull and a Single Pull. The 10x Pull gave him STAT INCREASES (Strength +2, Dexterity +2, Vitality +2, Charisma +3, Mana Capacity +15) and a Rare active skill: Arcane Dispel (Active, Rare) - Allows for the disruption or nullification of weaker magical effects or constructs. The Single Pull yielded STAT INCREASE: Wisdom +1.

His final stats were breathtaking.

[Host Profile: Rudelion Von Thaumiel]Status: Alive (Vessel of Incipient Demon God)Level: 1Mana Capacity: 150/215 (Vastly Improved!)Blood Imprint Affinity: Thaumiel (Abyssal/Void)Base Stats:

Strength: 20

Dexterity: 20

Vitality: 28

Intelligence: 20 (Override: Host Cognitive Framework)

Wisdom: 20

Charisma: 27

Every single stat was now at 20 or higher, with Vitality at a staggering 28 and Charisma at an impossible 27. His Mana Capacity had soared past 200. He was no longer just 'great for his level.' He was an anomaly. A walking, breathing cheat code.

He used his 4 Arcana Core Fragments to upgrade his most critical skills. He used 2 Fragments to upgrade Thaumiel's Abyssal Chains to Level 2. He used 1 Fragment to upgrade Mana Amplification to Level 2. He used 1 Fragment to upgrade Greater Mana Recovery to Level 2.

His Mana and physical stats were now at a level where his previous life's most arduous training would feel like a light jog. He could leap across entire courtyards with a single bound, withstand blows that would pulverize stone, and move with a grace and speed that defied human perception. His body, once frail and sickly, had been forged anew, sculpted by Mana, by the System, and by his own indomitable will.

He returned to his dorm one evening after completing a particularly grueling, self-designed obstacle course, pushing his physical limits to an almost absurd degree. He walked with a light, purposeful stride, his posture effortlessly perfect. He entered his room, ready for his nightly meditation.

"Rudelion, you're back!" Elara, his timid roommate, looked up from his desk, a pile of ancient tomes surrounding him. Elara's Mana signature, usually a nervous flicker, suddenly jolted. His eyes, magnified by his spectacles, widened, then widened further, almost comically, until they looked like saucers.

Rudelion paused, a faint, almost imperceptible smirk touching his lips. He knew what Elara was seeing. He had been meticulously training, growing, refining, pushing his physical vessel to its absolute peak. The subtle changes had been accumulating, now culminating into something undeniably striking.

His body, once slender, was now leanly muscled, sculpted with the kind of definition that spoke of latent power, not brute force. His shoulders had broadened, his chest was wider, and his arms and legs possessed a taut strength that hinted at explosive speed and crushing power. There was a newfound confidence in his every movement, a fluid grace that was almost mesmerizing. But it wasn't merely the muscle; it was the entire package. His jawline, once delicate, was now sharply defined, giving his face a chiseled, aristocratic perfection. His cheekbones were more prominent, his golden-blonde hair seemed to possess a richer sheen, and his heterochromatic eyes, royal purple and abyssal black, held a depth and intensity that was captivating.

He looked, for all intents and purposes, like he had stepped directly out of a high-fashion magazine – the kind of male model Maximilian, in his previous life, had occasionally envied for their 'perfect' proportions and undeniably attractive features. The irony was not lost on Rudelion. He, Cheon Hajin, the Neck-Slashing Demonic Emperor, was now the epitome of aesthetic perfection in a gacha dating sim.

Elara slowly rose from his chair, his jaw hanging slightly open, his books forgotten. His Mana signature was a chaotic mess of awe, surprise, and a blush that crept up his neck. "R-Rudelion… you… you look… different," he stammered, his voice barely a whisper. "You're… you're incredibly…" He trailed off, unable to find the words, his gaze fixed on Rudelion's now undeniably chiseled chin.

Rudelion simply inclined his head, a faint, charming smile gracing his lips. His Charisma score of 27 was working overtime, effortlessly enchanting his roommate. "I have simply applied myself to my physical conditioning, Elara. The academy's regimen is quite… effective, wouldn't you agree?" He paused, then added, with a subtle wink, "It seems I truly don't even make me sweat."

Elara could only nod dumbly, still staring, a faint tremor running through his timid Mana. He was completely, utterly bewildered and undeniably impressed.

Rudelion's training arc had come to a triumphant end. He was no longer just surviving; he was thriving, systematically dismantling every obstacle, perfecting his new vessel, and readying himself for the true challenges that lay ahead. The game was far from over, but Rudelion Von Thaumiel, the handsome, effortlessly powerful Demon God vessel, was now ready to write his own ending.

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