Before Mr. Alden could respond, Ronan reached out and touched what seemed like empty air. In an instant, he vanished.
The shock hit both men like a thunderclap.
"Ronan!" Mr. Alden shouted, stepping forward instinctively. His hand reached for the spot where Ronan had been, only to feel nothing. Panic surged through him, but years of training forced him to focus. As his Keen Eye skill was already activated, he scanned the area for any sign of residual mana or spatial distortion, but he only saw the residual mana where Ronan had last stood.
"There's no trace... nothing at all," Mr. Alden muttered, his voice tinged with worry.
Mr Arnold placed a steady hand on Mr. Alden's shoulder, his calm demeanour like a rock amidst a storm. "Relax, Alden. Ronan is fine," he said, his tone firm yet reassuring. "Can't you sense his presence? He's still here, just in another space, maybe. Let's give him time."
Taking a deep breath, Mr. Alden steadied himself. "You're right. I can feel him. But what is this place?"
Mr Arnold didn't answer, instead focusing on the faint energy emanating from the marked location. As they waited, the group with water and fire elements busied themselves. They managed to capture two low-grade water spirits and two fire beasts for everyone, their excitement momentarily easing the tension in the air. Eventually, they moved on to denser mana zones, leaving Mr. Alden and Mr Arnold behind.
Inside the Temple, Ronan found himself in a dimly lit space, an air of ancient magic pressing down on him. It didn't feel hostile, but it was far from welcoming. The moment he arrived, an ethereal voice echoed around him.
"To leave this trial ground, you must share your perception with the dummy. Both of you must avoid the attacks together. Only then will you be deemed worthy."
Ronan clenched his fists, determination flaring in his chest. He knew this would be a test of both his skill and his mental fortitude. For ten gruelling days, he endured a relentless barrage of attacks while trying to share his Keen Eye perception with the dummy. Each failure pushed him closer to exhaustion, but he refused to give up.
Finally, on the tenth day, he succeeded. As the last wave of attacks was evaded, the oppressive atmosphere lifted, and a doorway of light appeared before him. He stepped through, emerging back into the Rift.
Back outside, When Ronan reappeared, Mr. Alden was the first to rush to his side, relief flooding his features. "Ronan! Are you okay?" he asked, scanning the young man for any signs of injury.
Ronan smiled faintly, exhaustion etched into his face. "I'm fine," he replied, raising a hand to make a series of intricate gestures before lightly touching Mr. Alden's back.
In an instant, Mr. Alden's vision shifted. He could see through Ronan's eyes the faint mana trails, hidden pathways, and even subtle distortions invisible to normal sight. It was breathtaking. Mr Arnold, curious, stepped forward, and Ronan repeated the process. However, when the older man tried to touch something in this enhanced vision, his hand passed through as though it wasn't there.
"This is incredible," Mr. Alden murmured.
Ronan nodded, his voice steady despite his exhaustion. "This trial ground is designed for those below the master tier who have learned the Keen Eye perception skill. It forced me to refine my ability and learn to share it with allies. As long as you're near me, you can now see what I see."
Mr. Alden exchanged a glance with Mr Arnold, who gave a small, approving nod. "You've done well, Ronan,"
Ronan straightened, determination shining in his eyes. "I want to explore the other two marked locations before we leave this Rift. I've learned so much here."
Mr. Alden hesitated for a moment but then nodded. "Alright, I'll go with you," he said firmly.
Mr Arnold smiled faintly, his expression one of pride and trust. "Then I'll take my leave. Take care of yourselves, both of you," he said, turning to depart from the Rift.
As Ronan and Mr. Alden set off for the next marked location, the bond between them felt stronger than ever, forged in the crucible of the Rift's trials.
Enhancing Keen Eye
Ronan and Mr. Alden arrive at the temple's entrance, their footsteps muffled by the thick underbrush. The temple's grand archway looms before them, etched with intricate symbols that hint at the trials within.
Ronan, (Taking a deep breath) "This is it. The second trial should be focused on enhancing my Keen Eye. With this, my awareness will be heightened."
Mr. Alden. "Indeed. But remember, every enhancement comes with its challenges. Stay vigilant."
They enter the temple, the heavy doors closing behind them with a resonant thud. Inside, the air is cool and the dim light flickers from torches along the walls.
The Trial of Awareness
Ronan stands in the central chamber, a circular room with seven-foot-tall pillars arranged in a precise pattern. A mystical aura permeates the space.
Ronan, (Concentrating) "I need to awaken the passive ability of Keen Eye constant awareness within a 17-foot radius."
As he focuses, the symbols on the pillars begin to glow. A surge of energy courses through him, heightening his senses. He starts to perceive subtle movements and faint auras emanating from all directions.
Ronan's Inner Struggle: With the newfound awareness, Ronan experiences overwhelming sensory input. Every slight movement, every whisper of wind, becomes amplified, testing his ability to maintain focus.
Ronan, (Struggling to maintain control) "It's... too much... I need to adapt."
After intense concentration, Ronan stabilises his senses, managing to filter and process the information without being overwhelmed.
Days pass as Ronan navigates the challenges of the second trial. He faces environmental obstacles and solves intricate puzzles.
"It took nearly 11 gruelling days to complete the second trial. Each day brought new tests of Ronan's enhanced awareness, pushing him to his limits. Yet, his determination never wavered."
Finally, they reach the heart of the temple once more. Ronan's Keen Eye is now fully enhanced, granting him unparalleled awareness within a 17-foot radius.
Ronan, (Exhausted but triumphant) "I've done it. My senses are sharper than ever."
Mr. Alden, "Well done, Ronan. But our journey isn't over yet. The third trail awaits."
Detecting Magic Traps and Formations
The third temple stands in stark contrast to the second, with ominous architecture and arcane symbols pulsating with energy. The atmosphere is tense as they prepare for the final trial.
Ronan, "The third trail focuses on detecting magic traps and formations. I need to see even the low-tier enchantments within a 7-foot radius."
He steps inside, the doors sealed shut behind them. The interior is dimly lit, with shadows dancing across the walls, hinting at hidden dangers.
Ronan moves cautiously through the labyrinthine corridors, his enhanced abilities allowing him to detect faint magical auras and potential traps.
Ronan's Inner Struggle:
As he navigates, invisible traps activate, sending waves of magical energy that test his defences. Each trap requires quick thinking and precise control to avoid harm.
Ronan, (Breathing heavily) "These traps are more complex than I anticipated. I need to stay focused."
He encounters enchanted barriers, illusory walls, and shifting pathways, each presenting unique challenges that push his newly acquired skills to their limits.
At the heart of the temple, Ronan faces powerful magical guardians, spectral entities bound to protect the temple's secrets.
Guardian Leader, "Intruders shall not pass. Prove your worth."
Ronan utilises his enhanced Keen Eye to identify the guardians' weak points and anticipate their movements. A fierce battle ensues, testing both his perception and combat skills.
Ronan, (Dodging and countering attacks)
After a prolonged and exhausting fight, Ronan successfully neutralises the guardians, their forms dissipating into an ethereal mist.
Exhausted but victorious, Ronan stands in the temple's central chamber, the magic traps now dormant and the path forward clear.
"The third trail took Ronan nine arduous days to complete. Each step through the temple was fraught with peril, but his perseverance and enhanced abilities saw him through."
Ronan feels a surge of accomplishment as he masters the ability to detect even the faintest magical threats within a 7-foot radius.
Ronan, "I've learned the ability to see magic traps and formations. We're ready to move forward."
Mr. Alden, "Excellent work. The path ahead is still uncertain, but with these skills, we stand a better chance."