Estimated Read Time: 15 min
This story is entirely fictional and has no relation to real events.
Alex jolted awake from a terrifying dream. Previously, all the dreams he had were related to his past experiences. But this time, it was different. He couldn't remember anything. Still, fear made his hair stand on end. He muttered to himself:
> "Could it be that everything was created by me? No, how is that possible? It could only be a bad ordinary dream."
Alex said this gloomily. His mind was blank. He realized that Megha (Mira) agreeing to marry him and the sudden appearance of the Tower—maybe everything was connected to him. But how could that be? He could not remember anything about when he had seen Aladdin's lamp genie. And was that even possible? (It was not Aladdin's genie.)
---
(Alex's perspective)
I didn't worry about it anymore. A dream is just a dream. Even if it were true, there's nothing I could do. What's done cannot be undone. Rather, I'll focus on my new objective.
I had obtained a simple ring that was slowly turning my life into something like a game. I didn't know if it was happening by my will or by some other reason. But I knew I couldn't figure that out in this state. I had to become stronger. In game terms, I had to level up. Since my life was gradually becoming like a game, I could sense what I needed to do next—though it was still only a rough idea.
I put all thoughts aside and went for breakfast. Now, I had no problem going down the stairs, and I could even run. Mom's friend Chesly was indeed a top-notch healer. I had suffered a lot for a year due to my leg problems. I needed to thank her for helping me.
---
Alex still didn't know he could use Aura Energy. During his time in Chesly's chamber, he was in a deep sleep. And in the Principal's chamber, the rest of his energy was sealed. Because of this, Alex believed he could not use any energy besides Mana Energy. Maria and Elmond hadn't mentioned anything about it either. Even Alex's ring hadn't given him any clue. But Alex's knowledge didn't stop there. He had learned a lot from his mother. Alex believed he could not use Aura—but that didn't mean he couldn't wield powers like his father.
Elmond was standing in the garden, his eyes set on training Alex from today. Elmond began:
> "Alex, from today I'll train you. It won't be easy. From hand-to-hand combat to every weapon you like, I'll teach you everything."
Elmond spoke while stretching his arms and legs. But Alex replied:
> "But I can't use Aura like you…"
Although Elmond knew Alex could use Aura, he kept it hidden. He said:
> "Alex, there are many uses for the three energies. Let's leave out life energy for now. Today, I'll mainly explain Aura and Mana Energy. Aura Energy works in two ways: internal and external. When a person uses Aura Energy on their own body, it's called internal use. Conversely, if someone uses energy outside their body, it's called external use."
Elmond gathered a small amount of energy in his hand, placed it on the tip of his finger, and touched a thick branch like a hand. With just a slight touch, the branch was cut perfectly. Alex was amazed. Elmond continued:
> "This is internal use of Aura Energy. Through this, one can strengthen parts of the body or even form sharp objects like a sword. Now, for external use…"
Elmond turned his palm upward to the sky. A sphere of energy began forming in his hand, quickly merging with the air.
> "This is external use. Through this, one can use energy outside their body. Let me show an example."
He grabbed a thin branch, applied Aura Energy, and sliced it into another slightly thicker branch. Alex stared in awe, regretting he couldn't use Aura himself. He let out a deep sigh.
> "This was purely Aura use. But it's not only possible through Aura; Mana Energy also has two uses: internal and external."
Elmond spoke proudly. Although he knew Alex could use Aura, he withheld it, wanting Alex to learn to use both energies gradually. He continued:
> "Internal use of Mana strengthens the body, though not as strong as an Aura user. External use involves casting various spells."
Hearing this, Alex asked:
> "So I could use energy on my body and fight like you?"
Curious, he listened intently. Elmond patted his head and nodded:
> "Yes."
Alex's training began. At first, everything seemed simple, but he had no idea which direction he was heading. Previously, when he was in the Tower, he was around twenty-six, with a strong, developed body from two years of intense training. But now, he was an eleven-year-old boy with a frail body. His muscles had yet to grow.
Elmond scheduled training every morning and evening: 100 sit-ups, 100 push-ups, 100 one-handed push-ups, running around the house 100 times, and more. Alex felt frustrated in the first five days, but on the sixth day, when the ring projected something in front of him, he felt even more motivated. Elmond had given him challenging training because normal bodies could not achieve what Alex needed to learn. Alex had to strengthen his body.
---
(Alex's perspective)
I was doing sit-ups in the afternoon. My father had gone on a mission, and Mom was visiting Chesly at the Healer Tower. I was alone. Daily training annoyed me, but today, I somehow felt motivated. Maybe it's because my life was turning into a game. The ring projected something before me. I didn't know the training would level me up, but in just five days, I had risen from level seven to ten. Perhaps my father's meditation training had helped. With level ten, the ring showed me a new projection: a Status option.
The Status option displayed:
Name: Alex? (Former name: Hridoy)
Work: Host of Miduri
Level: 10
Status:
Strength: 07
Vitality: 12
Agility: 08
Stamina: 05
Intelligence: 29
Luck: 10
In the NightMare game, each stat represents a certain ability: Strength is power, Vitality is life, Agility is speed, Stamina is endurance, Intelligence is energy, and Luck is fortune. Although all stats were normal, his Intelligence was high, indicating not just more energy but strong memory too.
As far as he understood, the ring didn't fully function like the NightMare game. It only executed the program he created: level-up system, Status, special ten missions, etc. To confirm, he'd need to reach level fifty.
He realized his father's training strengthened his body. Two hundred sit-ups a day increased Stamina, Strength, and Agility by one each. Push-ups did the same. Running increased Stamina and Agility further.
---
Alex wasn't pleased with his weak body, particularly his low Stamina. To improve it, he had to reach level fifty. Leveling up beyond ten through training would be tough, but his life, through the program, was slowly becoming like a game. He lay on the grass, staring at the clear sky, wondering:
> "Could that dream have been real? Was everything created by me?"
Memories of his past were hazy. He recalled small pleasures, but the night's events were scrambled. He decided to move forward. To return to his world, he had to get stronger. Leveling up was essential. A smile appeared on his face:
> "Since the ring works like my program, I don't need to worry anymore. I've chosen my path, and it won't take long to reach my goal."
---
A week passed. The academy opened. Everyone had to attend. The academy had ten classes. The higher the class, the more respected the student. Each year, three teachers were assigned per student with deep energy knowledge. This year: Madam Diara (Mana), Sir Azro (Aura), Madam Helen (Life).
Each student was given a class title. Only one achieved B-Class: Edward von Wexkul, Duke's son. Four earned C-Class: Myra von Rispon, Elin von Wexkul, Eba Varesvuo, and Zeba Varesvuo.
Madam Diara began:
> "This year, only one student achieved B-Class: Edward von Wexkul. Four achieved C-Class…"
The classroom was beautifully arranged, with desks increasing in height from front to back. Students were seated according to class. Those in higher classes sat in front. Each student wore a batch on their chest to mark class.
> "Mana is one of three energies. To use it, everyone needs a Mana Core created at birth. Mana energy is absorbed from the environment into the core. It can be used internally or externally. Internal use requires understanding; external does not. I'll teach external use today, so pay attention."
Students focused as Diara explained. Mana can take various forms; casting a spell is shaping mana into a form. For example, four basic elemental spells: Fire Ball, Water Ball, Earth Ball, Air Ball. New and old mages alike must visualize the form correctly for spells to work. Chants are used to prevent mistakes. High-level mages can cast without chanting; difficult spells differ.
Each student received a five-page book with 3–4 spells per attribute and their chanting. The first day ended with instructions to memorize chants for testing tomorrow.
---
Alex, sitting at the back, studied his book intently. He had only one spell, perhaps because it was a weak attribute. While reading, he accidentally bumped into someone—Myra, the Duke's daughter. Alex, aware of academy rules, knew his F-Class status meant he had to show respect. He tried to step back. Elin, standing behind Myra, gave him a cold glare.
Before Alex could react, Elin said:
> "Freeze."
Alex's body was instantly frozen in ice, except his head. Myra, concerned, said:
> "Elin, that wasn't taught. You shouldn't use it on someone."
> "How would a commoner react if a noble used this on them? Would they trust us?" (Elin)
Myra used her spell to thaw Alex. He said nothing. They left. Alex, looking at Myra's smile, wanted to apologize but didn't get the chance. Suddenly, he remembered his mission:
> "Completing this mission won't be easy," he muttered with a small smile.
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To Be Continued
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