Arlen made his way back to the town at the base of Ashen Spire, his new armor gleaming with the faint inner light of ancient fire crystals. The trials of the labyrinth weighed on his mind—not only the fierce battles and rare treasures, but also the fate of those who had pursued him out of greed and ambition.
At the academy, his old instructor greeted him with a knowing smile and a firm handshake. They found a quiet corner in the training hall, and Arlen recounted all that had transpired: how he'd let the would-be thieves enter first, how the labyrinth's dangers had quickly overwhelmed them, and how he'd pressed on alone to uncover the secrets of Shadow and Flame.
The instructor listened carefully, nodding at the tale's lessons. "The labyrinths are not kind to the unworthy, Arlen. You made the right choice in letting fate judge them. It's a hard reminder that true power is earned, not stolen."
Turning to his next challenge, Arlen voiced his desire to master mind defense magic and deepen his understanding of the shadow arts. "I know I'll face even more cunning threats ahead—ones that attack the mind, not just the body. And I want to be able to use my shadow magic at its highest level, both for battle and protection."
His instructor's eyes sparkled with pride and caution. "Mind defense is a subtle art, one that requires patience and strong will. I can show you the foundational techniques. As for shadow mastery, you have the talent and the legacy. Together, we'll work on advanced meditations, controlled casting, and the hidden rituals of the old Shadow Seekers. But remember: the deeper you go, the greater the responsibility. Shadow magic is powerful, but it can consume the careless."
With that, Arlen began a new phase of training—learning mental shields, resistance rituals, and the next tier of shadow techniques. Under his mentor's watchful eye, he grew ever closer to mastering the balance that would define his fate as a true Shadow Seeker.