Harem: Rebirth of the strongest shadow mage

Chapter Three

In the realm of the beginner mage stage, there existed nine distinct energy levels, each marking a significant milestone in a mage's journey. The primary difference between those who had attained the energy state and ordinary human beings was the remarkable increase in physical strength and speed.

As one progressed through the energy levels, their abilities grew more pronounced, until they reached the ninth level, where they stood at the threshold of the channel stage.

At this critical juncture, mages began to grasp the fundamentals of energy manipulation, a skill that would serve as the foundation for their future magical pursuits. However, for Ryan, the journey through the energy levels was unfolding at an unprecedented pace.

Due to the vast quantity of magic pills present in his body, Ryan's cultivation accelerated at an astonishing rate. In a mere hour, he had surged from being an ordinary human to attaining the sixth level of the energy stage.

Such a rapid progression would have been deemed impossible by most mages, and had any of them witnessed Ryan's cultivation, they would have likely fainted from sheer astonishment.

For a moment, Ryan paused, focusing his energies on solidifying his current state. He had reached the sixth level, and he was determined to stabilize his energies, ensuring that his foundation was secure before proceeding further.

As he stood there, his body aglow with the soft, pulsing light of the energy stage, Ryan felt an overwhelming sense of excitement and anticipation. He knew that he was on the cusp of something remarkable, something that would change the course of his life forever.

Two days had passed since Ryan's reincarnation into this new body, a vessel that was both familiar and foreign to him. Despite his efforts, he had yet to access the original memories of the body, a frustrating hurdle that left him with more questions than answers.

However, one thing was certain - the guards outside were responsible for the death of the body's original owner, a fact that fueled Ryan's determination for revenge.

As he stood in the dimly lit room, Ryan's eyes gleamed with a fierce intensity. He had spent the past two days solidifying his current level, ensuring that his foundation was secure before attempting to push forward to the next level.

The abundance of magic pills within his body had granted him an unprecedented advantage, allowing him to accelerate his cultivation at an incredible rate.

However, Ryan was acutely aware of the risks associated with absorbing the dark energy. He had witnessed countless mages succumb to its corrupting influence, their minds consumed by an insatiable hunger for power.

Determined to avoid a similar fate, Ryan had devoted himself to practicing a sacred scripture, one that would safeguard his mind against the dark energy's insidious whispers.

The true nature of the dark energy remained a mystery, its capabilities and limitations unknown to Ryan. Yet, he was undaunted, his resolve strengthened by his determination to master this enigmatic force.

For now, he was content to wait, to bide his time until he had grown stronger, until he could unlock the secrets of the dark energy and unleash its full fury upon his enemies.

As the hours ticked by, Ryan's body continued to glow with a soft, ethereal light, a testament to the incredible progress he had made in such a short time.

His eyes burned with an unyielding ambition, a fire that would drive him forward, no matter the cost, no matter the danger. For Ryan, the Emperor of Fire, had been reborn, and nothing would ever be the same again.

The air around Ryan seemed to vibrate with an otherworldly energy as he continued his cultivation. A low hum, like the gentle buzzing of a thousand bees, filled the air, punctuated by occasional bursts of explosive force.

"Whooosh" echoed through the room as the air whirled in, followed by a deafening "Booommm" that shook the very foundations of the space.

As Ryan's cultivation reached its peak, strings of dark energy began to manifest around him. This was a characteristic typically associated with mages who had reached the channel stage, a level of magical prowess that allowed them to manipulate the very fabric of reality.

Yet, Ryan was not yet at the channel stage; he was still at the eighth level of the energy state.

However, Ryan's unique circumstances set him apart from his peers. This was not his first foray into cultivation, and his extensive battle experience had granted him a level of mastery that few others could match.

As a result, he was able to perform feats that would be considered impossible for someone at his current level.

If other mages were to witness Ryan's abilities, they would undoubtedly hail him as a genius. His strength was already on par with those at the first level of the channel stage, and his battle-hardened instincts made him a formidable opponent.

In fact, it was likely that even a second-level channel stage mage would find themselves outmatched by Ryan's prowess.

This was a truly remarkable achievement, one that spoke to Ryan's exceptional talent as a mage. It was a rare occurrence for a ninth-level energy state mage to defeat a first-level channel stage mage, but Ryan's abilities went far beyond that.

He had the potential to overpower even a second-level channel stage mage, a feat that would be considered nothing short of astonishing in the world of magic.

Ryan rose from his cultivation stance, his eyes narrowing slightly as he realized that he had reached a temporary plateau in his development. Seeking to test the limits of his current strength, he focused his energy and unleashed a powerful punch into the air. The brief breeze generated by his blow rustled the nearby flowers, causing them to sway gently in its wake.

As he assessed the force of his punch, Ryan's expression remained impassive, his face a mask of calm contemplation. "My punch should be weighing around ten tons, equivalent to ten thousand kilograms," he murmured to himself, his voice devoid of emotion.

The sheer scale of his strength was a testament to his remarkable progress, for a normal first-level mage could only muster a punch of about one ton, with each subsequent level granting a corresponding increase in force.

Yet, despite the impressive display of power, Ryan seemed unimpressed. His eyes held a hint of detachment, a sense of "been there, done that" that belied his remarkable achievement.

It was a demeanor that spoke to his storied past, to the countless battles he had fought and won as the Emperor of the Fire Elements, and to the unparalleled magical prowess that had earned him the title of Mage Emperor, the highest realm in the magic world.

For Ryan, ten tons of force was merely a stepping stone, a minor milestone on his journey to reclaim his former glory. His gaze seemed to bore into the distance, his eyes burning with an inner fire that hinted at the true depths of his ambition.

The universe itself seemed to tremble at the prospect of Ryan's resurgence, for when a being of his caliber set their sights on a goal, the very fabric of reality seemed to bend to accommodate their will.

With his strength assessed, Ryan's thoughts turned to the next critical aspect of his abilities: combat prowess. He knew that true mastery of magic required more than just raw power; it demanded finesse, strategy, and the ability to adapt to the unpredictable nature of battle.

Eager to gauge his skills against real opponents, Ryan set his sights on the guards stationed outside his door.

Those men, with their callous disregard for life and their role in the murder of his host's original owner, had long been due for a reckoning. Ryan's eyes gleamed with a fierce intensity as he contemplated the impending confrontation. It was time to teach the guards a lesson, to demonstrate the true meaning of power and the folly of underestimating a mage of his caliber.

Moreover, Ryan was driven by a desire to uncover more information about the realm he now found himself in, as well as the body he was occupying.

The guards, as his captors and would-be assassins, were likely to possess knowledge that would prove invaluable to Ryan's quest for understanding and revenge.

With a deep breath, Ryan steeled himself for the battle ahead, his mind racing with strategies and tactics. He could feel the familiar thrill of anticipation coursing through his veins, a sensation that had long been absent during his time as the Emperor of the Fire Elements.

The prospect of testing his mettle against the guards, of unleashing his fury upon them, was a tantalizing one, and Ryan could hardly wait to indulge in the carnage that was to come.

As he prepared to face his enemies, Ryan's thoughts turned to the mysterious body he now inhabited. Who was its original owner, and what had been their fate? What secrets lay hidden within the recesses of this new body, waiting to be uncovered?

The answers, Ryan knew, lay just beyond the door, guarded by the very men he was about to confront. With a fierce cry, Ryan flung open the door, ready to unleash his wrath upon the world and uncover the secrets that lay hidden within.