As dawn broke over the city, Sam's excitement grew with each passing minute. He spent the day in quiet contemplation, mentally preparing himself for the challenges that lay ahead. Hours dragged by until, finally, the sun moved past its peak, casting short shadows across the cobblestone streets. On that afternoon, Sam made his excuses to Lyra, claiming he needed some time alone to gather his thoughts. Though Lyra looked at him suspiciously, she trusted his judgment and allowed him to go. With a sense of urgency, Sam navigated through the winding alleys until he reached the designated meeting point outside the imposing tower. Standing there, Sam's heart raced as he scanned the area, half-expecting Kaelyn to emerge from the shadows. Suddenly, a figure emerged from a nearby alleyway—it was Kaelyn. Despite anticipating her arrival, Sam was still taken aback by her sudden appearance. Kaelyn's expression was unreadable as she approached him, her movements calculated and precise. "Are you r
Sam and Kaelyn were transported to the next floor of the illusion pathway. The scenery shifted dramatically. They found themselves standing on a magical savannah, bathed in the ethereal glow of twilight. The landscape was surreal, a blend of familiar grasslands and fantastical elements. Trees with shimmering leaves dotted the horizon, and peculiar chimeric creatures roamed the plains. The daemon guide's voice echoed in Sam's mind, breaking the silence of the twilight-lit savannah. "You are already able to make a copy of yourself using shadow magic, but that was the easier task compared to this. You need to create three copies of different daemons here."Sam surveyed the surroundings, his eyes falling upon the strange and wondrous creatures that inhabited this realm. Each daemon bore characteristics reminiscent of animals from the earthly realm, yet they were imbued with a magical essence that made them otherworldly. There were winged serpents with iridescent scales, horned beasts wit
The tenth trial thrust Sam into a harrowing battle within his own mind. It was a relentless onslaught of illusions aimed at exploiting his deepest fears and doubts. As he stood amidst the shifting illusions of his mundane past life, Sam felt the suffocating weight of routine and monotony bearing down on him.Flashbacks flooded his mind with endless days spent in a soul-crushing job, the hollow emptiness of unfulfilled dreams, and the relentless march of time eroding his spirit. The illusions distorted reality, blurring the line between past and present, until Sam felt trapped in a suffocating cycle of despair.“Sam! I’m here!”But amidst the overwhelming deluge of memories, Kaelyn's voice broke through the haze like a lifeline. Her voice echoed in his mind, a beacon of clarity amidst the nightmare. With renewed determination, Sam summoned his inner strength and blasted his energy outward, dispelling the illusions.Sam felt a surge of empowerment. He refused to succumb to the shadows o
The daemon guide showed them the portal to enter Ba’ar spire. Sam and Kaelyn stood before the portal leading to Ba'ar's spire with a nervous yet resolute air surrounding them."Remember, we are not sure if Ba’ar knows my presence here. I'll stay hidden until you absolutely need me to make sure."“Yeah, you're the ace in this fight,” Sam said.“Nervous?”“Of course. It's not because I'm fighting him, but because I'm without my usual power,” Sam said."I'm with you all the way, Sam," Kaelyn murmured, her voice laced with determination.Sam nodded, his eyes reflecting a blend of excitement and apprehension. "Thanks, Kaelyn. Let's do this."With their resolve steeled, Kaelyn sunk in Sam’s shadow, and they stepped through the portal. They entered a realm of surreal and ever-shifting landscapes. Grasslands merged with magma-laden thrones, icy towers juxtaposed against forests of thorns, and broken churches stood amidst desolate wastelands—all within the blink of an eye.“Even his spire was
Sam was able to dodge such a clear attack easily. The boulders rolled past him and crashed into each other behind his back.“Annoying,” Ba’ar finally spoke again. “So, the daemon didn’t simply grant you access. You actually passed the high trials.”“Oh, there you are,” Sam said. “Yeah, so what if I passed the trials? You think you are the only one who can pass?”“Shut up!”More minions appeared, and while Ba'ar's minions swarmed around him, Sam ceased summoning his shadow copies, realizing the chaos was causing more confusion to him than aid.Instead, he focused on defense, dodging their attacks while attempting to pinpoint Ba'ar's elusive presence amidst the onslaught.Dodging left and right, Sam evaded strikes from Ba'ar's minions, his senses honed to detect even the faintest trace of Ba'ar's energy signature. Amidst the cacophony of battle, Sam utilized calculated energy blasts to probe the shifting illusions, seeking the true source of his adversary's power.Sam's strategy bore fr
Sam felt a kind of blankness in his mind after Ba’ar's assault. When he grappled with the lingering effects of the attack, a familiar voice echoed in his mind.‘System has rebooted successfully,’ the system's voice announced, causing Sam to pause in bewilderment.‘What? You rebooted from that attack?’ Sam questioned system.‘Not really. I'm just messing with you and trying to help you regain your focus,’ the system explained, his tone laced with amusement.‘Who are you talking to, Sam? Are you still dizzy?’ Kaelyn's concerned voice interjected.‘I forgot you're also in my mind. But you actually can't hear the system?’ Sam said,‘What system? Now is not the time to talk nonsense, Sam. If you're still disoriented from that attack, just rest for a bit,’ Kaelyn advised.Shaking his head vigorously, Sam rose beside Kaelyn. "I'm not drooling dumbly, right?""It's not the time for jokes either, Sam," Kaelyn replied sternly, her focus on their surroundings.“Whoah, what have you done to him?”
Sam turned towards the sound, seeing the daemon guide materialize nearby as the familiar glowing orb. "Impressive, huh?" Sam's tone was casual, but a hint of pride tinged his words.The daemon guide glowed responsively. "Indeed, very impressive, Sam. You've not only defeated Ba'ar but also managed to become an archmage through multiple pathways. It's been ages since someone achieved such a feat."Sam shrugged nonchalantly. "Yeah, well, I had some help," he said, glancing towards Kaelyn, approaching him, eyeing Ba’ar with contempt.The daemon guide chuckled. "Ah yes, Kaelyn. A valuable companion, no doubt about it."Then Sam's expression brightened because he remembered something. "Ah! Where's my reward? I went through all those trials!""But Sam, I already granted you a pass in the twelfth trial, did I not? And let you replenish your energy for the second time in the ley line vortex."Sam's shoulders sagged slightly, realizing the daemon's point. "Yeah, I guess you did. So you won't g
Sam took a deep breath, steeling himself for the difficult conversation ahead. "I... I went on a little journey, Lyra. A journey that I thought would make me stronger… and I lost track of time."Lyra's expression softened slightly, but her eyes still bore traces of hurt. "You left without a word, Sam. I was worried sick."Sam nodded, his gaze earnest. "I know, and I'm truly sorry. But I promise, I'll never leave you like that again."Lyra crossed her arms, her tone tinged with concern. "Tell me everything, Sam. What journey was this? And what happened?"Sam took a seat beside her, his mind racing to find the right words. "I was in a tower, facing more trials."Lyra's brow furrowed. "More trials? But I thought you completed your trials already.""Do you remember that night when I was being followed?" Sam asked, recalling the harrowing encounter. "It was an assassin's attack. I managed to defeat… the assassin, but in the process, I stumbled upon a clue about the spell thief. Turns out,