MTLNOVEL Chapter 8: Chapter 7: First level up
Chapter 7: First Level Up
Jason leaned against the cool stone wall of the practice chamber, his breathing heavy, sweat dripping from his brow. The air shimmered faintly with the remnants of his latest spell, the Shielding Veil, which had finally held firm against the test of small projectiles launched by an automated mechanism. It had taken hours of grueling practice, pushing his focus and reserves of Anja to their limits, but the satisfaction of success was undeniable.
The faint chime of the system echoed in his mind, a sound he had come to associate with progress.
Congratulations Host. Current experience threshold met. Preparing for level-up.
Jason blinked, stepping away from the wall. The room seemed to dim for a moment, as though reality itself were holding its breath. Then, a surge of energy coursed through his body, warm and electrifying. His vision blurred, and for a moment, he felt weightless, suspended in a void where the system's voice resonated like a commandment from on high.
---
[Level Up Complete.]
[Status Update - Prince Aung]
- Level: 2
- New Attributes:
- Strength: 7 (+1)
Agility: 8 (+1)
- Intelligence: 9 (+1)
- Charisma: 11 (+1)
[New Abilities Unlocked:]
- Enhanced Anja Flow (Passive): Increases Anja regeneration speed, allowing for longer spellcasting sessions.
- Force Pulse (Active): Releases a burst of concentrated energy to repel enemies and objects within a 5-meter radius.
[Current Objective Updated:]
- Strengthen Magical Foundation: Learn two intermediate spells.
---
The glowing status screen flickered out of existence, leaving Jason standing in the dimly lit room with a newfound sense of power coursing through him. He clenched and unclenched his fists, marveling at the subtle changes. His body felt stronger, his reflexes sharper, and his mind clearer, as though a fog he hadn't even noticed before had lifted.
"Leveling up," he murmured to himself. "It's more than just numbers—it's real."
The passive enhancement to his Anja flow was immediately apparent. Even after the grueling practice session, he felt his reserves replenishing at an accelerated rate, a comforting hum of energy building in his core. The active ability, Force Pulse, intrigued him. It was a spell designed for offense and defense, a versatile tool that could buy him time in a fight or clear a path when needed.
He grinned faintly. "This just keeps getting better."
---
Jason left the practice chamber and returned to his quarters, his mind abuzz with possibilities. The new objective—*Strengthen Magical Foundation: Learn two intermediate spells*—was both exciting and daunting. Intermediate spells required more than just raw energy; they demanded precision, understanding, and creative application. He needed to choose carefully.
Mira was waiting for him in his chambers, her ever-present calmness a stark contrast to his adrenaline-fueled state. She bowed as he entered. "Your Highness, you look… different."
Jas raised an eyebrow. "Different how?"
She tilted her head thoughtfully. "Stronger, more confident. The way you carry yourself—it's like you've shed a weight you didn't even know you were carrying."
Jason chuckled, brushing past her to pour himself a glass of water. "Let's just say I've had a productive day."
Mira approached cautiously, her expression curious. "You've been working with magic, haven't you? The air around you feels… charged."
Jason nodded, taking a long sip of water before answering. "I've leveled up—literally. My magic is stronger, and I've unlocked a new ability."
Her eyes widened. "An ability? That's remarkable, Your Highness. Most mages train for years before they see such progress."
Jason smirked. "I have a bit of an edge, Mira."
She hesitated, then nodded, choosing not to press further. "If I may suggest, Your Highness, the royal archives contain scrolls on intermediate spells. The High Council of Monks oversees magical training, but their resources are not the only ones available. With your permission, I can retrieve some materials for you."
Jason appreciated her discretion. "Do it. And Mira… thank you."
She bowed deeply, her expression softening. "It is my honor, sire."
---
By the time Mira returned with the scrolls, Jason was ready to dive into the next phase of his training. She spread them across a low table, each scroll meticulously labeled with the spell's name and purpose. Jason scanned the options, his eyes lingering on two spells in particular.
- Flame Arc: A sweeping arc of fire capable of clearing multiple enemies or igniting flammable materials.
- Barrier Rune: A stationary magical shield that could block physical and magical attacks, useful for defensive strategies or protecting key locations.
"These two," Jason said, pointing at the scrolls. "They'll cover offense and defense, which I'll need in equal measure."
Mira nodded, stepping back as he unrolled the first scroll. The intricate diagrams and annotations filled the parchment, each symbol humming with latent power. Jason traced his fingers over the markings, feeling the pull of Anja as it resonated with the spell's design.
"Let's start with Flame Arc," he said, standing and moving to the center of the room. The spell required him to visualize the arc as an extension of his will, a flame that swept outward in a crescent-shaped wave. He took a deep breath, channeling his Anja to his hands.
The first attempt was clumsy, the flames sputtering out before they could take shape. Jason grimaced but persisted, refining his control with each try. By the fifth attempt, the fire leapt from his hands in a graceful arc, scorching the air and dissipating harmlessly before reaching the walls.
"Yes," he muttered, his heart pounding. "That's more like it."
The Barrier Rune proved even more challenging. Unlike the Shielding Veil, which enveloped his body, this spell required anchoring the Anja to a specific point in space. The runic patterns were complex, and his initial attempts resulted in flickering, unstable barriers that collapsed within seconds.
But Jason was nothing if not determined. He studied the scroll relentlessly, practicing the intricate gestures and visualizations until the runes glowed steadily beneath his hands. When the barrier finally held—a shimmering dome of translucent energy—he couldn't help but laugh in triumph.
Mira, who had been watching silently, clapped her hands together. "Incredible, Your Highness. You've mastered both spells in a single day."
Jason sank to the floor, exhausted but exhilarated. "Mastered might be an overstatement, but I've made progress. And progress is all that matters."
The system's chime echoed once more, signaling his success.
---
[Objective Complete: Strengthen Magical Foundation. Learn two intermediate spells.]
[Reward: Acspells. Advanced Spell Integration" and Attribute Growth Boost.]
---
Jason felt the familiar surge of energy as the reward took effect, his body and mind adapting to the next level of magical potential. He leaned back, closing his eyes as the weight of exhaustion settled over him. For all the effort, the rewards were undeniable.
He was stronger, smarter, and more capable than ever before. But the road ahead remained long and perilous, with challenges that would push him to his limits. For now, though, he allowed himself a moment of satisfaction.
He had leveled up in more ways than one—and he was just getting started.