The Mythical Necromancer

Arthur took slow and careful steps as he entered the dense forest. The air was thick with Aether, his senses heightened, almost overwhelmed by such an environment. Strong rays of sunlight gleamed through the canopy, casting patterns on the forest ground. Despite the beauty, Arthur could still feel the tension.

This is no ordinary forest—it is a battleground filled with beasts, designed to test our limits.

The system notification brought him back to reality.

⦗System⦘

⦗Stage 2⦘: Physical Trial

⦗Objective⦘: Reach Level 1

I'm guessing I need to defeat a couple magical beasts to level up.

Easier said than done, he thought as he heard a screeching sound in the distant.

Arthur tightened the grip on his wooden staff. Although it wasn't much or anywhere near Damien's sword, it was better than using his bare hands, so he had to make it work.

The sound of rustling leaves broke his train of thoughts. A small creature emerged from a nearby bush—a fox-like beast with orange fur that emitted a strange glow and sharp fangs. Its eyes locked onto Arthur, and its it growled as it crouched down, ready to pounce.

⦗System⦘

⦗Emberfang Fox - Level 1⦘

"Let's see just how strong you are," Arthur muttered, raising his staff in defense.

The fox lunged, its speed startling him. Arthur tried to dodge, but got nicked on his cheek by the fox's wolverine-like claws. As the fox went in to strike him a second time, Arthur rolled out of the way and swung the staff horizontally. It was the strike he used to cut logs back at home, so it was like second nature. 

The powerful blow connected with a satisfying crack, and the fox yelped in pain, retreating momentarily.

It circled him, growling low. Arthur's mind raced. 

I can't only rely on brute strength, this fox is way too damn fast..

Watching its movements closely, he baited an attack, side-stepping at the last second. This time he drove the staff into its side with all his strength. The fox collapsed, whimpering before going still

A soft ping confirmed the victory:

⦗System⦘

⦗Experience Gained⦘: +25

⦗Progress to Level 1⦘: 25%

Arthur exhaled, wiping the sweat on his forehead. "One down..."

...

As he was looking for his next target, he spotted another student in combat with a group of glowing wasps. The boy was panicking, flailing his weapon wildly, but Arthur chose to keep moving. It wasn't his fight and he had to focus on his own goals.

As he slowly made his way through the dense trees, Arthur saw a large beast—a Lumivine Serpent, its scales shimmering under the sunlight. He crouched near a bush, observing as it battled another student. The girl wielded a beautiful Aether-infused spear with impressive precision, her movements calm and controlled.

"Ella," Arthur realized, recognizing her blonde hair catching his gaze. 

Ella's control over Aether made Arthur stare in awe. She channeled energy into her spear, the weapon glowing brightly as she went for a strike. The serpent tried to move away, but it didn't stand a chance. With a finishing blow, she pierced its skull, and the beast collapsed.

Arther felt a mix of awe and determination. She made it look effortless, but he knew that was a much stronger beast than the Level 1 fox he had faced.

I need to step up my game. He thought, continuing deeper into the forest.

...

Arthur soon stumbled upon yet another student who was surrounded by 3 shadow wolves—sleek black creatures a little larger than the fox he had fought earlier.

⦗System⦘

⦗Shadow Wolf - Level 2⦘

They had menacing red eyes and long, pearly-white fangs. The student, a boy slightly younger than Arthur, swung a small dagger desperately but was clearly outmatched.

Arthur hesisitated:

Getting involved would cost me time and energy. But I can't just leave such a young student alone. I mean, I can at least farm some exp.

"Hey! Over here!" Arthur shouted, banging his staff against a tree to draw the pack's attention.

The boy looked at him in shock:

"What are you doing? Run!"

Arthur ignored him, trying to assess the situation. The wolves, thought a little larger, were not as fast as the fox. He had to play this smart if he wanted to win.

"Try to get their attention," he calmly ordered the boy.

"O-ok. Hey you stinky wolves! I'm here!" the boy said nervously, his voice faltering as they turned their piercing gaze back to him.

These wolves have very little intelligence...

Arthur had to act quickly, as the wolves got ready to pounce on the boy.

He rushed forward to the wolf at the back and struck him vertically, directly at the skull. The wolf suddenly fell to the ground:

⦗System⦘

⦗Experience Gained⦘: +35

⦗Progress to Level 1⦘: 60%

However, Arthur knew this strike wasn't enough to one-shot this Level 2 magical creature. He looked down to his weapon to see a distinct purple glow, showing that he had unintentionally infused Aether in that strike, just like what Ella had been doing.

He didn't have time to think, though. He quickly infused Aether in his staff and swept the remaining two wolves with substantial power. 

⦗System⦘

⦗Experience Gained⦘: +70

⦗Level 0 > 1⦘

⦗Stat Points Gained⦘: +5

⦗Progress to Level 2⦘: 6%