Chapter 2: Chapter 2: System's First level

Elio opened his eyes, finding himself in a small stone room. His body ached, but what concerned him most was the burning feeling in his lungs. Breathing was torture, as if he was inhaling fire instead of air.

Then, the memories of his confrontation with the fire monster hit him. He had managed to defeat it, despite having no weapons or equipment. The advice his father... had repeated to him, on how to face the level unarmed, had been tattooed in his brain.

A wave of pride washed over him, mixed with sadness at the misfortune of losing the things he obtained thanks to his mother's sacrifice, especially the magic dagger that would still have 2 uses left had he used it here.

He looked at his hand, the same one he had used to rip out the beast's glowing core. It was covered in burns and deep cuts, but was beginning to heal at an accelerated rate.

He had heard of this, upon completing the challenge you would obtain your level and your health would be restored to 100%. The book rose from the ground and opened in front of him, showing on the left page the black and white image of the monster he defeated, and on the right page his statistics.

Elio Elian's Statistics

Skills:

Sacred Flame

Familiars:

Salamander (0/100)

Level 1

Mana: 10/10

Resistance 10/10

Stamina 5/5

Attack 1

Magic Damage 1

Strength 1

Defense 1

Speed 1

Perception / Agility 1

Balance: 0 Mana points

The first level equalized everyone's abilities impartially, men and women, young adults and the elderly, all are equal in the eyes of the System.

Upon leaving the book he will be forced to challenge the second level, men, who cannot give birth like women, are less important to the city so they must defend it.

The conventional way of defending the city is by feeding god's punishment turrets that are high on the walls. It's very rare to face the monsters directly, as the turrets usually are able to fend off the monsters... as long as they have enough mana.

It was a shame not being able to defeat the monsters directly, perhaps if the book's power was greater. Elio took his book and summoned his powers as his fath...er had taught him, he could not help but feel amazed at seeing the small whirlwind of air that spun around his palm.

It was his reward, the power he had unlocked by overcoming the first trial: the ability to generate and control the life-giving "Sacred Flame".

Elio inhaled deeply, reveling in the freshness of the air flowing directly from his hand. It was an incredible sensation, something stable families took for granted, but for him and his family had been a scarce luxury in recent years.

He remembered the countless times he had seen his mother exhaust herself maintaining a small breathable oxygen bubble in their home. The occasions when he had passed out from lack of air, waking up with the distressing feeling of suffocation.

But now, all that has changed. He has control over oxygen, he can breathe whenever he wants, without restrictions or limitations.

Elio felt a knot in his stomach when hearing those words. He knew what was coming next: the Water Monster, a far more dangerous enemy than the previous one.

He recalled the lessons from the community school, where they had learned about the challenges and the trials they would face. His father... 'Stop it mind, I don't wanna remember him!'... His progenitor had always insisted on the importance of being prepared for any eventuality.

"The level two Monster is a formidable creature," he used to say. "It has the ability to generate an invisible, odorless substance that instantly fills the room. When combined with the power of the Sacred Flame, it produces 'Holy Water'. Needless to say, if you breathe in liquid, you will drown."

Elio swallowed hard, remembering his father's... 'Damn it!' His father warnings, about the importance of keeping his hand completely sealed against his mouth, when invoking his Sacred Flame power. If he allowed the monster's power to mix with his own, he would drown.

But despite the fear he felt, Elio did not waver. He had promised his mother he would bring a better future for his family, and he was willing to face any challenge to fulfill that promise.

"I'm ready," he declared with determination, looking the guards in the eyes.

One of them nodded and handed him a common dagger, an apprentice magic glove, and the army's resistant uniform. "This is the minimum recommended equipment to face the Hydrogen Monster," he explained. "Even with these tools, only between 70 and 80 percent of challengers manage to survive. Be careful not to die or you'll waste the equipment."

Elio felt his life was being taken lightly, but also a wave of relief at seeing the equipment.

Zara and Micah looked at him with concern, but he gave them a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about me," he said. "I've memorized what I must do."

With those words, Elio parted from his friends and followed the guards towards the recruitment field. As he approached, his mind filled with images of his family: his mother, struggling to keep them all alive; his sisters, looking at him with adoration in their eyes, even little Rian.

Elio clenched his fists, feeling determination flow through him. No matter how dangerous the challenge, he would not back down.

Taking a deep breath, he entered the recruitment field, ready to face the Water Monster and prove his worth as a true warrior.

♢♢♢♢

Elio found himself in the recruitment field, filling out the necessary forms to join the army. As he waited his turn, a familiar and unpleasant voice made him tense up.

"Well, well, if it isn't little Elio Elian."

Elio turned around to come face-to-face with Varick, the burly bully looking at him with a mocking smile on his face.

"I can't believe you survived the Fire Monster," Varick taunted. "You must have had a lot of luck, filth."

Elio clenched his fists, feeling rage boil within him. This idiot had snatched away his belongings before entering the library, depriving him of any advantage in the trial.

"It wasn't luck, Varick," Elio responded, his voice laden with determination. "It was skill and courage, something you don't have."

Varick let out a mocking laugh. "Skill? Please, you're nobody. You probably won't even be able to pass the second level."

Elio remained silent, looking at Varick with an impassive expression.

Varick, feeling frustrated by Elio's lack of reaction, stepped forward, invading his personal space. "Listen, filth, maybe you got lucky with the Fire Monster, but the Water Monster is another matter. Many have died trying to defeat it, even with proper equipment."

Elio didn't flinch, keeping his gaze steady in Varick's eyes. "Then I suppose I'll have to be more skilled than them," he responded calmly.

Varick frowned, clearly frustrated by Elio's defiant attitude. He was used to intimidating and abusing him without resistance.

"You've got guts, I'll admit," Varick growled. "But don't get too cocky, an accident could happen during your trial with that basic equipment."

Elio felt a chill run down his spine at the veiled threat, but he remained steadfast. He wasn't going to let Varick intimidate him.

"Thanks for the warning," Elio responded with sarcasm. "But I can take care of myself."

Varick looked at him with contempt, but before he could respond, a guard called Elio's name. It was his turn to face the Water Monster.

Elio turned his back on Varick and headed towards the test chamber, his determination burning stronger than ever. He wasn't going to be cowed by the threats of a privileged bully.