Chapter 22: Chapter 22: System's Training

In his office, Von Lucien looked directly at Elio before speaking.

"Now, young man, it's time to focus on your own journey. The fourth level awaits."

A shiver raced down Elio's spine, equal parts excitement and terror. The fourth level, the challenge that had claimed all but nine lives in a century.

"Do you think I'm ready?" he asked, unable to completely hide the doubt in his voice.

Von Lucien smiled, a rare expression on his normally serious face. "I believe you've demonstrated more than enough capability. With proper preparation, I have no doubt you'll succeed."

Varick, who had been unusually quiet beside him, spoke suddenly. "I'll try it too," his tone defiant as always, but there was something new in his eyes when he looked at Elio... a grudging respect. "If the fil... if Elio can do it, so can I."

Elio rolled his eyes at Varick's near slip. At least the arrogant bully seemed to have learned something during their shared ordeal.

"Excellent," Von Lucien nodded approvingly. "Inform me when you feel prepared to face the fourth level. Elio, here's the remaining 100,000 points as promised. I've also procured max-level mana lances for both of you. Collect them on your way out."

As the two young men began to leave, Von Lucien held Elio back for a moment.

"There's something else you should know," he said in a low voice. "That metal-attracting ability you mentioned? It's documented in one of the family scrolls. I've made you a copy. They call it 'magical magnetism', and as you surmised, it could indeed be used to retrieve a lance."

Elio felt his heart race at those words.

"Have you tested it? Could it aid the defense squads?" he asked, his mind already buzzing with possibilities.

Von Lucien's smile turned enigmatic. "For now, focus on your training. The rest... Well, we'll figure out the rest as we go along."

♢♢♢♢

One day, while training with his discoveries and the clue he found in the scroll, Elio felt something click in his mind.

With a fluid movement of his hands, he conjured a whirlwind of hydrogen and nickel-infused air.

The gust began to spin and form a ring, trapped within itself by the mana forces governing it.

As he manipulated the now-glowing nickel particles, Elio noticed their pull on the lance. This combination could control the magnetic field, allowing him to recall the weapon from a distance.

Excited by his discovery, Elio spent the next few hours perfecting the technique.

The steel lance responded easily to his magnetic control, but the new level 5 mana lance presented an additional challenge.

"Damn it," Elio muttered, frustrated after another failed attempt. "The mana lance doesn't respond to magnetic attraction."

After a moment of reflection, an easy solution occurred to him:

Coating the mana lance with a thin layer of nickel. This modification would allow him to manipulate the lance in the same way as the steel one.

"It's impressive that you've managed to make it return to you," Ren remarked one day, after witnessing a particularly impressive series of throws and recoveries. "But aren't you pushing yourself too hard?"

Elio shook his head. "I can't afford to relax. This is crucial for... for something."

Brok frowned. "But you're spending all your points on this. Don't you think you'll run out of the points the summoner gave you someday? Won't you give anything to your family?"

"I know," Elio replied. "But it's a necessary sacrifice. Besides, I've only spent a little over 1,000 points. I still have 198,770 left."

Kriz, who had been unusually quiet, finally spoke up. "Just make sure you buy us those beds you promised before you blow it all on fancy tricks..."

Elio nodded, acknowledging his promise.

Then, with a hint of exasperation, he added, "But hold on a second... isn't it thanks to me that you're all level 3 now? Can't you lot spare 50 points for your own beds now that you've got an extra 15 daily points? Talk about miserly!"

♢♢♢♢

Meanwhile, Varick was also preparing for the fourth level, albeit with a different approach.

Leveraging his family's vast resources, he'd amassed top-tier equipment and trained with the city's finest instructors.

One day, as Elio practiced, Varick approached to observe.

"Not bad, fil... Elio," Varick commented, his tone less sneering than usual. "Though I still can't fathom how you do it, I doubt that parlor trick will cut it for level four. You should invest in more max-grade mana spears..."

Elio lowered his spear, eyeing Varick curiously. "Have you discovered anything about the challenge?"

Varick shrugged. "Just rumors. My uncle hasn't gotten me the permission yet, so they haven't revealed the details of qualified challengers to me.

They say the fourth-level monster is faster and stronger than anything we've faced before. Some even speak of true elemental abilities."

"True elemental abilities," Elio repeated, his mind racing. "That would explain why those who overcome it can cast abilities with such force..." He paused, formulating several hypotheses.

Surprisingly, Varick didn't mock him. Instead, he nodded seriously. "That's why I suggest you forget the cheap tricks and buy more spears. We don't know what we'll be up against."

Elio considered Varick's words. "You're right... I'll think about it... T-thanks."

"Go to hell, you filthy rag! Who cares about your thanks?" Varick shouted.

Elio rolled his eyes... Though talking to the spoiled bully didn't bother him as much anymore.

As Varick walked away, Elio pondered this new information. Von Lucien had told him his spear control technique was impressive, but would it be enough against a monster with elemental abilities?

Determined to leave nothing to chance, Elio began incorporating new elements into his training. In addition to perfecting his spear control, he dedicated time to improving his agility, concentration, and practiced evasive techniques.

Days turned into weeks, and Elio felt he was reaching the limit of what he could achieve with his current training. He knew he would soon have to face the real challenge, but a question lingered in his mind:

Would all this effort be enough to overcome the fourth level?