*****
See more on my P@treon.
[email protected]/Dreamerlord Just replace @ with a
Read more than 170+ chap there
******
Time passed.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months.
Their routine stayed the same. Mornings were for practicing mandalas and breathing control. Afternoons were for refining energy flow. Evenings were for sparring.
After three months, the courtyard no longer echoed with failed attempts. The trainees could now form golden mandalas consistently. They still struggled under pressure, but their constructs no longer collapsed immediately.
Ethan improved the most.
The training hall was quiet.
Ethan stood at the center. The Ancient One stood across from him, calm as usual.
"Begin," she said.
Ethan immediately formed a golden mandala. It appeared instantly, with stable and synchronized rotating rings.
The Ancient One flicked her fingers, sending three sigils at him from different directions.
Ethan rotated his wrist. His shield adjusted shape and divided into layers.
The first attack hit. Instead of blocking it directly, the shield spread the force across its structure and dispersed it.
The second attack came from the side. The outer ring rotated faster and redirected the force into the ground.
The third attack came from behind. Without turning, Ethan formed a second mandala at his back. It blocked the attack.
The Ancient One looked slightly more focused.
Then she moved.
The surroundings shifted into the Mirror Dimension. The environment distorted, but Ethan remained steady. Three months ago, this would have distracted him. Now it did not.
The Ancient One launched multiple constructs—spears, ribbons, and binding rings.
Ethan stayed calm. He created a large mandala under his feet with counter-rotating rings.
The attacks struck his shield. It trembled but did not break. The energy was distributed and released into the surroundings.
Instead of staying defensive, Ethan moved forward.
He formed a golden blade on his forearm and attacked.
The Ancient One blocked with a construct. Their energies collided.
This time, Ethan was not pushed back. He redirected the recoil through rotating sigils along his arm and shoulder.
The force was reduced.
The Ancient One had to adjust her footing slightly.
Ethan noticed the opening and created a binding seal beneath her.
She avoided it by shifting space and reappeared behind him, striking toward his back.
Ethan reacted quickly. A thin shield formed over his back. The attack landed, and the shield dimmed but did not break.
He slid backward but stayed standing.
The Ancient One observed him.
"You are getting good at it" she said.
"I'm preparing the structure in advance," Ethan replied.
She nodded.
Then she created multiple mirror-images of herself around him.
Ethan closed his eyes briefly to sense the energy patterns. Only one image caused a real distortion in space.
He opened his eyes and fired a focused sigil at the real one.
The illusions disappeared.
The Ancient One blocked the attack, but she was pushed back one full step.
Ethan stood calmly. His breathing was steady. His energy flow was controlled and stable.
The Ancient One lowered her guard.
"You have improved," she said.
"I'm not being outplayed this time," Ethan replied.
She smiled slightly. "No, you are not."
The Mirror Dimension disappeared, and the training hall returned to normal.
Ethan felt focused, not exhausted.
Three months ago, he could barely maintain fusion for a few seconds. Now his constructs remained stable even under strong pressure.
As the Ancient One turned to leave, she stopped.
"I have taught you what I can," she said.
"Are you graduating me?" Ethan asked.
"You were already at the level of a Master when you arrived here," she replied. "For the past months, you have only perfected your foundation."
She paused before continuing.
"And soon, you will be called. A foolish man has made a mistake that will lead to serious consequences if it is not handled properly."
Ethan looked at her carefully.
"I thought you said you don't look into the future easily?" he asked.
"I still don't," she answered calmly. "Unless it is an emergency—which it currently is."
Ethan frowned slightly.
"What is it?" he asked.
The Ancient One looked at him for a long moment.
"You will learn soon," she said.
"That doesn't sound reassuring," Ethan replied.
"It is not meant to be," she answered calmly. "Interfering too early changes the flow of events. You will act when the moment arrives."
Ethan crossed his arms. "So I just wait?"
"For now," she said. "Continue refining your control. When you are called, hesitation will cost more than imperfect technique."
He studied her expression, trying to read more from it, but as always, her face revealed very little.
"Is it something I can handle?" he asked.
"If I believed you could not," she replied, "I would not be this calm."
That was answer enough.
Ethan exhaled slowly. "Then I'll be ready."
The Ancient One gave a small nod.
"You should go and select a Mystic Artifact. You are now eligible to choose one," she said.
Ethan raised an eyebrow slightly. "Already?"
"You have reached the level required," she replied calmly. "An artifact will not grant you power you do not possess—but it will refine and amplify what you already understand."
He nodded slowly.
"I'm guessing this isn't a random selection."
"No," she said. "Artifacts choose in their own way. Compatibility matters more than desire."
Ethan gave a small exhale. "Where do I go?"
"The vault beneath the sanctum," she answered. "Wong will guide you."
At the mention of his name, Wong stepped forward from the hallway entrance, as if he had been waiting.
"It seems your training has progressed," Wong said, adjusting his sleeves.
"So I've been told," Ethan replied.
Wong gestured toward the corridor. "Come. The relics do not appreciate being kept waiting."
Ethan followed Wong down the long stone corridor beneath the sanctum.
The air grew cooler as they descended. Ancient runes were carved into the walls, faintly glowing with protective enchantments.
They finally reached a large circular chamber.
The vault.
Inside, rows of glass cases were arranged neatly across the room. Each one contained a different Mystic Artifact.
Some were swords with engraved blades and jeweled hilts.
Others were spears, daggers, and strange metallic rings.
One display held a flowing cape that seemed to move slightly on its own.
Another contained small beads, faintly glowing with contained energy.
Each artifact radiated a distinct presence.
Ethan walked slowly between the cases, observing carefully.