The following day, Ryo was ready to head back to the human world and escort his parents to safety. As he looked back, he saw two anomalies—Selena and Seyra—both smiling with glee. Something did not feel right.
Ryo raised an eyebrow. "What are you two wearing?"
"Our royal attire, naturally," Selena replied with pride, twirling slightly to display her extravagant dress.
Ryo exhaled. "You can't wear those in the human world. Get changed into something suitable."
Seyra cocked her head. "What do humans wear?"
Without skipping a heartbeat, Ryo rummaged through his memories and narrated everyday human clothes. Their maids, always on the job, prepared suitable clothes for them in a matter of seconds.
"We'll get changed when we cross into the human world," Selena decided.
Ryo acquiesced unwillingly, and they set out.
As the carriage rolled along, Ryo grumbled, "Can't this thing go any faster?"
The instant he said that, a familiar window appeared before him.
[Daily Training Mode has not been completed. If left unfinished, penalties will be applied.]
Ryo stiffened. "What sort of penalty?"
[Possible penalties are: Temporary loss of a limb or an organ. Regeneration will not cure it.]
A shiver ran down his spine. "WHAT!?"
At once, he jumped out of the moving carriage. "You two go ahead! I'll catch up later!"
Selena and Seyra, although bewildered, nodded and went on.
Ryo breathed deeply and started training.
[Training List:]
Run 500 km
10,000 push-ups
Endurance test
Practice of magic control
He started running but managed to only get 2 km before his legs started on fire. "How the hell am I supposed to run 500 km!?" he gasped.
The system replied calmly.
[Activating Trait: 'Infinite Stamina' from 'Paradox Physique.' Passive Mode Engaged.]
Instantly, his fatigue disappeared.
Ryo blinked. "Wait, this was a choice the whole time?! Why didn't it trigger before!?!"
[User never asked to use the ability's traits.]
Ryo facepalmed. ".Whatever."
With the fresh energy, he rushed through his exercises, finishing them quicker than anticipated.
By the time he got back to the carriage, Selena and Seyra were leisurely having lunch.
Selena looked at him. "Took you long enough."
Seyra pouted. "What sort of man leaves his lovely wives alone?"
Ryo got into the carriage. "We are not married, and who would even dare hurt you two?"
Both of them immediately frowned.
"First, you forget our names, and now you leave us!?" Selena fumed.
Seyra crossed her arms. "Unforgivable."
Ryo sighed and jumped onto the roof of the carriage in haste to get away from their complaining.
Just then, the system called out again.
[Congratulations! You've accomplished Daily Training Mode for the first time. Unlocked two dormant traits.]
Ryo sat up. "Finally, something positive!"
[Last task: practice Elemental Mastery.]
Ryo hesitated. "How do I practice that, anyway?"
He leaned against the carriage window. "Hey, Seyra, how do you practice elemental magic?"
To his surprise, Seyra's face lit up with enthusiasm. "You want me to teach you?!"
Before he could regret his decision, she enthusiastically began explaining.
"Every dragon is born with one or two elements. I, for example, have Ice and Lightning. But you…" she grinned, "can use all elements."
Ryo nodded. "So, I just imagine what I want to do?"
"Exactly! Try something simple—like a Fireball."
Ryo concentrated, imagining a little ball of flame building in the center of his hand. Gradually, he felt something brewing inside him—a weird feeling like something was being sucked away.
A second later…
WHOOSH!
A Fireball blasted ahead.
"I did it!" he yelled.
Then, it was all dark.
For a few moments, he could not see anything.
A computerized voice resonated inside his head.
[Warning: All mana depleted.]
Ryo winced. "Ugh… what the heck just happened?"
Seyra laughed. "Mana is like fuel. If you expend it all at once, you keel over. Your mana reserves will increase as you train."
Ryo let out a frustrated sigh. "Great… I have unlimited stamina, but no mana."
Another notification popped up just then.
[Training Reward #1: 'Enemy Detection' – Grants user ability to sense nearby enemies. Range grows with mana reserves.]
Ryo scowled. "How am I supposed to use that when I hardly have any mana?"
The following alert responded to his query.
[Training Reward #2: 'Infinite Mana' – Another unlocked ability of 'Paradox Physique.']
Ryo grinned. "Now we're talking."
Intrigued, he turned on Enemy Detection and activated the range to 15 km.
At once, his senses detected something—an enemy, 9 km away.
Ryo's face grew serious.
".That's not good."
Author's Note:
Ryo is gradually coming to see just how dysfunctional his skills are, but that doesn't give him the luxury of resting on his laurels! His training has just started, and now he's feeling a sense of unseen threat on the horizon. Is this a coincidence, or is something—or someone—lying in wait for him? Find out in Chapter 22!
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