Nyx stood in the center of the vast chamber of the training room. Tiled floors stretched out underfoot, marked with faint circles that glowed softly when mana touched them. The walls rose high, lined with padded targets that shimmered like illusions waiting to come alive.
Floating orbs of light hovered overhead, casting a steady, pale glow.
He felt the weight of Mistflare in his hand, the dark mist coiling around his fingers like a living shadow.
It pulsed with a quiet hunger, drawing just a whisper of his energy.
"Let's start simple," Nyx said, his voice steady as he glanced at Elysiana and Nyami.
The high priestess stood near the edge, her face calm, while Nyami lingered close,
Elysiana nodded, her tone even.
"As you wish. I'll summon basic holographic beasts —tier 1, to feel its flow. Focus on the forms you tried earlier. Sword for close reach, gun for distance. Remember, it feeds from you, so please pace yourself properly."
Nyami stepped forward a bit, her maid's dress rustling softly.
Nyx closed his eyes for a moment, picturing the sword. The mist swirled, hardening into the sleek black blade, runes flickering along its edge like distant stars.
He gripped it tight, the balance perfect in his palm. "Sword first. Bring them on."
With a wave of her hand, Elysiana channeled a thread of her mana.
The air rippled, and three holographic beasts materialized —wolf-like forms with glowing blue fur, their eyes sharp and feral. They snarled, circling him slowly, claws scraping the floor below.
Nyx moved without hesitation, lunging at the nearest one. The sword sliced clean through its side, the hologram flickering before dissolving into sparks of light.
"One down," he muttered, spinning to face the next. It pounced, but he sidestepped, bringing the blade down in a swift arc. Another burst of light, gone.
The third beast hesitated, then charged. Nyx met it head-on, thrusting forward. The sword pierced its chest, and it shattered like glass under moonlight.
"Smooth," Nyx said, lowering the weapon. Sweat beaded on his forehead, but he felt alive, the rush of power steady.
Nyami clapped her hands lightly, her voice warm. "Well struck, Master. The blade sings in your hands."
Elysiana's eyes held approval.
"Good control. Now, try the gun form. I'll call up ranged foes —tier two birds."
Nyx nodded, imagining the shift. The sword melted back to mist, reforming into the gun —deep blue barrel with black and purple patterns swirling like storm clouds. It fit his grip like an extension of his arm, cool and ready.
"Got it. Fire away."
Red mana danced from Elysiana's fingers again. Four avian holograms appeared, wings beating fast as they soared overhead, diving with beak strikes aimed at him.
Nyx raised the gun, sighting the first. A pull of the trigger sent a bolt of dark energy lancing out, striking the bird mid-dive. It exploded in a puff of pixels.
"Hits true," he said, dodging the second's swoop. He fired twice, clipping its wing and then its body. Gone.
The remaining two circled higher, screeching. Nyx tracked them, breathing even. One dove low; he rolled aside and shot upward, the bolt grazing its tail before a follow-up nailed it.
The last one hesitated, then plummeted straight at him. Nyx aimed steady, firing once. It burst apart inches from his head.
He holstered the gun form, mist lingering on his skin. "That felt easy. Like aiming with cheats."
"You're adapting quick," Elysiana replied, a faint smile touching her lips.
"The Primordial nature shines through. Shall we step it up? Tier three serpents —slithering, venomous projections. Mix the forms."
"Yes," Nyx agreed, excitement building.
"Keep them coming. I want to push it."
Nyami watched closely, her horns tilting slightly.
"Be mindful of the drain, Master. It'll be bad if you were to exhauste yourself completely."
The serpents uncoiled from the floor —six of them, scales shimmering green, fangs dripping illusory poison. They hissed, slinking toward him in waves.
Nyx switched to sword, charging the front pair. One struck; he parried with the flat of the blade, then slashed across its neck. It dissolved. The other coiled to strike his leg; he jumped back, bringing the sword down hard. Two gone.
The back ones reared up, spitting venom globs that sizzled on the stone. Nyx shifted to gun, firing rapid shots. Bolts pierced two, sending them fading. The last pair lunged together; he holstered and drew the sword again, spinning to cleave one while stabbing the other.
Panting lightly, he straightened. "They're faster than I thought. But it switches seamless."
Over the next half hour, Nyx worked through tiers four, five and six, beasts growing fiercer: packs of shadow cats that phased through strikes, forcing him to anticipate; lumbering golems that required precise shots to weak points.
Each victory built his confidence, the mist responding quicker to his will. Sweat trickled down his back, but the thrill kept him going.
"You're clearing them clean," Elysiana said after a particularly tough golem crumbled. "The weapon bonds deeper with each use. Ready for tier seven? A drake —winged, fire-breathing, but still basic in mind."
Nyx wiped his brow, black hair sticking slightly. "Yes. Bring it. I need to see the limits."
Nyami's voice held a note of caution. "Master, your mana is dipping. Rest if it pulls too much."
"I'm good," he assured her. "Let's go."
Elysiana summoned it with a broader sweep of mana. The drake materialized larger, scales red and rough, wings folding as it roared, flames licking its jaws.
Nyx started with gun, circling back. He fired at its underbelly, bolts chipping scales but not piercing deep. The drake flapped, sending a gust that nearly knocked him off balance. It breathed fire in a wide arc; Nyx dove behind a barrier, the heat singeing the air.
Coming up, he switched to sword, closing in. The blade glanced off its foreleg, but he followed with a leap, slashing at the neck. It reared, wings buffeting him, but he pressed, driving the sword into a joint. The hologram flickered, then burst in a shower of embers.
"Easily done," Nyx said, breathing harder now. His muscles ached faintly, but victory tasted sweet.
"Well fought," Elysiana praised. "You read its moves. Now, for challenge —tier nine. This one's different. Enhanced intelligence, special abilities. A hellhound variant, with fireball throws and reinforced hide. Approach with care."