It had taken Kael over ten days to reach level 2.
But going from level 2 to level 3 only took a single day.
As for equipment drops—
They were pitiful.
Not a single second piece of gear had appeared.
The next map was Fury Turtle Coast.
Despite being along a freshwater riverbank, it was somehow called a "coast."
If Kael's casting speed had merely countered pheasants—
Then against fury turtles, it was a complete advantage.
Even when lying down, the turtles stood half a man tall. Their shells were covered in sharp spikes, granting them extremely high physical defense and health.
Once they bit onto a target, they never let go.
Their only weakness—
Slow movement.
In other words—
Living targets.
Kael aimed every Firebolt at the point where the turtle's head retracted, completely ignoring the obviously hardened shell.
Before long, it turned into EXP.
…
Level 4 Goblin Mage.
Kael didn't even know how much damage it could deal—
Because it never managed to cast a single spell.
Facing another caster with a one-second casting time, Kael simply raised his hand—
Firebolt.
Interrupt.
Then he closed the distance and finished the fight.
…
One day later—
The goblin mage in front of him shattered into fragments.
Kael leveled up.
[System Notification]
Level Up!
Kael → LV5
[Status]
Name: Kael
Level: LV5
EXP: 0 / 1000
Class: None
Constitution: 8 (+1)
Strength: 7 (+1)
Intelligence: 13 (+1)
Agility: 7 (+1)
Spirit: 21 (+1)
Talent: Fire Affinity
Effect: +10% Fire Damage
Skills: Basic Meditation, Firebolt
Soul Shards: 0
Simulation: Insufficient Soul Shards
Recommended Class: Mage
Long-term meditation had slightly improved his Intelligence and Spirit.
But compared to level-up gains, it was minimal.
"…Time to leave the beginner village."
Kael picked up his basin and spoke with the village chief.
The next moment—
He disappeared.
…
At the instant Kael left—
An invisible wave swept through the area.
Beginner Village #1022931 began to distort.
The distortion spread rapidly, engulfing the surrounding regions.
Then—
Everything collapsed.
Like bubbles bursting, the entire space vanished without a trace.
As if it had never existed.
…
A notification appeared.
[System Notification]
Congratulations, Player Kael, for clearing the Beginner Village!
Completion Time: C
Party: 0
Player Cooperation: 0
Evaluating...
[System Notification]
Player detected: Real Body Entry
Eligible for participation
Join Aetherion Seed Program?
Countdown: 30... 29...
Kael paused.
So—
Aetherion encouraged teamwork.
But at the same time—
Only solo players could enter this so-called Seed Program.
Contradictory.
"If I don't understand something… I'll ask."
"What is the Seed Program?"
[System Response]
Participants receive Aetherion support.
Mission difficulty will increase accordingly.
Requirements:
• Real Body Entry
• Clear Beginner Village Solo
Countdown: 10...
Kael didn't hesitate.
"I'll join."
The moment he spoke—
A sharp pain pierced his chest.
It felt like something was being forced into his body.
After a long moment, the pain finally subsided.
Kael's hands trembled as he pulled open his ragged clothes.
On his collarbone—
A black mark had appeared.
It looked like a spiked necklace etched into his skin.
[System Notification]
Soul Imprint Complete
Evaluating Player Kael...
Combat Awareness: C
Learning Ability: B+
Talent: High Intelligence, High Spirit — Recommended: Mage
Clear Rating: A
Rewards Granted:
• Mage Class Advancement
• Random Skill Selection ×1
• Access Level Increased
Additional Rewards:
• Revival Token ×1
Functions Unlocked:
• Inventory
• Chat
• Arena
• Enhancement Hall
• Residence
Warning:
Seed Program information is confidential.
Disclosure will result in elimination.
…
Information flooded his vision.
Only now—
Did Kael truly become a player of Aetherion.
Many basic functions that other players had access to from the start were only now unlocking for him.
If he had these earlier—
Things might have been easier.
But—
There were no "what ifs."
[System Notification]
Initiating Mage Class Advancement...
The white space around him disappeared.
In its place—
A dark, endless surface of water.
Splash.
Kael fell into it.
He couldn't control his body.
He could only see.
Only hear.
There was nothing but water—
And yet, it felt like countless voices surrounded him.
"Who's speaking?"
A sharp female voice:
"A mage can do anything. If you cannot, it is only because your knowledge is insufficient."
A gentle elderly voice:
"Mages were not born for battle. Spells are only the surface—the core lies in understanding rules."
An arrogant voice:
"Elemental particles are a mage's true companions. If you don't use them, you don't deserve the title!"
…
The voices overlapped.
Endless.
Until—
A calm, magnetic voice cut through everything.
"Why define a mage by your standards?"
—
Kael jolted upright, gasping for air.
"Ha… ha…"
If he had stayed there any longer—
He felt like he would have drowned.
At the same time—
Knowledge flooded his mind.
About mages.
About apprentices.
About meditation.
About spells.
All the foundational knowledge he lacked—
Was filled in instantly.
[System Notification]
Class Advancement Successful!
Skills Acquired:
• Wu Wei Meditation
• Spell Analysis
• Telekinesis
• Blink
• Repulsion Ring of Fire
Template Acquired:
• Mage Growth Template
Kael opened his Status Panel.
[Status]
Name: Kael
Level: LV5
EXP: 0 / 1000
Class: Mage
Constitution: 8
Strength: 7
Intelligence: 15 (+2)
Agility: 8 (+1)
Spirit: 25 (+4)
Talent: Fire Affinity
Effect: +10% Fire Damage
Skills:
• Wu Wei Meditation
• Spell Analysis
• Telekinesis
• Blink
• Repulsion Ring of Fire
• Firebolt
Soul Shards: 0
Simulation: Insufficient Soul Shards
[Skill Details]
Wu Wei Meditation
Effect: Recovers mana by drawing from within. Increases Intelligence and Spirit growth efficiency. Mana also reinforces the body.
Cost: Consumes stamina
Spell Analysis
Effect: Analyze the structure of spells
Cost: High mana consumption
Telekinesis
Effect: Manipulate objects with mental force
Cost: Low mana
Blink
Effect: Short-range teleportation (Max: 1 meter)
Cooldown: 60s
Cost: Scales with distance
Repulsion Ring of Fire
Effect: Releases a ring of fire, knocking back enemies and dealing 75% damage
Cooldown: 15s
Cost: 40 MP
[Mage Growth Template]
Per Level:
+2 Intelligence
+2 Spirit
+1 Free Attribute Point
After level 5, leveling no longer granted +1 to all attributes.
That had only been a beginner benefit.
Without class advancement, players would only gain 1 point per level.
Even the "class" in the beginner village hadn't been real.
It was only there to let players experience combat styles.
In Kael's words—
Aetherion was truly merciful.
And Wu Wei Meditation—
Was the result of his own choice in that mysterious space.
Everything he had done in the beginner village—
Had paid off.