Chapter 16: New Reality

Adam returned to the present, his determination renewed. He headed to the right-hand side, passing through the wall.

Beyond the illusionary barrier, another deceptive wall and floor awaited.

Adam activated his Mana Eyes, piercing the deception.

Half the floor leaked mana, while the other half remained stable.

Adam approached the stable half, focusing on the future.

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[Host Skill Active: Prediction]

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A glimpse revealed that the left-side wall was safe, no trench awaited.

Confident, Adam proceeded, finally escaping the illusion maze.

Exhausted, Adam checked his mana reserves.

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[Host Mana Point - 45/450]

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He had almost depleted his mana.

Adam walked cautiously, avoiding potential dangers.

Suddenly, the system's voice interrupted his thoughts.

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System Update:

[Time Remaining: 0 hr 0 min]

[Reward for Task 2: 20 Exp]

[Task: Survival for 4 hr]

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"Task completed," Adam exclaimed, relieved.

His exhaustion forgotten, Adam felt a surge of pride.

But concerns lingered: "What's next? Will I recover my mana?"

As the system's message faded, a mysterious figure emerged from the shadows.

The man, clad in black, approached Adam with an air of authority.

"Second-string trainee," he declared. "You've completed second days of maze survival training."

With a swift gesture, the man placed his hand on Adam's shoulder and teleported them away.

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[Skill Analyzing…Please Wait]

[Skill is High Level…Analyzing Take Time]

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Adam reappeared in the training area, facing Zara.

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[Host Skill Active: Prediction]

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Adam's eyes widened as his Prediction skill activated unexpectedly.

"Who's attacking me?" Adam wondered. "A First-String trainee?"

The vision revealed Kaide, assault imminent.

Adam saw himself badly injured, bloodied, and battered, Kaide's eyes blazed with a bloodlust for Adam.

Returning to the present, Adam struggled to comprehend Kaide's animosity.

'Why such hatred?' Adam thought.

As Adam regained his footing, he sidestepped swiftly,Kaide, caught off guard, stumbled forward and fell.

Adam's Prediction skill had saved him from the surprise attack.

Adam's gaze remained fixed on Kaide, wary of another attack.

"Kaide, why?" Adam demanded.

Kaide's expression twisted, a mix of anger in kaide eyes.

Zara and the black-clad figures swiftly subdued Kaide, preventing further violence.

Kaide, seething with hatred, glared at Adam. "Because of you... they're gone. You'll pay for their lives."

Adam's confusion deepened. "Who are you talking about?"

Kaide's malevolent gaze intensified. "You'll die by my hands... I'll make sure of it."

Zara intervened, answering Adam's unspoken question. "Second-string trainees Eli and Arin were killed during maze survival training."

Adam reeled, stunned by the sudden loss.

His mind struggled to process the devastating news.

Zara's voice cut through the emotional turmoil. "Second-string trainee, you've passed maze survival training again. Rest until assassin dual training begins. Kaide, attacking a fellow trainee will result in punishment."

The training area faded into the background as Adam's thoughts consumed him.

Eli and Arin, gone.

He felt a mix of grief, guilt, and confusion.

Adam mechanically left the training area, seeking solitude.

His footsteps echoed through the corridors, leading him back to his room.

The door closed behind him, enclosing Adam in his sorrow.

Adam's thoughts swirled:

"Why did Kaide blame me? What happened to Eli and Arin?"

Adam's eyes wandered to the empty beds beside him.

Memories of Eli's bright smile and Arin's gentle nature flooded his mind.

Adam's gaze dropped, his vision blurring.

Tears fell, mourning the loss of his friends.

Adam's gaze remained fixed, his mind consumed by grief.

In a burst of anguish, Adam's fist connected with the wall.

No mana, no skills – just raw emotion.

Adam's hand throbbed, blood coming from the torn skin.

Yet, he punched again, and again, fueled by sorrow.His other hand joined, mirroring the damage.Both hands bleeding, Adam's pain became a numb haze.

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[Host Skill Active: Learning]

[Learning Skill Upgrading: Cure]

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The system's notification pierced Adam's trance, He slapped himself, twice, shaking off the despair.

"No! I won't succumb to weakness. I must become ruthless."

Adam collapsed onto his bed, hands slowly healing, The physical pain eclipsed his emotional turmoil.

As he lay there, Adam's resolve hardened.

Adam's eyes closed, his breathing steady.

The silence enveloped him, a fragile calm.

#Interrogation Room -

The instructor's voice was firm. "What happened?"

Kaide's eyes flashed with anger. "We encountered the Ghost Bet again in the maze."

The instructor scribbled notes, documenting Kaide's account.

Kaide's voice grew more agitated. "We were fleeing, and then Eli saw... saw him going towards them."

Kaide's fist slammed onto the table, his rage boiling over.

He shot up from his seat, driven to kill Adam.

The instructor's voice cut through the tension. "As a command from your officer, I order you to stop."

A sudden, intense electric shock coursed through Kaide's neckband.

He crumpled, unconscious.

The instructor's expression remained impassive. "Take him to the central base for punishment."

Guards moved swiftly, securing Kaide's limp form.

As they exited, the instructor added, "Schedule a psychological evaluation."

The door closed, and the room fell silent.

Adam's Room

The bell outside Adam's room jolted him to attention.

He rose, heading to the training area.

There, he found the trainer and First-String trainees awaiting.

The trainer's gaze fell upon Adam, his tone dripping with disdain.

"I heard Second-String trainees were weak, but only one remains... and just 12 years old? Pathetic."

First-String trainees erupted into laughter, mocking Adam.

Adam remained calm, unfazed by their ridicule.

The trainer continued, "First-String, take care of our lone Second-String today."

With that, the trainer departed.

First-String trainees encircled Adam, sneering.

"Oh, the kid's going to cry," one taunted.

Adam steeled himself, resolve burning within.

He knew escape required immense power.

Kael, a First-String trainee, struck first.

His kick connected with Adam's face, full force.

Adam absorbed the impact, no skills activated.

Adam's face throbbed, but his spirit remained unbroken.

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[Host Health Reduce - 20]

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Adam stumbled backward, catching himself.

Another First-String trainee struck, fist connecting with Adam's stomach.

"Who told you to rest?"

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[Host Health Reduce - 30]

[Host Internal Organs Damaged]

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Adam's vision blurred.

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[Host Skill Active: Cure]

[Host Skill Active: Learning]

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A First-String trainee sneered, "What happened? Did that bitch's death extinguish your will to live? No matter, we'll grant this wish too."

The beating continued for an hour,Adam's condition worsened.

Both eyes swelled shut, blood trickled from his mouth.

His arm snapped, internal organs bleeding.

Kael chuckled. "Huh, boys had fun today."

The First-String trainees departed, leaving Adam broken.

Adam's thoughts faded, darkness closing in.

Suddenly, Adam's Cure skill activated, slowly stabilizing his vital signs.

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[Host Health Regenerating...]

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Learning skill analyzed the assault.

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[Host Skill Learning: Identifying Weaknesses]

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The First-String trainees departed, leaving Adam alone in the training area.

Adam writhed in agony, his resolve unwavering.

He had vowed to resist relying on Kinetic Enigma in this duel session.

"I must strengthen my mind," Adam thought. "Hiding behind legendary skills makes me weak."

Pain, he believed, forged mental resilience.

Adam's battered body screamed in protest.

System notifications flooded his vision.

With his functional hand, Adam reviewed the updates.

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[Host Skill Active: Learning]

[Learning Skill Upgrading: Cure Skill (Tailored to Host Requirements)]

[Learning Skill Upgrading: Cure Skill (Optimized for Host's Damage Patterns)]

[Learning Skill Upgrading: Cure Skill (Enhanced Regeneration Capabilities)]

[Learning Skill Upgrading: Cure Skill (Accelerated Healing Factors)]

[Skill Cure Upgraded to Instant Heal]

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Adam's eyes widened, hope flickering.

"Cure skill upgraded to Instant Heal... This changes everything."

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Skill Description:

Instant Heal - Heals wounds, internal injuries, purifies the mind, and mends broken bones instantly.

Mana Usage: 100 MP per usage.

Note: Reflects mind attacks targeting the host.

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[Host Health - 45/600]

[Host Condition: Critical]

[Host Recommended: Use Instant Heal]

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Adam whispered, "Instant Heal."

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[Host Skill Active: Instant Heal]

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Adam's broken bones rapidly mended.

Swelling around his eyes dissipated.

He vomited blood, and internal injuries began to heal.

External wounds closed swiftly.

Adam's labored breathing steadied.

Exhausted, Adam sat on the training area floor.

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[Host Health - 345/600]

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Adam's eyes locked onto his health bar.

"I'm alive... Instant Heal is incredible."