Chapter 38: Mastering the Shadows and the Sky

With the Speed Force fully integrated into his body and the AI **Raphael** guiding him at every step, Aldric's strength and abilities had reached a new level. His power, already formidable, was now further enhanced by his ability to move at unimaginable speeds. However, despite this incredible growth, Aldric was not one to rest on his laurels. He knew that continuous training, studying, and refining his skills would keep him at the pinnacle of strength.

Today, Aldric had a clear plan: to split his focus between intellectual study and physical training. He would make use of his **shadow clones** to push his limits in both areas simultaneously.

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### **Training with Shadow Clones**

Aldric walked into his vast **Training Room**, a space that had become his personal arena for growth. The room was equipped with all manner of tools—both magical and technological—for refining his skills. This time, however, he wouldn't be personally fighting. Instead, his **shadow clones** would handle the intense physical training, allowing him to split his attention.

Standing at the center of the room, Aldric summoned his **shadow clones** with ease, weaving his **Hex Aura** with his mastery over the shadows and his powers as the Shadow Monarch. In seconds, multiple clones of himself appeared, each one identical to him in appearance and power, their forms exuding dark energy. These clones were not mere illusions; they were extensions of Aldric's will, capable of independent thought and action.

"Each of you will focus on a different aspect of combat," Aldric instructed them. "Master the breathing techniques, hone your swordsmanship, and refine your spellcasting."

The clones nodded in perfect unison before dispersing across the room, taking up different stances and positions to begin their training.

One group of clones began practicing their swordsmanship, wielding blades with a combination of magic and technique. Another set focused on their mastery of **Breathing Styles**, utilizing the rapid and controlled breathing techniques to increase their power, speed, and precision. A third group delved into spellcasting, testing the limits of Aldric's vast array of elemental and void magic. And the final group worked on mastering physical combat, pushing the limits of their strength and agility.

As the clones worked tirelessly, Aldric could feel the feedback from their experiences, as if he were living through each of their training sessions simultaneously. This was one of the unique advantages of using his shadow clones: their knowledge and progress were immediately transferred back to him once they dissipated. Each time they trained, it was as if Aldric himself were gaining the experience, allowing him to grow at an accelerated rate.

With his clones focused on combat training, Aldric turned his attention to another equally important pursuit—studying.

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### **The Power of Knowledge**

While his clones focused on sharpening his physical and magical abilities, Aldric decided to take this time to enhance his mind. The palace housed an extensive library filled with rare and ancient texts on magic, alchemy, history, and strategy. Although Aldric had already learned a vast amount, he knew that knowledge was infinite. With the addition of **Thought Acceleration**, Aldric could now read and process information faster than any normal human.

He entered the library, the towering shelves filled with ancient tomes and scrolls. Books on everything from advanced spellwork to political theory lined the walls, each one a potential source of wisdom and insight. With the world seemingly moving in slow motion thanks to his accelerated thought process, Aldric selected several books on advanced magical theory, void manipulation, and draconic bloodline powers.

As he sat down to read, his mind raced through the text, absorbing page after page in mere moments. The books revealed new ways to control his mana, more efficient ways to merge his draconic and demonic powers, and ancient spells that had been forgotten for centuries. Raphael assisted by organizing the information, helping him quickly grasp even the most complex concepts.

**"This knowledge will increase your overall efficiency in spellcasting by 23%,"** Raphael informed him as Aldric finished one particularly dense volume on mana flow optimization. **"You are also learning techniques to refine your aura manipulation, which will make your Void Dragon and Shadow Monarch powers more effective in combat."**

Aldric smirked. Every bit of progress, no matter how small, contributed to his overarching plan. The combination of physical training through his clones and his own mental fortification made him an unstoppable force.

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### **A Sudden Surge of Power**

As Aldric continued reading, he felt the familiar pulse of his **Sign-In System** activating once again. He paused, setting down the book, as the interface appeared before him.

**[Sign-In Complete: You have received the following rewards:

1. **Fly**: *You can now fly at will, allowing you to move freely through the sky without the need for wings or magical tools. This ability is tied to your internal mana flow, giving you complete control over your altitude and speed.*

2. **Upgrade to Shadow Monarch Powers**: *Your abilities as the Shadow Monarch have been enhanced. Your control over shadows has increased, allowing you to summon more powerful shadow warriors and extend your influence over the shadows to manipulate larger areas. Additionally, your clones will be stronger, more durable, and able to act independently for longer periods.]*

A rush of energy filled Aldric's body as the new abilities integrated themselves into his being. The ability to **fly** was exhilarating. He could feel the shift in his mana flow, a new connection forming between himself and the sky. He knew that flight would give him unmatched mobility, allowing him to survey battlefields from above or travel vast distances in seconds—especially when combined with the Speed Force.

But it was the upgrade to his **Shadow Monarch powers** that truly excited him. He had already mastered the art of controlling shadows, but now his influence had expanded even further. His clones were no longer just copies with limited strength; they had become more autonomous, able to act for longer periods and withstand greater damage. He could now summon even more powerful warriors from the shadow realm—creatures of immense strength and loyalty, capable of overwhelming any foe.

Testing the new upgrade, Aldric summoned a powerful shadow warrior—a towering figure cloaked in darkness, its eyes glowing faintly in the dim light of the library. The warrior bowed before Aldric, ready to serve without question.

"Good," Aldric muttered, already envisioning how he could use these new abilities in the future.

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### **Testing Flight**

With his new powers fully integrated, Aldric decided to test his ability to fly. He stepped out of the library and walked to the balcony of his palace, overlooking the vast landscape beyond. The sky was clear, and the sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the mountains.

Aldric closed his eyes for a moment, focusing on the flow of mana within his body. He allowed it to rise through him, and in an instant, he felt his feet lift off the ground. The sensation was unlike anything he had ever experienced—weightless, yet entirely under his control.

Opening his eyes, Aldric hovered several feet above the balcony. He could feel the power coursing through him, allowing him to glide effortlessly through the air. With a thought, he propelled himself higher, ascending rapidly until he was soaring above the palace. The wind rushed past him, but he remained steady, flying as easily as if he had been walking.

Smiling to himself, Aldric increased his speed, darting through the sky in a blur. He could travel at incredible velocities thanks to the Speed Force, but now, with the ability to fly, he no longer needed roads or pathways to reach his destination. The sky was his to command.

After a few minutes of reveling in his newfound freedom, Aldric returned to the palace, landing softly on the balcony as if he had never left. He could already see how flight would change everything—whether in battle, reconnaissance, or simply moving unseen across the land.

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### **Moving Forward**

With his new powers fully integrated, Aldric returned to his plans. His shadow clones continued their relentless training, growing stronger with each passing moment. His mind was sharper than ever, enhanced by both **Thought Acceleration** and the endless knowledge Raphael continued to analyze.

As he stood on the balcony, watching the shadows of the evening creep across the land, Aldric knew that his power had now reached a point where very few could challenge him. With the ability to fly, enhanced shadow clones, and greater control over the shadows themselves, he was no longer bound by the same limits as others in this world.

But Aldric knew this was only the beginning.

His empire was growing. His power was evolving. And soon, the entire world would be within his grasp.

Aldric smiled, his eyes gleaming with determination as he whispered to himself, "The shadows are mine, and now, so is the sky."

With that, Aldric returned to his palace, ready to take the next step in his journey toward ultimate power.