Chapter 41: New Skills

Liam continued walking home.

By the time he arrived, the sky had darkened. He opened the front door and found his mother in the living room.

"You’re back," Lyla said. "Did you have a good time with Yogesh?"

"Yeah. We explored a dungeon and defeated its boss."

Lyla looked at him with concern.

"A dungeon boss? Wasn’t that dangerous?"

"It was a Level 80 boss, but we managed to defeat it. We’re both fine."

Lyla sighed in relief.

"That’s good. Just be careful next time. I don’t want you taking unnecessary risks."

"I will."

After talking with his mother for a while, Liam returned to his room. He placed his belongings aside and lay down on his bed.

He was tired after the dungeon exploration, but he still wanted to return to the Dream Dimension.

Liam summoned his system.

A familiar interface appeared before his eyes.

[Dream Dimension Access]

[Would you like to enter the Dream Dimension?]

"Yes."

A faint light surrounded him. In the next moment, his surroundings changed.

Liam found himself standing in the Dream Dimension, now in the body of his Dream Race.

His appearance had changed into that of a small humanoid Evil Eye. His pale skin and white hair gave him an unusual appearance, while the power contained within his body was far greater than his small frame suggested.

Liam looked down at himself.

"Man, this is such a weird feeling," he muttered.

Although he had become accustomed to his Dream Race manifestation, it still felt strange to use this body. It was his own body in the Dream Dimension, yet it was completely different from his real-world appearance.

He moved his hands and tested his balance.

’At least I can still use all my abilities.’

Liam looked toward the place where he had left Miriel.

"It seems like she left while I was gone. Her trial should have been close to its end," he murmured.

Miriel was a student at the Rivermoon Royal Academy, which was located in Celestial City, the capital of the Rivermoon Kingdom. The city was not far from the Northern Forest.

Liam took out the note he had left for her and glanced at the address.

"Hmm, her address, huh?"

He crumpled the note and put it away.

"I don’t have to go there myself."

He could use his Psychic Connection skill, which he had gained after forming a contract with Miriel.

Liam closed his eyes.

’Miriel.’

’Huh? Liam? Is that you? Are you back?’

Inside the girls’ dormitory at Rivermoon Royal Academy, Miriel was sitting in her room when she suddenly heard Liam’s voice in her mind. She looked around in surprise.

’Yes. Try summoning me with your skill. I’ll appear near you,’ Liam replied.

’Okay. I’ll try.’

Miriel focused and activated the skill she had received after forming a contract with Liam.

A moment later, Liam appeared beside her bed.

"Ah, Liam! You came!" Miriel exclaimed.

She looked him up and down, then tilted her head.

"Wait... you have a body now?"

Liam glanced at his small humanoid form.

"Hmm. I evolved into a Lesser Evil Eye. That’s why I look like this."

Miriel’s eyes widened.

"A Lesser Evil Eye? That sounds powerful!"

Liam simply nodded.

"Hmm."

Then he looked at her.

"How did your trial go?"

Miriel smiled.

"I ranked third, thanks to your empowerment. I also received some rewards and learned new skills."

She opened her status screen and showed him the skills she had obtained.

[ Sword Saint Art ]

[ First Style: Crescent Moon ]

[ Second Style: Full Moon ]

Liam examined the skill descriptions.

’Good. Let me improve these for you.’

He activated Reality Reversal and used it on both of Miriel’s skills.

The system responded immediately.

[Reality Reversal activated.]

[Skill: Sword Saint Art — First Style: Crescent Moon]

[Skill Level: 1]

[Reversing...]

[Skill Level: 10]

[Reality Reversal activated.]

[Skill: Sword Saint Art — Second Style: Full Moon]

[Skill Level: 1]

[Reversing...]

[Skill Level: 10]

Liam read through the updated descriptions while Miriel closed her eyes.

A large amount of information flowed into her mind. The two sword techniques had become far more advanced, and she could now understand their movements and principles in much greater detail.

Miriel remained still for a few moments as she absorbed the knowledge.

When she finally opened her eyes, she looked at Liam with astonishment.

"These skills... they’re so much stronger now!"

Miriel opened her status screen again. The descriptions of her sword techniques had changed, and she carefully read through each one.

[ Sword Saint Art: First Style — Crescent Moon ]

[Rank: Epic]

[Description: A sword technique that gathers energy along the blade before releasing it in a crescent-shaped slash. The attack travels at high speed and can cut through multiple targets. With sufficient mastery, the user can control the slash’s direction and increase its range.]

[Passive Effect: Increases cutting power by 100% and attack speed by 30% after using the skill for 30 seconds.]

[ Sword Saint Art: Second Style — Full Moon ]

[Rank: High]

[Description: A sword technique that forms a circular wave of sword energy around the user. The wave can strike enemies from multiple directions, making it effective against groups and opponents who attempt to surround the user. With sufficient mastery, the user can expand the area of effect and concentrate the attack on a single target.]

[Effect: Creates a circular sword-energy attack with enhanced range and power.]

Miriel stared at the descriptions for a while.

"The First Style can cut through multiple targets, and the Second Style can attack in every direction..." she murmured. "They’re completely different from before."

Liam nodded.

"The first one is better for attacking enemies in front of you. The second is useful when you’re surrounded. You should learn when to use each technique."

Miriel looked at him with admiration.

"With these skills, I might be able to defeat much stronger opponents."

"You still need to practice," Liam reminded her. "Having a powerful skill doesn’t mean you can use it properly right away."

"I understand."

Miriel clenched her fist with determination.

Liam glanced at her status screen once more. The improvements had increased the potential of her sword techniques, but their actual strength would depend on her energy reserves and how well she mastered them.

’She has a good foundation. If she trains properly, she’ll become much stronger.’

He turned toward her.

"By the way, did anything else happen after your trial ended?"

Miriel thought for a moment.

"Not much. I returned to the academy, and the instructors announced our rankings. They also gave us some time to rest before classes resume."

She paused before adding, "I was worried about you. You were still in the forest when I left."

"I was fine. I just had a few things to take care of."

Miriel nodded, seemingly relieved.

Liam glanced around her room before looking back at her.

"Since you’re on break, why don’t you take me on a tour of the city? I’m interested in seeing Celestial City, the capital of the Rivermoon Kingdom."

"Sure, why not?" Miriel replied with a smile.

She suddenly seemed to remember something and stood up.

"Wait here. I’ll get ready first."

With that, she headed toward the bathroom.

Liam watched her leave before settling down near the bed.

A few moments later, he heard Miriel’s voice from inside.

"Don’t peek!"

Liam rolled his eyes.

"You have nothing worth peeking at," he replied casually.

Miriel immediately became flustered.

"Just stay there!"

She quickly closed the bathroom door.

Liam shook his head with a small smile.

’She really doesn’t have much to hide with her flat body,’ he thought.