A Trial in the Woods

[Celestial Lock-On].

Upon activating the skill, a perfectly square, flat map materialized in Liyahiss’s mind. She selected a nearby forest region and confirmed the (x, y, z) coordinates.

[Coordinate Teleport].

Her vision was consumed by a sudden flash of white light. When it dissipated, she found herself at her destination.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the canopy, casting dappled, dreamlike shadows on the forest floor. The air was crisp and the sun bright, creating a tranquil atmosphere—perfect for a clandestine rendezvous or a battle in the wild.

First up was [Lightning Spear].

She molded a crackling, spear-shaped bolt of lightning in her hand, aimed at a wandering chicken, and hurled it forward.

“Gaaah!”

With one last, strangely satisfying squawk, the convulsing chicken collapsed to the ground. A plume of black smoke rose from its body, revealing a perfectly roasted chicken that looked utterly mouthwatering.

Though she was tempted to taste it, now was not the time.

Next was [Ice Cone].

She condensed a pointed icicle, sharp at both ends, and threw it at a crookedly growing tree. It pierced the wood but failed to exit, getting stuck midway. Its power felt inferior to [Lightning Spear], but its advantage lay in its physicality, allowing it to persist for some time.

Then came [Shadow Step].

Where there is light, there is shadow. This skill allowed her to sink into the darkness and move at high speeds, ideal for dishonorable sneak attacks.

[Frost Barrier] created a solid wall of ice that could probably block a flood.

[Icicle Rush] sent a series of ice spikes erupting from the ground in a straight line. It was quite a spectacle, though in a real fight, it was doubtful an enemy would stand still and let her hit them.

[Shadow Touch] could summon inky-black, octopus-like appendages from the surroundings, presumably to bind an enemy and restrict their movement.

[Ring of Repulsion] emanated from her body, using her own mana to push away designated people or objects in an expanding circle, carving out a sanctuary for herself. As a mage unsuited for close-quarters combat, this spell would be invaluable for keeping enemies at a distance.

[Thunderstorm Blast] allowed her to create a compressed ball of lightning that would detonate on impact in a blinding flash of white light—a true work of art.

She noted that the more powerful spells likely had high costs and cooldowns, so they couldn’t be used carelessly.

She let out a slow, fragrant breath. Now it was time to test her innate skills.

[King of Phantasm], activate!

Her body gradually faded, growing transparent until she was all but invisible. Activating it again would return her to normal.

[King of Avarice], activate!

Liyahiss opened her hand, palm facing the roasted chicken on the ground, and absorbed it whole. The other abilities would have to be tested in actual combat; there were no other suitable subjects here.

She glanced at the surrounding trees she had so generously “rewarded” with her power. Recalling the bright flash of the explosion, she considered that it might attract unwanted attention.

Although she wanted to clean up the mess, she was far better at destruction than restoration. Powerless to reverse the damage, she decided to let it be.

[Coordinate Teleport].

She opened her eyes to find herself back in her cozy little den.

Not long after she departed, a figure slowly emerged from the shadows. The figure surveyed the scene, which looked as though it had been ravaged by a tornado, and sighed in resignation.

This person was none other than Hillisa.

She had sensed Liyahiss suddenly teleport to a distant location, and a flicker of worry had prompted her to fly over immediately. Stopping just short of the destination to avoid detection, she had hidden herself and observed from the darkness.

She made a grasping motion with her hand, then flipped it upside down.

And then, something astonishing happened…