NOVEL NEXT Chapter 48: Leveling, Continued
The soft glow of the tree cast gentle light over the clearing as Caelum stirred from his rest. Aurelia was still asleep, her small form nestled comfortably in the burrow beneath the roots. Caelum quietly crawled out of their temporary shelter, his body feeling more energized after a good night’s rest. He glanced back at Aurelia and, seeing that she was still deep in her dreams, decided it was time to venture out on his own for a bit.
I need to grow stronger, he thought to himself. Aurelia’s been pulling her weight, but I’ve got to push my own limits if I want to keep up.
With that resolve, Caelum crawled deeper into the forest, moving through the thick underbrush as he searched for opportunities to level up. The forest was quieter today, the sounds of chirping insects and rustling leaves filling the air. Caelum’s senses were sharper now—his movements more fluid and instinctive than before. He had learned a lot in the past few days, but there was still much more to be done.
He knew he had to take on small critters, creatures he could handle on his own. His new abilities, particularly his elemental magic, would help him, but he needed to be strategic. The forest was full of danger, and overconfidence could lead to disaster.
As he ventured further from the glowing tree, he spotted movement up ahead. A small, burrowing creature—a mole cricket—was busy digging through the dirt, oblivious to Caelum’s presence.
Perfect, Caelum thought, positioning himself to strike. He carefully activated Camouflage, blending into the forest floor as he crept closer to the unsuspecting creature.
Once he was close enough, he unleashed a burst of Fire Magic, sending a wave of heat toward the mole cricket. The creature squeaked in surprise as the flames engulfed it, but it didn’t have time to react. Caelum quickly followed up with a bite, his mandibles sinking into its soft body. The mole cricket twitched once before falling still.
Mystic Larva Level increased from 6 to 7
Caelum felt the surge of energy as his level increased, his body growing slightly stronger. He could feel the improvement—his stamina and magic reserves were larger, his movements more fluid. But it wasn’t enough. He needed more if he wanted to reach his goal.
He continued moving through the forest, hunting down more small critters. He found a pair of beetles fighting over a piece of food and used his Wind Magic to disorient them, creating a small gust of air that knocked them off balance. He quickly dispatched both with a series of well-aimed bites.
Mystic Larva Level increased from 7 to 8
Caelum paused for a moment, catching his breath as he took stock of his progress. His levels were climbing steadily, but each new level felt harder to reach. The experience needed to advance was increasing, and he knew he’d have to push himself further.
I need to find something stronger, he thought, his eyes scanning the forest for larger prey.
It wasn’t long before he spotted another potential target: a large centipede, its long body slithering through the dirt as it hunted for food. The centipede was much bigger than the critters Caelum had been facing so far, but he knew it would provide more experience—and a greater challenge.
Caelum activated Camouflage once again, blending into the environment as he carefully approached the centipede. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest—this wasn’t going to be an easy fight, but he was ready for it.
When he was close enough, he used Earth Magic to create a small tremor beneath the centipede, causing it to stumble. The creature hissed in frustration, its many legs scrambling for balance as Caelum unleashed a burst of Fire Magic.
The flames scorched the centipede’s side, but it didn’t go down easily. The creature retaliated, whipping its body toward Caelum and knocking him back with surprising force. He hit the ground hard, his body aching from the impact.
This thing is tougher than I thought...
But Caelum wasn’t about to give up. He summoned another wave of Wind Magic, pushing the centipede back before it could strike again. The creature screeched, its body writhing in pain as it struggled to regain control.
Caelum pressed the advantage, using his Instinctive Dodge to avoid the centipede’s frantic movements while he lined up another attack. He summoned a powerful burst of Fire Magic, channeling all of his remaining energy into the spell.
The flames engulfed the centipede completely, and after a few moments, the creature finally collapsed, its body scorched and motionless.
Mystic Larva Level increased from 8 to 9
Caelum let out a sigh of relief as he felt the familiar surge of energy wash over him. The centipede had been a tough opponent, but the experience gained was worth it. He could feel his strength growing, his magic reserves expanding with each level.
Just a little more... he thought, his body trembling slightly from the effort. He was getting closer to his goal, but he needed to keep pushing.
He continued his solo hunt, taking down more small critters—spiders, beetles, and crickets—using a combination of his magic and physical attacks. Each fight brought him closer to the next level, his body growing stronger with every victory.
Mystic Larva Level increased from 9 to 10
Mystic Larva Level increased from 10 to 11
By the time Caelum reached Level 11, his body was humming with energy. He had pushed himself harder than ever before, and the results were clear. His stamina, magic, and strength had all increased significantly, and he felt more capable than ever.
Caelum took a moment to catch his breath, his body still trembling from the exertion. He had done it—he had leveled up to 11, surpassing his initial goal. He glanced around the forest, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment. He was stronger now, ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.
I should get back to Aurelia, he thought, feeling a small tug of responsibility. She would be wondering where he had gone, and he didn’t want to worry her.
With his levels increased and his strength renewed, Caelum began the trek back to the glowing tree.