No matter how strange the dreams were, daily life had to continue.
After breakfast, Tris performed his usual exercises to train his body.
These included movements ranging from basic to complex, combined with the proper circulation of spiritual energy throughout every corner of his body.
Exercises involving spiritual energy not only strengthened muscles but also improved bones and internal organs.
Since he was still in a rapid growth phase, these exercises further enhanced his physical condition. Ever since his body became capable of movement, he had never skipped this basic training.
As a result, despite his small, slender appearance, Tris's actual physical strength was comparable to that of an adult—perhaps even superior.
If physical movement was the method the Warriors used to increase their power, Mages had an entirely different approach: exercising the mind.
A Mage's power comes from three factors: total spiritual energy, the ability to manipulate it, and knowledge of different magics.
Total spiritual energy could gradually increase through repeated use of magic. The more complex and difficult the magic, the more effective the improvement.
And mastering complex, high-difficulty magic naturally improved one's skill in manipulating spiritual energy.
Finally, to learn and use complex magic, one needed the corresponding knowledge.
These three factors were interconnected and inseparable.
After physical training, Tris usually spent time studying, without a fixed topic. His focus depended on insights gained from dreams or ongoing projects.
Because of a recent dream, Tris chose to study Space Magic today.
Based on observations of "it," he believed his movement skills could be greatly improved.
With paper and pen in hand, he sat at his desk and began to analyze and learn.
Tris spent most of that day, and the entire following week, in his room, only leaving occasionally for classes he found useful.
This routine had become so frequent that his presence in the village was minimal—until he participated in last year's competition.
During this time, he didn't forget to use "Feathers" to secretly monitor and gather information around the village.
The disappearance of certain individuals raised concern among the village hunters and their families, but it proved to be nothing more than a normal reaction.
With that, he ceased his monitoring.
Two more weeks passed. Tris spent half a month improving his Space Magic and using it to upgrade his magical puppets.
Standing on the ceiling of his room like a bat, he admired his results and planned his next steps.
Today, he went to the forest to hunt for additional funds and materials to complete magical puppet No. 4.
Not far from where he stood was a Giant Mantis, over 2 meters tall, with razor-sharp, spiked forelegs.
This magical beast was common in this forest, known for its speed and deadly, lightning-fast attacks.
Hunters in the village reportedly set traps or attack from a distance rather than confronting them head-on.
'I choose you, No. 1: The Twin.'
With a flick of his hand, a pair of puppets appeared before him.
These were the first two puppets he had made. Both wore masks that completely covered their faces and carried swords and shields.
These were the puppets he used in last year's competition—except back then, he only deployed one of them.
Unlike "Feathers", this pair was built on an opposite principle.
If "Feathers" fought mainly by exploiting pre-integrated magics, "The Twin" had no pre-engraved magics to activate instantly.
Instead, he designed the puppets and inscribed runes on their bodies for a single purpose: to move fluidly and optimally receive and utilize spiritual energy transmitted from their controller—Tris.
Thus, each puppet became a near-perfect replica of him, capable of flexibly using various magics and combat techniques.
Magical threads shot from all ten of Tris's fingers, connecting to the puppets—five threads per puppet.
With both hands, he simultaneously controlled the puppets to charge at the Giant Mantis.
Their speed was extraordinary. One step covered a distance equal to several times their body length.
Those who understood would notice that each step still incorporated combat techniques.
In an instant, "The Twin" closed in on the Giant Mantis.
True to its speed, the creature immediately reacted, striking with two powerful slashes from its forelegs.
The lead puppet blocked one strike with its shield and parried the other with its short sword. It slammed its knee into the Giant Mantis, sending it flying backward.
Simultaneously, the second puppet sliced off the mantis's head with a single swing of its sword against the other foreleg.
The hunt was over in the blink of an eye.
Approaching the Giant Mantis corpse, Tris collected its forelegs and magic crystals. Depending on the magical beast, different parts could be used or sold for profit.
For this mantis, the most valuable items were its sharp forelegs. Its legs could be sold, but had low value. Tris didn't bother collecting them, as he wanted to continue hunting, and his spatial bag was nearly full of puppets.
After hunting three more Giant Mantises, Tris took down two Black Beetles.
These beetles were over 2 meters long, over 1 meter tall, with metal-hard wings.
Hunters had to be careful of the beetles' powerful rear gas spray, which was both hot enough to burn and poisonous.
To hunt them, Tris had one puppet attack the beetle's side with its shield, flipping it to expose its belly. The second puppet finished the job with its sword.
Of course, there were other ways to deal with them, but he wanted to avoid damaging the valuable wings.
While roaming the forest, he spotted other magical beasts but chose to ignore them. Their main value lay in meat or hide, which required too much effort to collect, resulting in low hunting efficiency.
Using "Feathers", Tris quickly located his targets and dispatched them. Soon, his spatial bag was full, and he decided to return home.
That evening, at dinner, his father said:
"Tomorrow, I have some business in Dorn town. I won't be back for about four days."
"What business, father?"
"A group of magical items seems to have encountered a problem and cannot be brought here. The village chief said I need to check personally."
"Can I come with you?"
Tris wanted to go to Dorn to sell his magical beast materials and dispose of items obtained from the four individuals.
Of course, materials could be sold in the village, but selling elsewhere drew less attention.
"Why do you want to come?"
"I want to visit Dorn for a few days. See if the magical item shops have anything interesting."
Arven glanced at Tris for a moment, then agreed:
"Very well. Pack some personal belongings. We depart early tomorrow."
"Yes, father."
Tris sensed that his father didn't fully trust his reason, but he did not oppose him. Thus, the plan for the next few days was set.
The next morning, father and son rode a horse-drawn carriage toward Dorn.
Tris had no idea that soon, he would encounter an incident that would change his life forever.