Blade stepped out of the small wooden gate marking the edge of Frostvale village. Snow crunched beneath his boots, the morning sun glinting off the ice-covered trees. Reality Sync tingled faintly along his hands, reminding him that this world already obeyed his touch differently than any other game.
He paused and activated the in-game map, a translucent display hovering before him.
> "Map activated."
The village was small, snow-dusted houses clustered around a frozen central plaza. Beyond the village, endless snow plains stretched as far as the eye could see. A red dot blinked on the map.
> "Destination: Frostvale Arena."
"Distance: 1.2 km."
A soft beep echoed as the dot pulsed. Blade smirked. He hadn't even reached the arena yet, and already the system was guiding him to his first challenge.
He moved through the village, ignoring curious stares from NPCs and players alike. His boots left deep impressions in the snow, the reflection of his black leather jacket glinting in the pale light.
Outside the village, the arena loomed—a massive stone circle half-buried in snow, frost creeping along its carved runes. Holographic banners projected into the sky, displaying the initiation quest: "Defeat the Training Golems in Frostvale Arena."
Blade stepped onto the snow-dusted platform. The ground hummed faintly under his boots. From the arena gates, three massive golems lumbered forward. Frost-covered stone, glowing cores, and heavy, grinding steps that shook the ground.
> "Defeat all Training Golems to complete the Pyromancer initiation."
Blade exhaled. Reality Sync tingled along his arms, and he felt the fire building, coiling in his palms like molten metal. He could already feel the difference between crafting gear and controlling raw elemental energy—it was alive, unpredictable, and entirely his.
The first golem swung a massive arm. Blade danced backward, letting loose a flicker of fire from his right hand. The flames struck the stone shoulder, cracking it instantly. Steam hissed as frost evaporated.
> [System Notice: Fire Control Mastery 1%]
[Reality Sync Effect: Fire behaves like physical matter.]
The second golem lunged from the side. Blade rolled beneath it and extended both hands. A stream of fire erupted, carving through the golem's icy exterior. The construct staggered, steam curling from its joints. Blade grinned.
"Just wait… once I finish this initiation, I can craft something better."
In his mind, a vision flickered—a sleek firearm, perfectly balanced, enhanced with fire constructs. He could shoot flames like bullets, all under his control. Not a class ability, not pre-programmed—entirely his own creation.
The third golem roared, swinging its massive arm. Blade leapt over it, spinning in midair, releasing a flaming arc that cut through its core. Steam hissed, smoke curled, and the golem collapsed into frozen rubble.
> "Initiation Complete."
[New Skill Unlocked: Fireball – Cast a concentrated fire projectile.]
[New Skill Unlocked: Flame Surge – Short-range burst of fiery energy.]
Blade wiped snow from his jacket, surveying the broken golems. Frostvale Arena felt alive, as if it already respected his mastery.
> "Next stop… my own gun."
The map beeped again, updating with a new red dot. Beyond the arena, Frostvale's frozen plains stretched toward a dense forest. Blade's fingers itched—not just to wield fire, but to craft, to shape the world around him like he had with his jacket, goggles, and boots.
He clenched his fists, ready for the journey ahead. Reality Sync, fire, and eventually, his own invention—the combination would make him unstoppable.
Snow swirled around him as Blade stepped off the arena platform. The first trial was complete, but the real adventure was just beginning.