The town pulses with quiet energy. As she walks through the central path, her parents' presence draws immediate attention. Dark elf villagers, adorned in simple but elegant robes, stop what they are doing to gaze upon the trio. Eyes widen. Whispers ripple through the crowd, and slowly, as if choreographed, the townsfolk begin to bow.
Their movements are graceful, heads lowering in unison, reverence written in every action. The bows are deep, and no one rises until Shyri and her parents have passed. She can feel their eyes on her—curiosity, respect, and perhaps a hint of unease. Shyri's breath catches in her throat, the weight of the moment pressing on her chest.
She looks up at her father. His grip on her hand is firm, his violet eyes ahead, regal and composed as though he has walked this path a thousand times. Her mother, equally graceful, walks in step with them, her dark robes flowing like liquid shadow behind her. Their presence demands respect, and the village offers it without hesitation.
As they pass, Shyri glances at the townsfolk from beneath her hood, her heart pounding. These are her people. These are the dark elves she belongs to. And yet, she feels like an outsider—still adjusting to the idea that she is still in a video game.
Ahead, the village center looms, a grand hall carved directly into the mountain’s heart, adorned with intricate carvings and guarded by towering stone statues of ancient dark elf leaders. It is there, within those walls, where her destiny will begin to unfold.
Her mother leans down slightly, her voice soft, barely more than a whisper. “They will look to you one day, Shyri. Just as they look to us now.”
Her father’s grip tightens reassuringly. “We are proud of you,” he murmurs, though his eyes remain fixed ahead, as if already seeing the future she would help shape.
Shyri swallows hard, her heart swelling with both pride and uncertainty. For the first time in her life, she feels the weight of her heritage. And as the village bows before her, she wonders if she will ever feel ready for the responsibility that comes with being the heir of the clan. The intense pressure still followed her from her real life to her game life but Shyri felt more in control about this new life of hers.
The grand stone doors of her parents' home creaked open, revealing a massive hall bathed in soft, flickering light from enchanted lanterns. The air inside felt warmer than the rest of the cavern, and the smell of fresh incense wafted through the space. High vaulted ceilings were adorned with tapestries of dark elven history, and the floors were polished obsidian, reflecting the dim glow of the room’s magical light sources.
Shyri stepped inside, still overwhelmed by the events unfolding around her. She barely had time to take in the splendor of her new home when her gaze was drawn to a figure standing at the far end of the hall.
A tall, slender dark elf with striking, sharp features stood at attention. His posture was perfect, and his dark gray skin seemed to absorb the faint light around him. His black robes, embroidered with silver runes, were immaculate, and his long white hair was tied back neatly. His eyes, a cool blue, observed Shyri with calm precision.
“Shyri,” her father said, his voice deep and commanding, “this is Fung.”
The figure bowed deeply, his movements precise and smooth, almost too controlled. When he straightened, his gaze met Shyri’s, and a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips—a smile that spoke of hidden depths and years of knowledge.
“Lady Shyri,” Fung said, his voice soft but carrying a weight of authority, “it is an honor to serve you.”
Shyri blinked, unsure of how to respond. The idea of having a butler was foreign to her. But this was no ordinary servant—this was someone with a purpose far greater than simply attending to her needs.
Her mother, sensing her hesitation, placed a hand on Shyri’s shoulder. “Fung is not merely a butler, my dear. He will be your watcher and your trainer.”
Fung stepped forward, his movements as fluid as a shadow. “Indeed, my lady. It is my duty to guide you as you embrace your heritage and your powers. Under my care, you will learn the ancient ways of dark magic, master the four basic elements—fire, water, earth, and air—and sharpen your skills in hand-to-hand combat.”
Shyri’s heart skipped. Dark magic? The elements? Combat? She had expected to learn something of her people, but not this. The enormity of her future pressed down on her, but there was a flicker of excitement too—an eagerness to learn, to discover her own potential.
“Additionally,” Fung continued, his gaze steady, “you will learn the written language of our people, as well as the common tongue used throughout the world. You will become fluent in both, as befits someone of your status.”
Her father nodded approvingly. “Fung has served our clan for many years. He is unmatched in his skills, and we trust him completely to prepare you for the challenges ahead.”
Shyri’s eyes met Fung’s once again, this time more confident, though her stomach still fluttered with nerves. He didn’t just represent training—he represented her future, the path she had to walk as a member of the ruling clan. This feeling was more than a game to her and she could see why so many people played New Life Online.
The doors to Shyri’s new bedroom opened with a soft creak, revealing a spacious chamber bathed in the dim, cool light of enchanted crystals embedded in the stone walls. The room felt foreign to her, yet it radiated a strange sense of comfort. The bed, draped in deep purple silk, beckoned her with its soft, inviting glow. Dark elven runes were etched into the furniture, weaving protection and tranquility into the very atmosphere.
Fung stood at the doorway, his presence calm and watchful. “Lady Shyri, your training begins at dawn, but rest well tonight. The days ahead will be challenging.”
Shyri nodded, too exhausted from the day’s revelations to speak. She moved toward the bed, her body heavy with fatigue. As soon as her head hit the pillow, her eyelids drooped, and the world faded into darkness.
When Shyri opened her eyes again, she wasn’t in her bedroom. The cool stone walls and warm, silk blankets were gone. Instead, she found herself standing in the center of a vast courtyard bathed in moonlight, surrounded by towering stone pillars etched with glowing runes. The air was thick with the scent of earth and a soft hum of magic reverberated through the air.
Confused, she glanced around. In front of her, Fung stood, his robes fluttering slightly in the cool night breeze, his eyes calm but intense.
“Welcome, Lady Shyri,” he said, his voice resonating through the courtyard. “This is where your true training begins.”
Shyri blinked, still disoriented. She had fallen asleep in her bed only moments ago—hadn’t she? But here she was, standing in this magical courtyard, fully awake, fully aware.
“W-what is this?” she asked, glancing around. “How did I get here?”
“This is the courtyard of your mind,” Fung explained. “Within the game, time moves differently. When you rest, we have the ability to accelerate your training. You will find that, when you wake, hours will have passed, but here… we can spend days if needed.”
Shyri’s mind raced. The idea of training while she slept was both exhilarating and terrifying.
“Now,” Fung continued, stepping closer, “it is time to begin your first lesson. The dark magic that flows through our veins is connected to the natural world—the elements themselves. To master the darkness within you, you must first understand the four primary elements: fire, water, earth, and air.”
He raised his hand, and with a graceful flick of his fingers, summoned a swirling sphere of black energy. It pulsed and shifted like a living shadow in his palm, crackling with raw power. “Dark magic is more than destruction or control. It thrives when combined with the elements. By understanding them, you will unlock the full potential of your magic.”
With another wave of his hand, four small elemental orbs appeared in front of her—each representing a different element. The fiery orb flickered with red-hot flames, while the watery one swirled with calm, reflective ripples. The earthen orb sat solid and unmoving, heavy with power, while the air orb spun with a gentle but constant breeze.
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“These are the core elements,” Fung explained, his eyes gleaming with the wisdom of centuries. “Each one can enhance your dark magic. Fire will bring aggression and destruction, amplifying your offensive capabilities. Water brings control and adaptability, allowing you to manipulate the flow of battle. Earth offers strength and resilience, fortifying your defenses. And air grants agility, speed, and cunning.”
Shyri’s breath caught as she gazed at the elements hovering before her, each one radiating power.
Fung stepped closer, his voice calm but firm. “To master dark magic, you must not only understand the elements but fuse them with your shadow power. Each one will grant you an edge in battle, but only when you can wield all four will you truly command the darkness within you.”
Shyri extended her hand toward the fire orb, feeling its heat radiate toward her fingers. Her pulse quickened as she reached out and touched the elemental magic for the first time. The flames swirled around her hand, merging with the dark magic she didn’t even know she had summoned.
She felt a surge of energy as the fire and dark magic intertwined, becoming something greater. But as quickly as it came, it slipped away, the orb vanishing into the night air.
“You must learn control,” Fung said, his tone unwavering. “This is only the beginning.”
Shyri looked at him, determination sparking in her chest. She wasn’t just learning to use magic—she was learning to become something more. The path ahead was daunting, but with Fung’s guidance, she knew she could unlock her potential.
“Again,” he instructed. “This time, with control.”
The courtyard became her classroom, and under the pale light of the moon and Fung’s careful tutelage, Shyri began her journey toward mastering dark magic, and with it, the elements that would shape her destiny.
Shyri gasped as she let the swirling orb of shadow energy dissipate from her palm. The courtyard was still, save for the faint hum of magic in the air and the soft sound of her breathing. She glanced up at Fung, whose calm eyes assessed her with the same quiet intensity he always carried.
“It’s only been minutes…,” she whispered, amazed at how much she had learned in such a short span. Her body felt tired, but her mind was sharper than ever, filled with the newfound knowledge of the elements and the intricate weave of dark magic. Fire, water, earth, air—each one now pulsed inside her, ready to be called upon, though still requiring much practice to fully control.
“Yes,” Fung said, stepping forward, “though it felt like hours, only minutes have passed in the waking world. But within this time, you’ve gained a basic understanding of the four elements and how they weave with your dark magic. It’s a rare achievement.”
A small surge of pride welled up inside Shyri, but she quickly tamped it down, knowing that this was only the beginning.
Fung’s expression remained serious. “Now that you have touched upon the fundamentals, it is time for the next stage of your training: combat and stealth.”
Shyri straightened, her pulse quickening. She had expected this moment but wasn’t sure how ready she was to face it.
Fung waved his hand, and the once-calm courtyard shifted around them. The stone pillars rose higher, transforming into shadowy, jagged structures. Large boulders appeared across the courtyard, creating cover and obstacles, and the ground beneath her feet became rougher. The training area now resembled a battlefield—an environment perfect for the next stage.
“To wield your dark magic effectively, you must learn to combine it with your body,” Fung explained, his voice as calm as ever. “Dark magic, when combined with stealth, allows you to move unseen, strike from the shadows, and manipulate the environment to your advantage. The elements will enhance your combat—fire to strike hard and fast, water to adapt and deflect, earth to fortify and withstand, air to increase your agility.”
Fung stepped forward, his hand extending as shadows swirled around him. Without warning, he lunged at Shyri, his movements quick and fluid, his form shifting in and out of the dark as if merging with the very shadows around him.
Instinctively, Shyri leaped back, summoning the air element to enhance her speed. A gust of wind propelled her, just barely avoiding his strike. Her heart pounded in her chest as she called forth the fire element, sending a burst of flames toward Fung, but he vanished into the darkness, reappearing behind her with impossible speed.
“You must blend all of your skills together,” Fung instructed, his voice echoing around her. “Dark magic, the elements, your body. They must become one.”
Shyri spun, drawing on her newfound understanding of earth. She stomped her foot down, creating a small barrier of stone between her and Fung’s next strike. The impact sent a shockwave through her arms, but the defense held, and for the first time, she felt a glimmer of control.
“Well done,” Fung murmured, his form flickering from view again.
Shyri scanned the courtyard, her mind racing. She could sense the shadows moving, shifting. He was testing her stealth, forcing her to use her dark magic to track him. Closing her eyes, she let the shadow energy flow through her, extending her senses beyond the physical. In the dark corners of the battlefield, she felt him—a ripple in the shadows.
With newfound confidence, Shyri crouched low, blending herself into the darkness, becoming one with the shadow. She moved silently, her body invisible within the black mist that cloaked her form. Every footstep was measured, every movement controlled. This was the essence of stealth.
From the shadows, she waited, then pounced. Her strike was swift, infused with air to increase her speed, and just as she released it, a burst of fire danced at her fingertips.
Fung appeared, blocking her strike with minimal effort, but the faintest smile appeared on his lips.
“Good,” he said, his voice soft but filled with approval. “You’re learning. But remember, it’s not about raw power. It’s about precision, control, and balance.”
Shyri stepped back, breathing heavily, but exhilarated. She could feel the dark magic, the elements, the stealth—it was all beginning to come together. There was still much to learn, much to master, but for the first time, she felt a real connection to her abilities.
Fung stepped back as the courtyard returned to its original form, the rough battlefield dissolving into the smooth, stone expanse once again. “Rest for now. Tomorrow, we will begin the next phase—refining your hand-to-hand combat and furthering your control over the elements.”
As the courtyard faded away, Shyri felt herself slipping out of the dream-like training space, back toward the waking world. She had only scratched the surface, but with every lesson, she grew stronger, more confident. The dark magic and the elements were no longer mysteries—they were part of her now.
When her eyes opened, she was back in her bed, the warmth of the blankets grounding her in reality. Minutes had passed, but her body hummed with the knowledge of hours’ worth of training.
Shyri mentally selected her skill sheet since that was the only menu she had access to and went over the details
Shyri’s Stats at level 5:
- Health: 120/120
- Mana: 160/160
- Stamina: 100/100
Attributes:
- Strength: 10
- Dexterity: 12
- Endurance: 10
- Intelligence: 15
- Wisdom: 14
- Agility: 12
- Charisma: 11
Available Points:
- Ability Points: 10
- Skill Points: 12
Her hand hovered over the available points. She had 10 ability points to distribute across her base stats, and with her training in dark magic and the four elements, she knew she needed a careful balance. She could feel the pull of different options—each stat enhancing a different aspect of her magic or combat prowess.
Strength and Dexterity would improve her hand-to-hand combat, making her strikes faster and more powerful. She’d learned in the courtyard that combat wasn’t just about magic—her physical abilities needed to keep up if she wanted to be a well-rounded fighter.
But Intelligence and Wisdom—these were the core of her magical abilities. Intelligence increased her mana pool and spell power, while Wisdom enhanced her ability to control and refine those spells, as well as improved her connection to the elements.
Then there was Agility, which had proven useful during her stealth training. With more Agility, she could move quicker, dodge attacks, and increase her effectiveness in stealth-based maneuvers.
Shyri sighed, her mind racing. She didn’t want to rely solely on magic or combat—balance was key. But how could she achieve that?
“If I focus too much on magic, I’ll be vulnerable up close… but if I ignore my magical potential, I’ll be wasting all of the power I’ve unlocked,” Shyri thought, her gaze flicking between the stats. “I need to be fast… I need to be strong… but I also need control over my spells.”
She closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the echoes of the training in her mind. Fung’s words rang in her ears: It’s not about raw power. It’s about precision, control, and balance.
“That’s it,” she whispered to herself. “Balance.” With a clearer mind, Shyri made her decisions.
As she allocated the points, she felt a subtle shift in her body and mind. Her muscles seemed slightly more responsive, and her connection to the elemental forces felt sharper. Her mana reserves felt deeper, and her mind clearer.
Next, Shyri turned to the Skill Points. The training with Fung had opened up a series of new abilities, each one tied to her dark magic and elemental manipulation.
These skills were crucial, but she also saw her earlier combat abilities and dark magic spells waiting for more investment. Upgrading these existing skills would allow her to improve them to a higher level.
After a moment of deliberation, Shyri decided to enhance her magic manipulation with her shadow magic intertwining it within her base skills.
With her decisions made, Shyri felt a surge of energy course through her, as if the very world around her acknowledged her growth. Her shadow magic felt sharper, and she knew that, next time she faced an enemy, her strikes would be more powerful, her spells more precise. The dark pulse of magic hummed just beneath her skin, waiting to be unleashed.
She closed the stat sheet, her mind clear and focused. The next phase of her training would test her new abilities, and with the balance she had chosen, she was ready for whatever challenges came her way.
Shyri sat on the edge of her bed, still feeling the lingering power of her recent training. The memory of the shadowy courtyard and the surge of magic within her made her eager to dive back into the game. But she knew she needed to step away for a bit. With a simple thought, she mentally called up the in-game clock—a small, translucent icon that floated in front of her vision.
"5 hours…" Shyri whispered to herself, blinking in surprise. It hadn’t felt like that long, but the immersive nature of the game made it easy to lose track of time.
Her stomach growled in agreement, reminding her that, while she was mastering dark magic and combat skills, she had neglected something important: food. Shyri sighed, knowing it was time to take a break.
“Guess I should eat before I pass out,” she muttered with a grin.
She quickly checked her progress once more, feeling satisfied with the levels and skills she had gained. Logging off, Shyri felt the familiar rush of reality returning as the game faded from view. She stretched, her body feeling slightly stiff from sitting for so long, and got up from her chair.
“I’ll just grab something quick,” she thought, glancing at the clock on her wall. “Then I can get back into it. Just a few more hours…”
With a renewed sense of purpose, Shyri—or rather, the player behind her—headed to the kitchen, already planning her next moves in the game as she fixed herself a meal.
This moment shows a balance between in-game immersion and the need for real-life breaks, adding a bit of relatability to Shyri's gaming experience.