After the combat class, the trio attended two more sessions: "Dungeons" and "Monsters." The lessons were dense, filled with information about the various creatures that roamed Eldraus and the labyrinthine dungeons that haunted the land. Kaelen, however, found his mind drifting, his thoughts consumed by a singular goal, gaining experience points.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the academy, Kaelen's determination reached its peak.
"I need to level up," he declared, his eyes burning with resolve.
The Dallas brothers exchanged glances, recognizing the familiar spark of ambition.
"Then let's head east," Alex suggested. "There's a small forest beyond the academy grounds."
---
The trio made their way towards the eastern edge of the academy, where the cultivated grounds gave way to untamed wilderness. The transition was stark, manicured lawns and orderly paths replaced by wild grasses and ancient trees. A tall gate, woven from thick vines and reinforced with wooden beams, stood as the boundary between the academy and the forest.
A stern-looking guard stood watch, his arms crossed.
"No kids under level 20 are allowed inside the forest," he stated firmly.
Alex stepped forward, a confident smile on his face. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned his system interface, revealing a purple-hued prompt
Name: Alex Dallas
Age: 9
Class: Berserker
Rank: Silver
Level: 51
The guard's eyes widened in surprise, and even Kaelen was taken aback.
"You're level 51 at nine years old?" Kaelen exclaimed. "Is leveling really that easy?"
Jered chuckled. "You really are an idiot. We're the Dallas family. Even I, who just awakened this year, already am level 13."
Kaelen's eyes narrowed with determination. "Then I'll reach level 20 today."
Jered scoffed. "You wish."
Alex turned to the guard. "I can take care of both of them. May we pass through?"
The guard hesitated before nodding. "Fine, but remember animals can mutate unexpectedly. Be cautious."
Ignoring the warning, the trio stepped into the forest.
---
The forest enveloped them in a tapestry of sights and sounds. Towering trees with gnarled trunks that reached towards the sky, their branches forming a dense canopy that filtered the fading sunlight into dappled patterns on the forest floor. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and blooming flora. Moss-covered rocks filled the landscape, and the distant chirping of birds added a melodic undertone to the rustling leaves.
Kaelen's eyes scanned the ground until he spotted a small worm wriggling through the soil. Without hesitation, he stomped on it. A system prompt appeared before him
You have killed a bug. +0.00001 EXP
His jaw dropped. "Why is it so little? At this rate, it'll take forever."
Jered smirked. "At least he knows how to count."
Alex approached. "Check your status and tell us how much EXP you need to reach level 1."
Kaelen focused, and his status appeared:
0.00001 / 100,000 EXP
"It says 100,000 EXP," he replied. "Wait, how many bugs do I have to kill? I can't count that high."
Jered's eyes widened. "A hundred thousand for level one? That's insane. For normal people, it's just 10 EXP. I'm a gold-system awakener, so mine was 100 EXP, and my brother's was 1,000."
He continued, "Did you know that the EXP required for the next level doubles each time?", as Kaelen's face turned pale he laughed "Hahaha, look at his face, Alex!"
Kaelen's mind raced. "1,000 for level 1, 2,000 for level 2, 4,000 for level 3... Then for level 50... Wait, it's too much. I don't even know what it's called after level 20."
Jered laughed. "That's why I'm telling you, you may not reach level 50 your entire life."
Kaelen clenched his fists. "Huh, if Alex can reach it, so can I."
Jered smirked. "That's because we're Dallas. We're filthy rich; money is never a problem for us. I'll help you if you become my slave. Muhahaha!"
A swift smack to his head from Alex silenced him.
Alex turned to Kaelen. "There's no need to be discouraged. I heard that Tristan Maglor reached level 300 with his black system. If he can do it, so can you."
Kaelen nodded, determination reignited. But Alex himself doubted.
---
They ventured deeper into the forest, the canopy above growing denser, casting elongated shadows that danced with the wind. The underbrush thickened, and the air grew cooler, filled with the earthy aroma of decaying leaves and blooming fungi. Kaelen continued his relentless pursuit, squashing every insect he encountered. The Dallas brothers occasionally caught birds and rodents, handing them to Kaelen to dispatch. Despite their efforts, the EXP gains were minuscule compared to Kaelen's vast requirement.
" Oh this will take forever, why don't you just use the XP given to you by your parents" Jered suggested.
"Eh my dad gave me XP, I didn't know" Kaelen, shocked by this revelation he continued " then I'll use that to level up".
"Oh Alex this kid is so dumb, should I beat some sense into him" Jered replied clearly annoyed.
Alex with a cool tone " then I shall show you the same", then turning towards Kaelen he said "all the XP in our system storage has been removed when we enter the portal".
Jered, very shocked, said "What!? you serious because this ain't funny".
Kaelen very downcast "Then what should I do".
" Not only that, even our item has been sealed and we can't use it. But don't worry this is a trial to make us stronger" Alex encouraged both of them.
After two hours, the forest began to darken, the sun's rays barely penetrating the thick foliage. Visibility waned, and the sounds of nocturnal creatures began to emerge. Recognizing the growing danger, the trio decided to return, carrying the small animals they had collected for a modest meal.