Just Another Reincarnation

IMPORTANT!!! This was NOT written by Einlion. Enjoy. 
MC POV:
Climbing to the top of the giant tree was the right choice. All the other trees were at most half as tall, so I had a clear view as far as my eyes could reach. That allowed me to spot a river, flowing around five hundred meters away, with relative ease, thus securing a source of drinkable water.
I hope my immunity to poisons and illnesses is still active.
After climbing down the tree, I immediately went towards the river. Like before, the forest was silent, excluding the noises I made by moving through the bushes. The fact it was so devoid of life, combined with my lowered stats gave me creeps. For the first time in a long while, I felt fear.
Fortunately, that also increased my pace, allowing me to reach the river faster. Once there, I stayed for quite a while hoping to find fishes or animals trying to quench their thirst.
Unfortunately, I have seen none, once again suggesting that this forest is void of life other than plants and mushrooms.
Since it would be wrong to return empty-handed, I decided to make a container for water. I used the big leaves and tree bark to give it form and tree sap to make it stick together and then imbued some of my Origin energy, hoping for the best. Fortunately, that did the trick, as no water leaked, and it didn't seem like the container would break anytime soon.
I put it inside the inventory, thankful for the fact it wasn't restricted, excluding the fact it was empty and started heading back to the tree.
On my way back, I found a few fruit-bearing trees, including apple trees, so I gathered them all and put them inside the inventory.
At least for the time being, I don't have to worry about food. Though, I would love to eat some meat...
That thought left me as quickly as it came to me, for a very simple reason.
Unless my or someone else's life depends on it, I am not going to kill animals. There is nothing enjoyable in it, and if there were no butchers, I would probably become a vegetarian. Not to mention that I don't know how to gut or skin an animal.
Also, animals in my current world are much smarter than the ones from my past life.
How did I find out about this? Because I can fricking understand them! The Orb can even translate what animals are saying.
I got stupified after hearing two cats talking, or rather, complaining about their owners for the first time. At this point, I doubt they are much different from humans, and some may be smarter.
While thinking about such things, I returned to the big tree.
***
It has been a month, and I am still inside the forest. Not much has changed, excluding the weather becoming hotter and the improvements I made towards my base inside the tree.
I wish I had my own Senku with me.
I have been steadily making it more and more habitable over the past month by adding self-made furniture, such as chairs, bed, and whatever I could think of.
Since my stats are restricted, there is a good chance that any training will go to waste. That being the case, I decided to focus on craftsmanship and improving my energy control. I have already read a lot about the former, as it's an ability that appears in most isekais, be it blacksmithing or alchemy. As for the latter, I suspect it has something to do with the condition to awaken my body innate. There must be a reason I was left with some energy and the ability to use [Healing Magic].
However, I didn't focus only on these.
Believing it's better to know the surroundings of my base rather than not, and in hope of finding some clues, I have been scouting the area within the thousand-meter radius of the giant tree.
Other than some rather bizarre stone formations, caves, plants, and fruits, I found nothing.
***
It has been half a year since I appeared in this forest, or rather... Fucking hell!
The temperature still keeps rising, and if it keeps going like this, a wildfire will start any day from now. Everything would already be on fire if not for the high humidity, but that alone makes it hard to bear.
These days, excluding the times I eat and drink, I sit crosslegged while circulating the energy inside of me and using a small amount of healing magic. These two allowed me to somehow adapt to the environment, but a regular person would already die.
If not for the inventory, I would have already run out of food long ago. I can't go outside as even with my body somehow adapting to the temperature, any contact with the sun would result in heavy burns.
When will this be over...
***
Three more months have passed.
On the bright side, the temperature is gradually falling, and once again, I am capable of going outside and gathering food.
On the not-so-bright side, two and half a month ago, everything went up in flames and kept burning for a week.
I don't remember the last time I felt so much pain, and if not for the fact I kept using [Healing Magic] and coursing the energy, I would have died. My skin and hair kept burning while my insides boiled. I couldn't even scream as opening my mouth would let the fire inside.
As I writhed in agony while desperately healing and keeping myself alive, I felt a sudden change inside my body. Part of my energy started flowing, without my intervention, from my energy core to my back. Unline the rest of Origin inside my body, that part had a defined attribute, but it wasn't something I was familiar with. It wasn't an element like fire or water but something that seemed to carry a particular concept. I was in no state to properly focus on it, but it gave me a feeling of 'laziness' if that makes sense.
Then, it started to form a pattern on my back. It was a circle made up of runes with a seven-pointed star in the middle. As soon as its form became clear, I felt even more energy moving from my core and gathering on one of the points of the star. Once enough energy gathered there, it condensed in the form of a greenish flame before abruptly expanding and enveloping my body in seconds.
I felt most of my energy reserves were gone, but so was the pain. The sea of flames no longer affected me in any negative way. It just felt warm.
"Was this my body type innate...?" I muttered to myself. It was a side effect of living alone for an extended period.
However, there was one problem with that. If I truly awakened my innate, the test should have already ended, yet I am still here.
"I guess burning alive was nowhere near enough..."
***
Today, five years have passed since I started this test.
After the burning hell, there were a few months of respite before the shit hit the fan again. Or should I say it fucking nuked the fan out of existence? The temperature started dropping even more rapidly than it previously increased, covering the recovering greenery in ice.
Once again, I had to sit cross-legged while using [Healing Magic] and coursing the energy to stay alive. My skin kept cracking while the spilled blood froze, covering me with a layer of red ice. That went on for a week or so before my body reached its limit. At that time, the energy that previously saved me from burning alive kicked in again. The strange shape on my back formed, the energy condensed, and the greenish flame enveloped my body, turning the frigid cold into a light chill. Just like last time, the pattern on my back disappeared, but after checking out my back, using the ice as a mirror, I confirmed that some traces of it remained.
A week after that happened the forest entered another recovery period, which, as I found out, is the natural cycle here and likely the reason no animals live here. All the plants regenerated in days, making it seem like the sea of flames and the following ice age was a lie. They must have gone through countless disasters gaining a powerful regenerative ability.
I know that because as soon as the forest recovered, another abnormality in the weather followed. This time it was the turn of lightning. It started with small electrical currents appearing in the middle of the forest, like snakes waiting for their prey. They became stronger with each day, accompanied by lightning strikes from above. When it reached its climax, lightning struck everywhere, making the night as bright as day.
Of course, most of it focused on the tree I inhabited, and just like with the previous two disasters, I got saved by the mysterious energy and the outburst of greenish flames.
The cycle of these disasters, my body adapting to them, and the recovery of the forest repeated continuously. I have faced natural disasters such as earthquakes, changes in gravity, wind as sharp as blades, floods combined with hurricanes, and many more.
Each time the pattern on my back became more prominent, now resembling a tattoo. I instinctually know that the next time I use it, it will become complete.
Rather worryingly, I also feel like a disaster far greater than all I have faced so far is coming.
***
Proving me right, a mother of all disasters struck a few days later.
It was utter chaos, an amalgamation of every cataclysm so far and more. Wild currents of energy of various attributes flew everywhere, and the space itself seemed to bend and tear apart.
Amid all that, I sat cross-legged, engulfed in the greenish flames. With the pattern becoming more pronounced, I learned how to move my energy into it, converting it into the 'lazy' energy and later into the greenish flames. I no longer had to endure while healing and coursing the Origin as I did at the start, waiting for the energy to appear on its own.
With that came another change. A pair of bull-like horns and tiger ears sprouted on my head, and a tiger-like tail extended from my tailbone. A strange and powerful feeling of laziness pervaded my whole body. My hair grew longer, and its color changed from brown to black, with a light green luster. My arms and legs covered a tiger fur reaching the elbows and knees. Both my hands and feet developed black claws.
With these changes, my ability to maintain the flames and adapt rapidly increased, having no problem adapting to the chaotic space around me. At the same time, a feeling to 'fuck it all and take nap' also rapidly grew inside me, the effect of the 'lazy' energy on my mind.
I kept my inner struggle while the chaos kept increasing in magnitude.
And then, I felt it. The flames around me exploded outwards, calming down the chaos itself, 'putting it to sleep', while a primal roar came out of my throat. Following it, a feeling of sleepiness beyond anything I experienced so far overtook me, and I lost conscience.
***
"Ugh..." I groaned while waking up. I was inside the bedroom of the Living Quarters.
Next to me was Selen. She was asleep. It seems she had to bring me here and look after me since it's unlikely I appeared here after finishing the test.
I started inspecting my body while trying not to wake her up. It's good that the transformation isn't permanent. Having to explain to my parents why suddenly my body grew a tail, horns and fur would feel quite awkward. Not to mention that I don't think there are clothes for people like that.
"Status..." I muttered.
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///Status///
Name: Arthur Yuki
Race: Human
Title: Little Genius, Boss
Mental Age: ~35
Physical Age: ~25
Potential: Lvl: 3, Grade: EX
Existential Level: Lvl: 3, Grade: E
Affinity: All
State: Normal, Excited
///Attributes///
Vitality: Lvl: 3, Grade: S
Toughness: Lvl: 3, Grade: F
Endurance: Lvl: 3, Grade: E
Strength: Lvl: 3, Grade: E
Agility: Lvl: 3, Grade: D
Dexterity: Lvl: 3, Grade: E+
Energy Reserves: Lvl: 3, Grade: B
Energy Quality: EX
Luck: Lvl: 1, Grade: D
///Skills///
//Passive//
[Perfect Memory: Lvl: 7, Grade: EX], [Negative Status Effect Immunity: Lvl: 7, Grade: EX], [Drawing: Lvl: 2, Grade: S], [Information Processing: Lvl: 3, Grade: S], [Cooking: Lvl: 2, Grade: S], [Body Control: Lvl: 3, Grade: E], [Energy Perception: Lvl: 3, Grade: A], [Inner Energy Flow: Lvl: 3, Grade: SSS], [Outer Energy Flow: Lvl: 2, Grade: B], [Swordsmanship: Lvl: 2, Grade: EX], [CQC: Lvl: 2, Grade: EX], [Pain Tolerance: Lvl: 3, Grade: E], [Instinct: Lvl: 2, Grade: EX], [Healing Magic: Lvl: 2, Grade: B], [Curse Arts: Lvl: 2, Grade: A], [Craftsmenship: Lvl: 1, Grade: A], [Desire Perception: Lvl: 2, Grade: E]
//Active//
[Even Further Beyond: Lvl 3, Grade: B], [Domination: Lvl 3, Grade: S], [Telekinesis: Lvl 3, Grade: B], [Clean: Lvl: 1, Grade: S]
//Special//
[Breath of Heaven and Hell: Lvl 3, Grade: E], [Acedia; Lvl: 3, Grade: C]
///Innates///
Name: [Orb of Desires], Type: Gift, Lvl: 7, Grade: EX
Name: [Indomitable Will], Type: Spirit, Lvl: 3, Grade: A
Name: [Body of Seven Sins], Type: Body, Lvl: 3, Grade: C
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Seeing the various increases in Lvl and the addition of a new innate, a smile sprouted on my face. I have quite a bit to check and analyze. However...
"Let's take nap and check it out later," I muttered and snuggled closer to Selen. 'I worked hard so I can act lazy for a bit.' I thought and went to sleep.

IMPORTANT!!! This was NOT written by Einlion. Enjoy. 
MC POV:
Now then, I guess it's time to properly check out my status.
----------------------------------------
///Status///
Name: Arthur Yuki
Race: Human
Title: Little Genius, Boss
Mental Age: ~35
Physical Age: ~25
Potential: Lvl: 3, Grade: EX
Existential Level: Lvl: 3, Grade: E
Affinity: All
State: Normal, Excited
///Attributes///
Vitality: Lvl: 3, Grade: S
Toughness: Lvl: 3, Grade: F
Endurance: Lvl: 3, Grade: E
Strength: Lvl: 3, Grade: E
Agility: Lvl: 3, Grade: D
Dexterity: Lvl: 3, Grade: E+
Energy Reserves: Lvl: 3, Grade: B
Energy Quality: EX
Luck: Lvl: 1, Grade: D
///Skills///
//Passive//
[Perfect Memory: Lvl: 7, Grade: EX], [Negative Status Effect Immunity: Lvl: 7, Grade: EX], [Drawing: Lvl: 2, Grade: S], [Information Processing: Lvl: 3, Grade: S], [Cooking: Lvl: 2, Grade: S], [Body Control: Lvl: 3, Grade: E], [Energy Perception: Lvl: 3, Grade: A], [Inner Energy Flow: Lvl: 3, Grade: SSS], [Outer Energy Flow: Lvl: 2, Grade: B], [Swordsmanship: Lvl: 2, Grade: EX], [CQC: Lvl: 2, Grade: EX], [Pain Tolerance: Lvl: 3, Grade: E], [Instinct: Lvl: 2, Grade: EX], [Healing Magic: Lvl: 2, Grade: B], [Curse Arts: Lvl: 2, Grade: A], [Craftsmenship: Lvl: 1, Grade: A], [Desire Perception: Lvl: 2, Grade: E], [Embodiment of Nature: Lvl: 3, Grade: C]
//Active//
[Even Further Beyond: Lvl 3, Grade: B], [Domination: Lvl 3, Grade: S], [Telekinesis: Lvl 3, Grade: B], [Clean: Lvl: 1, Grade: S]
//Special//
[Breath of Heaven and Hell: Lvl 3, Grade: E], [Acedia; Lvl: 3, Grade: C]
///Innates///
Name: [Orb of Desires], Type: Gift, Lvl: 7, Grade: EX
Name: [Indomitable Will], Type: Spirit, Lvl: 3, Grade: A
Name: [Body of Seven Sins], Type: Body, Lvl: 3, Grade: C
----------------------------------------
First, as expected, my potential and existential level entered level 3. My other stats, excluding Energy reserves, didn't change, but I am not surprised since they reached level 3 before I awakened my second innate ability.
In contrast to my stats, the level of [Indomitable Will], and the active skills originating from it, have increased. It's either a result of my existential level increasing or because I was able to endure the pain during the challenge with the innate sealed.
I also acquired four new skills, [Craftsmenship], [Desire Perception], [Embodiment of Nature], and [Acedia]. The first one originates from all the furniture and other things I made in the forest. As for the other three, my best guess is that acquired them in the process of awakening the [Body of Seven Sins].
----------------------------------------
Name: [Body of Seven Sins]
Type: Body
Lvl: 3, Grade: C
Passive: The user's body gets more attuned to the attributes of the unlocked transformation.
Passive: [Desire Perception] - Allows the user to feel the desires of other creatures and related energy.
Active: The user can transform into a demon corresponding to one of the seven sins. Each sin increases specific stats and unlocks racial abilities.
Current forms: [Sloth]
-WARNING-
This description is based only on the analysis of user feats until now. Skill can improve and change freely based on the user's perspective and mentality.
----------------------------------------
It seems I was right. In addition, it passively increases my attunement with some attributes, but which ones exactly?
Let's just check the information about [Sloth].
----------------------------------------
[Sloth]
Race: Behemoth, Primordial Sin of Sloth
Attributes: Earth, Life, Nature, Adaptation
Abilities: [Acedia], [Size Enlargment],[Embodiment of Nature]
----------------------------------------
Behemoth? Shouldn't it be Baphomet? Also, since when adaptation is an attribute? I can understand the other ones, but this?
Sigh, let's not question it too much. It's most likely my lacking knowledge. I will just add demons to my reading list and research it later. Now, the abilities.
----------------------------------------
[Acedia]
Lvl: 3, Grade: C
The essence of sloth. Nothing in the world will stop you from taking a nap.
Passive: The body adapts to the environment and attacks over time, developing resistance.
Active: The body rapidly adapts to the environment and attacks at the cost of your stamina and/or energy, developing resistance.
Acquired resistance: [Fire: Level: 2, Grade: D], [Lightning: Level: 2, Grade: D],...+
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
[Size Enlargment]
Lvl: 1, Grade: A
Behemoths are well known for their gigantic size.
Active: Allows you to increase your size and defense at the cost of stamina and/or energy while decreasing your speed.
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
[Embodiment of Nature]
Lvl: 3, Grade: C
Your body gives an aura as if you were a walking forest.
Passive: Beasts and plants are drawn to you and won't attack unless provoked.
Passive: Beasts and plants around you grow faster and more powerful.
----------------------------------------
Jackpot!!!
Just the first transformation already provides me with three new abilities. If this trend continues, I should be able to acquire at least twenty-one abilities in total, three for each transformation.
The only problem is finding enough time to awaken and train all of them...
Well, I will worry about how to unlock the other forms once I am done with what I have. The Challenge Room should be able to help me with that since it also allows me to train the mastery over innates, not just regular skills.
Anyway, time to test out how strong that transformation makes me without the restrictions of the Challenge Room.
With that thought in mind, I started circulating the energy of a sloth and instantly realized the difference. Now that I could use [Indomitable Will] again, the urge of lying down and falling asleep nearly completely disappeared, or rather got suppressed.
I started performing some stretches and simple exercises, and in the process discovered a dramatic increase in my body's flexibility. Not just that. I could tell that my Strength, Speed, and Toughness got doubled. It didn't appear in the status, but I could estimate that much based on the results of the exercises. All my senses also seemed sharper, like a predator ready to hunt.
I changed the Training Room into a forest of three-hundred-meter-tall trees and started jumping around.
It was fun, to say the least, as my current body made it a lot easier than usual. Since I had claws, I could use them to stick to the trees, while my increased flexibility and the addition of the tail allowed me to perform actions that would throw me off balance in normal circumstances.
After having enough playing around it was time to test the [Size Enlargment] skill. Its level and grade were low compared to my other skills, but that could be attributed to the fact that I have never used it before.
First, I tried to use it on my whole body. In a matter of seconds, my body increased from 190 cm to 570 cm, tripling my height and multiplying my weight by 27 times.
The energy consumption wasn't that bad compared to the decrease in speed. Every move made me feel like I was enveloped in some viscous substance, while the force behind them carried my hands and legs further than intended.
On the positive side, my body became even sturdier, and with a bit of practice, I will get used to the weight difference.
Now, let's test partial enlargement.
I returned my body to its base size and started enlarging my right hand. Soon, it became three times bigger, but to my surprise, I could feel that wasn't the limit. It kept growing until it became nearly as big as my whole enlarged body, making me feel completely off balance. The only reason I could keep it above the ground was my superhuman strength, otherwise, it would be completely useless.
I focused on a nearby tree and slammed my enlarged hand against it, pulverizing it in the process. The moment my hand and the surface of the tree met, a loud sound resounded throughout the forest. In a manner, not that dissimilar to an explosion, splinters got sent everywhere, and a cloud of dust arose.
"*Whistle* If I can decrease the time it takes to enlarge my body this will become a valid option for attack," I muttered to myself in amazement.
"Just don't waste it by increasing the size of your dick," Selen commented with a smirk while entering the Training Room.
"That's..." I tried to defend myself but couldn't refute such thoughts flashing in my head after confirming the possibility of partial enlargement.
"These ears suit you," she said after coming closer and giving me a once-over. "You should keep them," she added, her tail swaying behind.
"I didn't expect the [Embodiment of Nature] to affect you as well," I said.
"Only to some extent, but a normal beast person would have likely fall for you," Selen replied. "I am simply happy that we now have more in common," she added.
"That makes the two of us," I said.
After that, we exited the Training Room and spent some time playing games (still transformed). Then, I went to the Challenge Room and started another skill-grinding session.

IMPORTANT!!! This was NOT written by Einlion. Enjoy. 
MC POV:
After taking a long nap, I woke up in a markedly better mood.
I still felt a bit pissed off by the stunt Matrucks pulled on me, but at the very least, now I know Selen's true feelings. I will secure another opportunity with my own hands!
There are also the incredible rewards I received. Even excluding the number of Shop Points and the two new functions, everything else should be enough to compensate me for that prank, and I have no proof he planned it. The notification came at the exact time I appeared in this world ten years ago, so it's reasonable to think it has been set up beforehand.
Let's forget about it and focus on the more important matters.
First, I decided to enter the Training Room and test out the zanpakuto.
I pulled it out of the inventory and started going through the stances of [Breath of Heaven and Hell] to familiarize myself with it.
"Amazing..." I muttered to myself.
Everything about the blade seemed to fit me perfectly. It wasn't too long nor too short. The weight was just right, and I felt no discomfort while holding it.
"Time to see how sharp it is," I said and instantly summoned the strongest training puppet I fought.
Training puppets are artificial beings generated by the Training Room. I prefer to use them in the form of robots and golems, but they can take on any shape. The Training Room can emulate any environment, and its only minus is that it has no time dilation function, so it wasn't much of a surprise when I tried to create an artificial opponent and succeeded.
The first time I tried to fight against a puppet resembling a human, I passed off after experiencing the feeling of cutting through flesh and getting covered in its blood.
To adapt to it faster, I started creating monsters that each time resembled humans more and more. It was a lot easier since humans rarely feel guilty about hurting beings they consider ugly, and these would make the ugly-bastard tag look pretty.
After shaking my head to get rid of these wayward thoughts, I took a proper stance, and the puppet did the same.
Then, I took off like a rocket creating a massive sonic boom while preparing to perform a slash with both of my hands. In contrast to my expectations, despite the puppet's attempt at intercepting my sword with its own, I passed through it as if nothing had happened.
I looked back at it in confusion, but after a moment, I understood what transpired, as the upper body of the puppet, together with half of its blade, fell to the ground.
"Holy shit!" I exclaimed.
I knew that the sword would become sharp due to the influence of the Origin, but not THAT sharp.
"Just a golem won't be enough to test it..." I commented and took a glance at my current status.
----------------------------------------
///Status///
Name: Arthur Yuki
Race: Human
Title: Little Genius, Boss
Mental Age: ~30
Physical Age: ~25
Potential: Lvl: 2, Grade: EX
Existential Level: Lvl: 2, Grade: EX
Affinity: All
State: Normal, Excited
///Attributes///
Vitality: Lvl: 3, Grade: S
Toughness: Lvl: 3, Grade: F
Endurance: Lvl: 3, Grade: E
Strength: Lvl: 3, Grade: E
Agility: Lvl: 3, Grade: D
Dexterity: Lvl: 3, Grade: E+
Energy Reserves: Lvl: 3, Grade: D
Energy Quality: EX
Luck: Lvl: 1, Grade: D
///Skills///
//Passive//
[Perfect Memory: Lvl: 7, Grade: EX], [Negative Status Effect Immunity: Lvl: 7, Grade: EX], [Drawing: Lvl: 2, Grade: S], [Information Processing: Lvl 3, Grade: S], [Cooking: Lvl: 2, Grade: S], [Body Control: Lvl: 3, Grade: E], [Energy Perception: Lvl: 3, Grade: A], [Inner Energy Flow: Lvl: 3, Grade: SSS], [Outer Energy Flow: Lvl: 2, Grade: B], [Swordsmanship: Lvl: 2, Grade: EX], [CQC: Lvl: 2, Grade: EX], [Pain Tolerance: Lvl 3, Grade: E], [Instinct: Lvl: 2, Grade: EX], [Healing Magic: Lel: 2, Grade: B], [Curse Arts: Lvl: 2, Grade: A]
//Active//
[Even Further Beyond: Lvl 2, Grade: EX], [Domination: Lvl 3, Grade: E], [Telekinesis: Lvl 2, Grade: EX], [Clean: lvl: 1, Grade: S]
//Special//
[Breath of Heaven and Hell: Lvl 3, Grade: E]
///Innates///
Name: [Orb of Desires], Type: Gift, Lvl: 7, Grade: EX
Name: [Indomitable Will], Type: Spirit, Lvl: 2, Grade: SSS
----------------------------------------
I went a long way from what I was able to do five years ago.
Firstly, my stats already reached the Level 3 threshold, despite my Potential and Existential Level still being stuck at the pinnacle of Level 2. As these two only show how easy it is to advance and how much influence you have over the world around you, they don't prevent me from reaching Level 4 or 5 stats if I put my mind to it. However, it also shows me that it won't be that hard to awaken my next innate, and the only thing I need is the right stimulus.
Secondly, all my skills are in the upper grade of Level 2 or higher. In particular, my [Inner Energy Flow] is near the peak of Level 3. It's mainly due to how easy it is to control the Origin while it remains inside my body, as The Orb helps me keep my form stable. The opposite can be shown by looking at my [Outer Energy Flow], whose Level and Grade are the lowest among all my skills. Due to Origin being even above Level 7 energies, I can barely control it with the help of [Indomitable Will] due to my existential level being significantly lower and the record itself trying to absorb it to grow.
The Training Room emulated it without my knowledge, and once I turned it off, the difference was astonishing. It was like everywhere I spread my energy became a part of me. It was a level of control only a god possessed in their domain.
Lastly, I learned [Healing Magic] and [Curse Arts]. The first one is to help others if they become sick or if an accident happens, as well as to be able to fight longer. If I can heal my wounds during a fight, then I will be able to keep going as long as my head isn't blown off.
As expected, I learned [Curse Arts] to help Latifa. I am still lacking, but in around five years, I should be able to lift her curse. It will also be useful once I meet an enemy not worth killing but still deserving a punishment.
"I will fight some more, go to meditate in the library with my sword, and then go to the Challenge Room," I muttered to myself.
***
After crossing the door to the Challenge Room, I found a circular room with nine sets of different doors with strange runes and symbols. At the center of the room was an ancient-looking altar set on a platform. The room was dim, with a white floor and eight columns surrounding the altar, and upon closer inspection, I realized runes covered them as well.
The walls were pitch black, and the dim light made it impossible to see the ceiling.
"As I previously explained, these nine doors, starting from the left, lead to nine tests responsible for mind, body, spirit, emission, absorption, mitigation, creation, manipulation, and sensory abilities," Selen said.
"Why are there still nine doors? I already awakened my Spirit innate, didn't I?" I inquired.
"Yes, but you can still use it to improve and develop them further," Selen replied.
"I see," I said and started pondering which innate to awake.
After a while, I got left with two final choices, Body and Perception. The first would enhance my existing capabilities, while the second would increase my precision and likely allow me to see the world in a new way.
"Let's go with the Body. I would rather enhance what I already have than another ability to train," I said and moved towards one of the nine doors.
"Good luck," Selen said with a slight smile.
"Thanks, see you in a moment," I replied and crossed the door, disappearing from the Challenge Room.
&nbsp;
Upon crossing the doors, I entered an empty, black room, then the doors disappeared after closing, and the black room turned into a forest.
Around me was nothing but an endless expanse of trees and bushes, while above my head, through an opening between tree branches and leaves, I could see the fragment of the beautiful blue sky.
Both trees and all the plants around me were a lot bigger than the ones I was used to, reminding me of the forest seen in Naruto.
"Well, I guess having some fun can't hurt," I muttered and jumped at the nearby tree.
Or at least I tried to, as, soon after, I had a passionate kiss with the ground.
"What the hell..." I grumbled while massaging my face, then started exercising to check my body's condition.
After a while, I concluded that all my abilities got significantly reduced. This included my skills, as I couldn't use anything other than [Healing Magic], and even that seemed to be straining my energy reserves. To add insult to the injury, the [Indomitable Will] also got sealed.
What can be the theme of this challenge? Survival?
Deciding to shelve such thoughts for later, I focused on what's important at the moment.
While it's still a day, I should look for a place to spend the night. Tree branches aren't my favorite place to sleep, and I need to look for a source of food and fresh water.
I stood up and started walking.
After a few hours, the only thing I found was a humongous tree. It was around a hundred meters tall, and its trunk had a radius of roughly five meters. Despite having an opening big enough for 3 people to enter, around 30 meters above the ground, the tree was still alive and full of vitality.
I started climbing the tree to check if the opening was inhabited.
Now that I think about it, the forest was eerily quiet and devoid of any life. Perhaps the animals ran away because I was too loud.
I shook my head to regain my focus. After the [Indomitable Will] got sealed, my old habits of brooding over everything returned.
The inside of the tree was filled with moss that gave off a green light. Besides the moss, some mushrooms, and a few plants there was nothing. No bugs and no traces of it ever being inhabited.
Ok, this becomes creepy. I can understand animals, but even bugs?
*Sigh* I guess I won't find anything better for home.
With that in mind, I decided to climb to its peak to get a look at the surrounding forest.

Chapter 19: Eerie Forest