After witnessing the terrifying consumption of Starfall, Clark opened his divine resource panel.
[Current Divinity: 240]
"I've burned through almost everything…"
He exhaled. Every divine skill came at a steep price. But since he was already inside the training space, it was time to test his second divine skill — Restoration.
"If I leave it untrained, it'll be useless when I need it most."
He navigated through the interface and selected Restoration. The system chimed.
[Activate Combat Training Mode?]
[Note: Combat Mode simulates real damage for healing practice. Divinity consumption applies normally.]
"Activate Combat Mode."
The void around him shifted. Illusory humanoid figures formed— training dummies with life-like features, programmed to attack and inflict real simulated injuries.
Without hesitation, the first figure lunged at Clark. A sharp ethereal blade slashed across his arm, leaving a glowing wound that radiated dull pain — not lethal, but enough to simulate true combat conditions.
Clark didn't flinch. Instead, he focused his will, calling out the skill name mentally.
"Restoration."
A soft green light blossomed around him like a flower opening under morning sun. Warmth surged through his body. The glowing wound closed instantly, skin knitting together as if it had never existed.
[Restoration Cast Successful]
[1000 Divine Essence Consumed]
[Proficiency +10%]
The drain came swiftly. The 1000 divine essence was equivalent to 10 points of divinity burned in an instant.
Clark grimaced slightly.
"At least the consumption is more manageable compared to Starfall..."
The second dummy attacked immediately — this time aiming for his leg. A deep cut opened, and again Clark invoked Restoration.
[Restoration Cast Successful]
[1000 Divine Essence Consumed]
[Proficiency 20%]
He repeated the process again and again, fully immersing himself in the cycle of injury and healing, feeling how the divine energy flowed through him with each cast. The warm radiance of Restoration's light spread wider with each attempt, as if adapting to his will.
Time passed quickly inside the void as more dummies approached and inflicted light wounds. Clark grew increasingly familiar with how the divine essence surged and mended the wounds perfectly.
[Restoration Proficiency 100% Reached — Skill has leveled up to Lv.2]
[New Effect: Slight Regeneration Over Time (5 seconds)]
[Updated Consumption: 2000 Divine Essence per cast]
Clark wiped the sweat from his brow, his breathing steady but his resources dangerously thin. He opened his panel once more:
[Remaining Divinity: 140]
He shook his head slightly.
"Every advancement comes with heavier consumption…"
But even so, his lips curled into a faint, satisfied smile.
After mastering both of his divine skills in the void, Clark stood silently for a moment. The faint hum of divine energy still pulsed beneath his skin.
But the real test was still ahead.
The system chimed again, offering him one last challenge.
[Special Training Mode: Duel Simulation Unlocked]
[Opponent: Simulated Rank 1 High God — Balanced Combat Type]
[Duration: 60 Seconds]
[Warning: Full Skill Usage Permitted. Actual Consumption Applies.]
Clark's eyes narrowed.
"Good. Let's see how these divine skills perform in true battle."
He selected Confirm.
The surrounding void trembled as reality shifted. The emptiness gave way to a massive coliseum of pure white marble, bathed in celestial light. Towering statues of unknown gods watched in silent judgment from every corner.
Across from him, his opponent materialized — a divine avatar with golden armor, two gleaming wings, and a cold, expressionless face. It carried a long radiant spear, its divine essence almost identical to Clark's.
The system counted down.
3... 2... 1... BEGIN.
The instant the countdown ended, the simulated god launched forward like a flash of light, spear lunging directly for Clark's chest.
Clark barely sidestepped, feeling the gust of divine wind whip past his face.
Without hesitation, he invoked his first offensive skill.
"Starfall!"
High above the arena, the void cracked open as multiple streaks of golden light burst forth like falling comets. The stars rained down in a tight five-meter radius where the opponent stood.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
The ground quaked under the celestial bombardment. Chunks of marble exploded as the god dodged left and right, but two of the falling stars managed to strike him directly, causing minor cracks to form across his radiant armor.
[4000 Divine Essence Consumed]
[Remaining Divinity: 100]
The opponent responded instantly, raising his hand as a blade of pure light formed mid-air and slashed toward Clark like a guillotine.
"Restoration!"
The strike grazed his shoulder, but the wound barely lasted a second before green divine light mended the flesh perfectly.
[2000 Divine Essence Consumed]
[Remaining Divinity: 80]
Clark gritted his teeth.
"The consumption is insane!"
His opponent lunged again, spear striking in a flurry of blows. Clark parried desperately, dodging and sidestepping with divine precision, but even a single mistake would be costly.
"Again!"
"Starfall!"
Another barrage of falling stars descended, this time with a wider radius due to its upgraded form. The simulated god couldn't escape them all. One massive star smashed into his opponent's side, shattering part of the golden armor.
A faint flash triggered—the 1% chance of true damage activated!
The simulated god staggered for the first time.
[Massive Critical Hit Registered.]
Clark pressed forward, but his divine essence was running dangerously low. He couldn't afford another Starfall cast.
The opponent, though damaged, refused to yield. It raised its spear for a final charge.
Clark's breathing quickened.
"One more Restoration!"
He cast the healing spell again just as the opponent's spear struck his thigh — preventing the wound from spreading.
[2000 Divine Essence Consumed]
[Remaining Divinity: 10]
Just as the simulated god prepared to strike once more, the system suddenly froze the scene.
[Simulation Complete — Duration: 60 Seconds Reached.]
[Evaluation: S-Rank Performance]
[Rewards: None (Training Mode)]
The golden opponent dissolved into tiny shards of light as the marble arena melted back into the void.
Clark stood in the empty space, sweat dripping down his temples, chest rising and falling heavily. His arms trembled—not from exhaustion, but from the overwhelming cost of divine combat.
"I see now… why divine battles can last for centuries."
The realization struck him fully. Power wasn't just strength — it was resources. Without a stable flow of faith and divinity, even gods would burn out rapidly.