SSS Ranked Summoning: I Became The Hero Of Another World

Ethan and Max stood in the center of the courtyard, the warm sun casting long shadows across the field.

Selene watched them with an expression that was part stern and part amused.

With a flick of her wrist, shimmering targets appeared in the air — glowing orbs of translucent energy that hovered a few feet off the ground.

"Your task is simple," Selene said. "Strike the targets with your spells. Accuracy and control are far more important than power at this stage."

Max cracked his knuckles, his grin wide. "Piece of cake. How hard could it be to hit a floating ball?"

Ethan gave him a side glance, lips twitching in mild amusement. "Pretty sure that confidence is going to get you in trouble."

Max pointed at the nearest orb, lightning already sparking faintly in his hand. "Watch and learn, my dude."

He thrust his hand forward, releasing a crackling arc of electricity.

The spell sizzled through the air, missing the orb by a wide margin and hitting the ground with a sharp zap. Max froze, his cocky grin faltering as he stared at the charred spot in the dirt.

"Uh… warm-up shot," he said quickly, avoiding Selene's unimpressed gaze.

Ethan suppressed a laugh, focusing instead on his own target.

Taking a deep breath, he raised his hand, summoning the warmth of mana within him. He pictured the firebolt in his mind, its heat and shape, and released it with a snap of his wrist.

The firebolt streaked through the air, hitting the target dead center. The orb wavered briefly before disappearing in a faint shimmer.

Ethan exhaled in relief, a small sense of accomplishment bubbling up.

"Not bad," Selene said, nodding approvingly. "But that was stationary. Combat is rarely so predictable."

She waved her hand again, and the remaining orbs began to move — slow, deliberate arcs through the air. Max groaned.

"Seriously?" he muttered. "They move now?"

"Consider this a test of how well you can adapt," Selene replied.

Ethan squared his shoulders, stepping toward the next target.

The moving orb was harder to track, its shimmering glow blurring as it glided in a figure-eight pattern. He waited for the right moment, his fingers twitching with anticipation.

The firebolt left his hand, striking the orb on its edge. It wobbled violently but didn't disappear.

"You lack precision," Selene observed. "Anticipate its path, not where it is."

Ethan nodded, a little embarrassed but determined to improve.

Meanwhile, Max finally managed to hit his first moving target. The lightning arc connected with a satisfying crack, and the orb vanished.

He turned to Ethan, smug once again.

"See? Told you I'd get it," Max said, waggling his eyebrows.

"Yeah, after three tries," Ethan shot back, rolling his eyes.

"Enough chatter," Selene said sharply. "Now we move to your secondary spells."

She turned her gaze to Ethan. "Barrier requires focus. It's a spell of defense, not offense, and will demand much of your concentration. Summon it now."

Ethan nodded, feeling a faint weight settle over him.

He extended his hand again, focusing on the sensation of protection and stability. Slowly, a translucent dome of golden light shimmered into existence around him.

The barrier was solid and reassuring, but Ethan could feel it sapping his energy.

His brow furrowed as he tried to maintain its form, the edges of the dome flickering faintly.

"Good," Selene said. "But remember, this spell must be sustained. You cannot afford to let your focus waver in the heat of battle."

Ethan gritted his teeth as the barrier wavered again, the strain building in his chest.

He tried to hold it steady, but the flickering intensified before the dome collapsed entirely.

Selene raised an eyebrow. "A fair attempt, but you must train your mind as much as your body to maintain it."

Ethan wiped sweat from his forehead, nodding in acknowledgment.

Selene turned to Max. "Mana Burst is versatile, but its true strength lies in its application. Show me how you intend to use it."

Max grinned, eager to prove himself. "Watch this."

He closed his eyes, focusing on the flow of mana in his body.

With a grunt of effort, a faint blue aura enveloped him, his muscles surging with energy.

"Alright, here goes!" he said, charging at one of the targets.

He swung his fist toward the orb, the mana enhancing his movement. The blow connected, and the orb shattered instantly. Max whooped, turning to Selene triumphantly.

"Not bad, right?"

Selene's expression didn't change. "You have demonstrated raw power, but can you use it with precision in combat?"

"Uh… sure," Max said, though his confidence wavered.

Selene raised her hand, creating two smaller targets that zipped around unpredictably. "Hit those with Mana Burst. Go on."

Max frowned but obliged, summoning the blue aura again. He lunged at the first target, his fist missing by a wide margin.

"Okay, that was a fluke," he muttered, trying again. This time, he connected with the edge of the target but stumbled as the spell faltered, the mana dissipating before he could follow up.

Selene folded her arms. "Mana Burst is not brute strength. It is finesse, agility, and adaptability. You must master its flow if you wish to use it effectively."

Max sighed, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, yeah. I get it. Needs work."

Selene gave a curt nod. "At least you're honest."

Ethan couldn't resist a small laugh. "So much for piece of cake, huh?"

Max shot him a look. "Hey, don't get cocky just because you can light a candle."

Selene clapped her hands, drawing their attention. "Enough banter. Training is not about success on the first day. It is about persistence. You both have potential, but you are far from ready."

Ethan and Max exchanged a glance, both feeling the weight of her words. They weren't just here to learn — they were here to survive. And survival meant they needed to be better.

"Tomorrow," Selene continued, her tone softening slightly, "we will begin combat training with magic. For now, reflect on what you've learned today."

As she turned to leave, Max whispered to Ethan, "Think we'll ever impress her?"

Ethan smirked. "Not if you keep missing."

Selene dispersed the targets and walked away.

"You're free to explore the premises, there's even a library,"