diff --git a/src/common/rpg/components/inventory.ts b/src/common/rpg/components/inventory.ts
index 65a389e..eea3216 100644
--- a/src/common/rpg/components/inventory.ts
+++ b/src/common/rpg/components/inventory.ts
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ export class Inventory extends Component<InventoryState> {
      * `slotId` specifies which inventory slot to use from (otherwise any slot is used).
      */
     @action
-    async use(arg?: string | { itemId?: string; slotId?: SlotId }, ctx?: EvalContext): Promise<boolean> {
+    use(arg?: string | { itemId?: string; slotId?: SlotId }, ctx?: EvalContext): boolean {
         const resolved = this.#resolveItem(arg);
         if (!resolved) return false;
         const { itemId, slotId } = resolved;
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ export class Inventory extends Component<InventoryState> {
 
         if (usable.consumeOnUse) this.remove({ itemId, amount: 1, slotId });
 
-        await usable.use(ctx ?? this.context);
+        usable.use(ctx ?? this.context);
         return true;
     }
 
diff --git a/src/common/rpg/components/item.ts b/src/common/rpg/components/item.ts
index b728102..8b520ac 100644
--- a/src/common/rpg/components/item.ts
+++ b/src/common/rpg/components/item.ts
@@ -46,11 +46,11 @@ export class Usable extends Component<UsableState> {
     @variable get consumeOnUse(): boolean { return this.state.consumeOnUse; }
 
     @action
-    async use(arg?: EvalContext, ctx?: EvalContext): Promise<void> {
+    use(arg?: EvalContext, ctx?: EvalContext): void {
         ctx = arg ?? ctx ?? this.context;
         if (!ctx) return;
         for (const action of this.state.actions) {
-            await executeAction(action, ctx);
+            executeAction(action, ctx);
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/common/rpg/core/world.ts b/src/common/rpg/core/world.ts
index 8d01784..d519a05 100644
--- a/src/common/rpg/core/world.ts
+++ b/src/common/rpg/core/world.ts
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ export abstract class Component<TState = Record<string, unknown>> {
 export abstract class System {
     onAdd(_world: World): void { }
     onRemove(_world: World): void { }
-    async update(_world: World, _dt: number): Promise<void> { };
+    update(_world: World, _dt: number): void { };
 }
 
 type ComponentFilter<T> = (component: T) => boolean;
@@ -316,8 +316,10 @@ export class World {
         }
     }
 
-    async update(dt: number): Promise<void> {
-        for (const system of this.#systems) await system.update(this, dt);
+    update(dt: number) {
+        for (const system of this.#systems) {
+            system.update(this, dt);
+        }
     }
 
     emit(entityId: string, event: string, data?: unknown): void {
diff --git a/src/common/rpg/systems/combat.ts b/src/common/rpg/systems/combat.ts
index 2c2e3e2..51d6992 100644
--- a/src/common/rpg/systems/combat.ts
+++ b/src/common/rpg/systems/combat.ts
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import { System, World } from "../core/world";
 let hitEffectCounter = 0;
 
 export class CombatSystem extends System {
-    override async update(world: World): Promise<void> {
+    override update(world: World) {
         for (const [target] of world.query(Attacked)) {
             const health = target.get(Health);
             if (!health) {
diff --git a/src/common/rpg/systems/cooldown.ts b/src/common/rpg/systems/cooldown.ts
index 9ebece7..023abd8 100644
--- a/src/common/rpg/systems/cooldown.ts
+++ b/src/common/rpg/systems/cooldown.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import { Cooldown } from "../components/cooldown";
 import { System, type World } from "../core/world";
 
 export class CooldownSystem extends System {
-    override async update(world: World, dt: number): Promise<void> {
+    override update(world: World, dt: number) {
         for (const [, , cooldown] of world.query(Cooldown)) {
             cooldown.update(dt);
         }
diff --git a/src/common/rpg/systems/effect.ts b/src/common/rpg/systems/effect.ts
index 7063377..928f885 100644
--- a/src/common/rpg/systems/effect.ts
+++ b/src/common/rpg/systems/effect.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import { Effect } from "../components/effect";
 import { System, type Entity, type World } from "../core/world";
 
 export class EffectSystem extends System {
-    override async update(world: World, dt: number): Promise<void> {
+    override update(world: World, dt: number) {
         const expired: [Entity, string][] = [];
 
         for (const [entity, key, effect] of world.query(Effect)) {
diff --git a/src/common/rpg/systems/quest.ts b/src/common/rpg/systems/quest.ts
index 1f6f111..4518842 100644
--- a/src/common/rpg/systems/quest.ts
+++ b/src/common/rpg/systems/quest.ts
@@ -27,12 +27,12 @@ export class QuestSystem extends System {
         this.#tracking.clear();
     }
 
-    override async update(world: World, _dt: number): Promise<void> {
+    override update(world: World) {
         for (const [entity, key, questLog] of world.query(QuestLog)) {
             if (!this.#tracking.has(entity.id)) {
                 this.#initTracking(entity, key, questLog);
             }
-            await this.#diffAndCheck(entity, world);
+            this.#diffAndCheck(entity, world);
         }
 
         // Prune tracking for entities that no longer exist
@@ -45,9 +45,9 @@ export class QuestSystem extends System {
     }
 
     /** Force a full re-evaluation of all active quests. Use as an escape hatch. */
-    async triggerCheck(world: World): Promise<void> {
+    triggerCheck(world: World) {
         for (const [entity] of world.query(QuestLog)) {
-            await this.#checkEntity(entity, world, 'all');
+            this.#checkEntity(entity, world, 'all');
         }
     }
 
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ export class QuestSystem extends System {
         }
 
         // Keep tracking fresh as quest state changes
-        const onStarted = async ({ data }: { data?: unknown }) => {
+        const onStarted = ({ data }: { data?: unknown }) => {
             const { questId } = data as { questId: string };
             const quest = questLog.getQuest(questId);
             const state = questLog.getState(questId);
@@ -76,15 +76,15 @@ export class QuestSystem extends System {
             if (stage) {
                 this.#addQuestVars(tracking, questId, stage);
                 // Evaluate immediately — conditions may already be satisfied at start
-                await this.#checkEntity(entity, entity.world, new Set([questId]));
+                this.#checkEntity(entity, entity.world, new Set([questId]));
             }
         };
 
-        const onStage = async ({ data }: { data?: unknown }) => {
+        const onStage = ({ data }: { data?: unknown }) => {
             const { questId, stage } = data as { questId: string; stage: QuestStage };
             this.#removeQuestVars(tracking, questId);
             this.#addQuestVars(tracking, questId, stage);
-            await this.#checkEntity(entity, entity.world, new Set([questId]));
+            this.#checkEntity(entity, entity.world, new Set([questId]));
         };
 
         const onDone = ({ data }: { data?: unknown }) => {
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ export class QuestSystem extends System {
         }
     }
 
-    async #diffAndCheck(entity: Entity, world: World): Promise<void> {
+    #diffAndCheck(entity: Entity, world: World) {
         const tracking = this.#tracking.get(entity.id);
         if (!tracking || tracking.varToQuests.size === 0) return;
 
@@ -145,10 +145,10 @@ export class QuestSystem extends System {
             }
         }
 
-        if (dirty.size > 0) await this.#checkEntity(entity, world, dirty);
+        if (dirty.size > 0) this.#checkEntity(entity, world, dirty);
     }
 
-    async #checkEntity(entity: Entity, world: World, filter: Set<string> | 'all'): Promise<void> {
+    #checkEntity(entity: Entity, world: World, filter: Set<string> | 'all') {
         const questLog = entity.get(QuestLog);
         if (!questLog) return;
 
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ export class QuestSystem extends System {
 
             if (!stage.objectives.every(o => evaluateCondition(o.condition, ctx))) continue;
 
-            for (const action of stage.actions) await executeAction(action, ctx);
+            for (const action of stage.actions) executeAction(action, ctx);
             questLog._advance(questId);
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/common/rpg/utils/variables.ts b/src/common/rpg/utils/variables.ts
index e4c52ee..24ae8b4 100644
--- a/src/common/rpg/utils/variables.ts
+++ b/src/common/rpg/utils/variables.ts
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ interface Contextable {
     readonly context: EvalContext;
 }
 
-export async function executeAction(action: RPGAction, ctx: EvalContext | Contextable): Promise<unknown> {
+export function executeAction(action: RPGAction, ctx: EvalContext | Contextable): unknown {
     if (typeof action === 'string') {
         action = { type: action };
     }
diff --git a/test/common/rpg/combat.test.ts b/test/common/rpg/combat.test.ts
index 14f2df2..7bbb757 100644
--- a/test/common/rpg/combat.test.ts
+++ b/test/common/rpg/combat.test.ts
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ function world() {
 }
 
 describe('CombatSystem — damage', () => {
-    it('reduces target health by damage value', async () => {
+    it('reduces target health by damage value', () => {
         const w = world();
         const sword = w.createEntity('sword');
         sword.add('dmg', new Damage({ value: 20, damageType: 'physical' }));
@@ -22,11 +22,11 @@ describe('CombatSystem — damage', () => {
         const target = w.createEntity('target');
         target.add('health', new Health({ value: 100, min: 0 }));
         target.add('atk', new Attacked({ attackerId: 'attacker', sourceId: 'sword' }));
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
         expect(target.get(Health)!.value).toBe(80);
     });
 
-    it('defense on target reduces damage', async () => {
+    it('defense on target reduces damage', () => {
         const w = world();
         const sword = w.createEntity('sword');
         sword.add('dmg', new Damage({ value: 20, damageType: 'physical' }));
@@ -35,11 +35,11 @@ describe('CombatSystem — damage', () => {
         target.add('health', new Health({ value: 100, min: 0 }));
         target.add('armor', new Defense({ value: 8, damageType: 'physical' }));
         target.add('atk', new Attacked({ attackerId: 'attacker', sourceId: 'sword' }));
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
         expect(target.get(Health)!.value).toBe(88);
     });
 
-    it('defense only applies to matching damage type', async () => {
+    it('defense only applies to matching damage type', () => {
         const w = world();
         const spell = w.createEntity('spell');
         spell.add('dmg', new Damage({ value: 20, damageType: 'fire' }));
@@ -48,11 +48,11 @@ describe('CombatSystem — damage', () => {
         target.add('health', new Health({ value: 100, min: 0 }));
         target.add('armor', new Defense({ value: 8, damageType: 'physical' }));
         target.add('atk', new Attacked({ attackerId: 'attacker', sourceId: 'spell' }));
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
         expect(target.get(Health)!.value).toBe(80);
     });
 
-    it('minDamage is enforced when defense exceeds damage', async () => {
+    it('minDamage is enforced when defense exceeds damage', () => {
         const w = world();
         const sword = w.createEntity('sword');
         sword.add('dmg', new Damage({ value: 5, damageType: 'physical', minDamage: 3 }));
@@ -61,22 +61,22 @@ describe('CombatSystem — damage', () => {
         target.add('health', new Health({ value: 100, min: 0 }));
         target.add('armor', new Defense({ value: 10, damageType: 'physical' }));
         target.add('atk', new Attacked({ attackerId: 'attacker', sourceId: 'sword' }));
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
         expect(target.get(Health)!.value).toBe(97);
     });
 
-    it('null sourceId falls back to Damage on attacker', async () => {
+    it('null sourceId falls back to Damage on attacker', () => {
         const w = world();
         const attacker = w.createEntity('attacker');
         attacker.add('dmg', new Damage({ value: 15, damageType: 'physical' }));
         const target = w.createEntity('target');
         target.add('health', new Health({ value: 100, min: 0 }));
         target.add('atk', new Attacked({ attackerId: 'attacker', sourceId: null }));
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
         expect(target.get(Health)!.value).toBe(85);
     });
 
-    it('multiple attacks in one tick accumulate', async () => {
+    it('multiple attacks in one tick accumulate', () => {
         const w = world();
         const sword = w.createEntity('sword');
         sword.add('dmg', new Damage({ value: 10, damageType: 'physical' }));
@@ -85,11 +85,11 @@ describe('CombatSystem — damage', () => {
         target.add('health', new Health({ value: 100, min: 0 }));
         target.add('atk1', new Attacked({ attackerId: 'a', sourceId: 'sword' }));
         target.add('atk2', new Attacked({ attackerId: 'a', sourceId: 'sword' }));
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
         expect(target.get(Health)!.value).toBe(80);
     });
 
-    it('Attacked components are removed after processing', async () => {
+    it('Attacked components are removed after processing', () => {
         const w = world();
         const sword = w.createEntity('sword');
         sword.add('dmg', new Damage({ value: 5, damageType: 'physical' }));
@@ -97,53 +97,53 @@ describe('CombatSystem — damage', () => {
         const target = w.createEntity('target');
         target.add('health', new Health({ value: 100, min: 0 }));
         target.add('atk', new Attacked({ attackerId: 'a', sourceId: 'sword' }));
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
         expect(target.has(Attacked)).toBeFalse();
     });
 
-    it('missing attacker entity skips attack gracefully', async () => {
+    it('missing attacker entity skips attack gracefully', () => {
         const w = world();
         const target = w.createEntity('target');
         target.add('health', new Health({ value: 100, min: 0 }));
         target.add('atk', new Attacked({ attackerId: 'ghost', sourceId: null }));
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
         expect(target.get(Health)!.value).toBe(100);
     });
 
-    it('missing source entity skips attack gracefully', async () => {
+    it('missing source entity skips attack gracefully', () => {
         const w = world();
         w.createEntity('attacker');
         const target = w.createEntity('target');
         target.add('health', new Health({ value: 100, min: 0 }));
         target.add('atk', new Attacked({ attackerId: 'attacker', sourceId: 'gone' }));
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
         expect(target.get(Health)!.value).toBe(100);
     });
 
-    it('source with no Damage component skips attack gracefully', async () => {
+    it('source with no Damage component skips attack gracefully', () => {
         const w = world();
         w.createEntity('attacker');
         w.createEntity('empty_source');
         const target = w.createEntity('target');
         target.add('health', new Health({ value: 100, min: 0 }));
         target.add('atk', new Attacked({ attackerId: 'attacker', sourceId: 'empty_source' }));
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
         expect(target.get(Health)!.value).toBe(100);
     });
 
-    it('target with no Health component is skipped gracefully', async () => {
+    it('target with no Health component is skipped gracefully', () => {
         const w = world();
         const sword = w.createEntity('sword');
         sword.add('dmg', new Damage({ value: 10, damageType: 'physical' }));
         w.createEntity('attacker');
         const target = w.createEntity('target');
         target.add('atk', new Attacked({ attackerId: 'attacker', sourceId: 'sword' }));
-        await w.update(1); // should not throw
+        w.update(1); // should not throw
     });
 });
 
 describe('CombatSystem — on-hit effects', () => {
-    it('onHit effect is applied to target on hit', async () => {
+    it('onHit effect is applied to target on hit', () => {
         const w = world();
         const sword = w.createEntity('sword');
         sword.add('dmg', new Damage({ value: 10, damageType: 'physical' }));
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ describe('CombatSystem — on-hit effects', () => {
         const target = w.createEntity('target');
         target.add('health', new Health({ value: 100, min: 0 }));
         target.add('atk', new Attacked({ attackerId: 'attacker', sourceId: 'sword' }));
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
         expect(target.get(Health)!.value).toBe(85); // 100 - 10 dmg - 5 burn modifier
         expect(target.getAll(Effect).length).toBe(1);
     });
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ describe('CombatSystem — on-hit effects', () => {
         expect(sword.get(Stat, 'str')!.value).toBe(50);
     });
 
-    it('onHit effect expires on target after duration', async () => {
+    it('onHit effect expires on target after duration', () => {
         const w = world();
         const sword = w.createEntity('sword');
         sword.add('dmg', new Damage({ value: 5, damageType: 'physical' }));
@@ -175,16 +175,16 @@ describe('CombatSystem — on-hit effects', () => {
         const target = w.createEntity('target');
         target.add('health', new Health({ value: 100, min: 0 }));
         target.add('atk', new Attacked({ attackerId: 'attacker', sourceId: 'sword' }));
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
         const afterHit = target.get(Health)!.value; // 85
-        await w.update(2); // burn expires
+        w.update(2); // burn expires
         expect(target.getAll(Effect).length).toBe(0);
         expect(target.get(Health)!.value).toBe(afterHit + 10); // modifier reverted
     });
 });
 
 describe('CombatSystem — events', () => {
-    it("emits 'hit' on target with attack info", async () => {
+    it("emits 'hit' on target with attack info", () => {
         const w = world();
         const sword = w.createEntity('sword');
         sword.add('dmg', new Damage({ value: 10, damageType: 'fire' }));
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ describe('CombatSystem — events', () => {
         const hits: unknown[] = [];
         target.on('hit', ({ data }) => hits.push(data));
         target.add('atk', new Attacked({ attackerId: 'attacker', sourceId: 'sword' }));
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
         expect(hits.length).toBe(1);
         expect((hits[0] as any).damageType).toBe('fire');
         expect((hits[0] as any).amount).toBe(10);
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ describe('CombatSystem — events', () => {
         expect((hits[0] as any).sourceId).toBe('sword');
     });
 
-    it("emits 'kill' when target health reaches zero", async () => {
+    it("emits 'kill' when target health reaches zero", () => {
         const w = world();
         const sword = w.createEntity('sword');
         sword.add('dmg', new Damage({ value: 999, damageType: 'physical' }));
@@ -212,11 +212,11 @@ describe('CombatSystem — events', () => {
         const kills: unknown[] = [];
         target.on('kill', ({ data }) => kills.push(data));
         target.add('atk', new Attacked({ attackerId: 'attacker', sourceId: 'sword' }));
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
         expect(kills.length).toBe(1);
     });
 
-    it("does not emit 'kill' when target survives", async () => {
+    it("does not emit 'kill' when target survives", () => {
         const w = world();
         const sword = w.createEntity('sword');
         sword.add('dmg', new Damage({ value: 5, damageType: 'physical' }));
@@ -226,11 +226,11 @@ describe('CombatSystem — events', () => {
         const kills: unknown[] = [];
         target.on('kill', ({ data }) => kills.push(data));
         target.add('atk', new Attacked({ attackerId: 'attacker', sourceId: 'sword' }));
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
         expect(kills.length).toBe(0);
     });
 
-    it("emits 'hit' per attack when multiple attacks land", async () => {
+    it("emits 'hit' per attack when multiple attacks land", () => {
         const w = world();
         const sword = w.createEntity('sword');
         sword.add('dmg', new Damage({ value: 5, damageType: 'physical' }));
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ describe('CombatSystem — events', () => {
         target.on('hit', ({ data }) => hits.push(data));
         target.add('atk1', new Attacked({ attackerId: 'a', sourceId: 'sword' }));
         target.add('atk2', new Attacked({ attackerId: 'a', sourceId: 'sword' }));
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
         expect(hits.length).toBe(2);
     });
 });
diff --git a/test/common/rpg/cooldown.test.ts b/test/common/rpg/cooldown.test.ts
index b541d1a..10d81d7 100644
--- a/test/common/rpg/cooldown.test.ts
+++ b/test/common/rpg/cooldown.test.ts
@@ -136,33 +136,33 @@ describe('Cooldown — update(dt)', () => {
 });
 
 describe('CooldownSystem', () => {
-    it('drives all cooldowns each tick', async () => {
+    it('drives all cooldowns each tick', () => {
         const w = world();
         const e = w.createEntity();
         e.add('cd', new Cooldown(2));
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
         expect(e.get(Cooldown, 'cd')!.state.remaining).toBe(1);
     });
 
-    it('marks cooldown ready after enough ticks', async () => {
+    it('marks cooldown ready after enough ticks', () => {
         const w = world();
         const e = w.createEntity();
         e.add('cd', new Cooldown(2));
         const events: unknown[] = [];
         e.on('cd.ready', () => events.push(true));
-        await w.update(1);
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
         expect(events.length).toBe(1);
         expect(e.get(Cooldown, 'cd')!.ready).toBeTrue();
     });
 
-    it('handles multiple cooldowns on different entities', async () => {
+    it('handles multiple cooldowns on different entities', () => {
         const w = world();
         const a = w.createEntity('a');
         const b = w.createEntity('b');
         a.add('cd', new Cooldown(1));
         b.add('cd', new Cooldown(3));
-        await w.update(2);
+        w.update(2);
         expect(a.get(Cooldown, 'cd')!.ready).toBeTrue();
         expect(b.get(Cooldown, 'cd')!.ready).toBeFalse();
     });
diff --git a/test/common/rpg/effect.test.ts b/test/common/rpg/effect.test.ts
index 50702c1..260625c 100644
--- a/test/common/rpg/effect.test.ts
+++ b/test/common/rpg/effect.test.ts
@@ -54,61 +54,61 @@ describe('Effect — onAdd / onRemove', () => {
 });
 
 describe('Effect — duration', () => {
-    it('expires after duration ticks', async () => {
+    it('expires after duration ticks', () => {
         const { w, e, stat } = withStat(10);
         e.add('fx', new Effect('str', 5, 'value', 2));
         expect(stat.value).toBe(15);
 
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
         expect(e.has(Effect)).toBeTrue();
 
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
         expect(e.has(Effect)).toBeFalse();
         expect(stat.value).toBe(10);
     });
 
-    it('emits expired before removal', async () => {
+    it('emits expired before removal', () => {
         const { w, e } = withStat(10);
         e.add('fx', new Effect('str', 1, 'value', 1));
         const events: string[] = [];
         e.on('fx.expired', () => events.push('expired'));
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
         expect(events).toEqual(['expired']);
     });
 
-    it('reset() restarts timer', async () => {
+    it('reset() restarts timer', () => {
         const { w, e, stat } = withStat(10);
         e.add('fx', new Effect('str', 5, 'value', 2));
-        await w.update(1.5);
+        w.update(1.5);
         e.get(Effect, 'fx')!.reset();
-        await w.update(1.5); // would have expired without reset
+        w.update(1.5); // would have expired without reset
         expect(e.has(Effect)).toBeTrue();
         expect(stat.value).toBe(15);
     });
 
-    it('reset(duration) changes duration', async () => {
+    it('reset(duration) changes duration', () => {
         const { w, e } = withStat(10);
         e.add('fx', new Effect('str', 5, 'value', 1));
         e.get(Effect, 'fx')!.reset(10);
-        await w.update(5);
+        w.update(5);
         expect(e.has(Effect)).toBeTrue();
     });
 
-    it('clear() immediately expires effect', async () => {
+    it('clear() immediately expires effect', () => {
         const { w, e, stat } = withStat(10);
         e.add('fx', new Effect('str', 5, 'value', 100));
         e.get(Effect, 'fx')!.clear();
-        await w.update(0.01);
+        w.update(0.01);
         expect(e.has(Effect)).toBeFalse();
         expect(stat.value).toBe(10);
     });
 });
 
 describe('Effect — permanent', () => {
-    it('permanent effect is never removed by EffectSystem', async () => {
+    it('permanent effect is never removed by EffectSystem', () => {
         const { w, e, stat } = withStat(10);
         e.add('fx', new Effect('str', 5));
-        await w.update(100);
+        w.update(100);
         expect(e.has(Effect)).toBeTrue();
         expect(stat.value).toBe(15);
     });
@@ -128,10 +128,10 @@ describe('Effect — scope: onHit', () => {
         expect(stat.value).toBe(10);
     });
 
-    it('EffectSystem does not tick or remove onHit effects', async () => {
+    it('EffectSystem does not tick or remove onHit effects', () => {
         const { w, e } = withStat(10);
         e.add('fx', new Effect('str', 5, 'value', 1, undefined, 'onHit'));
-        await w.update(10);
+        w.update(10);
         expect(e.has(Effect)).toBeTrue();
     });
 
diff --git a/test/common/rpg/inventory.test.ts b/test/common/rpg/inventory.test.ts
index d183db4..a3c5338 100644
--- a/test/common/rpg/inventory.test.ts
+++ b/test/common/rpg/inventory.test.ts
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ describe('Inventory — equip', () => {
 });
 
 describe('Inventory — use', () => {
-    it('executes Usable actions', async () => {
+    it('executes Usable actions', () => {
         const w = world();
         const player = w.createEntity('player');
         player.add('str', new Stat({ value: 10 }));
@@ -244,11 +244,11 @@ describe('Inventory — use', () => {
             usable: { actions: [{ type: 'str.update', arg: 5 }], consumeOnUse: false },
         });
         player.get(Inventory)!.add({ itemId: 'potion', amount: 1 });
-        await player.get(Inventory)!.use({ itemId: 'potion' });
+        player.get(Inventory)!.use({ itemId: 'potion' });
         expect(player.get(Stat, 'str')!.value).toBe(15);
     });
 
-    it('consumes item when consumeOnUse is true', async () => {
+    it('consumes item when consumeOnUse is true', () => {
         const w = world();
         const player = w.createEntity('player');
         player.add('inv', new Inventory());
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ describe('Inventory — use', () => {
             usable: { actions: [], consumeOnUse: true },
         });
         player.get(Inventory)!.add({ itemId: 'herb', amount: 3 });
-        await player.get(Inventory)!.use({ itemId: 'herb' });
+        player.get(Inventory)!.use({ itemId: 'herb' });
         expect(player.get(Inventory)!.getAmount('herb')).toBe(2);
     });
 });
diff --git a/test/common/rpg/quest.test.ts b/test/common/rpg/quest.test.ts
index 928ec96..8727b86 100644
--- a/test/common/rpg/quest.test.ts
+++ b/test/common/rpg/quest.test.ts
@@ -371,38 +371,38 @@ describe('Quests.validate', () => {
 // ── QuestSystem — objective completion ────────────────────────────────────────
 
 describe('QuestSystem — objective completion', () => {
-    it('completes single-stage quest when objective is satisfied', async () => {
+    it('completes single-stage quest when objective is satisfied', () => {
         const w = world();
         const { vars, questLog } = makePlayer(w, [simpleQuest()]);
 
         questLog.start('q1');
         vars.set({ key: 'done', value: true });
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
 
         expect(questLog.getState('q1')?.status).toBe('completed');
     });
 
-    it('does not complete quest while objective is unsatisfied', async () => {
+    it('does not complete quest while objective is unsatisfied', () => {
         const w = world();
         const { questLog } = makePlayer(w, [simpleQuest()]);
 
         questLog.start('q1');
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
 
         expect(questLog.getState('q1')?.status).toBe('active');
     });
 
-    it('does not process inactive quests', async () => {
+    it('does not process inactive quests', () => {
         const w = world();
         const { vars, questLog } = makePlayer(w, [simpleQuest()]);
 
         vars.set({ key: 'done', value: true });
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
 
         expect(questLog.getState('q1')?.status).toBe('inactive');
     });
 
-    it('runs stage actions before advancing', async () => {
+    it('runs stage actions before advancing', () => {
         const w = world();
         // action sets vars.reward = true on the player entity
         const quest = simpleQuest('q1', [{ type: 'vars.set', arg: { key: 'reward', value: true } }]);
@@ -410,7 +410,7 @@ describe('QuestSystem — objective completion', () => {
 
         questLog.start('q1');
         vars.set({ key: 'done', value: true });
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
 
         expect(questLog.getState('q1')?.status).toBe('completed');
         expect(vars.state.vars['reward']).toBe(true);
@@ -418,7 +418,7 @@ describe('QuestSystem — objective completion', () => {
 });
 
 describe('QuestSystem — multi-stage progression', () => {
-    it('advances through stages as objectives are satisfied', async () => {
+    it('advances through stages as objectives are satisfied', () => {
         const w = world();
         const { vars, questLog } = makePlayer(w, [twoStageQuest()]);
 
@@ -426,34 +426,34 @@ describe('QuestSystem — multi-stage progression', () => {
 
         // satisfy stage 0
         vars.set({ key: 'step', value: 1 });
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
         expect(questLog.getState('q2')?.stageIndex).toBe(1);
         expect(questLog.getState('q2')?.status).toBe('active');
 
         // satisfy stage 1
         vars.set({ key: 'step', value: 2 });
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
         expect(questLog.getState('q2')?.status).toBe('completed');
     });
 
-    it('does not skip stages', async () => {
+    it('does not skip stages', () => {
         const w = world();
         const { vars, questLog } = makePlayer(w, [twoStageQuest()]);
 
         questLog.start('q2');
         vars.set({ key: 'step', value: 2 }); // would satisfy both stages
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
 
         // only advances one stage per tick
         expect(questLog.getState('q2')?.stageIndex).toBe(1);
 
-        await w.update(1); // second tick completes it
+        w.update(1); // second tick completes it
         expect(questLog.getState('q2')?.status).toBe('completed');
     });
 });
 
 describe('QuestSystem — fail conditions', () => {
-    it('fails quest when failCondition is met', async () => {
+    it('fails quest when failCondition is met', () => {
         const w = world();
         const quest: Quest = {
             id: 'q1',
@@ -471,12 +471,12 @@ describe('QuestSystem — fail conditions', () => {
 
         questLog.start('q1');
         vars.set({ key: 'failed', value: true });
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
 
         expect(questLog.getState('q1')?.status).toBe('failed');
     });
 
-    it('fail condition takes priority over objective completion', async () => {
+    it('fail condition takes priority over objective completion', () => {
         const w = world();
         const quest: Quest = {
             id: 'q1',
@@ -494,14 +494,14 @@ describe('QuestSystem — fail conditions', () => {
 
         questLog.start('q1');
         vars.set({ key: 'done', value: true });
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
 
         expect(questLog.getState('q1')?.status).toBe('failed'); // fail checked first
     });
 });
 
 describe('QuestSystem — multiple quests', () => {
-    it('tracks multiple quests independently', async () => {
+    it('tracks multiple quests independently', () => {
         const w = world();
         const player = w.createEntity('player');
         const vars = player.add('vars', new Variables());
@@ -520,7 +520,7 @@ describe('QuestSystem — multiple quests', () => {
         log.start('q2');
 
         vars.set({ key: 'done1', value: true }); // only q1's condition satisfied
-        await w.update(1);
+        w.update(1);
 
         expect(log.getState('q1')?.status).toBe('completed');
         expect(log.getState('q2')?.status).toBe('active');