《The Leviathan System》


 Chapter 1: The System

    <h4>Chapter 1: The System</h4>


    Ss ckwood''s eyes snapped open, his consciousness ripped from the depths of oblivion by a searing pain that threatened to split his skull in two. He groaned, lifting a hand to his forehead and massaging it with his fingers.


    A weird sensation in his chest caught his attention. It felt as if an invisible weight was pressing down on him. Looking down, his breath caught in his throat.


    His shirt was in tatters, but that was the least of his worries. A machine was embedded in his chest, its metal casing filled with intricate gears and pistons. Wires and tubes snaked beneath his skin, disappearing into his flesh.


    At the center of the contraption, a ss orb spun ceaselessly. Aser danced across its surface, etching mysterious patterns into the ss.


    Ss forced himself to calm down and think logically. Tearing it out wasn''t an option - he''d risk damaging the machine or himself. Like it or not, this thing was part of him now.


    He tried to piece together what had happened. Thest thing he remembered was finding a book on his mother''s old desk. When he''d opened it, a machine had sprung out, spraying purple smoke in his face. The same machine now integrated into his body.


    This had to be his mother''s creation. It must have a purpose. She''d been a brilliant scientist on Earth beforeing to Eldoria. Ever since he could remember, she worked tirelessly to treat his condition. This machine was likely the culmination of her efforts.


    With a grunt of effort, Ss pushed himself up off the ground, wobbling as he found his footing.


    His condition was rare and debilitating. Born unable to produce mana, his body still needed it to function. Without it, he''d die. In the magical world of Eldoria, this put him at a serious disadvantage. His only option was to take mana from other sources - people, animals, whatever he could find.


    Ss''s mind drifted to the day his mother was taken. Evelyn and his father, Aldrich, had ventured into the Deadfells in the Aetherwild. It was a ce strictly off-limits to all but the most elite, politically connected families and government officials.


    They''d been after a Leviathan mana core, prized for its vast stores of residual mana. All magical beings had a mana core - it produced mana, stored excess, and acted as a focal point for spells.


    Despite the risks, his parents had been determined to get that core for him. It would''ve given his body the mana he desperately needed.


    But they''d been caught. Mage knights swooped in and arrested his mother for trespassing. Being from Earth, she faced way harsher consequences than any Eldorian would.


    Eldoria had a long-standing grudge against Earth and its people. His father, despite also trespassing, got off scot-free. His status as a respected Eldorian citizen made him untouchable.


    The mage knights only cared about taking Evelyn. They never said where they were taking her, leaving Ss and his father in the dark with no way to find answers or get justice.


    Despite all this, they were able to retrieve the mana core. Before her arrest, she had fashioned it into a ne, so he would receive a constant stream of mana to keep him alive.


    A slight tingle in his ear snapped Ss back to the present. A familiar voice echoed in his head. "Ss. It''s wonderful to see you."


    "Mom?" Ss asked, his heart racing.


    "Hello, Ss," his mother''s voice replied warmly.


    "Why are you in my head?" Ss asked, equal parts confused and relieved.


    "I put a part of my soul into the machine inside you," his mother exined.


    "What''s it for?" Ss pressed, eager for answers.


    "It''ll help you learn magic and get stronger," she said, her voice tinged with worry. "I can''t let you die on the frontlines. I won''t. I''ve lost enough in my life. I can''t lose you too."


    "Oh," Ss said softly. "Thanks. I appreciate the help, but I kinda wish it didn''t involve surprise surgery," he added with a weakugh.


    After a moment of silence, Ss spoke again. "So, how do I work this thing? What can it do?"


    "You can ess the system menu just by thinking about it," Evelyn instructed.


    Ss focused his thoughts on the idea of a menu. To his amazement, a glowing interface materialized before his eyes.


    He navigated to the Skill Trees tab. Three distinct trees branched out: Neuromancy, Biomancy, and Essomancy.


    Under Neuromancy, a single skill glowed enticingly. "Learn," it read, "allows you to master any skill or spell with perfect recall."


    His eyes drifted to Biomancy, where another skill waited. "Drain," it said, "lets you steal mana from magical beings and learn one of their skills or spells."


    Under Essomancy, a third skill beckoned. "Essence Inspection," it proimed mysteriously, offering no other exnation.


    "These skillse frombining the system with your unique condition," his mother exined.


    Ss realized he hadn''t checked his own stats yet. He pulled up the screen with a thought:


    Stats:


    Name: Ss ckwood


    Species: Human


    HP: 10/10


    MP: 10/10


    Magical Affinities: Neuromancy, Biomancy, Essomancy


    Magical Deficiencies: All (except Neuromancy, Biomancy, Essomancy)


    Magical Voids: None


    Level: 1


    Exp: 0/10


    Strength: 10


    Agility: 10


    Stamina: 10


    Intelligence: 10


    Luck: 0


    Avable ability points: 10


    Level 1. It was like he was a character in one of those RPG games he used to y with his mom.


    His luck stat being 0 wasn''t surprising. With everything that had happened in his life, he''d have been shocked to have any luck at all.


    Ss decided to dump all ten of his avable ability points into luck. Couldn''t hurt, right?


    He wondered what luck actually did. In games, it could do all sorts of things. "Mom, what does luck do here?"


    "Luck affects all kinds of things," she replied. "There are too many to list. You''ll just have to find out as you go."


    "Ok, but how does it affect my luck? I don''t understand," Ss said.


    "Quantum mechanics," she replied.


    "Fair enough, I guess," Ss said. He could tell when he was in over his head.


    "I need you to do something for me," his mother''s voice said suddenly.


    "What is it?"


    "I need you to put the mana core from your ne into the machine."


    Ss looked down at the machine nervously. A hole opened in its center, revealing a cradle perfectly sized for a spherical object. He opened the cage on his ne, letting the mana core drop into his palm.


    "Why do I need to do this?"


    "You were born without a mana core," his mother exined. "You need one to cast spells properly."


    "But it''s a beast mana core," Ss protested. "Couldn''t that cause some weird side effects?"


    "Potentially," she admitted. "But do you have a spare human mana core lying around?"


    Ss sighed. "Alright, I''ll do it. But only because it''s literally my only option." He steeled himself and ced the mana core in the machine''s receptacle.


    The core was quickly pulled in, the hole sealing seamlessly behind it.


    "Well, that wasn''t so bad," Ss muttered.


    Suddenly, several pop-ups appeared in his vision, each apanied by a soft ''ding''.


    System Notification: Mana core sessfully assimted!


    System Notification: Would you like to perform essence inspection on the mana core?


    "Yes," Ss said, curiosity getting the better of him.


    Lines of text began popting his vision:


    Leviathan Mana Core Tier: 00


    Magical Affinities: None


    Magical Deficiencies: None


    Magical Voids: None


    Tier 00? Ss furrowed his brow. He''d never heard of such a thing. As far as he knew, tiers went from 10 up to 1. His father was a tier 1 sorcerer. Could 00 be even higher than that?


    Another line of text appeared, sending a chill down his spine:


    Physical changes initiating


    "Uh oh," Ss said, bracing himself for whatever came next.

 Chapter 2: Physical Changes

    <h4>Chapter 2: Physical Changes</h4>


    Searing pain shot through Ss''s entire body. His bones grew, muscles reshaped. Stabbing agony pierced his eyes and face. He blinked, hoping to alleviate the pain, but it persisted.


    The world blurred and distorted. Then, suddenly, the pain vanished. Ss stood up, cautiously optimistic. As his vision cleared, he was stunned by what he saw.


    Everything was crystal clear. He could make out details he''d never noticed before - the cracked spines of books on distant shelves, the intricate wood grain of the floorboards beneath his feet.


    Ss flexed his hands and forearms, watching in awe as his muscles rippled beneath his skin. He felt reborn, as if he could run a marathon with only mild effort.


    A notification shed: Stats screen updated.


    Ss called up the stats screen, eager to see the changes:


    Name: Ss ckwood


    Species: Hybrid: Human/Leviathan Larva


    Mana core: Leviathan


    Magical Affinities: Neuromancy, Biomancy, Essomancy


    Magical Deficiencies: None


    Magical Voids: None


    HP: 10/10


    MP: 21/25,000


    Level: 1


    Exp: 0/10


    Strength: 18


    Agility: 17


    Stamina: 16


    Intelligence: 10


    Luck: 10


    The changes to his strength, agility, and stamina were impressive but unsurprising - he could already feel the difference. The other alterations, however, piqued his curiosity.


    His species now read "Hybrid: Human/Leviathan Larva." While not entirely unexpected, the implications were intriguing. Clearly, the integration of the Leviathan mana core had altered his physical makeup, possibly down to the DNA level.


    The term "Leviathan Larva" particrly caught his attention. Did this imply developmental stages in his transformation? Would each progressive stage make him stronger? He could only assume so. But how many stages were there? How much stronger could he be?


    "Mom," Ss called out, addressing the AI system that housed his mother''s consciousness, "what does this Leviathan Larva thing mean? How many stages are there? What will they do?"


    "I can only specte, since I never had the opportunity to test the Leviathan core with the system," his mother''s voice replied. "But obviously, Larva is the first stage."


    "Right, but how many stages do you think there are? Like, how strong will I get?" Ss asked eagerly.


    "I''d estimate between 5 and 8 stages. Considering a leviathan is roughly 100 times stronger than a human, I''ll use the scientific term: ridiculously strong."


    "Thanks, Mom. Very helpful," Ss said sarcastically, but with a smile. Having even a semnce of his mother with him felt amazing. He hadn''t realized until now how much he''d missed her.


    His magical affinities remained unchanged, but his deficiencies were gone, reced by the beautiful word "None." And his MP... Ss blinked, making sure he was seeing it correctly. 21/25,000. His current MP had increased to 21, but his maximum mana capacity had skyrocketed to a staggering 25,000.


    While amazing, this also concerned him. He still couldn''t produce his own mana, and the mana core had been depleted to just 21 remaining points. It made sense - he''d been feeding off the mana core for years and using it to cast spells. It was bound to run out eventually.


    He didn''t know how much time this left him, but it couldn''t be much. A day at most. After that, he would either die or have to siphon mana from another source.


    Another notification appeared: New Level 1 Biomancy Skill: Venom Synthesis!


    Ss pulled up the Biomancy skill tree:


    Biomancy: Drain lv. 1 Venom Synthesis lv. 1


    He opened the venom synthesis skill.


    Venom Synthesis lv. 1: The ability to synthesize venom within your body with varying effects. Current effects avable: Paralysis


    A new skill already! He wasn''t thrilled that it implied he''d have to bite someone or something to use it, but it was better than nothing.


    Having assessed his system changes, Ss approached a mirror on the wall to check for physical alterations.


    As he studied his reflection, he was once again unsurprised to see differences, but in awe of how drastic and strange they were.


    Hard, ck scales had sprouted on his cheeks and jawline. His eyes had changed from a warm brown to a neon pink. The sclera, which should have been white, had darkened to an inky ck.


    Feeling something in his mouth, he opened wide to discover his canines had elongated and sharpened, resembling a snake''s fangs. This must be how he''d deliver venom to his targets.


    Stepping back, he noticed he''d grown taller, about an inch or two. His muscles were more defined and prominent, giving him the appearance of an athlete or fitness model. He flexed his arms, watching as his muscles strained against the remaining fabric of his sleeves.


    Despite the improvements, he knew the other changes posed a problem. How would he hide this at school? He could wear sunsses for his eyes, but would that be allowed in ss? It would certainly seem suspicious. And the scales - maybe he could remove them?


    Ss reached up and grasped one of the scales on his cheek. He pulled at it tentatively, afraid it might hurt, but found that it came away with only mild resistance. Relieved, he began plucking the scales from his face, wincing as each one detached from his skin with a strange, slick sensation. Beneath the scales, his flesh was smooth and slightly slimy to the touch. He quickly washed away the residue, revealing smooth, natural skin underneath.


    Having addressed his appearance issues, he felt better, but worried about what the future held. Wouldter stages in his transformation cause even more noticeable changes? Would the scales eventually be permanent?


    He had no way of knowing the answers to these questions. He could only press forward, taking each challenge as it came.


    Ss suddenly remembered the eptance letter in his pocket. Arcanium University, once the most prestigious institution for magical learning in the realm, had epted his application. As his father''s alma mater, it had been Ss''s first choice.


    But as he reread the letter, his joy turned to frustration and disappointment. The university had changed significantly since his father''s time. It had been transformed from a beacon of schrly pursuits into abat school designed to produce mage knights for the military.


    The letter spoke of rigorous training regimens, courses intended to hone battle magic and tactical thinking. It was vastly different from the stories his father had told, of long hours spent poring over ancient tomes and engaging in lively debates with fellow students.


    Ss sighed, cing the letter on his mother''s desk. He knew the war with the Fae had taken a toll on the magical world. The government had taken over many simr institutions to bolster their ranks. But knowing and seeing were two entirely different things. His heart ached and his blood boiled at the sight. He felt betrayed. He wanted to uncover the secrets of the universe, not learn how to kill more efficiently.


    And yet, Ss knew he had no choice. With an ongoing war against the Fae and a mandatory draft, he needed Arcanium University to learn how to survive on the battlefield. He refused to be cannon fodder.


    After all his parents had sacrificed for him, giving up wasn''t an option. He''dplete his tour of duty, then settle into a normal job. Maybe he could even be a professor at a regr magical college and finally invest in schrly pursuits.


    Ss reached for the system embedded in his chest, drawingfort from the hum of his mother''s presence.


    He grabbed a pair of aviator sunsses from his mother''s desk and put them on. Checking the mirror, he found they were reflective enough to hide his eyes, but he''d need a more permanent solution soon. He couldn''t wear the sses forever, especially not in ss.


    Ss hurried back upstairs to finish packing. As he passed his father in the hall, he suddenly pulled Aldrich into a long, tight hug. "I love you. Thank you for everything you''ve done for me."


    "I love you too, Ss," Aldrich said, returning the hug and patting his son''s back. "What brought this on?"


    "I was in Mom''s study. I just realized how much you and she have done for me."


    "You''re wee, son. I know it may not have seemed like it sometimes, but your parents care about you a lot."


    Ss ended the hug and walked to his room, leaving his father standing there, stunned. "He''s not on drugs, is he?" Aldrich muttered. "No, that can''t be it."


    In his room, Ss tugged on his luggage harder than necessary, unused to his new strength, and almost toppled over. He made his way downstairs, aviator sses firmly in ce. His father stood waiting by the door.


    "You ready?"


    "Never been more ready," Ss replied.


    Ss stepped out into the sun, its warmth pleasant on his face. As they walked through the streets of their district and hailed a carriage, he couldn''t help but notice people looking at him strangely. His journey was just beginning, and already nothing was as he''d expected.

 Chapter 3: Arcanium University

    <h4>Chapter 3: Arcanium University</h4>


    As Ss stepped through the grand archway that marked the entrance to Arcanium University, he couldn''t help but stare in awe at the architecture. The campus sprawled out before him, a testament to centuries of magical knowledge and power.


    Towering spires of ancient stone reached towards the sky, their surfaces covered in vines. Bridges spanned the gaps between floating inds of lush gardens and shimmering pools. The entire campus hung over a vastke, its waters reflecting the magical aura that permeated the air.


    At the center of the campus stood the Grand Athenaeum, a library that housed the umted knowledge of generations of mages and schrs. Its facade was adorned with mosaics depicting great magical discoveries, legendary deeds, and the most renowned practitioners of the arcane arts.


    As Ss made his way across campus, he couldn''t help but notice the changes the school had undergone due to the war with the Fae. Gone were the specialized colleges that once focused on the various branches of magical study. Several buildings he passed by looked long abandoned and unused.


    Ss''s mind wandered to the Fae, the powerful ancient civilization that continued to wage a hundred-year war with the magical society of Eldoria. Their expansive gctic empire spanned multiple star systems and countless colonizeds they called the Fae Wilds. The magical prowess of the Sidhe, the ruling ss of the Fae, was said to surpass even the strongest mages in Eldoria.


    Shaking off these thoughts, Ss focused on his immediate surroundings. Students wearing uniforms that bore the insignia of the realm''s military hurried to their next training session. Instructors barked orders to second-years, and demonstrations of battle magic filled the air with energy and the stench of ozone.


    When he got to the registration office, there was a line going all the way around the room. As Ss stood in line, he couldn''t help but notice the group of students ahead of him. They exuded a sense of superiority, their expensive clothing and the inconsiderate way they took up space in the room setting them apart.


    The clear leader of the group, a tall, young man with chiseled features and piercing blue eyes, turned to face Ss. "Well, well, well, what do we have here?" he said, his voice dripping with condescension.


    He extended a hand, his fingers adorned with glittering rings. "stair Devereux, of the esteemed Devereux family. And these are mypatriots, Cyrus Lockhart and Vivian Thorne."


    Cyrus, a burly young man with a shock of red hair, nodded in Ss''s direction. Vivian, a petite girl with delicate features and a mane of golden curls, offered a smile that didn''t quite reach her eyes.


    "Ss ckwood. A pleasure, I''m sure," he replied, tension coiling in his gut.


    stair had been eyeing Ss''s aviator sses the whole time. "Those are some interesting spectacles you have there. Mind if I take a closer look?"


    Ss instinctively reached up to defend the frames from being taken off his head. His heart raced at the thought of anyone seeing his eyes. "I''m afraid I can''t do that," Ss said, struggling to keep his voice steady. "These sses are... special to me. A family heirloom, you might say."


    stair''s eyes narrowed, a hint of annoyance shing across his features. "Is that so? Well, perhaps we coulde to an arrangement. You let me have those little trinkets of yours, and I''ll see to it that you''re weed into our little circle with open arms."


    Ss felt a surge of anger rising within him, his jaw clenching tightly. He knew the type all too well - the entitled, arrogant scions of wealthy families who thought they could buy and bully their way through life.


    "I appreciate the offer," Ss said, his tone icy. "But I''m afraid I''ll have to decline. My sses are not for sale or trade, and I have no interest in joining your little clique."


    stair''s face flushed with anger, his eyes shing dangerously. He opened his mouth to retort, but Ss cut him off with a raised hand.


    "Now, if you''ll excuse me, I believe it''s my turn to register." And with that, Ss brushed past the group, his head held high as he stepped up to the registration desk. What was funny is that he clearly just skipped them in line, but the group was so stunned they didn''t say a thing.


    Ss approached the registration desk, his heart pounding in his chest as he handed over his eptance letter. Thedy behind the desk, a stern-looking woman with graying hair and a no-nonsense demeanor, scrutinized the document for a moment before nodding curtly.


    "Everything seems to be in order, Mr. ckwood," she said, her voice clipped and efficient. "You''ve been assigned to Dormitory C, Room 217. Your ss schedule is as follows: Combat and Magic I at 8:00 AM, Arcane Theory at 10:30 AM, Mana Maniption at 1:00 PM, and Independent Study at 3:30 PM."


    Ss nodded, taking the offered room key and ss schedule. As he turned to leave, a sense of unease settled over him. He knew this confrontation with stair and his cronies was far from over.


    Sure enough, as he stepped out of the registration office, he found himself face to face with stair and his cronies. The entitled young man''s eyes were zing with anger, his lips twisted into a sneer.


    "You think you''re clever, don''t you?" stair hissed. "Skipping the line, disrespecting your betters. Well, let me make one thing perfectly clear, ckwood. You''re nothing. A nobody. And if you cross me again, I''ll make sure you regret it."


    After a nod to Cyrus and Vivian, stair stepped back as they shoved Ss roughly against the wall, Cyrus''s forearm pressing against his throat. Ss gasped for air, his eyes watering behind his sunsses as he struggled to breathe.


    "Those sses," stair growled, his face inches from Ss''s own. "I want them. And I always get what I want."


    Ss''s mind raced, searching for a way out of this situation. He knew he couldn''t let stair see his altered eyes, but he also didn''t want to get in trouble for fighting on the day he arrived. These chumps were nothing to him physically with his newly enhanced stats, but in terms of influence, they were dangerous.


    As panic threatened to overwhelm him, a familiar notification appeared in his mind''s eye.


    System Notification: Physical contact has been established. Initiating Drain.


    [System Notification: Host is in danger.]


    [New Quest: Defeat the hostile students.]


    A sense of calm washed over Ss. He didn''t need an excuse to fight, but the quest notification confirmed he was making the right decision. With renewed determination, he prepared to defend himself.


    Ss mmed his knee into Cyrus''s groin. Therger boy let go of Ss, his hands immediately going to cover his crotch. Ss took advantage of this, grabbing Cyrus''s head and mming his face down into another rising knee. Cyrus crumpled into a heap.


    With some arcane hand symbols and a whispered phrase, "culter spinae," Vivian pulled something out of the air. It looked to be a knife made out of arge thorn. She started to circle Ss, looking for an opening.


    Ss''s heart pounded as he watched Vivian''s movements. In a split-second decision, he grabbed the knife by the de and ripped it out of her hand. Pain shot through his palm, but he pushed it aside, knowing a health potion could fix itter.


    While she was reacting to Ss literally grabbing a knife with his bare hand, he stepped forward and performed a snap kick to her stomach, causing her to double over. Ss then performed a double hammer fist strike to her upper back, mming her to the ground.


    Now all that was left was stair. The entitled young man had grabbed the knife off the ground. He cut his wrist, and with some arcane hand symbols and a muttered, "gellum sanguinis," blood flowed out of his wrist, forming into a whip.


    stair cracked the whip and gestured Ss towards him. "Come on, ckwood."


    Ss waited, knowing just walking into range was a bad idea. His mind raced, trying to formte a n. Tired of waiting for Ss toe to him, stairshed the whip out at Ss. Being barely within range, he took three small gashes to the face.


    stair lunged forward andshed out with the whip again. With blood dripping down his face, Ss dodged it, its crimson tendrils whooshing past him. He tried to close the distance, but the whip was too versatile and had too great of a reach.


    Desperate for a solution, Ss scanned his surroundings. His gaze fell upon a rock lying on the ground. Ss scooped it up and hurled it at stair''s face.


    When the rock hit stair high on his right cheek, he reflexively closed his eyes.


    Seizing the advantage, Ssunched himself into the air, channeling all his strength into a devastating punch aimed at stair''s face.


    The punch hit him in the side of the face, knocking him to the ground, where hey still. Ss''s sses flew off his face and ttered to the ground feet away.


    Ss''s eyes were no longer hidden. They were exposed for all to see - the inky ck sclera and the glowing pink irises that marked him as something other than human.


    Panic gripped Ss as he realized his secret was exposed. He quickly scanned the area, relief washing over him when he saw no one around. Or so he thought. Unknown to Ss, another student had been walking through the alley nearby. Lyra Voidwalker had noticed the fight and decided to hide behind the wall.


    When she saw his eyes, she knew he wasn''t human. What he actually was, she was curious to find out.


    Realizing the best targets to drain mana from were bullies, Ss began draining the mana of his attackers. He started with stair [+110 mana][New spell learned: Blood Whip (tier 10 spell)], then Cyrus [ +40 mana][New spell learned: Barrier of Silence (tier 9 spell)], andstly, Vivian [+75 mana][New spell learned: Thorn Knife (Tier 10 spell)]. He ended up with [Mana: 240/25,000] and a few low tier spells for his troubles.


    As he finished draining Vivian, another system prompt appeared.


    [System Message: Would you like to loot this person''s body?]


    Ss hesitated, a mix of curiosity and guilt washing over him. He checked Vivian''s pulse, relieved to find it steady. After a moment''s consideration, he decided to ept the prompt.


    [System Message: Items added to your inventory: 40 coins, Vivian''s nt journal, Vivian''s silver gardening tools, Vivian''s bag of seeds.]


    Ss felt a weight settle in his pockets. Checking them, he found all the items already there. A wave of difort washed over him as he held Vivian''s personal items. It felt wrong, invasive. He quickly shoved the journal, tools, and seeds back into Vivian''s robe, keeping only the coins.


    He was sure stair and Cyrus had personal items and money too, but he had lingered too long. It was time to leave.


    [System Notification: Quest Completed! +5 Exp perbatant, +10 Exp for questpletion. You''ve leveled up! You are now Level 2 with 15/20 Exp. You have earned 20 affinity points. You have earned 5 ability points.]


    Ss''s mind reeled from the influx of information. He would worry about all thatter. Right now, he had to get out of here before anyone saw him.


    Suddenly, a booming voice echoed across the campus. "Attention, first-year students! Report to the Arcane Aptitude Assessment chamber immediately. Tardiness will not be tolerated."


    Ss quickly retrieved his sses, his heart still pounding from the confrontation. As he made his way towards the assessment chamber, he couldn''t shake the feeling that his life at Arcanium University was going to be far moreplicated than he had ever imagined.

 Chapter 4: Level Up

    <h4>Chapter 4: Level Up</h4>


    Ss picked up his sses, put them on, and briskly walked towards the assessment chamber. The weight of his recent confrontation with stair and his cronies still lingered, but a newfound confidence buoyed his steps.


    Lyra stepped out from her hiding spot, her mind buzzing with questions. Why had Ss touched the other students after defeating them? And what had he put in that girl''s robes? Intrigued, she decided to follow him at a distance, hoping to join his assessment group.


    As he approached the chamber, Ss remembered his unassigned points. Pulling up the system menu, he quickly allocated 5 ability points to luck, bringing it to 15. If this was like a game, the beginning would be the easiest part, perfect for boosting luck before focusing on physical stats.


    The skill tree menu now disyed six trees instead of three. Neuromancy, Biomancy, and Essomancy were joined by Hemomancy, Chloromancy, and Fraxomancy. Each new tree had one spell listed:


    [Hemomancy: Blood Whip (Tier 10 spell)(Cost: 5 mana)] [Chloromancy: Thorn Knife (Tier 10 spell)(Cost: 5 mana)] [Fraxomancy: Barrier of Silence (Tier 9 spell)(Cost: 10 mana)]


    Ss noted the difference between skills and spells, realizing skills could be leveled up while spells couldn''t. He focused on the Neuromancy tree, hoping to catch up with his peers'' magical knowledge. After some consideration, he purchased the Speed Reading and Sound Istion skills with his affinity points.


    As he closed the system menu, a sense of satisfaction washed over him. For once, a fight had gone his way. He wasn''t lying on the ground, bruised and bleeding. Maybe he could actually make a difference in this school, create a new order where the elite 2% didn''t walk all over everyone else.


    A familiar voice interrupted his thoughts. "Looks like those martial arts lessons paid off," Evelyn said, a hint of pride in her tone.


    Ss nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, they did."


    "What do you say?" Evelyn prompted.


    Ss rolled his eyes but couldn''t hide his gratitude. "Thank you, Mom."


    "You''re wee, Ss."


    Reaching the Arcane Aptitude Assessment chamber with minutes to spare, Ss observed the other students filing in. The air was thick with a mix of nervous energy and excitement. Some fidgeted with their robes, while others chatted in hushed tones, all sharing a sense of anticipation for whaty ahead.


    stair, Cyrus, and Vivian entered, looking worse for wear. Their res burned into Ss, but he was relieved to see they seemed merely exhausted rather than seriously harmed by the mana drain.


    A teacher in military attire strode in, his presencemanding immediate attention. The gleam of his intricately decorated sword caught Ss''s eye as the man began separating students into groups.


    Lyra managed to slide in near Ss, her goal of joining his group realized. Alongside them stood a boy with messy brown hair and a perpetual smile, a short girl with dark skin and tightly coiled curls, and a broad-shouldered guy with long ck hair who seemed to have perfected the art of frowning without making eye contact.


    The smiling boy stepped forward, his enthusiasm palpable. "Hiya, the name''s Jace. Looks like we''re going to be party members for this adventure. I recognize you, ckwood, and I think we''re going to get along swimmingly."


    Ss raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? Well, it''s nice to meet a fan, I guess. You didn''t see me on a wanted poster or something, did you? But seriously, what have you heard?"


    "I heard they called you the No Hit Wonder," Jace said, his grin widening.


    Ss''s shoulders slumped, and he covered his face with his hand. "You heard about that?"


    "Yeah, they said you never hit a target once," Jace continued, oblivious to Ss''s difort.


    "Yep. That definitely happened," Ss mumbled through his fingers.


    "You must be some sort of secret genius or something," Jace mused. "Who can miss a target every time for 4 years, unless they were doing it on purpose? You must be special or something."


    Ss lowered his hand, a wry smile on his face. "Oh, I''m special all right."


    Before Jace could respond, the teacher''s voice boomed across the chamber. "Group three, you''re up next. Follow me into the assessment room."


    As they entered, Ss took in the array of testing equipment. A raised dais with a polished stone altar dominated the front, while an obstacle course, target area, and what looked like a punching bag filled the rest of the space.


    The petite girl with calcting eyes introduced herself as Nadia, while the brooding young man mumbled his name: Rowan.


    Lyra approached Ss, her gaze intense. "I''m Lyra," she said. "Lyra Voidwalker. It''s a pleasure to meet you, Ss. I haven''t heard anything about you, but you have an... energy about you." Her eyes searched his face, as if trying to unravel a mystery.


    Jace bounced on his toes, eager to begin, while Nadia and Rowan remained reserved, their expressions guarded as they studied the room.


    The teacher, his stern gaze sweeping over the group, stepped forward. "I am Professor Elric Vance. This assessment will test your arcane aptitude, as well as your physical and mental abilities. Your performance will determine your cement within the university''s hierarchy."


    He gestured towards the altar, its surface gleaming under the chamber''s magical lights. "Approach the altar and ce your hand on the stone. It will measure your innate magical potential, current tier, and affinities."


    Ss felt a knot form in his stomach as he stared at the altar. What if it revealed his need to drain mana or his part-leviathan status? He clenched his fists, willing his luck to hold out.


    "Ss ckwood, you''re up first," Vance announced.


    Taking a deep breath, Ss stepped forward. The stone felt cool beneath his palm as he ced his hand on the altar.


    [System Message: Physical contact established. Initiating drain.]


    A blinding sh of light engulfed Ss. Pain ripped through his body, every nerve ending screaming in agony. As darkness crept into the edges of his vision, he heard gasps from his groupmates. Then, everything went ck.

 Chapter 5: Affinities

    <h4>Chapter 5: Affinities</h4>


    Ss found himself drifting through a void of dark empty space. A voice broke the silence, resonating with power. "Greetings, Ss ckwood. I am the consciousness of the altar you ced your hand upon."


    "Who are you? Where am I?" Ss asked, feeling disoriented in the featureless void.


    "Not who, but what. I am a magical item, created with the mana cores of the greatest mages to ever live," the altar exined. "You are currently within a realm of shared consciousness."


    The altar continued, "I''m curious, for what purpose are you draining my mana?"


    "I''m sorry, I can''t control it. My body does it automatically when I touch magical things," Ss said apologetically.


    "It''s fine. It''s such a slow drain I can barely feel it. Like a mosquito sucking blood from an animal," the altar replied. "Just call me Al."


    "Ok, Al. What did you want to talk about?" Ss asked, still feeling adrift.


    "You have great potential, but even at your maximum, you won''t be strong enough to defeat the Unseelie court of the Fae. Each of their soldiers is Tier 00 and they''ve been training for hundreds of years," Al said somberly.


    "Then what am I supposed to do? Just give up?"


    "You need to increase your potential. And increase the potential of others," Al replied.


    "How do I do that?" Ss asked, a spark of hope igniting within him.


    "Search for techniques and resources that didn''t exist in my time. Magical beast weapons, mana core fusion, magic items, and alchemy can all aid your growth," Al exined, its voice fading. "Search the Grand Athenaeum for answers."


    "Why are you telling me this?"


    "I am a product of my predecessors, and they don''t want to see Eldoria fall," Al''s voice echoed, a final message before the void began to dissipate.


    Ss felt a sudden jolt, his consciousness rushing back to his body. His eyes snapped open, and he found himself standing before the altar, his hand stuck fast to the stone. The altar''s voice rang out for all to hear.


    "Ss ckwood, your affinities lie in Neuromancy, Biomancy, and Essomancy. Your maximum tier is 00, and your current tier is 10."


    Professor Vance''s eyes widened momentarily before he regained hisposure. Nadia and Rowan exchanged surprised nces, while Jace and Lyra smiled knowingly.


    Ss felt a surge of power flow from the stone into his body. With significant effort, he wrenched his hand free.


    [System Notification: 1,000 mana drained! (1,239/25,000)] [System Notification: New skill learned: Essence Inspection upgraded to Essence Revtion!] [System Message: Essence Revtion allows you to learn the target''s maximum tier, current tier, affinities, and current status.]


    As the initial shock wore off, Vance called the next student. "Jace Sterling, you''re up."


    Jace approached the altar confidently. "Jace Sterling, your affinity lies in duplication magic. Your maximum tier is 4, and your current tier is 6."


    Jace grinned, creating a perfect copy of himself that winked at the group before disappearing.


    "Lyra Voidwalker," Vance announced.


    Lyra stepped forward, her fingers twitching with anticipation. "Lyra Voidwalker, your affinities lie in spatiomancy and chronomancy. Your maximum tier is 7, and your current tier is 9." A satisfied smile yed across her lips as she rejoined the group.


    Next came Rowan, his expression stoic. "Rowan Summers, your affinity is summoning. Your maximum tier is 6, and your current tier is 8." A ghostly horse briefly materialized beside him before fading away.


    Finally, Nadia approached. "Nadia Sinir, your affinity is lumomancy. Your maximum tier is 5, and your current tier is 7." The room briefly dimmed as Nadia absorbed the surrounding light.


    Professor Vance nodded approvingly. "An impressive group indeed. Your affinities and tiers are quite remarkable."


    Ss observed his ssmates, noting the stark differences in their abilities. He recalled a conversation with his mother about the tier system''s history.


    "In the past," Evelyn''s voice echoed in his memory, "there were only five tiers. What''s now Tier 6 was once Tier 1, the highest a human could be born with. Most people ranged from Tier 3 to Tier 5."


    "What changed?" Ss had asked.


    "Mana core fusion," Evelyn exined. "It allowed people to increase their maximum tier. Each tier is roughly twice as strong as the previous one. Over generations, the system expanded to what it is today."


    Ss looked at his ssmates with new understanding. Their high tiers and unique affinities were likely the result of generations of careful mana core fusion within their families.


    "This disparity," Evelyn had warned, "has led to a massive power gap between rich and poor families. The wealthy hoard their resources, keeping their mana cores within the family."


    As Ss pondered this, Lyra approached him. "Those are some interesting affinities you''ve got," she whispered. "I''ve never heard of Essomancy before."


    Before Ss could respond, Jace bounced over. "Did you see what I did? I can create copies of myself! Imagine the pranks we could pull!"


    Nadia rolled her eyes. "Is that all you think about, Jace? We''re here to learn, not cause chaos."


    "Why not both?" Jace grinned, creating another copy that stuck its tongue out at Nadia.


    Rowan, standing slightly apart from the group, spoke quietly. "Our affinities are tools. It''s how we use them that matters."


    Professor Vance cleared his throat, silencing the chatter. "Follow me," hemanded, leading them out of the assessment chamber.


    They emerged onto a sprawling training ground that stretched as far as the eye could see. Towering walls, treacherous pits, and maze-like corridors formed a daunting obstacle course. The air crackled with magical energy, hinting at hidden challenges within.


    "This," Vance announced, his voice carrying across the field, "is where theory meets practice. You will navigate this course using your affinities and whatever skills you possess."


    Ss eyed the course warily. His years of physical training might give him an edge, but hisck of magical experience was a significant disadvantage.


    Lyra''s eyes gleamed as she studied theyout, likely already nning how to use her space maniption to her advantage. Jace was bouncing on his toes, eager to unleash an army of duplicates on the course.


    Nadia''s fingers twitched, small motes of light dancing between them as she assessed the shadows and bright spots throughout the course. Rowan stood still, his eyes closed in concentration, perhapsmuning with potential summons.


    "Remember," Vance''s voice cut through their thoughts, "this is not just about individual performance. How you work as a team will be crucial."


    Ss nced at his groupmates. They were virtual strangers, each with their own strengths and potential weaknesses. Could theye together as a team in the face of this challenge?


    "You have one minute to strategize," Vance announced. "Use it wisely."


    As the group huddled together, whispering ns and suggestions, Ss felt a mix of anticipation and dread. This was his chance to prove himself, to show that he belonged here despite his unusual circumstances. But it was also a test that could expose his weaknesses to everyone.


    The air grew tense as the seconds ticked by. Ss took a deep breath, centering himself as he had learned in his martial arts training. Whatever happened, he would face it head-on.


    Professor Vance''s voice rang out once more, signaling the start of their trial.


    "Begin!"

 Chapter 6: Assigning Ranks

    <h4>Chapter 6: Assigning Ranks</h4>


    The Professor''s voice echoed through the cavernous room. "Begin!"


    Ss and his fellow students sprang into action. Five identical obstacle courses stretched before them, each a mirror image of the others. Ss entered the leftmost course, his muscles tense with anticipation.


    Jace''s approach was a spectacle of multiplicity. Within seconds, twenty identical versions of himself stood at the starting line. They moved in perfect unison, leaping over and ducking under horizontal beams with practiced ease.


    At the chasm''s edge, chaos erupted. Several Jaces, caught off-guard by the sudden drop, tumbled over with startled yelps. Their cries echoed until they hit the soft bottom, realizing they were unharmed.


    The original Jace, assessing the gap, knew a simple jump wouldn''t suffice. He wasn''t out of shape, but he wasn''t exactly an athlete either. With a mischievous grin, he sprinted towards the edge, leapt, and began projecting duplicates backwards from his body. Each new copy propelled him further, using the physics of their creation to push him forward.


    Landing safely on the other side, Jace turned back to his fallen copies. With a gesture, they flew through the air towards him, reabsorbing into his body like reverse projectiles.


    The maze presented a new challenge. At each fork, Jace split himself, sending copies down every path. This trial-and-error approach quickly led him to the exit. As he emerged, his copies still in the maze pivoted, racing along the correct path at top speed, their shared consciousness guiding them effortlessly.


    The rope swing tested his grip strength, but he managed it solo. For the curved wall, Jace had an unconventional solution. He created a tower of copies, each standing on the shoulders of the one below. When the tower reached sufficient height, they collectively leaned forward. The structure crashed into the wall, but the topmost Jace made it over. With a satisfied smirk, he reabsorbed his copies and dashed for the exit.


    Nadia, in contrast, relied on her physical prowess. Her light magic, more suited forbat, offered little advantage here. She navigated the course with determination, her athletic build carrying her through each obstacle.


    Rowan''s approach was a blend of magic and strategy. He summoned a majestic ck horse, adorned with a mohawk of unicorn horns and vestigial wings. They cleared the horizontal bars with ease, the horse''s powerful legs propelling them over the chasm.


    At the maze entrance, Rowan dismissed his mount with a puff of smoke. In its ce, he conjured a group of flying imps. "Survey the maze from above," hemanded. "Guide me through."


    The imps'' bird''s-eye view proved invaluable, leading Rowan swiftly to the exit. He tackled the rope swing alone, nearly losing his bnce but recovering at thest moment. For the final wall, he summoned a winged demon, which flew him effortlessly to the top.


    Lyra''s solution was elegantly simple. With a wave of her hand, she opened a portal at the course''s start and another at its end. She stepped through,pleting the challenge in mere seconds.


    Ss relied on his enhanced abilities. He sprinted through the horizontal bars, his movements a blur of precision. At the chasm, heunched himself across, his enhanced muscles propelling him further than seemed possible. The maze walls posed no obstacle; he scaled them with ease, running along the tops and leaping gaps as if they were mere cracks in the pavement.


    Landing from the 15-foot drop sent a momentary jolt through his system, but he pushed through, his body adapting quickly. The rope swing was child''s y, his grip never faltering. At the curved wall, he didn''t bother with the intended method. Instead, he charged full speed, his momentum carrying him up and over in one fluid motion.


    As Ss burst through the exit, he found Lyra already there, a knowing smile on her face. Rowan arrived next, followed closely by Jace. Nadia brought up the rear, her face flushed with exertion but eyes burning with determination.


    Professor Vance surveyed the group, his expression inscrutable. "You''ve all demonstrated your potential today," he said, his tone firm but not unkind. "Remember, your affinities and tiers are not the sole measure of your worth as mages. It''s what you do with them that truly matters."


    He paused, his gaze sweeping over each student. "We have more tests scheduled, but I believe I''ve seen enough. I will now assign each of you a rank out of 10."


    Turning to Jace, he began, "Jace Sterling, based on the evaluation by the altar and your performance on the obstacle course, I assign you a rank of 5. Your creative use of your affinity was impressive."


    Jace''s chest puffed out slightly, a mix of pride and relief in his eyes.


    "Lyra Voidwalker," Vance continued, "your spatiomancy was used efficiently and effectively. I assign you the rank of 7."


    Lyra adjusted her sses, a small smile ying at the corners of her mouth.


    "Rowan Summers, your summoning abilities were put to good use. Despite a slight misstep at the rope swing, your overall performance was excellent. I assign you a rank of 6."


    Rowan''s brow furrowed slightly, but he gave a curt nod of acknowledgment.


    "Nadia Sinir, while your Lumomancy wasn''t directly applicable to this course, your physical abilities were noteworthy. I assign you a rank of 7."


    Nadia''s expression remained neutral, but her posture straightened almost imperceptibly.


    Finally, Vance turned to Ss. "Ss ckwood," he began, his tone shifting slightly, "your performance on the obstacle course was exceptional, far surpassing what I''d expect from someone of your current tier."


    Ss tensed, sensing the impending caveat.


    "However," Vance continued, his voice tinged with what might have been regret, "your current tier of 10 constrains the rank I can assign. Despite my desire to award you a higher rank, I''m bound by the system''s parameters. I assign you a rank of 9."


    Ss''s jaw clenched, frustration bubbling beneath his calm exterior. Eighteen years without being able to learn a single spell, and now this arbitrary system was holding him back again.


    Professor Vance distributed small pins bearing their assigned ranks. As he pressed the cool metal into Ss''s palm, he leaned in close, his voice low. "In six months, you''ll all be reassessed. Hard work and improvement can raise your rank. This isn''t a permanentbel, but a reflection of your current abilities. Use this time wisely."


    Ss stared at the pin in his hand, the white outline of the number 9 seeming to mock him. He knew that with his mother''s system and the leviathan mana core now part of him, he could quickly surpass this rank. But six months... it felt like an eternity.


    The implications of his low ranking weren''t lost on him. He''d be a target for bullies, seen as weak and exploitable. His hand closed around the pin, knuckles whitening. The frustration with this arbitrary system threatened to overwhelm him. But he knew he had to work within it, at least for now. He''d bide his time, gather strength and allies, and then... then he''d show them all.


    As the group dispersed, Lyra approached Ss, curiosity shining in her eyes. "Ss," she said softly, "I know we just met, but I want you to know that I''m here if you need someone to talk to or... help with anything."


    Ss met her gaze, surprised by the sincerity he found there. "Thanks, Lyra. I appreciate that."


    Lyra''s face brightened. "I have to admit, I''m fascinated by your affinities. Neuromancy, Biomancy, Essomancy... I''ve never heard of them. And a max tier of 00? That''s... well, unprecedented."


    Ss shifted his weight, ufortable with the scrutiny. "I''m still figuring it all out myself," he admitted. "But thanks for your interest."


    Jace, who''d been watching from nearby, sauntered over. "Hey, Ss! That was some ninja-level stuff on the course. One of my copies was keeping an eye on everyone, and man, you''ve got skills!"


    "Thanks, Jace. Your duplicate trick was pretty impressive too. Some of those moves were genius."


    Jace grinned, rubbing the back of his neck. "I gotta be honest, when I first saw you, I thought, ''This guy''s either a secret genius or hriously inept.'' But either way, I knew it''d be fun to be your friend."


    His expression grew more serious. "There''s something special about you, Ss. I can feel it. We should stick together, you know? Watch each other''s backs." He struck an exaggerated ''secret agent'' pose, pressing his back against Ss''s.


    Ss couldn''t help butugh. "Jace, if I didn''t know better, I''d think you were from the non-magical society."


    Jace leaned in, whispering conspiratorially, "Nothing wrong with a little TV now and then."


    "Your secret''s safe with me," Ss replied, miming locking his lips and throwing away the key.


    Despite his instinct to push them away, born from a history of disappointment, Ss recognized the value of allies. And friends... well, that would be nice too.


    "I like what you said earlier," he said, his voice growing stronger. "I think we could make a good team."


    Lyra and Jace exchanged excited nces.


    "Definitely," Lyra said, her eyes sparkling. "We''re going to shake things up around here!"


    Ss and Jace pretended to be scandalized by her enthusiasm.


    Lyra caught their expressions. "Too much?"


    They held the act for a moment longer before bursting intoughter.


    "Lyra, you''re amazing," Jace chuckled.


    "Seriously, you''re a riot," Ss agreed, feeling a warmth he hadn''t experienced in years.


    Later, as Ss entered his empty dorm room, a folded piece of paper slipped from his pocket. He retrieved it, unfolding the crisp sheet to reveal a cryptic message:


    "I know what you are. Meet me at the alchemyb in 20 minutes and maybe I can help you."


    Ss''s mind raced. How did they know he wasn''t human? That seemed to be the implication. And how could they help? What did alchemy have to do with it?


    He nced at the clock. Three minutes to decide whether to trust this mysterious message or ignore it entirely. If there was even a chance this person could help... wouldn''t the risk be worth it?


    [New Quest: Meet with the mysterious stranger.]


    The system''s notification settled it for him. If it was like thest quest, he''d gain experience just forpleting it. And he needed to get stronger, fast.


    With a deep breath, Ss slipped out of his room and into thebyrinthine hallways of the university. He couldn''t shake the feeling that this meeting would change everything.

 Chapter 7: Alchemical Solutions

    <h4>Chapter 7: Alchemical Solutions</h4>


    Ss approached the alchemyb. The corridors of Arcanium University seemed even more foreboding at night, shadows stretching long and ominous under the flickering torchlight. He hesitated for a moment before pushing the door open.


    Inside, a singlemp illuminated the cluttered workspace. ss beakers and strange concoctions littered every avable surface, casting eerie reflections on the walls. Lyra was hunched over a table at the far end of the room.


    She didn''t look up as he entered. She remained focused on her work, her auburn hair pulled back in a haphazard ponytail. Ss cleared his throat, trying to mask his nervousness.


    "Hey, Lyra," he began awkwardly. "I got this note and... well, it said toe here."


    Lyra straightened up, turning to face him with an unreadable expression. "Ss," she said softly, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife. "Close the door behind you."


    He did as she asked, feeling a knot tighten in his stomach. "So... you''re workingte," he ventured, ncing at the various bubbling sks and intricate devices around her.


    "Always am," Lyra replied with a small smile. "Alchemy never sleeps."


    Ss shifted from foot to foot, unsure of how to proceed. "About the note..."


    "Yes, I left it," Lyra interrupted, stepping closer. Her eyes were sharp behind her thick-rimmed sses. "I saw your eyes during that scuffle earlier today."


    His breath caught in his throat. He had hoped no one had noticed that fleeting moment when his altered eyes were exposed. "You... saw?"


    "Yes," she confirmed, crossing her arms over her chest. "And I know you''re notpletely human."


    Ss felt fear in that moment. He had hoped no one would discover his true nature. He didn''t want to think what it might mean for him at Arcanium University.


    "Look," he said, raising his hands defensively. "I didn''t ask for any of this. I just want to get through this ce without any trouble."


    Lyra''s gaze softened slightly. "I''m not here to cause you trouble, Ss. Quite the opposite." She took another step closer. "I want to help you hide it."


    "Help me? Why would you do that?" Ss asked.


    "Because I know what it''s like to be different," she said. "And because I want to see how much you shake things up. I know you didn''t grow up rich, and I''m wondering if you''re as angry with the system as I am."


    Ss blinked, surprised by Lyra''s words. "You''re not wrong," he admitted after a moment. "I''ve seen how unfair this system is. How it grinds people up and spits them out." He met her gaze, his own eyes fierce with determination. "And I do want to change it. I''m just not sure how."


    Lyra''s expression softened further. "I know what happened to your mother, Ss. I''m so sorry for your loss." Her words were gentle, filled with genuine sympathy.


    Ss felt a lump form in his throat. It had been a long time since anyone had acknowledged his grief. "Thank you," he managed.


    "I don''t want to get your hopes up, but there might be a way we can get your mother back."


    Ss stared at Lyra. "My mother... she''s alive?" he asked.


    Lyra nodded. "Yes, Ss. She was imprisoned by the magical authorities, not killed. They couldn''t risk the bacsh of executing someone over something as small as illegal immigration."


    Hope blossomed in Ss''s chest, a feeling he had thought long dead. "Where is she? How do we get her back?"


    "It won''t be easy," Lyra cautioned. "But with your unique abilities and my connections, I think we might have a chance. We can make a real difference, Ss. Not just for your mother, but for everyone who''s been wronged by this system."


    Ss felt a surge of determination. If there was even a chance of saving his mother, he had to take it. "Tell me what I need to do," he said, his voice steady.


    "First, we need to fix your eyes," Lyra said.


    "How do we do that?" Ss asked, feeling clueless.


    Lyra rummaged through her collection of vials and jars, her nimble fingers selecting a small, opaque container. She uncorked it, revealing a milky white substance within. With practiced precision, she transferred the liquid into a vial equipped with an eye dropper top.


    "These are eye drops that will change the sclera of your eyes back to white," she exined, holding up the vial for Ss to see. "It''s only temporary though, so you''ll need to use them every few hours."


    Ss nodded, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension. He knew he couldn''t risk anyone else discovering his true nature, but the thought of constantly relying on Lyra''s concoction made him uneasy.


    Although, he supposed he didn''t have much of a choice. He couldn''t very well continue to wear sunsses everywhere.


    "Thank you," Ss said, taking the vial from Lyra and putting it in his pocket. "Now what do we do about my teeth?" He disyed his fangs for her to see.


    "Whoa, ok, I didn''t notice those before," Lyra said. "We can try filing them down."


    "Wouldn''t that hurt?"


    "Yeah, it would hurt. And it could cause significant damage to your teeth." Lyra said, matter of factly.


    "Maybe, we don''t do that then. I can manage. I''ll just joke that I''m a vampire," Ss said, hesitantly. "Well, I''m gonna head back for now. I don''t want to get to my dormte and wake up my roommates."


    "Wait, you never told me why your eyes and teeth are like that," Lyra said.


    "I''ll tell youter. I promise." Ss said, smiling tiredly.


    Ss walked through the dimly lit corridors of the dormitory, still thinking about his conversation with Lyra. The vial of eye drops felt heavy in his pocket, a tangible reminder of the secret they now shared. As he approached the door to his assigned room, he took a deep breath, steeling himself for whatevery ahead.


    He pushed the door open and stepped inside, only to find Jace and Rowan already there, unpacking their belongings. They both looked up as he entered, their expressions a mix of surprise and curiosity.


    "Well, well, well," Jace said, a grin spreading across his face. "Looks like we''re going to be roommates, Ss."


    Rowan nodded, his dark eyes studying Ss intently. "Seems that way," he said, his voice deep and measured.


    Ss forced a smile, trying to ignore the unease that churned in his gut. "Yeah, I guess so," he said, moving towards the empty bed that he assumed was his.


    "So, where have you been?" Jace asked, his tone light but his eyes sharp. "We were starting to think you''d gotten lost."


    Ss shrugged, trying to appear nonchnt. "Just exploring the campus a bit," he lied, avoiding Jace''s gaze. "It''s a big ce."


    Rowan grunted, his expression unreadable. "Better be careful wandering around at night," he said. "Never know what kind of trouble you might run into."


    An icy sensation trickled down Ss'' back at Rowan''s words, but he forced himself to keep his expression neutral. "I''ll keep that in mind," he said, busying himself with unpacking his own belongings.


    For a few moments, the room was silent save for the rustling of clothes and the clinking of bottles as they each settled into their respective spaces. Ss could feel Jace and Rowan''s eyes on him, their gazes heavy with unspoken questions.


    Finally, Jace broke the silence. "So, what did you think of the assessment today?" he asked, his voice casual but his eyes intent.


    Ss hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "It was... interesting," he said finally, choosing his words carefully. "I didn''t expect to be ranked so highly."


    Rowan snorted, a hint of derision in his voice. "Yeah, well, don''t let it go to your head," he said, his eyes narrowing. "Rankings don''t mean shit in the real world."


    Jace shot Rowan a look, but didn''t argue. Instead, he turned back to Ss, his expression curious. He leaned forward. "So what''s your story? Where are you from?"


    Ss swallowed hard, his mind racing as he tried toe up with a believable lie. He knew he couldn''t tell them the truth, not yet. Not until he knew he could trust them.


    "I''m from a small town," he said finally, his voice steady. "Nothing special. Just here to learn, like everyone else."


    After that, they all got ready for bed. As Ss was sliding into bed, he noticed something moving on Rowan''s bed.


    Ss couldn''t help but stare at the strange sight before him. Rowan, the brooding and intense young man, was curled up in his bed, his arms wrapped tightly around a small, pudgy creature. Upon closer inspection, Ss realized it was a familiar - a light green, translucent stegosaurus.


    The tiny dinosaur seemed content in Rowan''s embrace, its eyes closed and its body rising and falling with each gentle breath. Ss found himself wondering about the nature of their bond and the magic that allowed such a creature to exist.


    Jace, on the other hand, seemed unfazed by the unusual bedtimepanion. He simply climbed into his own bed, his eyes already heavy with sleep.


    Ss tossed and turned, his mind racing with the events of the day. The assessment, his conversation with Lyra, the secrets he now carried - they all swirled in his head, refusing to let him rest. He stared at the ceiling, willing his eyes to close, but sleep remained elusive.


    And then, as suddenly as a switch being flipped, Ss was asleep. One moment he was awake, his thoughts churning, and the next he was drifting off into a deep, dreamless slumber. The tension in his body melted away, his breathing evened out, and the world faded into a peaceful darkness.

 Chapter 8: Tiffany

    <h4>Chapter 8: Tiffany</h4>


    [Quest Completed: Met with mysterious stranger +5 Exp]


    [System Notification: You leveled up! You are now Level 3! Exp: 0/40]


    [System Notification: You have 20 affinity points and 5 ability points avable]


    Ss''s eyes fluttered open, quickly remembering the events of the previous night. The vial of eye drops was on his bedside table. He had to take them before anyone saw his eyes. Keeping his eyes closed, he fumbled for the eyedrops.


    He felt the bottle knock against his hand as he identally sent it to the floor. He got out of bed, his eyes still closed and felt around on the ground for the bottle.


    Jace was already up and about. "Hey, Ss. What are you looking for?"


    "I need my eyedrops, Jace. I have really dry eyes. It feels like I have sand in my eyes without them." Ss replied.


    "Oh, they''re right here. Oh your eyes are closed. Let me put them in your hand," Jace said, as he grabbed one of Ss''s hands. "There you go."


    "Thanks, Jace." Holding the bottle, Ss turned away from Jace, and opened his eyes. Unscrewing the top of the bottle, he dropped two drops in each eye. He blinked several times and when he was sure the eyedrops had taken effect, he turned around.


    "Morning, Ss!" Jace said, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Ready for another day of magic and adventure?"


    Ss couldn''t help but chuckle at Jace''s enthusiasm. "Give me a minute to wake up properly," he said.


    As Ss stood and stretched, his gaze fell upon Rowan''s sleeping form. The broad-shouldered young man was sprawled across his bed, his familiar curled up contentedly on his chest. The creature''s soft snores mingled with Rowan''s deep, even breaths, creating a gentle symphony of slumber.


    Jace followed Ss''s gaze and smirked. "Looks like Rowan''s going to need a bit more time to join thend of the living," he quipped.


    "Yeah, looks like it." Ssughed.


    Ss pulled a book out of his pack and opened it, pretending to read.


    He pulled up the system menu in his head. The familiar interface popped up in front of his eyes.


    He pulled up his Skill Trees first. He realized he never even looked at the avable skills in Biomancy, and Essomancy.


    Biomancy had 2 branches: Physical Enhancement, and Biological Maniption. Essomancy had 2 branches: Essence Maniption and Soul Maniption.


    Thinking back, he hadn''t noticed if Neuromancy had names for its separate branches cuz he was in such a hurry but it probably did.


    Under the Essence Maniption and Soul Maniption branches there were the skills [Essence Extraction (cost: 10 ap (Affinity Points)] and [Soul Link (cost: 10 ap)] respectively.


    Under the Physical Enhancement and Biological Maniption branches there were the skills [Regeneration (10 ap)] and [Drain, Venom Synthesis, and Tissue Maniption [10 ap)].


    Below each of the branches was a button that said, "see more." He would look at the other skills another time.


    Essence Extraction and Soul Link seemed like the most interesting skills. So he focused and purchased them with his affinity points.


    The exnation for Essence Extraction was, "extract the essence of a magical creature or nt."


    The exnation for Soul Link was, "create a temporary link between your soul and another''s, allowing for shared sensations, emotions, intentions, and thoughts."


    Those both sounded like they could be really useful. With essence extraction he assumed he could use essences in alchemy, and soul link in all sorts of ways. Communication,bat, and interrogation were just what he could think of off the top of his head.


    Next, he pulled up his stats screen. He hadn''t seen it since he became part leviathan.


    Stats:


    Name: Ss ckwood


    Species: Human/Leviathan Larva


    Affinities: Neuromancy, Biomancy, Essomancy.


    Lv. 3


    HP: (20/20)


    MP: (1225/25,000)


    Strength: 18


    Agility: 17


    Stamina: 16


    Intelligence: 10


    Luck: 15


    Ability points: 5


    He put the points into Luck again, bringing it up to 20. He also noticed that his HP had gone up. Doing the math, it looked like his HP went up 5 points with every level up.


    Having done everything he nned to do with the system, he closed the book and looked up. He noticed Rowan had woken up while he was checking on the system, and was getting dressed and ready to go.


    After getting ready himself, Ss, Jace, and Rowan headed out the door to attend their first ss. They all had the same ss.


    Ss, Jace, and Rowan filed into the ssroom, taking their seats among the other students. The room buzzed with anticipation as they waited for their Combat and Magic I instructor, Professor Theophania Umbercrowe, to arrive.


    The door swung open, and in strode a striking woman with an air of confidence. Her long, raven-ck hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and her eyes shined with life. She wore a full suit of armor, engraved with runes all over its surface. Strapped to her side was a massive sword, its sheath and hilt decorated with red scales.


    "Good morning, ss," she said, her voice rich and toned with a twinge of practiced stoicism. "My name is Theophania Umbercrowe, but you may call me Tiffany."


    She surveyed the room, her gaze lingering on each student as if assessing their potential. As she looked at Ss, he felt like she could see straight through him.


    "In this ss, you will learn the art ofbat and magic," Tiffany continued. "But more than that, you will learn how to harness the power of magical creatures to enhance your own abilities."


    She gestured to a disy case at the front of the room, filled with an array of weapons and armor that seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy. "These are beast weapons and armor," she exined, "crafted with the mana cores of magical creatures."


    The ss collectively leaned forward, their eyes filled with curiosity and awe. Tiffany lifted a sword from the case, its de shimmering in the light. "This sword was forged with the core of a sea serpent," she said, running her fingers along the de. "It imbues the wielder with enhanced strength and speed, as well as the ability to breathe underwater and control water currents."


    She reced the sword and picked up a helmet, its surface adorned with intricate patterns that seemed to shift and change. "And this helmet was crafted with the core of a griffin," she continued, "granting the wearer enhanced vision and the ability to see through illusions."


    Ss nced at Jace and Rowan, seeing the same mix of excitement and trepidation on Jace''s face that he felt himself. Rowan looked to be suppressing a smile while furrowing his brows in concentration. The idea of wielding such powerful weapons was both thrilling and daunting.


    Tiffany returned the helmet to the case and turned to face the ss once more. "In theing weeks, you will learn how to wield these weapons and harness their power," she said. "But more than that, you will learn the true nature of the creatures that inhabit our world."


    As Tiffany stepped back from the disy case, a glint of excitement flickered in her eyes. She unsheathed the sword hanging at her side. The de was a dull ck.


    "This," she said, her voice filled with reverence, "is my personal dragon-scale sword. It was crafted from the core and scales of a fire dragon, and it possesses the ability to channel and amplify my affinity, fire magic.


    With a flick of her wrist, Tiffany sent a burst of mes spiraling along the length of the de. The students gasped as the fire danced and swirled, casting a warm glow across the room.


    Ss watched in fascination as the professor demonstrated the sword''s power. He nced down at his own hands, wondering what it would feel like to wield such a weapon.


    As the mes subsided, Tiffany sheathed the sword, and surveyed the ss once more. "Your first assignment," she said, "is to research the different types of beast weapons and armor that exist in our world. Consider which ones might best suit your individual affinities and fighting styles."


    She waved her hand, and a stack of books appeared on each student''s desk. "These tomes contain information on various magical creatures and the weapons and armor that can be crafted from their cores. Study them carefully, and be prepared to discuss your findings in our next ss."


    Looking at Tiffany, he sensed she held great power and strength. Curious to see what an instructor''s stats looked like, he ran Essence Revtion on her.


    Stats:


    Name: Tiffany Umbercrowe


    Species: Human


    Title: Knight of the Summer Court of the Fae


    Status: Immortal


    Age: 734 years old.


    Maximum Tier: Tier 2


    Current Tier: Tier 2


    HP: (100/100)


    MP: (3000/3000)


    Affinities: Fire


    Strength: 52 (102 with armor)


    Agility: 49


    Stamina: 54


    Intelligence: 8


    Luck: 33


    Ss stared at the Stats screen, unblinking. Once he hit the Title line, he froze. He had no idea what to think or what to do. Tiffany was a Fae knight!


    Tiffany noticed Ss staring at her with a terrified look on his face. "Boy! What are you looking at? You look like you''ve seen a ghost." She chuckled, trying to lighten to mood and potentially snap Ss out of shock.


    Ss wouldtere to regret the next words that came out of his mouth, but in the moment he couldn''t think to say or do anything else. "Are you a Fae?"


    Tiffany gave him a look that could kill a wiser man.


    Ss gulped.

 Chapter 9: The Seelie Court

    <h4>Chapter 9: The Seelie Court</h4>


    The silence that fell over the room was deafening. Tiffany''s gaze bore into Ss, her eyes narrowing as she studied him intently. The tension in the air was palpable, and Ss could feel the weight of every student''s stare upon him.


    Tiffany''s lips curled into a tight smile, but her eyes remained cold and calcting. "What makes you ask such a question, Mr. ckwood?" she asked.


    Ss felt his heart pounding in his chest, the weight of his words settling heavily upon him. He knew he had crossed a line, but there was no turning back now.


    Ss couldn''t think to do anything except tell the truth, or at least most of the truth, despite the potential consequences. "I have a spell that gives me information about people. When I used it on you, it said you are a knight of the Fae."


    [New Quest: Learn about Tiffany''s mysterious past]


    The room remained silent. Tiffany''s expression remained unreadable, her eyes locked on Ss. "I see," she said atst. "And what, pray tell, led you to use such a spell on me?"


    Ss breathed as calmly as he could under Tiffany''s gaze, his voice steady. "I wanted to know how strong you were. I was just curious how strong abat professor would be. I''m sorry. I should have asked first."


    In a controlled but stern voice, Tiffany said. "I understand your curiosity, Ss, I do, but you might''ve considered my privacy first before throwing usations out in front of the ss. Besides, the truth is far moreplicated than you think."


    "I was once a human knight on a ce called Earth," Tiffany said. "But when my sister was cut down in front of me, I made a pact with the Seelie Fae to bring her back."


    Tiffany''s gaze grew distant, as if lost in the memory of that fateful decision. "In exchange for their aid, I pledge a lifetime of servitude to the Summer Court," she continued. "But the Fae interpreted life time differently than I did."


    "Using their magic, they granted me immortality," she exined, "binding me to their service as a knight of the Summer Court for eternity."


    Ss saw Tiffany''s mask ofposure crack, revealing a glimpse of the emotional turmoil thaty beneath. Her voice wavered as she recounted her story.


    "I made a choice," Tiffany said. "A choice to save my sister, no matter the cost. And that cost me my freedom and my mortality."


    Tiffany''s voice grew stronger, her posture straightening as she regained herposure, looking out at the ss. "But make no mistake," she said, "I am still human at my core. My loyalty lies not only with the Seelie Court, but with protecting the innocent, delivering justice to those who would harm them, and fighting in the war on the side of Eldoria."


    "Besides, the Seelie Fae are long gone, victims of Queen Mab''s tyranny. The Seelie Fae are not the ones we are fighting. We fight the Unseelie, cruel, selfish, and mischievous. The Seelie engaged in trickery, of which I am a victim, but they don''t lie. The Unseelie would shake your hand, and stab you in the back the moment you turn around."


    She surveyed the room, her gaze lingering on each student as she spoke. "My role and responsibility as your teacher remains unchanged," Tiffany dered. "I am here to help prepare you for battle, and the myriad of challenges that lie ahead of you."


    Tiffany''s words seemed to wash over the ss, dispelling the tension that had hung in the air.


    [Quest Complete: Tiffany''s mysterious past revealed! +5 Exp]


    Tiffany turned her attention back to Ss, her expression softening as she regarded him. "Ss," she said, her voice gentle but firm, "I understand that you possess unique abilities and face challenges of your own. Know that I am here to support and guide you as you navigate your journey through the magical world."


    She offered him a small, encouraging smile. "You are not alone in this, and I will do my best to help you understand and harness your powers, just as I will for every student in this ss."


    With the air cleared and a newfound understanding established between them, Tiffany seamlessly transitioned back to the lesson at hand. "Now, let us return our focus to the fascinating world of beast weapons and armor," she said, her voice once again filled with passion and enthusiasm.


    "Now, as I said before, it is time for you to do your own research and find equipment that suits your affinities and fighting styles. I wish you luck. Come to me if you have any questions."


    As the students dispersed to research beast weapons and armor, Ss found himself drawn to a pair of mana-absorbing gauntlets crafted from the cores of mana leeches. He carefully examined the intricate design, marveling at the way the leech cores were seamlessly integrated into the metallic framework. The gauntlets seemed to pulse with a faint, eerie glow, as if thirsting for the mana they were designed to drain.


    Ss couldn''t help but feel a strange kinship with these gauntlets, given his own mana-leeching abilities. He wondered if wielding them would amplify his powers, allowing him to draw mana from his opponents more efficiently and effectively. The thought both excited and unnerved him, as he grappled with the implications of his unique abilities and the potential consequences of embracing them fully.


    Nearby, Jace was engrossed in the study of a weapon forged from the cores of dupli-dodos. It was a set of throwing knives. ording to the apanying text, they had the ability to split into multiples when thrown creating a cluster of knives instead of just one.


    Jace''s eyes lit up with excitement. The dupli-dodo core weapons would be a game-changer for someone with Jace''s abilities. Jace couldn''t just make duplicates of himself. He could also make duplicates of objects. So rather than a small pile of cluster knives, he could make a near infinite number of cluster knives for each of his duplicates to carry. He could turn a target into a pin cushion in seconds.


    Rowan on the other hand was examining a shield forged with the cores of summoner squirrels. They were known to be able to summon dozens of squirrels each to fight for them. Individually, the squirrels were a nuisance at best but with dozens of them, they could overwhelm even the mightiest of opponents.


    The shield would amplify Rowan''s summoning magic, allowing him to summon multiples of his summons or multiple types of creatures. It was a tantalizing prospect, one that could give him a significant edge inbat and exploration.


    Rowan knew that mastering this shield would require dedication and practice. He would need to learn how to channel his mana through the squirrel cores, harmonizing his own energy with the shield''s inherent power. But he was more than willing to put in the effort, knowing that the rewards would be well worth it.


    As the ss came to a close, Tiffany made an announcement that sent a ripple of excitement through the room "In future sses," she said, her own voice filled with anticipation, "you will have the opportunity to practice wielding beast weapons and inter sses, to begin gathering the materials to have your own built. Yes, that does mean we will eventually venture out into the Aetherwild."


    Ss was excited by the prospect of getting his hands on a beast weapon of his own. He nced at Jace and Rowan, seeing a simr eager glint in their eyes. They had spent nearly two hours poring over the tomes Tiffany had given them, studying the various types of beast weapons and armor. The possibilities thaty before them were greater than they could''ve possibly imagined.


    Tiffany''s words painted a vivid picture of the challenges and potential rewards that awaited them. "You will learn to harness the power of these artifacts, to channel your mana and magical affinities through them, and to wield them with skill and precision."


    She paused, as if to emphasize the importance of her next words. "But remember, obtaining the materials for your beast equipment will not be a simple task. You will need to venture out into the wilds, to face the very creatures from which these weapons are forged, and to prove yourselves worthy of their power."


    Ss was a little intimidated by the thought of confronting the fearsome beasts that roamed thends beyond the university walls in the Aetherwild. He knew it would be dangerous, but he had to get his hands on a weapon that would allow him to unlock his full potential. He couldn''t resist the temptation.


    As the ss filed out of the room, abuzz with excitement, Ss stayed back. He wanted to talk to Tiffany before he left.


    "Hey so," Ss began, "about earlier, I''m sorry for assuming you were an enemy. I hate to admit it, but in the moment, I was scared."


    "I understand, Ss," Tiffany said, her expression one of empathy. "First, you need to think before you let your inherent prejudices get the better of you. Everyone has them, but working to ovee them is what makes an adult. And second, if there is an enemy in your midst, don''t just blurt it out. That could get you killed or worse."


    "What''s worse than killed?" Ss asked, incredulous.


    "Trust me, you don''t want to know," Tiffany replied.


    "So are you the strongest person in the school?" Ss asked.


    "Fighter, yes. Mage, no," Tiffany said. "That would be the headmistress. Now get to your next ss." She shooed him off.


    After all the students had left the ssroom, Tiffany pulled out a box and set it on her desk. She opened it. Inside, there were several unicorn horns. "Where are you, sister?" She said, looking at them, a single tear trailing down her cheek.

 Chapter 10: Family Situations

    <h4>Chapter 10: Family Situations</h4>


    Ss, Jace, and Rowan sat together in Arcane Theory ss. Jace leaned back in his chair as they waited for the professor.


    "Ready for some magic theory to blow your minds?" he asked.


    Rowan raised his eyebrow, mildly amused. "I don''t think theories are supposed to blow your mind."


    Jace waved his hand, dismissing Rowan''s criticism. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. I''m just excited to learn. You know what I mean?"


    It was Ss''s turn to be incredulous. "Jace, I don''t think anyone knows what you mean. I''m just trying to not die as soon as I graduate."


    "What''s with the downer mood, buddy? Who pissed in your cereal?" Jace said.


    "You two are going to give me grey hairs," Rowan sighed.


    "You''re telling me you''re not excited? Mr ''I got straight A''s all through school.'' Isn''t that what you were telling mest night?" Jace said, surprised.


    "I''m not the overachiever, my parents are. They''re the ones who pushed me to get straight A''s," Rowan said.


    "Are your parents mage knights too?" Ss asked, curious.


    Rowan nodded. "Both of them. Strong ones too. They always expected me to aplish as much as they did, if not surpass them."


    "That sounds like a lot of pressure." Ss said.


    "You have no idea," Rowan said.


    Jace leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk and squashing his face in his hands. "At least your parents were around. Mine were always busy with the family business."


    "What kind of business?" Ss asked.


    "They''re merchants. Textiles mostly, but they have an antique shop they run out of our house. They were always right on the other side of the wall, but they still never had time for me," Jace said.


    "You''re making me feel like I got it good, man, sheesh," Rowan said.


    "What about you, Ss? What''s your family situation?" Jace asked.


    "I shouldn''t be telling Jace this, but my family situation sucks," Ss said, jokingly directing it at Rowan, pretending to ignore Jace.


    "Hey! I can keep my mouth shut...if it''s important," Jace said, indignant.


    "Ok, well, my mom isn''t a mage. She''s actually not magical at all," Ss said, wincing, waiting for a negative response.


    Rowan and Jace raised their eyebrows but didn''t say anything, so Ss continued. "My mom''s actually in prison."


    "For what?!?!" Jace and Rowan said at the same time.


    "They said it was for trespassing and illegal immigration, but it was really because she was practicing ''science.''" Ss said, a grim look on his face.


    "What?" Rowan eximed.


    "Holy sh**!" Jace nearly shouted.


    "You''re mom''s from Earth?" Jace asked, his eyebrows raised so high they were practically touching his hairline.


    "Yes. Now keep it down. You guys are practically shouting," Ss said.


    Rowan was the first to regain hisposure. "Sorry. That''s just so...wild. I didn''t expect to get my mind blown in Arcane Theory ss, but I guess I did." Heughed, trying to lighten the mood.


    "Holy sh**," Jace whispered.


    "I know, I know," Ss said. "We''ll talk about itter. Now, shut up, the professor is here."


    Professor Hawthorne lectured about mana circuits and cores and flow. The rest of the ss passed by without much fuss.


    Their next ss was Mana Maniption with Professor Valerian. The Professor talked to them about the maniption of pure mana and the constructs you could create with it.


    Working with pure mana was immensely draining. Spells were far more efficient, but if you didn''t have a spell for what you needed, you wanted to have the fundamentals of mana maniption to fall back on.


    For instance if you needed adder but your affinity was fire. Sure you could conjure a normaldder if you knew the conjuration spell well enough, but you wouldn''t always have a perfect spell memorized for every need. And making a firedder was obviously out of the question.


    So you would have to rely on creating one out of pure mana. Pure mana maniption was far more draining, but also far more intuitive than spells. All you had to do was sufficiently visualize what you wanted.


    For the first ss, Professor Valerian had the students try to create a basic object to start and they spent most of the ss practicing just that. Ss watched as Jace and Rowan shaped their mana into simple constructs.


    Jace was able to make a ball, but it dissipated after a few seconds. Rowan had far more control and finesse. He made a me that flickered in his hand. Mana constructs were always greyscale, they had no color. Some were mostly white while others had shades of grey.


    Ss started by trying to create a box but his heart wasn''t in it, so it kept falling apart. He couldn''t maintain concentration. His mind started to wander off, and he started thinking about Rowan''s strange night time friend.


    He thought about its small pudgy body and the way it breathed in time with Rowan when they were sleeping.


    [System message: Construct parameters analyzed. Visualization sufficient.]


    Ss felt something stirring inside of him, literally. The machine that had integrated itself into his body was doing something.


    [System message: Construct requires high mana cost (300). Would you like to assemble the construct?]


    "Sure," Ss thought.


    Ss felt the mana as it left his body and started assembling itself on his desk. It coalesced into a solid form in front of his eyes, mimicking the contours and textures of Rowan''s tiny stegosaurus.


    The ss collectively leaned towards Ss to take a closer look at his creation. It was a perfect life size replica of Rowan''s stegosaurus familiar. It even looked around and breathed.


    Jace did a literal double take when he saw it. "There''s no way, man. How did you do that?"


    Rowan stared at the mana construct of his familiar. "That''s amazing. It looks just like Steggie."


    Professor Valerian approached Ss''s desk, his eyes full of excitement. "That is most impressive, Mr. ckwood. Your control and attention to detail is remarkable for someone who is..." Valerian scanned Ss''s clothes for something, "Rank 9??? I need to talk to Professor Vance to discover the meaning of this. This is a tier 5 construct. How did you aplish this?"


    Ss didn''t want to reveal the existence of his system. It could result in the end of his time here or worse, he could be arrested for engaging in science like his mom. "I mean the altar did say my maximum tier is 00, so maybe it has something to do with that?" He scratched his head sheepishly.


    "Tier 00. That exins it. I am still going to talk to Vance. I will see if he can raise your rank mid-term," Professor Valerian said.


    "Thanks." Ss smiled. Initially, he hated his low ranking because it made him a target for first years, but if he was ranked tier 5, he would just be a target of second years who wanted to show him his ce in the hierarchy. They would assume he was full of himself, and they would try to prove to him he was nothingpared to them.

 Chapter 11: Blood Pact

    <h4>Chapter 11: Blood Pact</h4>


    After their Mana Maniption ss had ended, Jace, Rowan, and Ss sat down in the dining hall for lunch.


    "Dude, that construct you made was insane!" Jace eximed. "How''d you manage to make it so lifelike?"


    "I''m really not sure." Ss shrugged. He''d decided he was still going to keep the system a secret for now. At least until he knew he could trust them fully. "One second I was daydreaming about Rowan''s familiar and the next, I had made the construct."


    Rowan made his usual frown which Ss wasing to realize was his thinking face. "Let''s get back to your mother. She''s from Earth. How did she get here?"


    "Hold on." Ss tried to cast barrier of silence around them. It took a few tries, but eventually he got it. Now no one could hear them talking. "She was experimenting with portal technology and ended up stranded here. She met my dad when she was just trying to survive out here."


    "That''s crazy! So your mom''s a scientist?" Jace asked.


    "Yes."


    "How long is she going to be in prison?" Rowan asked.


    "I don''t know. The police didn''t say. They just took her."


    "Can they do that?" Jace asked.


    "Yes they can. My mom briefly told me about it one time," Rowan said.


    "So are you gonna bust her out?" Jace asked Ss.


    "Time out. We need to pause this convo," Ss said, breathing heavily, overwhelmed. "Before I say anymore, I need to know I can trust you guys."


    "I don''t know about Jace, but you can trust me," Rowan said. "I don''t talk to anybody."


    "Hey I''m trust worthy," Jace said, with a hurt look on his face and his hand over his heart. "I might be a bit of a bbermouth, but if a secret is important, I''ll keep it."


    [System Notification: (2/3) requirements met for Blood Pact.]


    [System Message: Would you like to initiate Blood Pact?]


    "Uh, yes?" Ss said unsure.


    [Hold the hands of the participants of the Blood Pact]


    "Hey guys, this is going to sound weird, but do you want to make a magic pact?" Ss asked hesitantly.


    "I don''t see the need, but I''ll do it." Rowan said, his usual stoic self.


    "Yeah that sounds awesome. I''m in," Jace said, excited.


    "Apparently, we need to hold hands," Ss said.


    Rowan nodded, a serious look on his face. Jace nodded a non serious look on his face. Ss put out both of his hands and his new friends grabbed them.


    [System Notification: Initiating Blood Pact]


    "Ow!" Jace said, pulling his hand back. "Something stabbed me!"


    Rowan pulled his hand back but not like someone who just been stabbed in the hand. "Something bit me." Rowan said, calmly.


    Ss looked at his hands and noticed two drops of blood welling up on his palms. He wiped them on a napkin to get the blood off.


    [System Notification: Combination skill unlocked! Blood Pact sessful]


    "Mom! What does a blood pact do?" Ss said in his head.


    "Ss, why do you only call when you need something?" Evelyn said.


    "I''m sorry Mom, but this is important."


    "Ok, ok. A blood pact binds the members of the pact to not go against the intent of the agreement. In this case, it would mean Jace and Rowan can''t reveal your secrets to anyone."


    "Ok. Thanks. I''ll callter," Ss said.


    "Ok. Good luck," Evelyn said.


    "Ok," Ss said out loud. "So we just entered into a blood pact."


    "What does that mean?" Jace asked. "Am I going to die?"


    "Shut up Jace, you''re not going to die. I don''t think. Ss, is he going to die?" Rowan asked.


    "No one is going to die. You just can''t reveal my secrets to anyone. That''s it." Ss said, wincing, bracing for bacsh.


    Jace straightened up. "Oh. That''s fine. I wasn''t going to do that anyways."


    Rowan looked at Ss with his eyebrow raised. "I don''t think that was necessary, but I did agree to it. Now continue with what you were going to say."


    "Oh yeah," Ss said. "Jace, yes I''m going to bust her out, but not until I get stronger. And when I find out where she even is."


    "Can we help?" Jace said. "This sounds exciting. Like some kind of heist movie."


    "I''ll help with what I can, but I''m not risking my life or jail time for you, Ss. I''m sorry. I just met you," Rowan said, honestly and firmly.


    Ss waved his hands in front of himself. "Whoa hold up! I''m not asking you guys to help. I''m just telling you guys this stuff because you wanted to know."


    "Now I gotta go," Ss said. "I''ll tell you guys the restter."


    "Ok," Jace said, disappointed.


    "See youter," Rowan said.


    * * *


    For his independent study period, Ss headed to the university library to start really learning spells. Using his Learn and Speed Reading skills, Ss started destroying every spell book he could find. Every spell book contained one spell.


    ''Learn'' gave him perfect recall of anything he read, and ''speed reading'' allowed him to read faster. It only took him about 20 minutes to go through each spell book.


    He learned fire st, water spout, wind gust, earth spray, and many more. He learned every tier 10 spell he could get his hands on.


    The things about affinity tiers is the concepts were foundational. You had to learn tier 10 spells in an affinity before learning tier 9 spells in that affinity and so on. For some reason he could only find books on the big four affinities, fire, air, earth, and water. And they were all tier 10.


    There were higher floors to the Grand Athenaeum. He supposed moreplex spells were on the higher floors. He would bother with that another time though. He had enough to worry about just learning the spells that were avable.


    Magical affinities just marked what people were naturally good at. A mage could learn any spell they wanted, but it took five times the mana to cast. So people tended to stick to their affinities.


    Affinities were also easier to cast. You didn''t have to use incantations or hand symbols. You could simply cast them in your mind.


    This gave an advantage on the battlefield because opponents wouldn''t necessarily know what you''ve cast, whereas non-affinity spells are far more telling.


    Since Ss''s affinities didn''t offer much in the way of spells and were mostly skills or abilities, he would need to learn non-affinity spells.


    This was only a temporary stop-gap. Eventually, he would need to stick to his affinities if he wanted to reach his full potential, but this would help him shore up his weaknesses for now.


    Every time he would learn a spell, the system would alert him and reward him with experience.


    [System Notification: New tier 10 spell learned: Air disc! +2 Exp (16/40)]


    After nearly 5 hours of reading, Ss heard the sound of footstepsing his way. Looking up, he saw the librarian, an elderly mage with a long ck velvety robe decorated with runes and symbols.


    He murmured an incantation as he approached. There were silver streaks in his hair and beard. He looked at Ss over his sses with mismatched eyes, one green, one pale blue.


    "Ah, a fellow schr, I see. Balthazar Arcanelius, curator and guardian of the Grand Athenaeum," he said.


    "Ss ckwood, sir. I was just trying to relearn the basics," Ss replied.


    "The basics indeed," Balthazar said, looking over the stacks of books Ss had on either side of him. "You seem to be making incredible headway in that regard. Are you actually reading these books you''re flipping through?"


    "Yes, sir. I guess you could say I have a spell that allows me to read quickly," Ss said.


    "A spell, he says. What''s your affinity?" Balthazar asked.


    "Neuromancy, biomancy, and essomancy."


    "Three affinities! That''s almost unbelievable, and I yet I do. Believe you, that is. And affinities I''ve never heard too. Did Al tell you that?"


    "Yes, it did, but how do you know its name is Al?" Ss asked.


    "I know a great many things. For instance, I know you''re not relearning these spells. You''re learning them for the first time, aren''t you?"


    "How did you know?"


    "It''s obvious by the excitement and curiosity in your eyes." Balthazar said.


    "Huh." Ss said.


    Balthazar leaned in close. "If you want to get a leg up on yourpetition, I suggest you check out books on alchemy, enchantment, and artifice. Unlike spells the effects are cumtive."


    "I''ll do that. Could you point me in the right direction?"


    Balthazar pointed down the row of books. "Go down two rows, make a left and the sections will be on your right. Happy hunting."


    Having finished thest book in the pile, Ss got up to check out the section Balthazar rmended. As he walked away, Balthazar said, "Also, make sure you research divination, conjuration, and abjuration. Very useful for any mage, regardless of affinity."


    Balthazar cast a spell and the books Ss had stacked on the table started putting themselves back on the shelves.


    After another hour of reading, Ss had learned one potion, one enchantment, and the basics of weapon forging. Not a massive aplishment, but it was a start.


    The potion he learned was the always useful health potion, and the enchantment was a tracking enchantment. You enchanted an object like a rock and shoved it someone''s pocket or an object they owned and you''d be able to tell where they were at all times, unless they were out of range. The range was about a mile.


    Ss practiced it on pieces of paper and after about a dozen attempts, he was able to produce it well enough for it to work. One would assume that because he had perfect recall of anything he read, that meant he''d be able to perform the magic right away, but apparently that was not the case. There was just no need to physically reference the book every time he tried, because he could reference it in his head.


    The way it worked was if he concentrated on the paper with the symbol on it, he could see a small green light that could prate through solid objects like walls and book shelves. The light would get bigger or smaller depending on how close he was to the tracking object.


    After he was done practicing, he had several tracking papers to work with. He put them in the books he checked out of the library so he wouldn''t lose them. The thought of seeing Balthazar''s face, when Ss told him he''d lost a book filled him with dread.


    Ss felt himself getting tired after his long study session in the Grand Athenaeum. Figuring it was time to head back to his dorm, he packed up his belongings and headed out the door. As he made his way across campus, he heard the sound of footsteps behind him.


    Ss activated his sound istion skill. The volume on everything was turned way down except the footsteps. By the sound, he figured there were 4 people roughly a hundred feet behind him.


    As he neared a hedge, he hopped over it, hoping to slow them down and give him some time to put distance between him and them. Unfortunately that hope was dashed when he heard a muttered, mina venti," as a wind de sliced through the bushes.


    If he hadn''t realized it by now, this made Ss certain he was being hunted. He broke into a sprint and the foot steps behind him quickened to match. As Ss rounded a corner, something grabbed hold of his ankle causing him to trip forward and m to the ground.


    The wind knocked out of him, Ss turned over on his back to face his pursuers. He saw 4 second year students, he could tell by the emblems on their cloaks, with their hoods drawn up to hide their faces.


    The one in front slowly walked up to him, grabbed the top his head by his hair and mmed the back of his head into the ground. After that, everything went ck.

 Chapter 12: Damien Devereux

    <h4>Chapter 12: Damien Devereux</h4>


    Ss slowly returned to consciousness, groaning. His head throbbed and he could taste blood in his mouth. He opened his eyes. Looking at himself, he could see that his body was bound in a red rope. A blood red rope.


    stair. Amp illuminated the area, casting flickering shadows across the ground. When he looked up, the face that was staring back at him was not the face of stair Devereux. He looked simr though. He had the same chiseled features and blue eyes. Maybe a brother or a cousin.


    A cruel smile twisted the man''s lips. "Hi, Ss is it? The name is Damien Devereux. My brother, stair, informed me of your transgression. You raised your hand against a Devereux. A mistake you will pay dearly for."


    "We are going to throw you over the side of Arcanium. The fall itself will kill you, and the carnivorous tiger fish will devour your body. There won''t be a trace of evidence left. You''ll just disappear like many have before you."


    [System Notification: Host in danger]


    [New Quest: Defeat the hostile students]


    Ss wanted toplete the quest and get out of there, but when he struggled to get out of the rope, it was no use. It held him too tightly. Three other students stood nearby, with their hoods drawn up, hiding their faces. It was then that Ss noticed the railing behind him marking the edge of one of Arcanium''s floating tforms.


    "Do you have anyst words? If you beg for forgiveness, I might change my mind." Damien smiled, revealing a perfect set of gleaming white teeth.


    Ss narrowed his eyes at Damien, his blood boiling. "People like you are the reason life is so difficult for everybody else. I would never beg for forgiveness from an elitist piece of garbage like you."


    "You insolent worm. You''ll regret those words on the way down." Damien leaned down, his face inches from Ss''s. "Throw him over the railing."


    [System Notification: Prolonged eye contact established. Initiating Soul Link]


    Ss''s vision blurred, his consciousness entering a state wholly unfamiliar to him. He could feel Damien''s mind intertwining with his, thoughts and emotions transferring to him. shes of Damien''s memory flickered at the front of Ss''s mind, a childhood of privilege and entitlement, and a deep seated arrogance instilled by his family''s status.


    Damien held his head and squeezed his eyes shut, his confident sneer faltering as he experienced glimpses of Ss''s life, living in a world unable and unwilling to ept him, being treated as defective, having a loved one ripped away from him.


    In that moment, their souls touched, illuminating the divide between their vastly different lives. One would think this would bring them closer together, create a bridge of understanding, but that couldn''t be further from reality. This look into each other''s souls only served to solidify their views about one another, fueling the fire of hatred between them.


    Damien''spanions tossed Ss over the side of Arcanium University. As he plummeted towards the water below, Ss struggled to break free of the rope binding him, but he just wasn''t strong enough. It would take superhuman strength to remove it, which he didn''t have. Not yet.


    When he hit the water, Ss broke several bones. The bones in his feet, legs, and ribs. One of his ribs punctured his lung.


    At the same time, Damien experienced all the sensations that Ss did through the soul link. The pain of the impact made Damien go unconscious.


    [Defeated stronger opponent. +10 Exp (42/40)]


    [You have leveled up! You are now Level 4. You have 20 affinity points and 4 ability points to distribute.]


    [Warning: Host is in critical condition. Death imminent.]


    [New Quest: Survive]


    ''Thanks,'' Ss thought through the pain. His mind was barely functioning at this point. ''Am I just going to die?''


    ''You are not going to die,'' a voice said. It was Evelyn, his mother. ''Now I need you to do exactly as I say. Go into your biomancy skill tree and buy the skill ''Regenerate.'' It will allow you to slowly heal yourself in exchange for mana. Do it now.''


    Ss could barely understand what she was saying, but he did what she said. He mentally navigated to the biomancy skill tree and purchased ''Regenerate.''


    His body slowly began to heal itself. He wasn''t out of the woods yet though. His body was fully submerged underwater, so he couldn''t breathe. Ss tried to move his body, but it still wasn''t healed enough.


    If only he could breathe underwater. That gave Ss an idea. He navigated back to the biomancy tree and opened up the full list of skills. He scrolled down until he found what he was looking for.


    In the skill tree, there was a skill titled ''Water Breathing.'' He figured since it was biological maniption and he was part leviathan, that he would be able to gain the ability to breathe underwater.


    When he saw the cost, his heart sank. "Cost: 30 affinity points," it said. Now what was he going to do? He was reaching the point in holding his breath where it was starting to hurt, and he still couldn''t move.


    He was going to die. There was nothing else he could do. It was hopeless. The clock was ticking down to zero. Pretty soon he would pass out from holding his breath, and when that happened, his body would instinctively try to breathe. His lungs would fill with water and he would drown.


    Just as Ss''s vision was starting to go dark, he saw a light, piercing the surface of the water. It was moving, searching. When the light hit him, it stopped.


    A metal object like a big dull hook plunged under the water and hooked underneath his arm, in his armpit. He was roughly pulled out of the water and flopped into a small row boat.


    There was barely enough room in the boat for one person, let alone two. Atop a pole sticking off the front of the boat, sat a litntern. A stranger leaned over him, cast in the orange glow of thentern. The man had a dark brown beard and a scar over one eye. He was bald and he was wearing the robe of an Arcanium professor. Ss could tell by the emblem over his heart.


    The man lightly pped Ss''s face. "Lad! Are you alright? Do you need a health potion?"


    Ss was at least halfway healed at this point. "Yeah, I think I''ll be ok." Ss spat up blood as he said that, his voice weak and raspy from the still punctured lung.


    "You don''t look alright," said the man. "Here, have myst health potion." He opened a vial and poured the red liquid down Ss''s throat.


    Ss swallowed and almost immediately he felt better. The bone pulled out of his lung, his lung resealed itself, and the bone put itself back in ce in his ribs.


    [Quest Completed: Lethal fall survived! +5 Exp]


    Ss coughed up some more blood and spat it over the side of the boat.


    "Whoa, don''t do that," the man had started to say, but it was toote. Ss had already done it. "Oh well. I guess we''re gonna have a fight on our hands soon. Tiger fish love the smell of blood. We may die, so I might as well introduce myself now. I''m Rathgar. Rathgar Ironforge. I''m the artifice professor at your school."


    "Nice to meet you, Professor Ironforge. I''m Ss ckwood." Ss wiped the blood from his mouth and wiped it on his robe this time.


    "Nice to meet you too, Ss. Just call me Rathgar. I wish we could''ve met under better circumstances. Are you any good with a harpoon?" Rathgar asked.


    "Never used one, but I''ll do my best," Ss said nervously.


    "Here theye!" Rathgar said, handing Ss a harpoon.


    [New Quest: Defeat the giant tigerfish (0/36)]


    The murky depths below the small rowboat churned with movement. A dark mass undted just beneath the surface. All of a sudden, sleek bodies breached the water, rows of razor sharp teeth glistening in the light of thentern.


    A school of giant tiger fish swarmed the boat. The scent of Ss''s blood had drawn them in. They circled the boat relentlessly. One by one, they started taking bites out of the underside of the boat.


    Small leaks began to spring up. Rathgar started thrusting his harpoon into the water repeatedly. "Just start stabbing Ss! We need to thin them out so they can''t sink us!"


    Ss just started plunging his harpoon into the water as fast as he could. His enhanced stats were really paying off here. He was using all his strength and agility to thrust the harpoon into the fish, but he didn''t even feel out of breath. His muscles were starting to burn a little, but that was it.


    [Giant Tigerfish defeated! +5 Exp]


    [Giant Tigerfish defeated! +5 Exp]


    [Giant Tigerfish defeated! +5 Exp]


    Those system notifications just kept going off over and over. Ss tried tuning it out, and the notifications stopped showing up.


    In the upper right corner of his vision was an icon with a number next to it, and the number kept going up. That was much better. Now he could check his notificationster, after he was out of danger.


    More leaks started springing up, sinking the boat faster. Ss and Rathgar were making decent headway. They had taken out around half of the school by now. Still the boat began to sink. The water was up to their ankles at this point.


    They kept working their way through the fish, and by the time the boat had almost sunk, they were down to five tigerfish. Then the boat lost its battle with gravity and sunk, plunging Ss and Rathgar into the water with the fish.

 Chapter 13: Water Breathing

    <h4>Chapter 13: Water Breathing</h4>


    The cold waters enveloped Ss as the boat sank beneath the surface of the water. Through the murky depths, he could see the remaining tigerfish circling menacingly, their sleek bodies cutting through the water with ease.


    Ss locked his eyes on the nearest tigerfish. He waited for it toe within range, and then plunged the harpoon into its open mouth. The creature thrashed around for a few moments before falling still.


    Rathgar moved quicker than Ss thought someone could move in the water, his harpoon taking out two tigerfish nearly simultaneously. His movements were precise and efficient, with no wasted energy.


    Thest two tigerfish must have finally realized they were in danger, because they tried to dart away from the two men. With powerful kicks, they gave chase, determined to silence the threats.


    With the light of the moon, Ss was able to keep track of the fish. As it tried to swim past him, he buried the harpoon deep into its side.


    Thest tigerfish tried to flee past Rathgar, but he was ready to meet it, plunging his harpoon into its eye socket. The creature convulsed before floating lifelessly in the water.


    [Quest Completed: +10 Exp]


    Finally out ofbat, Ss and Rathgar surfaced and gasped for air. They tread water for a minute to catch their breath and then turned their attention to the fallen tigerfish. Rathgar gestured towards the nearest one.


    His voice was gruff, but approving. "Well done,d. Now, let''s see about collecting those mana cores."


    Ss and Rathgar worked quickly and methodically, harvest the mana cores from the bodies of the tigerfish. The cores were roughly the size of marbles and pulsed with a faint blue glow. When they were done, they had gathered nearly three dozen glowing cores.


    Whenever Ss harvested a mana core, his skill ''Drain'' would activate, sucking up the residual mana left in the core, leaving it dull and lifeless. He noticed the mana cores of the tigerfish were not only of a smaller size than his leviathan core, but they also had a silver grey hue.


    Ss also noticed something else that was strange. Roughly every fifth tigerfish had two mana cores in them. Sort of. Ss would see the mana core, remove it, but then after removing it, another one would be in its ce, and he would remove that one.


    Rathgar carefully stored half the cores in a leather pouch, securing it to his belt. The other half he allowed Ss to have. He didn''t know about the duplicate cores.


    "A fine haul. These will fetch a pretty coin at the market, or serve as excellentponents for magic weapons and armor."


    "Oh damn!" Rathgar eximed. "My lucky hammer sank with the boat. I never leave home without it."


    "I have an idea. I think I can get it," Ss said.


    "How? Thiske is deeper than you think, and there''s much more dangerous beasts than just tigerfish."


    "Hold on. Let me check something." Ss pulled up his notifications, and sure enough, he had leveled up again, giving him an additional 20 affinity points on top of his unspent 10 from thest time he leveled up.


    He searched through the biomancy skills until he found ''Water Breathing'' and purchased it with his points. He noticed he also had 9 ability points to distribute. 5 from his previous level up, and 4 from his recent one.


    At this point, he wasn''t sure whether to put his points into luck again. He was starting to reach the upper limit of what he could do with his physical stats.


    Ultimately, the allure of having outrageous luck was too strong. He put the 9 ability points into luck, bringing him up to a frankly ridiculous 29. Assuming 10 was the normal luck for most people, he had nearly three times as much luck as other people.


    The only person he knew had more luck than him was Tiffany, and at the rate he was leveling up, he would catch up to her soon. Her luck probably had something to do with the fae magic she was imbued with, and not something normal people had.


    After closing the system menu, he felt a strange sensation in his neck. He put his hand to the side of his neck, near his vicle and he could feel slits in the skin. The system must have made him grow gills so he could breathe underwater.


    "I''ll take the harpoon. It''s hard to exin, but I can adapt my body to different environments."


    "Some sort of transformation affinity?"


    "Something like that."


    "Ok, if you''re confident you can get it. Be careful."


    "I''ll see you in a few minutes."


    Ss submerged himself in the water, swimming down towards the bottom of theke. It was quite dark, but his eyes had adjusted to the darkness, and he could see the light of the moon shining through the water.


    Instead of breathing as he normally did, he breathed through his gills, taking in water and expelling it. He didn''t feel the need to take a normal breath so he figured it must be working.


    Using his powerful legs to slice through the water, Ss propelled himself deeper. The depths of theke were quite dark. Ss went into his system setting menu, something he hadn''t even touched before, because he had a feeling there would be a brightness or gamma setting.


    As he suspected there was a brightness and a gamma setting. He decided to turn up the brightness. This was a trick he used quite often when yingputer games with his mom.


    The game designers prefer the yer bnce the brightness of their game so you can see what you''re supposed to see and you can''t see the traps or hidden enemies.


    But they almost always left the yer with the option to crank up the brightness or the gamma, which illuminated dark areas and made it easy to see in dark ces.


    With his turned-up brightness and the light of the moon, he was able to make out the shape of the rocky bottom below with ease.


    Ss could sense the presence of other creatures around him on his way to the bottom of theke. Massive shapes slowly drifted past him. With the increased brightness, he was able to see far more detail of these creatures than he wanted to.


    He turned his eyes away and just tried to pretend they weren''t there. Ss was in no shape to fight these creatures, so he focused on his objective.


    Finally, heid eyes on the wreckage of Rathgar''s sunken boat. Ity mostly intact on thekebed. Stillying in the back of the boat was Rathgar''s lucky hammer, the head glinting dully in the faint light.


    Ss grabbed the hammer. He performed essence revtion on it out of curiosity.


    Stats:


    Name: Rathgar''s Lucky Hammer


    Enchantments: Forgemaster''s Blessing


    "Hey mom, what does Forgemaster''s Blessing do?" Ss thought.


    "I''ll let the system answer that one," She said.


    [Forgemaster''s Blessing: Allows a skilled wielder to make equipment that is up to two tiers higher than the materials provided]


    "Whoa! No wonder Rathgar wants this thing back."


    With the hammer secured, Ss turned his attention back towards the surface, his legs propelling him upwards.


    As Ss got near the top, he was able to make out Rathgar''s silhouette. The old man was just bobbing in the water as he waited patiently for Ss to return.


    Ss broke through the surface, gasping for air and adjusting to the change in mode of breathing. His gills were still there, but they no longer functioned as they did underwater.


    "I got your hammer," he said, offering the hammer to Rathgar.


    "Lad, you''ve done me a great service. This hammer has been in my family for generations. I wouldn''t be where I am today without it."


    "No problem, Professor," Ss replied.


    "Name your desire, Ss ckwood," Rathgar rumbled. "Whatever you require, be it a weapon, armor, or a tool, I shall forge it for you."


    "I appreciate that, Professor. I''m sure there will be a lot of items I''ll have you forge for me in time. If that''s alright with you, of course," Ss replied.


    "I''d be d to forge anything you need," Rathgar said.


    "Thank you. I assume you must know your hammer is enchanted," Ss ventured.


    "No. Is it? How can you tell? Most enchantments have markings or runes," Rathgar said, a little confused.


    "I have a spell that lets me inspect the magic within items," Ss replied.


    "Do you? You seem to be a man of many talents, my friend. You can grow gills at the drop of a hat, and you can identify magic? What else can you do? Fly?" Rathgar joked.


    "Not yet," Ss replied seriously.


    "Well if my lucky hammer is enchanted, I owe you a greater debt than I imagined!" Rathgar eximed.


    "Yeah. It lets you craft higher tier items than the original materials," Ss said.


    "Huh. I just knew I did my best work with this thing and I could never replicate it with any other tool. Interesting. No wonder it''s been in my family so long," Rathgar said.


    "Well, now that we''ve established I owe you my career, let''s swim to shore," Rathgarughed.


    "Let''s," Ss replied.


    Ss and Rathgar swam back to the shore, their movements cutting through the still waters with practiced ease. As they neared the shallows, Ss could make out the flickeringnterns that marked the path back to the university gates.


    The cool night air caressed Ss''s skin as he and Rathgar emerged from theke. They hoisted themselves onto the dock, rolling onto their backs. Water from their wet clothes, soaked the nks of the dock. As they began their long walk back to the school, water streamed off of them, leaving a trail behind them.


    Rathgar handed Ss his pouch with his share of the mana cores inside. "I think I owe you these. Take the pouch too. You could use it while you''re out adventuring, and I have a ton in my workshop."


    "Thanks!" Ss eximed. Ss took the mana cores he had loose in his pockets and stored them in the pouch, and tied it to his waist.


    They made their way up the winding path that led back to the towering gates of Arcanium University. The flickering torchlight cast dancing shadows across their path.


    As they walked, Rathgar''s voice cut through the quiet, recounting the events that had brought him to find Ss. "I was outte at night, fishing. It helps clear my mind. Then all of a sudden I heard a huge ssh out on theke."


    His brow furrowed as he recalled the memory. "I didn''t know what it was. I knew it couldn''t have been a fish. The sound was too loud and violent."


    Ss listened intently to Rathgar''s recollection of the events. "I rowed my boat as fast as I could. And that''s when I saw you floating face down in the water."


    Rathgar''s eyes found Ss''s, concern making its way across his weathered features. "You didn''t fall from the university, did you,d?"


    Ss nodded, his expression somber. "I did."


    Rathgar''s brow furrowed deeper. "But how in the Forge Mother''s name are you still alive? That fall must be at least a hundred feet!"


    A tired smile found its way onto Ss''s face. "I can regenerate using mana. It''s part of my affinities."


    "Hmm. Your talents are never-ending it seems," Rathgar said, as he stroked his beard.


    As they approached the gates of Arcanium University, Rathgar followed up his question. "But that still doesn''t exin how you ended up taking a plunge. You didn''t jump, did you?" Rathgar looked concerned.


    "No, I didn''t jump. I was thrown off," Ss admitted.


    "By who? If I get my hands on them, I''ll wring their necks. I don''t care who they are." Rathgar growled, his jaw clenched.


    "I only saw one of their faces. His name is Damien Devereux. He''s a second year student here," Ss revealed.


    Ss and Rathgar trudged through the gates of Arcanium University leaving a trail of water in their wake. Their exhaustion was beginning to get to them. Every step was a struggle.


    They were met by a contingent of guards shortly after setting foot within the university grounds. Their armor glinted in the torchlight. One of the guards stepped forward, a stern-faced man with a little bit of stubble.


    "Professor Ironforge," the guard greeted, inclining his head respectfully towards Rathgar. "We''ve been searching for someone fitting the description of this young man. Are you Ss ckwood?"


    "Yes," Ss replied.


    "You muste with us immediately. There are questions that need answering," the guard said.


    Rathgar bristled. "What''s this about, Sergeant Halford?" he demanded.


    "It concerns a student, sir. Damien Devereux. He was found unconscious, mumbling incoherently. The only thing we could make out was the name ''Ss ckwood''," Sergeant Halford said, turning his attention back to Rathgar.


    "We need to take him in for questioning," Sergeant Halford stated firmly, looking at Ss.


    Rathgar''s brow furrowed, his eyes narrowing as he regarded the guards with a mixture of defiance and calction. "Now, see here, Sergeant," he rumbled, his voice carrying a warning edge. "Thisd has been through enough tonight without being subjected to your interrogations. And as I''ve heard it, Mr. Devereux is the reason I found myself fishing Ss here out of theke."


    "What are you saying Professor?" Halford asked.


    "I''m saying Damien Devereux and some other students threw Ss into theke. From the university," Rathgar stated.


    "That is a mighty big usation. Do you have any proof?" Sergeant Halford''s expression hardened, his jaw set in a firm line as he regarded Rathgar''s defiance.


    Rathgar stood firm. "No."1


    "Well then I''m afraid there''s nothing I can do. But those grave usations will have to wait. This questioning isn''t up for debate," he stated, his tone leaving no room for argument. "The Devereux family is a major benefactor of this institution, and they demand answers regarding their son''s condition."


    Ss felt a surge of anger as the reality of the situation became clear. The Devereux name carried weight, and their influence extended far beyond the boundaries of the university. If they were determined to uncover the truth behind Damien''s current state, there would be no shortage of resources at their disposal.


    For a moment, Ss thought Rathgar might defy the guards outright, but then Rathgar''s shoulders sagged, and he let out a weary sigh.


    "Very well," Rathgar grumbled, his voiceced with resignation. "But I''ll be joining you for this... questioning. Thed''s been through enough tonight without having to face your interrogations alone."


    Sergeant Halford nodded curtly, his expression betraying no emotion. "As you wish, Professor." He turned his attention to Ss, his gaze unwavering. "Come along, Mr. ckwood."

 Chapter 14: Interrogation

    <h4>Chapter 14: Interrogation</h4>


    Ss ckwood found himself escorted by the guards, their firm grip on his arms indicating they thought he might try to escape. The corridors of Arcanium University seemed to stretch on forever. The echoes of their footsteps reverberated loudly off the stone walls. Rathgar walked beside him in a gesture of solidarity.


    With his brightness still up, the torches lining the hallways were blinding. He turned it back down so as not to burn his retinas.


    As they neared the interrogation room, Ss mentally prepared himself for what was toe. The guards ushered him inside. The heavy wooden door closed behind them with a resounding thud. The room was sparse. It only had a in wooden table and a few chairs upying the center. The walls were bare, except for a couple hanging torches.


    Ss looked at Rathgar, who gave him a reassuring nod. He wouldn''t be alone in this. He had a friend, albeit a fairly new one.


    The guards left the room and took up positions outside the door. Ss activated his sound istion skill, focusing his hearing on the guards talking just outside the room.


    He quickly went into the system setting menu, hoping it had volume control. He figured if it had a brightness setting, it had to have volume control.


    Unsurprising to Ss, it did. The guards'' voices were low, but after turning up the volume and isting the sound, he could make out their words quite easily.


    "This kid is screwed. The inspector always finds people guilty. Always." One of the guards muttered.


    "Yeah. I''ve seen it happen too many times. Once he decides a person is guilty, he finds a way to pin something on them," the other guard agreed.


    Ss wasn''t looking forward to this ''interview''. He nced at Rathgar to gauge how he should feel.


    Rathgar''s body remained still, his arms folded, but he had a faint look of concern in his eyes. He leaned in close, almost whispering, "Remember,d, the truth is on your side. No matter what they say, hold fast to that."


    Ss replied, also speaking quietly, "What if the truth reveals things about me they don''t like?"


    Rathgar thought about that for a moment. "Telling the truth doesn''t mean telling them all your secrets. Only reveal the ones you think they''ll find out anyway."


    "Ok. Thanks," Ss replied. He knew Rathgar''s words held wisdom. He just had to bnce what he said with what he could get away with not saying.


    Ss ckwood watched as the door opened, and four university officials walked in. Two stern-faced council members entered, followed by Professor Morgath, the lead interrogator, and a scribe.


    Morgath was a middle-aged man with a prating gaze and suspicious eyebrows. He looked like a permanent scoff was built into his face.


    As the officials took their seats, Ss''s mother''s voice echoed in his mind.


    "Ss. Use your ''essence revtion'' on the investigator. We need to know what we''re up against," she urged.


    Ss activated his ''essence revtion'' skill and looked at Professor Morgath. Lines of text filled his vision, revealing his various stats. The important part, his affinity, was psychological magic.


    "What is psychological magic?" Ss thought.


    "It allows the user to understand a person''s psyche, their emotions, thoughts, and whether they are telling the truth," she replied.


    "So can he hear us talking right now?" Ss asked.


    "No. It''s not that specific. He can determine more general thoughts, like if someone is trying to hide the truth from him or their nose is itchy," she said.


    "Oh, ok," Ss thought.


    Ss would have to maintain strict control over his emotions and thoughts if he wanted to make it through this unscathed.


    The room fell silent as Professor Morgath leaned forward, his piercing eyes locked on Ss. "Mr. ckwood. I trust you understand the seriousness of the situation you are in."


    [New Quest: Escape punishment]


    Ss met the professor''s gaze. He knew he was in danger, but he refused to be intimidated. "Yes. I do."


    Professor Morgath began, his voice dripping with a false sense of civility, "Very well, Mr. ckwood. I''d like you to tell us, in your own words, what transpired between you and Mr. Devereux."


    "Damien and his friends attacked me. They chased me and knocked me out. Then Damien bound me in a blood rope and his friends threw me off the edge of Arcanium to be devoured by the carnivorous fish below," Ss said, clear and steady.


    Morgath''s eyes flickered with a hint of surprise, as if he had not expected Ss to be so forthright. But the professor quickly regained hisposure, his expression hardening once more.


    "And what, pray tell, led to this alleged attack?" Morgath pressed, his toneced with skepticism. "Surely there must have been some provocation on your part, some reason for Mr. Devereux to take such drastic action."


    Ss could see the trap beingid, but he couldn''t lie, so he had to step right into it. "Damien was seeking revenge against me for beating his brother in a duel."


    "A duel, you say?" Morgath opened a folder. "What sort of duel involves three people fighting against one? I have signed statements from stair Devereux, Cyrus Lockhart, and Vivian Thorne. They attest that you assaulted them. Unprovoked."


    "Unprovoked? Cyrus put me in a choke hold!" Ss eximed.


    "Mr. Lockhart said he put his hand on your shoulder in a persuasive gesture. Nothing more. And then you ruthlessly attacked them," Professor Morgath steeped his hands.


    "Now who is more credible? A scion of the beloved Lockhart family and exemry student, or the son of the infamous criminal Evelyn Winterbourne?" Morgath smiled malevolently.


    "Shouldn''t the truth matter more than credibility, Professor? Can''t you tell I''m speaking the truth?" Ss said, his voice slightly raised.


    "I don''t know where you got that information Mr. ckwood, but I cannot tell if what you say is true. I can only determine if you believe what you''re telling me. That doesn''t mean you can''t be wrong." Morgath replied, a vein popping out on his forehead. "And I know you don''t believe your altercation with those three students was a duel."


    "Ok. Well it wasn''t my fault. They threatened me first," Ss said.


    "By asking to see your sses? Seems rather harmless to me," Morgath said, unconvinced. "I also know you''re hiding something from me. What is it?"


    "I didn''t want them to see my eyes," Ss admitted.


    "So you attacked them? That doesn''t seem like a reasonable response to me."


    "Well, my life depended on it," Ss said. He was relying on the idea that the truth was his greatest weapon.


    "Hmm. And you really believe that. Why?" Morgath rubbed his chin, curious.


    "My life also depends on whether I answer that question. Can you guarantee my safety? Because if you can''t, you might as well lock me up now." Ss replied, scorn in his eyes.


    "Hmm. I certainly am capable of guaranteeing your safety, but why should I do that?" Morgath asked, his hand still on his chin.


    "Because otherwise, you''ll never know why. And people like you always have to know why," Ss said, angrily.


    "While I don''t like the idea that you have leverage on me, you do have a point. I am quite curious as to the reasons for your actions and it''s fairly simple for me to allocate the resources to keep you safe. Ok, I''ll do it. Now tell me why," Morgath said, smiling creepily.


    "Wait Ss! Tell him to give it to you in writing," Ss''s mother said in his head.


    "I want it in writing," Ss said, with a vindictive grin.


    "Ok. I will make it so. Scribe, write up a document to that effect." Morgath said to the scribe.


    The scribe flipped to a fresh page and quickly wrote up a rudimentary contract. She handed it to the inspector. Morgath briefly looked at it, then signed it at the bottom. He extended the paper to Ss to sign.


    Ss took a moment to look it over first before signing.


    "What does it say?" Ss thought.


    "It basically says you will be protected so long as you answer truthfully to any questions asked of you from now on. If you lie, you will be held in confinement and offered no protection," Evelyn said.


    Ss took the pen offered and reluctantly signed the document.


    "Now that that is settled, provide me with the answers I seek. Why did you feel your life was in danger?" Morgath questioned.


    "Because of this," Ss answered. He squeezed his eyes shut and rubbed at them with his shirt. His shirt came away with viscous white goo.


    Ss opened his eyes, and everyone in the room gasped. His pink irises and ck sclera were fully on disy. Ss also opened his mouth, showing off his long sharp canines.


    "My word," Morgath said, amazed. "You are by far the most intriguing person I''ve ever interviewed. This is more than I could have asked for."


    "Any other questions?" Ss asked, feeling like a freak show attraction.


    "Yes. You are using this shocking reveal to obfuscate something. What is it?" Morgath asked.


    Ss sighed. "I have a condition where I have to drain mana from other sources to survive."


    "I suppose you drained mana from stair Devereux, Mr. Lockhart, and Miss Thorne?" Morgath guessed.


    "Yes," Ss said, resigned.


    "Have you considered draining mana from magical beasts?" Morgath suggested.


    "We''re not allowed to leave campus," Ss said.


    "What if I gave you special permission?" Morgath said.


    "You would do that?" Ss said.


    "If it means not having you draining mana from the other students or dying on campus, yes. We can''t afford another scandal," Morgath said. "If you agree to only drain mana from magical beasts, I will not punish you for the previous incident."


    "What about Damien?" Ss asked.


    "He shall face no punishment. He has enough problems being in emergency care. Besides, his parents provide arge portion of our funding. We can''t afford to lose their support," Morgath said. "Do you know anything about his current condition?"


    "Yes. I can link minds with people. Our minds were linked when I hit the water. He felt all the pain I felt. He must be in shock," Ss said.


    "I suppose he deserves that. Very well. You shall face no punishment either. I''ll have to bring the matter of your condition to the council. As agreed, I will guarantee no harm wille to you as a result of their decision," Morgath said, resolutely. "As far as schoolyard altercations, you are not to participate in any scuffles with other students, with the exception of duels supervised by university officials."


    "Ok. Thank you, sir," Ss replied. He despised the way politics and money and influence dictated the flow of justice in this system, but he would have to function under it until he was strong enough to oppose it.


    Professor Morgath called the guards into the room. "Escort Mr. ckwood to his dormitory."


    [Quest Completed: Punishment escaped: +10 Exp]

 Chapter 15: Allies

    <h4>Chapter 15: Allies</h4>


    As soon as they stepped outside the interrogation room, Rathgar pped Ss on the back. "Well done,d. You handled that interrogation like a seasoned pro. I''m impressed."


    Ss shrugged, still feeling unsure. "I feel like I messed up. Now Professor Morgath knows my secrets and has his eye on me. I can''t step out of line, or there''ll be ''severe consequences''."


    "You did the best you could. Morgath agreed to help you. Morgath doesn''t help anyone unless there''s money behind them. Him promising to protect you is a big deal," Rathgar exined.


    "Yeah, I''ll try to be more positive about it," Ss sighed. "Still feels like I lost."


    "Don''t worry about that for now," Rathgar said, his expression turning serious. "Worry about the future. Let me give you some advice."


    Ss looked up at Rathgar, engaged. "What''s that?"


    "Be careful who you trust, but trust someone. You need to build up your circle. There are secret alliances everywhere in this school, and most of them involve the wealthy and connected. The only way to win is to be just as connected as they are, except withmon folk like you."


    "I''m way ahead of you. I''ve been forging alliances since I got here, a day ago." Ss smiled, feeling more confident. It was good to know he was on the right path.


    "Good,d. If you ever need anything, don''t be afraid to ask me for help," Rathgar said.


    "Don''t worry, I''ll be calling on you soon," Ss patted the pouch full of mana cores at his side.


    "I look forward to it,d. I''ll see you soon." The professor turned and strode away into the night, leaving Ss alone with the guards who were following them at a distance. Ss picked up his pace.


    Approaching his dorm room, Ss noticed light seeping out from under the door. Despite his ordeal, he felt guilty for keeping his roommates up. He braced himself, turning the handle and stepping inside.


    Jace and Rowan were still awake. They had worried looks on their faces. They leapt to their feet when Ss entered, bombarding him with questions.


    "Ss! Where have you been, man? We were so worried!" Jace eximed.


    Rowan, his brow furrowed, added, "We heard rumors about an incident at theke. Are you ok?"


    Ss held up his hands, trying to calm their frantic questions. "Sorry for keeping you guys up, but I''m ok."


    He sank onto his bed, thinking about the evening''s events. Jace and Rowan exchanged looks before sitting down next to Ss''s bed.


    "What happened?" Rowan asked.


    Ss ran a hand through his still damp hair and sighed. "Damien Devereux, stair Devereux''s brother, and his cronies ambushed me. Then they tied me up and threw me into theke."


    Jace''s face adopted a look of horror. Rowan clenched his jaw, pissed. "Those bastards," Jace muttered.


    "How did you survive? That''s a big fall," Rowan asked.


    "Professor Ironforge saved me. He pulled me out of the water and gave me a health potion. We had to fight off some tigerfish, but we made it out alive." Ss exined.


    "Sounds like a night. What else happened?" Jace asked.


    "It would be easier if I showed you. Look me in the eyes for like 10 seconds." Ss said to Jace.


    "I''ll do it, but why?" Jace asked, his eyebrow raised.


    "I have a new skill called a soul link. It lets me transfer memories to people," Ss said.


    Jace did as he was told and after several seconds of silently staring at each other, Ss got a notification from the system.


    [Prolonged eye contact established. Soul link initiating]


    Ss felt a strange sensation as the soul link initiated. Ss''s thoughts and memories began to flow into Jace''s mind. They painted a vivid picture of the night''s events.


    Jace witnessed the ambush by Damien Devereux and hispanions through Ss''s eyes. He experienced the sensation of being bound and thrown a hundred feet into the dark, cold waters of theke.


    He felt his bones break on impact, the fear that came with not being able to move under the water. Not being able to swim to the surface for air. And the relief of being pulled out of the water by Rathgar.


    Jace also saw the fight Ss and Rathgar had with the giant tigerfish. The intense interrogation with Professor Morgath, Ss''s secrets discovered, and the barely cordial rtionship between him and the inspector.


    Ss''s thoughts drifted to the path that had led him to this moment. He recalled the discovery of his condition, the pain of being bad at magic, the one thing everyone in Eldoria cared about.


    Jace also experienced the pain that came with the leviathan mana core integration, and the mysterious system that now guided him on his journey.


    Jace felt the bittersweet presence of Ss''s mother within his mind. A fragment of her soul embedded in the machine that was allowing him to finally learn magic.


    Jace felt the pain of Ss''s mother''s abduction by the authorities, and the desperation that drove Ss to push forward despite the odds.


    Through the soul link, Jace gained a better understanding of Ss''s challenges, his secrets, and his future potential.


    As the soul link faded, Ss and Jace sat in silence. Rowan looked at the two of them, not fully understanding the depths of what had just happened.


    "Whoa," Jace said. "No wonder you wanted the blood pact. Your secrets run deep. If the wrong people found out, you''d be in serious sh**."


    "Thank you for your profound wisdom, Jace. But for real, thank you for entering the soul link with me," Ss said, sincerely. "Now it''s your turn Rowan."


    "Hey! Hold on a second. I need to process what just happened. So you guys touched souls and shared memories with Jace?" Rowan asked, looking a little worried.


    "Yes. If you want to know my situation, this is the easiest way for me to do it, Rowan. I''d understand if you didn''t want to, but I promise it won''t be that bad," Ss said.


    After a few more moments of hesitation, Rowan let his shoulders drop. He sighed, and said, "Ok, let''s get this over with." He stared into Ss''s eyes and Ss stared back.


    After a few seconds the link initiated and Ss shared the same memories and emotions with Rowan, that he did with Jace.


    "Wow. That''s a wild ride, and I''m not just talking about the soul link. Your life felt like some sort of y, Ss. There were so many ups and down." Rowan reacted.


    "I guess it has been that way," Ss reflected. "I never really thought of it like that. It''s just been my life, one day at a time."


    "I also get why you needed the blood pact. If this got out, there would definitely be consequences," Rowan said, grimly.


    "Thanks for your support you guys. We barely know each other and you''re willing to go this far down the rabbit hole with me? That means a lot," Ss said, getting choked up.


    "No problem," Jace said. "I live for the possibility of a heist or a jailbreak."


    "No problem, Ss. As I said, I may not help with the jailbreak but you have my emotional support. Just don''t tell anyone. I have a reputation of unfriendliness to maintain," Rowan said.


    "So, you''re allowed to drain mana from magical beasts now?" Rowan asked, a hint of envy in his voice.


    Ss nodded. "Yeah, but I don''t know how I feel about it yet. Draining mana from magical beasts could get me killed."


    Jace ced aforting hand on Ss''s shoulder. "We''ll figure it out together, man. You''re not alone in this."


    Rowan nodded in agreement. "Get some rest, Ss. We''ll talk more in the morning."


    Ss was startled by a soft knock at the door. He exchanged a nce with Jace and Rowan, as if asking them if they were expecting someone, but they seemed as surprised as he was.


    Ss rose to answer it. As he opened the door, he was surprised to find Lyra Voidwalker standing there. Her auburn hair was tousled and her eyes were full of concern.


    "Lyra? What are you doing here?" Ss asked.


    "I heard what happened," she said. "Can we talk? Privately?"


    "You can talk in front of them," Ss gestured to Rowan and Jace. "They know everything now."


    "Oh," Lyra said, a little disappointed she wasn''t the only one who knew anymore.


    "That reminds me. There''s something we need to do to get you caught up. Can you look me in the eyes?" Ss asked her gently.


    "Uh, sure," Lyra said hesitantly. She couldn''t tell what he was up to.


    They stared each other in the eyes until the soul link activated. Ss thought of the same memories he had with Jace and Rowan, showing Lyra what had happened tonight and earlier in his life.


    Lyra blushed. The soul link was exhrating for her. She felt closer to Ss than she''d ever felt to anyone. She knew it was artificial, but it still felt nice.


    "How did you do that?" Lyra asked.


    "It''s part of my essomancy affinity. I can link my soul with others and exchange memories and feelings," Ss exined.


    The impact of what Ss had gone through in his life hit Lyra like a ton of bricks. She had the urge to hug him. "I''m sorry, Ss. I knew they took your mother away from you but I didn''t realize how hard your life has been."


    "It''s ok. I know things are bad, but things have never been better in my entire life. Ever since I got here a day ago, I feel like my luck has changed," Ss said, a smile spreading across his face.


    "Never mind that though. How did you find out about tonight?" Ss asked, curious.


    Lyra bit her lip. "I have my sources. But that''s not important right now. What matters is that you''re okay."


    She reached out and gently touched Ss''s arm, her fingers tracing the bruises left by the blood rope. Ss flinched at the contact, still physically on high alert from the incident. Lyra quickly withdrew her hand.


    "I''m sorry." Lyra said, worried she''d hurt him.


    "It''s ok. I''m fine, really. My body just hasn''t calmed down yet," Ss said.


    "There''s something else you should know. I''ve been doing some digging, and I think I''ve found a way to help you."


    "What do you mean?" Ss asked.


    "I''ll exinter. Meet me in the alchemyb tomorrow night. Bring those two," she looked over at Jace and Rowan, who were staring at the two of them, "if they want to help."


    With that, she turned and slipped out of the room. He looked back at Jace and Rowan.


    "Ss has a girlfriend," Jace said, teasingly.


    "I hate to agree with Jace, but she did seem into you." Rowan said, his expression unreadable and his arms folded. "Now it''s time for us to get to bed."


    Rowan was already in his pajamas. He summoned Steggie, turned off the light near his bed, and went to sleep. Jace and Ss did the same shortly after.

 Chapter 16: Training Room

    <h4>Chapter 16: Training Room</h4>


    Ss ckwood stepped into the massive training room. His eyes scanned the white walls and the wide array of training weapons on disy. The air had a strange chemical scent to it that seemed familiar, but he couldn''t quite ce it.


    Professor Tiffany Umbercrowe stood in the center of the room. Her suit of magnificent armor and dragon-scale sword were on full disy once again.


    Today she wore her long ck hair in a braid that fell down to her lower back. "Choose your weapons wisely," she instructed the students.


    "Today you will be sparring with each other to get used to the experience of fighting in realbat. Don''t worry about injuring each other, the air is infused with evaporated health potions. Any injuries will heal almost instantly, but it will still hurt. I advise avoiding head shots. Those can beplicated to heal," Tiffany said.


    Ss''s gaze fell upon a war hammer. He picked it up. The weight and bnce felt right in his hands. His strength was currently his greatest attribute, so a weapon that couldpliment that would be useful.


    Jace, on the other hand, chose a pair of daggers. They would work well with his natural agility. He twirled them with a mischievous grin. Rowan, looking for a bnce between defense and offense, went for a sword and shieldbo.


    Much to Ss''s surprise, Lyra and Nadia entered the training room. Nadia was the fifth person in their assessment exam. He didn''t know Lyra and Nadia were friends.


    Their presence was unexpected but wee. It was nice to get the band back together, so to speak. While short lived, they had experienced something nerve wracking and profound together.


    Lyra, looking for something she could apply her strategic thinking to, chose a rapier. Nadia, silent and thoughtful, picked up a bow and a wed gauntlet. Thebination of long range offense and short range defense appealed to her.


    As the students paired off, Ss found himself facing Jace. They made brief eye contact, knowing the consequences of prolonging it, and nodded at each other, holding their weapons at the ready.


    [Defeat enemybatant]


    Jace jumped in first, trying to get in close to Ss for some quick slices. Ss countered with the long sturdy hilt of the war hammer for defense.


    He found the surprisingly thin wooden pole didn''t take the hits well. They left deep gouges in the wood. Wounds it couldn''t heal from.


    Thinking quickly, Ss choked up on the hammer and tried to m the head into Jace''s chest to push him back. Jace blocked with his daggers but Ss did seed in pushing him back.


    Jace''s feet actually left the ground for a brief moment, which gave Ss an idea. As Jace coiled his body for another lunge, Ss brought his hands back closer to the bottom of the handle.


    Ss pulled the hammer back, getting ready for a swing. When Jace made his move, Ss swung the hammer underhanded as hard as he could.


    Jace once again blocked with his daggers, but he didn''t anticipate the sheer power behind the swing. While it didn''t hurt him, the impactunched him into the air, throwing him off bnce.


    Ss dashed forward to get behind Jace as he was falling and took another big underhanded swing. This blow impacted Jace''s back and alsounched him into the air, but not as high due to his downward falling momentum.


    Ss had hoped to get a juggle going like in fighting games, but it seemed real physics didn''t match that of his favorite past time. Jace fell back down to the ground before Ss could get under him again.


    Despite this failure, Ss felt triumphant in getting the first blow. After a few seconds ofying motionless face first on the floor, Jace got up and dusted himself off. "Hey, dude, that hurt! I think you broke my spine." He said this, cracking his back.


    [Enemy defeated: +5 Exp]


    "We''re fighting. What did you expect?" Ss asked, an amused yet confused look on his face.


    "Well, I expected to get hurt, but I didn''t expect to die in the first 10 seconds. Geez, guy," Jace whined. He cracked his knuckles and his devious smile made its way back onto his face. "Alright, let''s go again!"


    As Ss and Jace continued fighting, a match between Nadia and Rowan was about to begin. They had opted to stretch first before engaging in mortalbat.


    "I won''t go easy on you just because you''re an archer," Rowan said, adopting his signature frown and furrowed brow.


    "I won''t go easy on you just because your brain is made of muscles," Nadia replied, a little offended.


    "That seemed unnecessary. I''m sorry if I offended you," Rowan said, feeling guilty.


    "Thanks, but no thanks, sugar. Pretty boys like you are all the same. You think you''re better than everyone else, so you cater to us," Nadia said. "I''m not here for it. Now let''s fight." She nocked an arrow and aimed at Rowan.


    Rowan put up his shield, waiting for Nadia to let the arrow fly. For a moment she was aiming at his shield, but then she lowered her aim and fired. Rowan wasn''t quick enough.


    The arrow went right through his knee. Rowan grunted in pain. Now he couldn''t move without removing the arrow, and he didn''t have time with Nadia already nocking another arrow.


    She let her second arrow fly but this time Rowan was ready for it. He lowered his shield as it flew at his other knee and deflected it. Then he chucked his sword at Nadia, forcing her to duck or dodge.


    While she was distracted, Rowan pulled the arrow out of his knee. The wound healed right in front of his eyes. Rowan went to charge at Nadia, while holding up his shield, but the internal part of his knee hadn''t finished healing.


    His leg crumpled underneath him, sending him to the ground. Nadia let another arrow fly, and Rowan barely lifted his shield to block it. Seizing the opening, Nadia came running at Rowan.


    He wasn''t prepared for it. He lifted his shield instinctively, but she came at him from the side with her wed gauntlet. The short, thin knives that made up the ws stabbed through Rowan''s forearm, making him cry out in pain.


    With her other hand, Nadia pulled out an arrow. With her ws stabbed through Rowan''s shield arm, she was able to manipte his arm, moving the shield out of her way.


    She put the arrow against Rowan''s jugr vein and said, "I win." A proud smile spread across her face.


    "Yes, yes, you win. I get it now. You''re strong and I shouldn''t underestimate you. I''m sorry, ok?" Rowan said.


    "You better be," Nadia said, a serious look in her eyes, but then it broke and she smiled again. Sheughed at him, not with him. She offered him a hand and helped pull him back up to a standing position. Then she straightened up and said, "Again."


    "Ok," Rowan said, starting to smile. "I''m going to get you this time."


    "We''ll see about that," Nadia replied as she nocked another arrow.


    Meanwhile, Lyra was facing off against a boy with a staff. She had skewered him at least a dozen times, and he was starting to get tired. Health potions didn''t help with stamina.


    Tiffany watched the students closely. She noted their strengths and weaknesses with an experienced eye. Calling out with advice and encouragement, she guided them to refine their techniques and strategies.


    "We''re going to kick things up a notch. Using the techniques you learned in your mana maniption ss, you will pour your mana into your weapons. While they are low-tier, they are still beast-core weapons, which means infusing them with mana will power them up. Make them stronger and in turn they will make you stronger," Tiffany instructed.


    Ss focused his mind. Drawing upon the mana he had absorbed from others, he channeled it into the war hammer. The weapon came alive in his hands, emitting a soft, pulsing glow. Its weight became more bnced and its surface thrummed with barely contained power.


    After the events ofst night, Ss didn''t have much mana left. He would have to be careful not to use it all up before he could go out and gather more. He had 100 MP left in his reserves and powering up the hammer took 20, leaving him with 80.


    His body seemed to drain 1 MP per hour. This left him with a little over 3 days worth of mana, assuming he didn''t use any up with spells or mana maniption, which wasn''t a fair assumption since one of his sses was literally called ''Mana Maniption''.


    Around him, the other students were experiencing simr transformations with their own weapons. Jace''s daggers shimmered faintly, while Rowan''s sword and shield took on a lustrous sheen.


    Lyra''s rapier glowed with a delicate, silvery light, and Nadia''s bow and gauntlet pulsed with a deep earthy green aura. The staff of the tall, lean boy opposite Lyra, turned an obsidian ck.


    Tiffany nodded approvingly, surveying the students and their newly empowered weapons. "Good," she said. Her voice carried across the training room. "Now that your weapons have been infused with your mana, you''ll find that they respond better to your movements. They will strike with greater precision, move faster, and deliver more powerful blows."


    Ss could feel the difference in his war hammer. The weapon now felt like an extension of his body. Swinging it experimentally, he was in awe of how easy and fluid it felt to move. It also seemed to leave a trail of energy behind it, like a slight after image.


    The other students were testing out their powered-up weapons as well. Their faces were full of excitement with the newfound capabilities they possessed. The training room was filled with the hum of energy and the soft whoosh of weapons cutting through the air.


    Tiffany''s voice cut through the shing of weapons, drawing everyone''s attention. "Alright, students. Who''s brave enough to face me in a sparring match?"


    With that the room fell silent. There was the sound of liquid dribbling onto the floor, which may have been someone peeing their pants or somebody spilling their drink.

 Chapter 17: Silas vs Tiffany

    <h4>Chapter 17: Ss vs Tiffany</h4>


    Ss stepped forward, holding his war hammer tight in his grip. "I''ll take that challenge, Professor."


    Tiffany smiled as she tossed her sword aside. "Very good, Ss. But to make things interesting, I''ll fight bare-handed. You can keep your weapon."


    Murmurs rippled through the room as the other students backed away, forming a circle around Ss and Tiffany, but leaving them enough room to maneuver. Ss adjusted his stance, the war hammer feeling heavier in his hands as he face his unarmed opponent.


    [Combat initiated: Defeat enemybatant]


    Tiffany moved with a fluid grace, her steps light and quick. She circled Ss, her eyes assessing his every move. Ss swung the hammer, but Tiffany dodged effortlessly, twisting her body away from the blow.


    She countered with a series of rapid strikes, Ss dodged one, but then he took one to the face and two to the body. He stumbled back, surprised by how powerful her punches were.


    Tiffany was faster, stronger, and more agile than he had anticipated. He had seen her stats, but he thought the armor would slow her down. She looked like she was wearing gym clothes because of the ease with which she moved.


    Ss adjusted his strategy, using the hammer''s weight to his advantage. He feinted an overhand strike, but turned it into a horizontal swing at about chest level. Tiffany ducked beneath the blow, putting her at a disadvantage.


    She was crouched on the ground and he was above her. Ss took this opportunity to perform an overhand strike. It was especially hard for Tiffany to dodge in this position, so she was only able to get her head out of the way, sacrificing her shoulder.


    The hammer smashed into her shoulder pauldron, causing severe damage as itpressed that section of her armor. This trapped her right arm in a downward position.


    All she could use now was her left arm. Tiffany grinned, "Not bad, Ss. You''re stronger than you look."


    They continued to trade blows, Ss''s hammer against Tiffany''s bare hands. Despite herck of weapons, Tiffany held the upper hand in the fight. Her experience and skill was evident in every movement.


    As the match wore on, Ss''s breath came in ragged gasps and his muscles burned with exertion. Tiffany, on the other hand, seemed barely winded. Her movements were as fluid and precise as ever.


    With a final, decisive upper cut, Tiffany disarmed Ss, punching the war hammer out of his hands, sending it ttering to the floor. She held up her hand, signaling the end of the fight. "Well fought, Ss. I''m impressed. You certainly have potential."


    Ss nodded. His chest heaved as he caught his breath. "Thank you, Professor Umbercrowe. I clearly have a lot to learn."


    Tiffany pped him on the shoulder, her grip firm and reassuring. "Keep training, Ss. Something I learned while I was on earth. Don''t just practice fighting. Train your body as well. Lift weights, hit the track, go for runs. Swim. Do anything you can to build up your body and experience. Thene find me. I''ll be waiting."


    Ss grinned. "I''ll do that. Count on it. I''m not used to getting good advice, but it seems like everyone is full of it here."


    Ss watched as Tiffany went back to addressing the ss as a whole. "Alright. It''s time to take your training to the next level. From now on, you''ll be incorporating your magical affinities into your sparring sessions. Keep in mind that you can channel most affinities through your weapons. Experiment. I''ll be keeping an eye on your progress."


    A murmur of excitement rippled through the room as the students exchanged nces, their expressions full of anticipation. Ss was just as excited. There was something he wanted to try.


    Tiffany continued, "Next week, we''ll be venturing out into the field to hunt magical beasts around Arcanium. While these creatures will be lower tier than what you face in the future, they are no less deadly. You must be as prepared as possible, both physically and mentally. I won''t lose a student out there. I refuse."


    Ss''s grip on his war hammer tightened. He knew the stakes were high, and that every moment of training could mean the difference between life and death in the field.


    He was determined to make it out of here alive, so he would do everything within his power to make that happen. He had ns for when he graduated, and he wasn''t going to let them go.


    "I strongly advise all of you to make use of the training rooms for additional practice," Tiffany said. "Hone your skills, refine your techniques, and learn to work in concert with your magical affinities. The more prepared you are, the better your chances of survival."


    "In addition to the main training room used for sparring sses, we have several specialized chambers designed to simte various environments and scenarios," Tiffany said.


    "These rooms are equipped with advanced magical technology that allows for a more immersive and realistic training experience. You''ll face challenges that will test your abilities to adapt and think on your feet."


    "But that''s not all," she said. "Our training rooms are also connected to those of other magical universities through aplexwork of teleportation magic."


    "This means," she continued, "that you''ll have the opportunity to spar with students from other institutions, giving you a chance to test your skills against a wider range of opponents and magical affinities."


    "These inter-university training sessions will be scheduled regrly, giving you ample opportunity to hone your skills and learn from your peers," Tiffany exined.


    "Consider yourselves lucky. Up until a few years ago, this technology didn''t exist. The higher ups in the grand council have rxed their views on the expansion of technology due to the war effort. Years ago, if you even uttered the word ''technology,'' you''d be brought in for questioning and reeducation."


    As the ss dispersed, Ss approached Jace and Rowan. "Hey, do you want to hit the training room together? We can work onbining our affinities with our weapons ande up with team strategies."


    Jace grinned, twirling his daggers. "Count me in. I''ve been itching to what I can do with these babies and my duplication affinity."


    Rowan nodded. "I''m game. I''m curious how I can make my fighting work with my summoning."


    "Is it ok if I invite Lyra and Nadia?" Ss asked.


    "Yes." Jace and Rowan said at the same time for different reasons.


    Ss went over to introduce the idea of training together to Lyra and Nadia.


    "Yes! I was gonna ask you the same thing," Lyra said.


    "Sure. If you can keep up," Nadia said.


    "Great!" Ss said.


    Ss approached Tiffany, now that ss had ended. There was something he had been meaning to ask her. "Professor, if you don''t mind me asking, where is your sister now? Does she live on campus or in a town somewhere nearby? I figured you''d want to stay together given how close you were."


    Tiffany''s eyes clouded with a mixture of sadness and nostalgia. "My sister, Selene, my twin, you may be surprised to hear, wasn''t a knight like me. She was a gentle soul. She was a weaver. People woulde for miles and miles to buy her cloth."


    "After I made the deal with the Fae, they said they couldn''t bring her back in her original body. They had to give her a new body. Which I think was a lie, because why wouldn''t they just give her another human body then? Instead, they turned her into a horse. Just more Fae trickery. She was a ck horse with a line of unicorn horns on her head and wings."


    "I think they did it just so they could give me apetent and loyal stead. Nothing more. After I failed to protect the king and queen, and the Seelie court fell, Selene and I were separated. All I have left are a few horns in a box to remember her by."


    "We have this connection. We can hear each other''s thoughts. Every so often, I think I can hear her calling out to me, but then it fades."


    "I''m so sorry, Professor. That''s terrible. I really hope you can find her someday." A well of sympathy was building up inside Ss. The best he could think to do, though, was pat the shoulder of her armor.


    "I hope I do too. At least I know she''s alive," Tiffany said.


    As Tiffany spoke, Ss noticed Rowan''s face contort in surprise and recognition. It seemed as though the description of Tiffany''s sister had struck a chord with him, but Ss couldn''t imagine why.


    Ss was curious about this odd behavior, but he didn''t say anything. It wasn''t his ce to pry. Instead, he focused on Tiffany. "If there''s anything I can do to help, Professor, please don''t hesitate to ask. I know what it''s like to have a loved one taken from you, and I want you to know you''re not alone."


    "Thank you, Ss. Your words mean more than you know. And remember, if you ever need someone to talk to, my door is always open. And just call me Tiffany. No more of this professor non-sense please," Tiffany said.


    "Will do, Tiffany," Ss said. He walked back to his friends, leaving Tiffany alone with her thoughts.

 Chapter 18: Magitech

    <h4>Chapter 18: Magitech</h4>


    Ss ckwood approached the Grand Athenaeum, carrying the water damaged books he''d borrowedst night in his arms. He felt apprehensive about informing Balthazar of their condition, but he had to do it eventually so he might as well do it now.


    [New Quest: Return damaged books in shame]


    As Ss entered the library, he found Balthazar hunched over his desk with his nose buried in an ancient manuscript. The librarian''s mismatched eyes, one emerald green and the other ghostly blue, flicked up to meet Ss''s gaze.


    "Ah, young Ss. What brings you to my domain today?" Balthazar asked.


    "I need to return these, sir. They''ve been damaged. I''m sorry," Ss said.


    He ced the books on the desk, internally wincing as the librarian''s brow furrowed. For a moment, Ss thought he might have seen a sh of anger in his eyes.


    "My dear boy. Do you have any idea how valuable these tomes are? The knowledge contained within them? The history they hold?" Balthazar questioned.


    "I''m sorry, sir. It was an ident. I never meant for things to turn out this way," Ss replied.


    Balthazar sighed, picked up one of the damaged books and ran his long, slender fingers over the cover. Then, to Ss''s surprise, he smiled.


    "Fortunately for you, Ss, I am no ordinary librarian," Balthazar said with a wink. "Observe."


    With a flourish of his hand, Balthazar muttered, "restaurare," under his breath. A soft, blue light emanated from his palm, enveloping the damaged books. Ss watched as the water stains faded, the warped pages straightened and smoothed out before his eyes.


    After a few moments, the books were restored to their former condition. They looked like they had never been dunked in water at all. Balthazar smiled and handed the tomes back to Ss, who stood their stunned.


    "Magic, my boy. It has uses beyond the battlefield. Never underestimate the power of a well-executed restoration spell."


    "Thank you sir. I promise to be more careful next time," Ss said.


    [Quest Completed: +5 Exp (55/80)]


    "Might I ask what brought them to be in that condition?" Balthazar asked.


    "It''s a long story. I was ambushed by some second year students who had a grudge against me. They knocked out and threw me into theke, along with the books," Ss exined.


    "My word, that''s quite an ordeal. I trust you''re all right now?" Balthazar asked.


    "Thanks to Professor Ironforge. He fished me out of the water and helped me fight off the tigerfish."


    "Tigerfish, you say? Nasty creatures, those. Their mana cores are quite potent, though. Did you manage to harvest any?" Balthazar said.


    Ss reached into the pouch he had at his side and pulled out a handful of shimmering blue cores. "A few. I haven''t decided what to do with them."


    Balthazar plucked one of the cores from Ss''s palm, holding it up to the light. "Oh, the possibilities are endless, my boy. Tigerfish cores are highly sought after for their revitalizing properties. They can be used in enchantments, weapons, armor, you name it."


    "So can I use them to make better weapons and armor than the stuff they have in Combat and Magic I?" Ss asked.


    "Significantly better, my boy," Balthazar replied. "I suggest you continue to look into those books on enchantment, alchemy, and artifice. Although, you generally won''t be making your own weapons and armor, unless you convince Rathgar to let you use his forge. It is still good to know what goes into the process and what kinds of results you can expect."


    "Thanks, Professor. I''ll make sure to read those books as soon as I can. Right now though, it might be a good idea for me to visit Professor Ironforge," Ss said.


    "Good idea. Next time you are here, let me introduce you to some of the other professors. They know a lot you can learn from that you won''t learn in your regr sses," Balthazar said. "Oh, and call me Balthazar."


    "That sounds great, Balthazar. I look forward to meeting them," Ss hurried on his way to the artifice chamber in the basement of the school.


    As he approached the door, Ss could hear the ng of metal on metal and the hiss of steam. He knocked loudly, hoping to be heard over the cacophony of sounds emanating from within.


    The door swung open, revealing Rathgar''s imposing figure. The professor''s face was smudged with soot, and his bald head gleamed with sweat. Despite his rough appearance, Rathgar''s eyes lit up when he saw Ss.


    "ckwood!" he eximed. "What brings you to my humble abode?"


    Ss smiled, feeling a sense of ease in the professor''s presence. "I wanted to thank you again for saving my life, Professor Ironforge. And I wanted to know if you could make me weapons and armor with these."


    He reached into his pocket and pulled out the tigerfish mana cores, holding them out for Rathgar to see. Rathgar''s eyes sparked with recognition as he took in the sight of the glowing blue cores in Ss''s hand.


    "Well, I''ll be damned. We sure managed to harvest quite a haul from those tigerfish," Rathgar said, picking up one of the cores and examining it closely. "These are some prime specimens, too. High quality, potent. This is a rare find. All of these seem to be of high quality," Rathgar said as he looked at the mana cores one by one. "Usually you get one high quality core in a group, or none at all. You must have some crazy luck,d."


    Ss thought back to his luck stat, which was sitting at a healthy 28. "Yeah, you could say that," Ssughed.


    "We could make some seriously impressive gear with these," Rathgar said, astounded.


    "That sounds incredible. What kind of things could we make?" Ss asked.


    Rathgar rubbed his beard thoughtfully. "Quite a lot,d. With this many cores, we could craft a full set of armor, a couple of weapons, maybe even some magitech essories. Tigerfish cores are particrly useful for enhancing speed and agility.


    "What''s ''magitech''?" Ss asked.


    "Why it''s magical technology. It has onlye out in thest several years. The grand council of mages rxed their policies on the cultivation of technology when new research seemingly came out of nowhere. All we know are their initials. E.W."


    "The council says technology is eptable if it is based in magic and magical people have the ability to use it. Long ago, mages couldn''t use advanced technology, which was the cause of the ban."


    "Now, magitech is booming. It has revolutionized artifice as we know it practically overnight."


    The professor turned and gestured for Ss to follow him into the forge. The room was a marvel of magical engineering, with glowing furnaces, anvils, and racks upon racks of gleaming weapons and armor.


    "Now, crafting gear like this is no simple task," Rathgar exined as he cleared a space on one of the workbenches. "It requires precision, skill, and a deep understanding of the materials you''re working with. But you seem like a sharpd with a strong body and work ethic. You could do well in the field of artifice.


    "I''m eager to learn. Where do we start?" Ss asked.


    "First things first, we need to extract the pure essence from these cores. It''s a delicate process, but I''ll guide you through it. Once we have the essence, we can start infusing it into the materials for your gear."


    The professor handed Ss a pair of protective goggles, gloves, and an apron. "Suit up, ckwood. We''ve got work to do."


    [New Quest: Craft armor and weapons]


    As Ss donned the safety equipment, he remembered something. "Wait, Professor. I can extract essence."


    "What do you mean? It takes equipment and time to extract essence. You can''t just do it by magic," Rathgar said.


    "I can," Ss said.


    "What?" Rathgar said, a look of profound shock and disbelief on his face.

 Chapter 19: Essence Extraction

    <h4>Chapter 19: Essence Extraction</h4>


    Ss took a deep breath and mentally activated his essence extraction skill.


    System Message: [Make contact with the object]


    Ss picked up one of the cores and held it in his palm. [Extracting]. Ss watched as the color drained out of the core until it looked dark and empty.


    ''Where did the essence go?'' Ss thought.


    ''Check the machine,'' his mother prompted.


    Ss looked down at himself, then at Rathgar who had witnessed the essence drain from the core and was staring at Ss in awe. Rathgar was probably wondering where the essence went.


    "Professor, can you turn around for me? I have to do something private," Ss said.


    "Umm, sured. But why?" Rathgar said.


    "I have a few more tricks up my sleeve that I don''t know if I should reveal to you. For your own safety," Ss replied.


    "Lad, you can trust me. I''m not going to report anything to higher ups. Artificer-apprentice confidentiality," Rathgar said.


    "But what if someone forces you to tell them?" Ss said.


    "I don''t know. I suppose I would have to tell them in that case," Rathgar said.


    In that moment, Ss remembered something. "Actually, there is something we can do, but I would need your consent first."


    "What is it,d?" Rathgar asked.


    "I can form blood pacts. They make it so neither party can reveal each other''s secrets," Ss said.


    "I''ve never heard of a spell like that," Rathgar said.


    "I think it''s part of my affinities," Ss said.


    "Ok. Well, I''ll agree to it,d, but don''t make me regret this," Rathgar said.


    "I won''t, Professor. I promise," Ss said.


    "Good. So what do we do? And I told you to call me Rathgar," Rathgar said.


    "Yes, sir, Rathgar. We just hold hands. Now, there will be some minor pain when our blood mixes," Ss warned. Ss extended his hand.


    "That''s fine,d. I''m no stranger to pain," Rathgar said as he took Ss''s hand into his scarred one.


    System Message: [Blood Pact sessful!]


    Ss pulled his hand back, and there was blood on his palm. It pooled together and was sucked back into his skin. Rathgar noticed the blood on his own hand and wiped it on his apron.


    "Now that that''s over with, what were you going to do? Did you suck the essence into your body?" Rathgar asked.


    "Yes, so I need to get it out of this machine I have in my body," Ss said without flinching. He was getting more and more used to exining his situation to people. He wasn''t quite as nervous or embarrassed this time.


    Ss unbuttoned his shirt, revealing the machine in his chest. Rathgar looked surprised at this, and he didn''t seem like the kind of person who was surprised easily.


    "By the Forge Mother''s anvil,d! What is that contraption?" Rathgar eximed.


    "It''s a machine my mother made for me. It helps me ovee my condition I mentioned in the interrogation," Ss replied.


    Rathgar leaned in to take a closer look. "This is magitech years beyond anything I''ve ever seen. You said your mother made this for you? I would very much like to speak to her," he said.


    "I wish I could as well. She was taken by the authorities several years ago. I''ve been told she is being held prisoner by the grand council," Ss said.


    "Who is your mother,d?" Rathgar asked.


    "Evelyn ckwood. Before she was married to my father, her name was Evelyn Winterbourne," Ss said.


    "Your mother is Evelyn Winterbourne? The famous Evelyn Winterbourne? The scientist who broke the treaty with Earth?" Rathgar asked.


    "I think. What this about her breaking a treaty?" Ss asked


    "There was a treaty made with Earth hundreds of years ago, that if they ever found the means to travel to Eldoria, they wouldn''t. Your mother broke that treaty bying here," Rathgar said.


    "That was hundreds of years ago. How was she supposed to know that?" Ss asked.


    "Wouldn''t Earth''s government pass the treaty down from generation to generation?" Rathgar asked.


    "Not ording to my mother. ording to her, no one over there even knows Eldoria exists," Ss said.


    "If it was an ident, she shouldn''t be imprisoned," Rathgar said.


    "I agree. But they''ve had her for six years, and my father and I haven''t heard anything about her release or even her sentence in the first ce," Ss said.


    "That''s not right," Rathgar said.


    "I know, but what am I supposed to do about it? Break her out?" Ss said.


    "Yes. If something is broken, fix it. That''s artificer code 101," Rathgar said.


    "How? I don''t even know where she is," Ss said.


    "Probably somewhere in the capital. If the grand council has her, the capital is where she would be," Rathgar said.


    "Ok. How do I get there? It''s not like I have a horse," Ss said.


    "The school field trip. Every year, there is a field trip to the capital. They show the students what it''s like to work as a mage knight in the city to get them excited. And when training is over, they ship most of them off to the front lines. Only the nobles get the cushy city jobs," Rathgar exined.


    "When is that?" Ss asked.


    "Sometime in the spring," Rathgar said.


    "Nice. That gives me time to train and get ready," Ss mused.


    "Normally, I wouldn''t suggest defying the military or the grand council, but if you can''t tell my secrets, I figure there''s no harm in it," Rathgar said.


    "Same," Ss said.


    "When the timees, I''ll give you all the help I can provide. Short of participating in the break out myself," Rathgar said.


    "Thank you, Rathgar. You have no idea what that means to me," Ss said.


    "Oh, I think I do,d. If the government had taken my mother, there''d be nothing I wouldn''t do to get her back," Rathgar said.


    There was a brief silence before Ss said, "I forgot what I was doing."


    "You were doing something with that machine in your chest," Rathgar reminded him.


    "Oh yeah." Ss looked down at the machine. A vertical, thin oval hole opened up in the machine, and a test tube with a small bit of blue-white liquid in it came out.


    Ss pulled the test tube out its holder and disyed it to Rathgar. "This must be the essence I extracted from the mana core."


    "Looks like it,d. Do that with the rest of them and we''ll be in business," Rathgar said.


    Ss put the test tube back in the holder, and it went back into the machine. He grabbed a handful of the marble-sized tigerfish cores and activated his ''essence extraction'' skill again.


    The same thing happened. The blue pulled out of the cores, and they were left empty and lifeless. "What do I do with the leftovers?" Ss asked.


    "Put them in the trash. With the essence drained out of them, they''re useless," Rathgar said.


    Ss did as he was told. He continued to drain handfuls of cores until there were none left.


    "Good," Rathgar said. "Now pour the essence into this beaker." He indicated a beaker on the table near them.


    Ss looked down at the machine again and a test tube full of blue-white essence came out. He poured it into the beaker which only filled a small portion of the beaker.


    Putting the test tube back, he expected the hole to close up, but the test tube came out again with more essence. This time it wasn''t full.


    Pouring that into the beaker, he had filled it up about a quarter of the way.


    "This is great," Rathgar said. "We''ll be able to do a lot with this."


    "Good," Ss replied. "So why did we have to extract the essence? I thought the cores were forged directly into the weapon. That''s what Tiffany said."


    "That used to be the case, yes, but with the introduction of essence extraction, we can do so much more," Rathgar said.


    "You see, essence extraction as a process didn''t exist until about six years ago, when all the new magitech research came out. Before that, we just forged the mana cores directly into the armor or weapon."


    "With cores, you can only use one kind in a piece of equipment, because when you pour your mana into the cores, the different beast cores try to fight each other, destroying the equipment."


    "With essence, you can add to a piece of equipment over time. Equipment can absorb multiple essences. The other thing that''s great about essences is that you don''t have to build around a physical object like a core."


    "You can design something however you want to design it without having to take that into consideration," Rathgar exined.


    Ss nodded as he listened.


    ''Hold on Ss. There''s something you should do.'' Part of his mother''s soul said.


    ''What''s that?'' Ss said.


    ''Drink a small portion of the essence. Whenever you absorb the essence of a new magical beast, you will get stronger.'' Evelyn said.


    ''Ok,'' Ss said.


    "Hold on," Ss said out loud to Rathgar. "I''m supposed to drink a some of it."


    "Why? That would make you very sick," Rathgar said.


    "The system told me to. The machine in my chest talks to me sometimes," Ss exined.


    "Knock yourself out then," Rathgar said, lifting the beaker and handing it to Ss.


    Ss took the beaker and put it to his lips. He poured a very small amount into his mouth and swallowed. It tasted terrible. He wanted to throw up to get it out of him.


    Then the system said something he didn''t like.


    [System Notification: Physical changes initiating]

 Chapter 20: New Gear

    <h4>Chapter 20: New Gear</h4>


    As the tigerfish essence coursed through Ss''s body, he felt an intense surge of energy that quickly turned into a familiar searing pain. He doubled over, clutching his stomach as his muscles spasmed and convulsed. Rathgar watched with concern, but unsure of what to do.


    Ss''s body began to change, adapting to the essence he had consumed. His muscles grew leaner and more defined, streamlining his physique for speed and agility. The pain intensified as his bones and joints shifted, aligning themselves for optimal movement.


    Ss gritted his teeth, trying to endure the agony as his body transformed. He could feel his senses sharpening, his reflexes quickening, and his mind bing more alert. The essence was enhancing his physical capabilities, but at the cost of enormous pain.


    Rathgar stepped forward, cing a hand on Ss''s shoulder. "Are you alright,d?" he asked, his voice filled with worry.


    Ss nodded, unable to speak as another wave of pain crashed over him. He focused on his breathing, trying to ride out the torment as his body continued to change.


    After what felt like an eternity, the pain began to subside. Ss straightened up, his body trembling from the ordeal. He looked down at his hands, noticing they felt lighter and more dextrous than before. He seemed to have better control over his fingers.


    "How do you feel?" Rathgar inquired.


    "Different," Ss managed to say, his voice hoarse. "Faster, more agile. Like my body has been optimized for speed."


    Rathgar nodded. "That''s excellent news,d. I was afraid I would have to take you to the nurse''s office."


    [System Notification: You have acquired a new skill: Aqua Rush]


    [Aqua Rush: Increases swimming speed by 100% for 10 seconds (50 mp)]


    Ss was practically speechless as he stared at the skill description. That would be so useful if he decided to hunt bigger fish in theke or if he fell into a raging river.


    Ss checked his stats screen for changes and he noticed his agility went up from 17 to 20.


    "Now that that is over, we can move onto the real project," Rathgar said.


    "What''s that?" Ss asked


    "Forging your gear, of course!" Rathgar said.


    "Wait, I would like to help. You don''t happen to have any books on artifice, do you?" Ss asked.


    "Who do you think I am? Of course, I have books on artifice. I may not look like much of a reader, but I have a small library of books on my trade," Rathgar replied.


    "Can I borrow only the books I would need to help you with this project?" Ss asked.


    "Absolutely. I''ll be right back," Rathgar said.


    Rathgar handed Ss 3 books.


    "I have two abilities that allow me to read books quickly with perfect recall," Ss exined.


    "That''s incredible," Rathgar said.


    "Give me an hour and I''ll be ready," Ss said.


    Ss studied the books for an hour while Rathgar made sketches on pieces of paper.


    "Alright, I''m ready," Ss said.


    "Let''s get to it then," Rathgar said. "Besides armor, what do you want to make?"


    "Actually, I have several ideas. I want a swim suit. Something that will give me protection in the water when I fight magical beasts but won''t make me sink like armor would. I want a set of armor for when I''m out of the water. And I want a pair of gauntlets and a war hammer," Ss said.


    "That''s a tall order,d. But if you have the time, we can do it. We''ll be working fairlyte. Are you going to be able to manage that with your sses?" Rathgar asked.


    "I should be able to make it through one day. I''ll just sleep extra the next day," Ss replied.


    "That''s the power of youth, I suppose. Ok, let''s begin."


    Ss and Rathgar began their ambitious project, diving headfirst into the intricate craft of artifice. They started with the steel armor, carefully selecting the right materials and meticulously crafting each piece.


    Rathgar''s expertise guided Ss through the process, teaching him the nuances of shaping metal. As they worked on the breastte, Rathgar shared a story from his past.


    "You know,d, this reminds me of the time I crafted a set of armor for a young knight, much like yourself," Rathgar began, his eyes twinkling with nostalgia. "He was so eager to prove himself, to make a difference in the world. We worked day and night, pouring our hearts into every piece."


    Ss listened intently, his hands never stopping their work. "What happened to him?" he asked, curiosity piqued.


    Rathgar smiled, a touch of sadness in his eyes. "He became a hero, Ss. He fought off a horde of banshees that was attacking a town all by himself. He saved countless lives, but at the cost of his own. That armor, it protected him until the very end."


    The story hung in the air between them, a reminder of the weight of their craft, the importance of every hammer strike and every infusion of essence.


    As they worked, Ss''s newfound knowledge from the books he had studied came into y. He suggested established techniques and design elements that Rathgar could see himselfing up with.


    Together, they forged a suit of armor that was both sturdy and flexible, allowing for maximum protection without sacrificing mobility.


    They began with the breastte, hammering the heated metal into shape. Sparks flew as they worked, the steel slowly taking form. Rathgar showed Ss how to properly temper the metal, ensuring it would be strong yet flexible.


    Next, they crafted the pauldrons and vambraces, each piece designed to provide maximum protection while allowing for a full range of motion. Ss marveled at Rathgar''s skill, watching as the master artificer transformed raw steel into works of art.


    As they worked on the greaves and sabatons, Ss infused the metal with small amounts of tigerfish essence, imbuing the armor with enhanced speed and agility properties.


    Next, they tackled the swim suit, a unique challenge that required a delicate bnce of materials. They experimented with various fabrics and leathers, testing their buoyancy and resistance to water.


    They created a suit that would allow Ss to move swiftly and efficiently through the water while still providing ample protection against aquatic threats.


    The gauntlets and war hammer were the final pieces of their project. For the gauntlets, they incorporated razor-sharp ws, carefully crafted from the finest steel to slice through even the toughest of hides.


    The war hammer was a formidable weapon, its head perfectly bnced for delivering devastating blows. One side of the hammer was t, designed for crushing and bludgeoning. The other side featured a sharp, pointed end, perfect for piercing through even the toughest of armors.


    As the night wore on, Ss and Rathgar poured their hearts and souls into their creations. The forge''s mes cast a warm glow on their faces, illuminating the determination and passion in their eyes. They worked tirelessly, fueled by a shared love for their craft and a desire to create something truly extraordinary.


    Finally, as the first rays of dawn began to peek through the basement windows of Rathgar''s workshop, they stepped back to admire their handiwork. The armor gleamed in the early morning light. The swim suit, sleek and streamlined, promised to be a formidable asset in Ss''s aquatic battles. And the gauntlets and war hammer, powerful and precise, were ready to be wielded in defense of the realm.


    Ss performed essence revtion on his new gear to find out it was all tier 8. While that wasn''t going to bring him up to Tiffany''s level, it was a vast improvement over the tier 10 training equipment. His gear would get stronger as he acquired and absorbed more essences into it.


    Ss packed up his newly forged gear, marveling at the craftsmanship and the power he could feel emanating from each piece. He donned the swim suit and armor, the weight of the metal aforting presence against his skin. The gauntlets, he attached to a leather strap, slinging it over his shoulder, while the war hammer found its ce strapped securely to his back.


    As he made his way back to his dorm, the armor clinked and nged with each step, announcing his arrival long before he reached the door. Ss winced, realizing the noise would likely wake his roommates, Jace and Rowan.


    Sure enough, as he stepped into the room, three sets of eyes blinked open. Not only were Jace and Rowan there, Lyra wasying on the floor where she had slept. Jace was the first to speak, "Ss? Where have you been? Are you alright?"


    "I''m fine. Sorry to worry you all. I was working on some gear with Rathgar," Ss said.


    "Rathgar? Who is that?" Rowan asked.


    "Professor Ironforge. The artifice professor," Ss said.


    "Huh. I have yet to meet him and I make a point to meet everyone. He''s never in his office," Lyra said.


    "That''s because he''s always at the forge," Ss said.


    As they took in the sight of Ss, standing tall and proud in his new armor, with the gauntlets and war hammer at the ready, their expressions shifted from concern to awe and excitement.


    Rowan sat up. "How did you get him to make the gear for you? The university normally makes you put your name on a waiting list."


    Lyra, was on her feet, circling Ss and examining every detail of the armor and weapons. "This is incredible craftsmanship," she breathed.


    Jace, now fully awake, bombarded Ss with questions, "What''s it made of? How did you make it? Does it have any special properties?"


    "Do you want me to tell you or show you with a soul link?" Ss asked.


    "Tell," Rowan said.


    "Tell," Lyra said.


    "Show!" Jace demanded.


    "Yes, Jace, I''ll show you." Ss initiated a soul link with Jace and passed the memories on to Jace.


    "Now that Jace has been appeased, I will tell the rest of you what happened. For one, I''m not sure how I got him to help me make the gear. Ever since we fought the tigerfish at theke, he''s been kind of watching over me, like a close uncle."


    [Soul Link leveled up! Soul Link skill is now Level 2. Multi-Link unlocked!]


    [Multi-Link: User can link with multiple participants without eye contact, as long as prior soul link has been established with each participant. Allows for short range mentalmunication]


    Ss felt a rush at the acquisition of this new skill. Mentally acknowledging the upgrade while outwardly ignoring it, Ss continued to tell them about the night he had spent with Rathgar making the gear. He told them about their design choices, the tigerfish essence, the swim suit, and more.

 Chapter 21: Group Training

    <h4>Chapter 21: Group Training</h4>


    Ss ckwood and his friends gathered in one of the training rooms after their sses, eager to hone their skills as a group. They decided to pair off for duels, with Ss facing Lyra and Jace squaring off against Rowan. Nadia, left without a partner, opted to practice her archery on a nearby target.


    [Combat initiated: Defeat enemybatant]


    As Ss and Lyra began their duel, the sharp ng of steel against steel echoed through the training room. Ss swung his hammer clumsily, missing Lyra by inches as she ducked and jabbed at his exposed side. Lyra''s rapier darted in and out, finding gaps in Ss''s defense, but her strikescked the power to truly rattle him. Ss''s heart pounded as he tried to anticipate Lyra''s next move.


    Lyra''s rapier struck Ss''s chest, arms, and legs in quick session, leaving behind small, stinging cuts. Ss gritted his teeth, waiting for an opening. When Lyra overextended on a lunge, Ss seized the opportunity, bringing his hammer down in a mighty arc. The blow caught Lyra in the shoulder, sending her sprawling to the ground, her bones crunching under the impact. Ss winced as he heard Lyra''s bones snap, despite knowing she would heal quickly.


    [Enemy defeated: +5 Exp]


    Ss watched as Lyra''s body knit itself back together, the bones snapping into ce and the cuts sealing shut. He rolled his shoulders, feeling his own wounds close, the pain ebbing away. Offering Lyra a hand, he helped her to her feet, both of them panting and frustrated.


    "I don''t feel like I''m learning anything," Ss said, wiping the sweat from his brow. He tried toe up with a solution that would help them both improve.


    "Me neither," Lyra replied, her brow furrowed in concentration. "We''re not going to have the benefit of instant healing out in the field, but I have no idea how to parry you." Lyra''s frustration was evident in her voice, and Ss could rte to the feeling of being stuck in a rut.


    Ss nodded, considering their options. "I don''t even know if war hammers are built to block rapiers. From my understanding, they were used during very different periods of history." Ss tried to recall what he had learned about the history of weaponry, hoping to find a solution to their problem.


    Lyra''s eyes lit up with an idea. "Hmm. What if we agreed to use the same or at least simr weapons when we fight?" Ss could see the gears turning in Lyra''s head, and he was impressed by her quick thinking.


    "Sure, but how do we do that? The training weapons have all been put away," Ss replied, ncing around the room. He couldn''t see any spare weapons lying around, and he wasn''t sure where they would find any.


    A mischievous grin spread across Lyra''s face. "I have a solution for that." She took a deep breath, her hands moving through the air as if parting an invisible curtain. The air in front of her shimmered, a rift opening up like a gash in reality. Tilting her hands, Lyra directed the rift downward, and a cascade of training weapons spilled out, ttering to the ground.


    "Whoa! How did you do that?" Ss said, eyes wide.


    Lyra smiled, pleased with his reaction. "It''s my pocket dimension. I can store stuff in it. I stashed a bunch of training weapons when Tiffany wasn''t looking. I doubt she''d mind." Lyra''s confidence was infectious, and Ss found himself grinning along with her.


    "Cool. Do you want to start with rapier against rapier?" He was eager to try out Lyra''s idea and see if it would help them improve their skills.


    "Sure. Let''s," Lyra said, tossing him a rapier and taking one for herself. Ss caught the weapon deftly, feeling the weight of it in his hand. He took a deep breath, preparing himself for the next round of their duel.


    With matched weapons in hand, they began to sh swords, parrying and striking in turn. The fight was more bnced now, their movements growing more fluid and precise as they adapted to each other''s techniques. Lyra''s experience gave her an edge, and she eventually disarmed Ss with a deft flick of her wrist. Ss felt a surge of admiration for Lyra''s skill, and he resolved to work harder to match her level.


    Next, they chose war hammers, the weight of the weapons aforting presence in Ss''s hands. Again, the match was closer than expected, but Ss''s strength and agility won out in the end, his hammer finding its mark more often than not. With each sessful strike, Ss grew more confident.


    As they continued to spar, switching weapons and honing their skills, Ss and Lyra felt a sense of progress, a growing understanding of each other''s strengths and weaknesses. The tter of weapons and the asionalugh filled the training room. Ss found himself enjoying the challenge of sparring with Lyra, and he was grateful for her guidance and support.


    Meanwhile, Jace and Rowan circled each other, their eyes locked in intense concentration. Jace''s daggers shed in the light as he darted forward, seeking to exploit any weakness in Rowan''s defense. Jace''s movements were quick and precise, his daggers a blur as he attacked from all angles.


    Rowan, his sword and shield at the ready, met each attack with a solid block, biding his time for the right moment to counter.


    As the duels progressed, Nadia nocked an arrow and drew her bow, aiming at the target across the room. She let a few loose, hitting the bullseye every time. She was bored. Hitting the target took no effort. Nadia sighed, wishing for a more challenging target to test her skills.


    She wondered if a moving target would be harder to track. Hesitantly, she aimed at Rowan to see if she could keep him in her sights as he swung and lunged. Nadia''s eyes narrowed as she focused on Rowan''s movements, trying to predict where he would be next.


    She wasn''t too worried she''d identally hit him. She had a good control over her bow. She knew how to hold an arrow back.


    However, unbeknownst to any one of them, someone hade into the room. Since she was the least upied, they came up to Nadia and tapped her on the shoulder.


    Nadia jumped, startled by the sudden touch. This startled her, causing her to release the arrow, which sailed right through Rowan''s neck. Rowan looked over and saw Nadia holding her bow, aimed at him.


    Rowan and Jace stopped their fight as soon as the arrow pierced Rowan''s neck. Rowan came trudging over to Nadia, his voice raised, "What the hell, Nadia? What was that for?" Rowan tried to say.


    What actually came out was gibberish. With the arrow still through his throat, he couldn''t form words properly, so all that came out were garbled wet sounds.


    "Take the arrow out first you big oaf!" Nadia said, grabbing Rowan''s neck and yanking the arrow out.


    The wound healed in a matter of seconds, and Rowan was able to talk again, although he was a bit raspy. "What the hell, Nadia? What is wrong with you?" Rowan whisper shouted. Rowan''s voice was hoarse, but his anger was evident in his tone.


    "I''m sorry, ok! This dude startled me," she said, pointing at the guy behind her. Nadia''s face was flushed with embarrassment and guilt as she tried to exin herself.


    "Why were you aiming at me in the first ce? You could have killed me!" Rowan yelled. Rowan''s voice grew louder as he confronted Nadia, his anger boiling over.


    "It wouldn''t have killed you. The worst I could do is scramble your brains, and that might even be an improvement," she said. Nadia''s words were flippant, but her tone was apologetic as she tried to defuse the situation.


    "Errrgh!" Rowan yelled, throwing his sword and shield to the floor. "You! You infuriate me!"


    "Ok, ok. I guess that''s fair," Nadia said. "I did just skewer your neck. I''m sorry, ok. This weirdo snuck up behind me." She gestured to the man again. Nadia''s apology was sincere, but she couldn''t help but shift some of the me to the stranger who had startled her.


    "Who are you and what are you doing interrupting our training?" Rowan yelled at the man.


    "Hello, it seems you miscreants don''t have a shred of decency or manners. My name is Damien Devereux, and I would like to make a formal request to Ss," Damien said, his voice smooth as he addressed the group.


    Ss finally made it over to the three of them, with Lyra and Jace trailing behind. It was arge room. "What could you possibly want?" Ss said, his voice wary as he approached Damien.


    "I would like to formally challenge you to a duel. This afternoon, just before sundown, in the main training room. It has been pre-sanctioned and it will be supervised by university officials," Damien said. His words were formal and precise, but his tone was mocking as he issued his challenge.


    "I''ll be there. I can''t wait to wipe that smug look off your face," Ss said, his voice firm and determined as he epted the challenge.


    "I''m afraid you''ll be gravely disappointed," Damien replied with a smile as he turned to leave.


    With that, Damien walked out of the training room. Ss watched him go, his mind already upied with strategies and ns for the uing duel.


    "Yeah, get out of here, asshole!" Nadia stared daggers into his back as he left. Then she turned to everyone else, and said, "Who was that guy?"


    "No one. Just the guy who threw me off the edge of Arcanium," Ss replied, remembering his encounter with Damien.

 Chapter 22: The Price of Friendship

    <h4>Chapter 22: The Price of Friendship</h4>


    "He did what? How are you alive?" Nadia asked.


    "One of my affinities allows me to regenerate. That, and the artifice professor had to fish me out of the water. Almost drowned," Ss said. He shuddered at the memory, the sensation of being unable to move his shattered limbs still fresh in his mind.


    "Screw that guy," Nadia said. "I hope you ''identally'' kill his ass in the duel."


    Ss shook his head. "I won''t try to kill him, but if he died, I wouldn''t be too broken up about it. Man is elitist scum as far as I''m concerned. He thinks we''re all beneath him."


    "Ugh. I know the type," Nadia said, rolling her eyes, her posture radiating disgust. "My brother is actually like that. Thinks he''s better than everyone else, including me."


    "Is he a mage knight?" Ss asked.


    "Yeah, he works in the capital. My father got him the position. My family is upper echelon unfortunately. I''d like to have nothing to do with them, but I can''t. The name follows me everywhere I go," Nadia said.


    Jace chimed in, "So is that how you only got a maximum tier of 5? Your brother took the top spot?"


    "Yeah. I hated it at first, but now I kind of like it. Keeps me humble. I didn''t get a fat head like him," Nadia replied, a small smile on her face. She shrugged, her shoulders rxing slightly as she spoke.


    Ss held up his hands, confusion etched on his features as he tried to follow the conversation. "Hold on. Slow it down. What are you talking about? Rank 5, top spot, huh?"


    Jace turned to Ss, eager to exin. "Her brother inherited the ancestral mana core. Which should put his max tier somewhere between 1 and 3, I''m guessing," he said, ncing at Nadia for confirmation.


    "Yes," She said. "We''re upper echelon but we''re not at the top top, so my brother''s max tier is 2."


    "You probably got the mana core of a great uncle or something. Like, not in the main branch of the family. Am I right?" Jace asked.


    "Yeah that''s right. My great aunt passed her core down to me. She never had any kids of her own so she put me in her will. I miss her, but it''s almost like she''s here with me," Nadia replied, her hand resting on her chest and her voice soft.


    Rowan had fully regained his voice by now. His expression was sympathetic. "I''m sorry about your aunt."


    Nadia sighed. "Oh, shut up, oaf. But thank you."


    Ss, still grappling with the new information, asked, "What''s this about an ancestral mana core?"


    Jace grinned. "Wealthy families practice core fusion. When an ancestor dies, they fuse their core with the core of the firstborn in the family. The second and third-born usually get the scraps. Fusing a dead person''s core with a living person''s increases the recipient''s tier."


    Ss nodded slowly. "But then why is Nadia''s brother''s core tier 2 when my dad''s is tier 1? My family isn''t rich."


    Jace leaned in. "Your family must''ve been rich at some point. You can''t get to tier 1 without fusion, and fusion is expensive. That''s why only rich people can do it."


    Ss''s mother''s voice echoed in his mind, ''Your family was lower ss because your father''s parents disowned him when he married me.''


    ''Oh,'' Ss replied, feeling a pang of sympathy for his mother.


    Ss turned to Jace. "Well, that doesn''t exin how you have a high max tier. You said your family were merchants, not nobility."


    Jace grinned, his voice low. "That''s because my parents bought a core on the ck market."


    "Ah, I see," Ss said, nodding. "Say no more."


    Lyra leaned in close to Ss, her voice a whisper. Her words were urgent and insistent. "So are we going to tell her about you or are we going to keep a secret from our teammate?"


    Ss hesitated, his voice equally low. He nced at Nadia, his expression uncertain as he replied. "I probably should, but I don''t know how she''ll take it."


    Lyra gave him a reassuring smile, her hand resting on his arm as she spoke. "Give her a chance. She''s my roommate. I trust her."


    Ss took a deep breath. "Ok, I''ll trust your judgment."


    He turned to Nadia, his voice steady. His expression was a mixture of seriousness and nervousness as he spoke. "So, Nadia, how do you feel so far? Do you want to be an official member of our group?"


    Nadia shrugged, a small smile on her face. She leaned back, her posture rxed as she replied. "Uh, sure. You all seem fine. And I love Lyra. She''s helping me cheat on, I mean, ''study'' for my tests."


    "Ok, well, there''s this little ceremony that I promise you we''ve all done, to not tell each others secrets. Is that something you''refortable with?"


    Nadia raised an eyebrow, her voice skeptical as she spoke. "Umm, sure, I guess. You''re making it sound creepy though. Is it creepy?"


    Ss chuckled, his hand rubbing the back of his neck. He looked away, his expression sheepish, as he replied. "Uh, I guess it is a little creepy. It''s a blood pact. It magically binds us to not talk about each other''s secrets."


    Nadia wrinkled her nose, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She held up her hands, her fingers wiggling in the air as she spoke. "Does it have to involve blood? I''d rather not get any of this guy''s diseases," she said, pointing at Rowan.


    Rowan''s voice was indignant. "Hey! I''ve gotten sick like once!"


    Ss''s expression was sympathetic as he replied. "Unfortunately, it does. It part of my affinities and it seems to always require blood."


    Nadia sighed. She looked away, her expression conflicted as she spoke. "You know, the only reason I''m even considering doing this is because of Lyra. The moment you said ceremony, I would''ve walked away. That said, I''ll do it. You all seem like weirdos, but honest weirdos. And as someone who''s been lied to her entire life, I appreciate that."


    Ss pped his hands together. "Great!" Going on a hunch, he turned to the group. "Ok, so we have to cut our palms and hold each others hands."


    Everyone made a small cut on their hand, Ss included, and held hands in a circle. A surge of energy ran through the group, a momentary connection forged in blood and magic. The air around them crackled with power, the hairs on their arms standing on end as the pact was sealed.


    [Blood pact sessful!]


    Ss sighed, his shoulders rxing. His expression was relieved as he spoke. "Ok, that''s it."


    Nadia looked at him, her eyes narrowing as she leaned forward. "So what''s the thing you were going to tell me?


    Ss met her gaze, his voice calm as he replied. "It''ll be easier if I show you," he replied, his eyes locked on hers. "Look me in the eyes for a few seconds."


    Nadia nodded, her eyes meeting his as she spoke. "Ok, but why?" And then she screamed.

 Chapter 23: Real Death

    <h4>Chapter 23: Real Death</h4>


    Nadia''s scream pierced the air, her eyes wide with horror as she stared into Ss''s glowing pink orbs. Her mind was assaulted by a torrent of memories, each one more painful and terrifying than thest.


    She saw through Ss''s eyes as he was mocked and ridiculed by his peers, his inability to perform even the simplest of spells earning him their scorn and derision. She felt the sting of theirughter and the weight of their judgment.


    Nadia gasped as she witnessed Ss''s mother being torn away from him, imprisoned for the crime of loving his father. The pain of that separation tore at her heart, leaving her breathless and shaking.


    But the worst was yet toe. Nadia screamed again as she experienced the excruciating pain of Ss''s transformation, his body twisting and contorting as the Leviathan mana core fused with his flesh. She felt the scales erupting from his skin, the fangs pushing through his gums, the burning sensation of his eyes changing color.


    Tears streamed down Nadia''s face as she struggled to break free from the soul link, her mind overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of Ss''s experiences. She could feel his desperation, his loneliness, his hunger for eptance and belonging.


    Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the connection was severed. Nadia copsed to the ground, her body shaking with sobs as she tried to process what she had just witnessed.


    Ss knelt beside her, his expression one of deep concern and regret. He ced a hand on her shoulder, his voice soft and apologetic as he spoke. "I''m sorry, Nadia. I didn''t mean to overwhelm you like that."


    Nadia looked up at him, her eyes red and puffy from crying. She shook her head, her voice hoarse as she replied. "No, it''s not your fault. I just...I had no idea."


    She took a deep, shuddering breath, her voice growing stronger as she continued. "But now I understand. I know we just met, but I feel like I know you now. And I want you to know that I''m here for you."


    Ss smiled, his expression grateful as he helped Nadia to her feet. He looked around at the rest of the group, his voice filled with determination as he spoke. "Thank you, all of you. I know I''m not the easiest person to be around, but I''m grateful for your friendship and support."


    "I don''t know what you''re talking about, because you''re literally the easiest person to be around," Jace said, giving Ss a weird look. "But I''m not one to turn down patting myself on the back, so you''re wee."


    Lyra and Rowan nodded along in agreement with what Jace said.


    "Are you guys ready to bring our training up to the next level?" Ss asked.


    Jace, Lyra, and Rowan all shouted, "Yeah!" at the same time.


    Nadia said, "Sure. Besides shooting the lug in the neck, I was kind of bored with target practice."


    "Great. We''re going to do a scenario. Training room, run a scenario."


    "Running scenario. Assessing current tiers. 6, 8, 9...current tier unknown. Substituting with maximum tier."


    "That doesn''t sound good," Jace said.


    "Scenario tier 5: Ancient temple of Aleron," the training room said. "Goal: Retrieve the staff of Aleron from the bottom of the temple."


    The training room shimmered and shifted, transforming into the crumbling ruins of an ancient temple. Thick vines snaked across weathered stone, and the air hung heavy with the scent of decay and the hum of unknown magic.


    Ss stepped forward, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a mix of caution and curiosity. Jace and Rowan nked him on either side, their weapons at the ready. Lyra and Nadia brought up the rear, their gazes sharp and alert.


    "We need to work together to make it through whatever challenges lie ahead," Ss said. "Remember to power up your equipment with mana."


    The others nodded, their expressions grim with determination. They all concentrated, bringing forth their mana and infusing it into their equipment. The air hummed with power.


    Rowan summoned a group of flying imps around him. Nadia made her bow glow to light the way. Jace split into 12 of him, each with their own pair of daggers. Lyra didn''t have anything cool to do to power up, so she just looked at Ss and shrugged.


    "There''s something I''ve been meaning to try," Ss said as he mentally activated his venom synthesis skill. A translucent light purple liquid filled his mouth. He spat it onto the head of the warhammer, rubbing it in.


    "Ew! Are you going to do that every time we fight?" Nadia said.


    Ss copied Lyra and just shrugged. They moved forward as one, their footsteps echoing through the cavernous ruins.


    As they descended deeper into the temple, the air grew thick with the sickly sweet scent of rotting vegetation. Strange, luminescent fungi clung to the walls, casting an eerie glow across the crumbling stone.


    A growl reverberated through the temple. From around a corner stepped a massive ck panther with curving white horns and a scorpion tail. Several others followed the first. There must have been ten of them.


    [New Quest: Defeat the pack of Scornyx (0/10)]


    Ss jumped in first, bringing his war hammer down on the first one''s head. There was a sickening crunch as the blow made contact. The creature fell to the floor, dead.


    [Significantly stronger opponent defeated! +20 Exp (1/10)]


    Ss checked his current Exp. It was sitting at (120/160). He only needed to defeat two more of these things before he would level up.


    Jace and his copies sprung into action. They threw out a barrage of copied knives at the beasts, turning three of them into pin cushions.


    [Significantly stronger opponent defeated! +20 Exp (2/10)]


    ''Oh you''re going to do this again,'' Ss thought.


    He turned the notifications into an icon in the upper right corner of his vision, like he did at theke. Now the icon just umted the number of unread notifications next to it.


    Lyra opened portals underneath two of the Scornyx''s and opened corresponding portals in the ceiling. They dropped 50 feet to the floor and didn''t get up.


    Rowan''s imps started attacking two more of the beasts, kicking, punching, and biting them. After about 15 seconds, two more were dead.


    Nadia made orbs appear in front of the remaining two beasts that shined light into their eyes, blinding them. She proceeded to shoot arrow after arrow at them until they stopped moving.


    In less than 30 seconds, all the beasts were dead.


    "While that was easy, those beasts are too strong to be our first encounter. Things are only going to get harder from here."


    "It''s your max tier. It''s too high. It''s messing with the difficulty." Rowan said.


    "Sorry. There''s nothing I can do about that, but it''s not like we have to seed. The simtion just shuts down if we fail, right?" Ss said.


    "Yes, that''s true, but there''s a problem," Lyra said.


    "What''s wrong?" Jace said.


    "My cut isn''t healing," she said.


    "What do you mean?" Ss asked.


    "I mean, my cut should be healing from the health potions in the air. And it''s not," Lyra said.


    Everyone else looked at their hands and their cuts weren''t healing either. Only Ss''s cut had healed.


    "How is this possible?" Ss asked.


    "The only thing I can think of is the health potion machines turned off," Lyra said.


    Ss''s expression turned serious. "Damien. He probably turned them off after he left."


    "That''s pretty messed up. You think he would do that?" Rowan asked.


    "Absolutely. He tried to kill me once. What makes you think he wouldn''t try again?" Ss said.


    "Let''s not panic yet. We just have to turn off the scenario," Lyra said. "Training room, end scenario."


    "Unable toply. The scenario must enter a sess or fail state," the training room said.


    "Oh shit," Nadia said.


    "Holy shit!" Jace yelled. "We gotta get out of here!"


    "Do you see any doors Jace? Because I sure don''t," Rowan said.


    "Ok, calm down everyone. We just have to beat the scenario," Ss said.


    "How are we going to do that with the difficulty ratcheted up to tier 5?" Jace said.


    "We''ll find a way. We just have to work together," Ss said.


    Everyone took deep breaths and calmed down. They were going to be mage knights. They had to learn to stare death in the face without flinching.


    "First, though, I have to level up," Ss said. "Give me a second."


    "You have to what now?" Nadia said.


    "You know, the system?" Jace said.


    "Oh, right. I forgot. Man, is it weird having someone else''s memories in your head," Nadia said.


    Ss brought up the system menu and navigated to his stats screen. His physical stats were [strength (18) +2, agility (20) +6, and stamina (16)] and he had 3 points to distribute.


    Figuring this would take a while, he decided to finally ignore luck and put the points into stamina. He would need it if he was going to make it through the fights ahead.


    He was regretting putting so many points into luck. Higher physical stats would be a huge help right now.


    Then he went to the biomancy skill tree. He needed something physical. He scanned through the options, until he saw something that popped out.


    [Berserker Rage: Increase strength, agility, and stamina by 100% for 30 seconds (100 mp)]. He purchased it for 20 affinity points.


    "I need you all to pour your mana into me, since I can''t produce it myself." Ss said.


    They all put their hands on Ss''s back. He absorbed their mana until he was at (2,000/25,000).


    They waited a few minutes to restore their mana and moved on. The temple stretched out before them, its depths still unexplored and its dangers still unknown.

 Chapter 24: Tombs and Trials

    <h4>Chapter 24: Tombs and Trials</h4>


    Checking his current Exp, Ss found he was Level 6 with (160/320) experience. Surprisingly, he not only got the experience from the scornyx he killed but also from the ones his friends killed too. With this, he might be able to level up a few more times before they got to the bottom.


    Curious, Ss searched one of the beasts for a mana core. He was pleasantly surprised to find one.


    The system informed him when it drained the remaining mana from the core. He watched as the yellow light in the core faded away.


    If he could drain the mana from these cores, he might be able to extract their essence as well. He activated his essence extraction skill and watched as a dull yellow liquid drained from the core.


    Something was strange about this. Wasn''t this a simtion? How could he interact with a simtion like this? Unless it wasn''t a simtion.


    "Hey, I don''t think this is a simtion. I think it''s real somehow," Ss said. "I was able to drain mana from this core. I wouldn''t be able to do that if it was a simtion."


    "Ok, but what does that mean?" Jace asked.


    "It means we can interact with everything. So if you see anything good, pick it up." Ss said. "Speaking of, let''s collect these cores." He gestured at the scornyx''sying on the ground.


    They all worked together to collect the mana cores. When they were done, they put them in Lyra''s pocket dimension.


    "Lyra, do you have any armor in your pocket dimension?" Ss said.


    "Actually, I do!" Lyra said. "I was holding on to some training sets for us to train in, but I forgot."


    Lyra opened her pocket dimension, pulling out sets of armor - helmets, chesttes, gauntlets, greaves, etc. They were simple in design, crafted from sturdy leather and reinforced with metal tes, but in their current situation, any protection was wee.


    Jace, Rowan, Lyra, and Nadia eagerly donned the armor, adjusting the straps and buckles to ensure a snug fit. While they were gearing up, Ss drank the small amount of essence he had extracted from the scornyx.


    As the essence slid down his throat, Ss felt a familiar tingling sensation spread through his body. His muscles twitched and spasmed as the foreign substance integrated with his physiology. A thin coat of ck fur, sprouted along his arms and legs.


    "I don''t like that," Ss said.


    "Eh, it''s not that bad," Nadia said.


    "I think its kind of cute. Makes you look like a cat," Lyra said.


    "Thanks, I guess?" Ss said. "I''ll try to shave it off when we get back."


    Ss checked his stats to see that his strength and agility had both gone up 2 points, with his strength at 20 and his agility at 22 without his armor.


    [New skill gained: Pounce]


    [Pounce: Increases the users horizontal leap by 100%]


    Ss was happy with all the new skills he was gaining, but the cost to his human appearance was bothersome. As they finished gearing up, Ss got an idea.


    "Lyra, can you put one of the scornyx in your pocket dimension? It could be usefulter if we need to make camp."


    "You want to eat it?" Jace asked.


    "It''s meat, isn''t it? Besides, do you see any cows and chickens around here?" Ss said.


    "Fine." Jace said.


    Lyra considered the request. "I''ve never tried storing anything thatrge before, but I can give it a shot." She approached one of the lifeless beasts, cing her hand on its fur.


    Her pocket dimension opened and she slowly tried shoving the body into the rift. "Help," she said.


    Everyone got on a different side of the body and pushed together. It slid easily into the opening, and the rift closed behind it.


    "There we go. That shouldst us long after we''vepleted the dungeon," she said.


    Ss led the group through the ancient temple, their footsteps echoing off the weathered stone walls. The air grew thicker with each step,den with the musty scent of centuries-old dust and decay.


    As they reached the stairs down to the second floor, their path was blocked by a massive cave in. They could potentially clear the rubble but that would take hours and tons of energy.


    "Well, that''s just great," Jace muttered. "Looks like we''ll have to find another way around."


    "There must be another way. The training room wouldn''t have given us an impossible task," Ss said, trying to convince himself as much as the others.


    Ss scanned the surroundings, searching for an alternative route. His gaze settled on a narrow passageway to their left, its entrance partially obscured by overgrown vines.


    "There," he said, pointing towards the opening. "That should lead us somewhere."


    The group walked down a long hallway, their armor nking softly with each step. The passage opened up into a vast chamber, its high ceilings supported by intricately carved pirs.


    Sarcophagi lined the walls, their lids adorned with the likenesses of long-dead rulers and heroes.


    "A tomb," Lyra whispered. "This must be where they keep their honored dead."


    Looking around, Ss noticed an area of the floor that didn''t have any dust on it. It was at the back of the room. The dust trail was in the shape of an opening door, but there was just a stone wall.


    "It looks like there''s a secret passage here. Look around for something to open it," Ss said. Ss looked around the room for anything he could interact with. In the center of the room was a statue with a que in front of it.


    The que read, "Here lies Lord Aleron, ruler of Cdorn and friend to all."


    The statue''s hand was held out in a gesture of friendship. Ss wondered what would happen if he shook its hand. As soon as Ss gripped the statue''s hand, a click was heard, and the door opened.


    "Nice!" Jace said.


    "It could be a trap," Rowan said.


    "We don''t have much of a choice," Ss said. "We just have to be careful."


    Ss led the group down a long, dimly lit hallway. The walls were lined withrge ss tubes, each containing a creature suspended in green liquid.


    As they neared the end of the hall, a figure emerged from around the corner. At first nce, it appeared to be a person, but as it got closer, they could see the rotting flesh. It was a zombie.


    Without hesitating, Ss stepped forward, swinging his war hammer down. The blow crushed the zombie''s head. He expected it to crumple lifelessly to the ground, but instead, a green slimed oozed from the crushed skull, slowly making its way down the handle of Ss''s hammer.


    Instinctively, Ss dropped the hammer. He tried to squash the slime with his foot, but it attached itself to his boot, undeterred by his actions.


    The slime continued its ascent, creeping up Ss''s body with rming speed. Within moments, the slime had enveloped his head, obscuring his vision and starting to suffocate him.


    Thinking quickly, Lyra shouted, "Take off your helmet!"


    Ss frantically removed his helmet, and the slime came with it, freeing him from its grasp. Jace seized the opportunity to throw a flurry of duplicated knives at the writhing mass.


    The knives found their mark, and the slime stopped moving. As Ss caught his breath, he considered collecting the mana core from the slime, but the thought of potentially transforming into part slime convinced him not to.


    As Ss picked up his hammer, more zombies shuffled around the corner. Ss attached the hammer to his back and released the ws on his gauntlets. The zombie slimes seemed to be immune to bludgeoning damage, but not stabbing and likely not shing.


    Ss lunged forward, stabbing one of the zombies in the head with the ws of his gauntlet. Lifeless green slime oozed out of it''s ears.


    Jace and Rowan followed suit, their des slicing through skulls and piercing eye sockets. Five zombies hit the ground, slimeing out of their heads.


    Nadia and Lyra stood back-to-back, their weapons ready. Nadia''s bow sang as she loosed arrow after arrow, each one a head shot. Lyra''s rapier darted in and out, piercing the zombies heads.


    Despite their efforts, the horde of zombies seemed endless. For every one they cut down, two more took its ce. The narrow hallway worked to their advantage, funneling the creatures into a manageable stream, but Ss knew they couldn''t keep this up forever.


    "We need to find a way out of here!" Ss shouted over the noise of battle.


    "There''s a door at the end of the hall!" Lyra called back, her rapier shing as she dispatched another zombie.


    Ss nodded, his mind racing. They needed to clear a path. He activated berserker rage skill. Ss felt a surge of primal energy course through his veins. His muscles bulged beneath his armor, and a guttural roar tore from his throat.


    Ss became a whirlwind of ws and fury, his berserker rage propelling him through the horde of zombies. He shed and tore at the undead creatures, their putrid flesh giving way to his relentless onught.


    Green slime sttered across his armor as he carved a path through the sea of rotting bodies.


    "Follow me!" Ss roared, his voice barely audible over the groans of the zombies and the sh of weapons.


    Nadia, Rowan, Lyra, and Jace fell in behind him, fending off the zombies that threatened to nk them. They moved as a unit, their backs to each other, trusting in theirpanions to guard their blind spots.


    Step by step, they fought their way towards the door at the end of the hall. Ss reached it first, his ws making short work of the zombies that barred their path.


    He wrenched the door open, ushering his friends through before mming it shut behind them, cutting off the horde''s advance.


    "Please. I need your help," said a voice behind them.

 Chapter 25: Purple Goop

    <h4>Chapter 25: Purple Goop</h4>


    Ss and hispanions turned to face the woman who had called out to them. She was dressed in in, unassuming clothes, her face etched with desperation. As they took a step towards her, Ss noticed the thinyer of purple goop that coated the floor, their boots making soft squelching sounds with each movement.


    "Please, you have to help me," the woman pleaded. "I''ve been trapped in her by those...those things."


    Ss exchanged a wary nce with his friends. Something about the situation didn''t feel right.


    As they moved to the center of the room, the woman''s demeanor shifted. She smiled, saying, "Thank you for walking into my trap."


    With that, the woman turned into purple slime and was absorbed into the puddle on the ground. The purple goop began to rise, swirling around their legs. It clung to their armor, pulling them down, threatening to engulf them entirely.


    [Enteringbat: Defeat Boss Slime]


    Ss struggled against the goop, his ws tearing at the sticky substance. Beside him, Jace and Rowan hacked at the slime with their weapons, while Nadia and Lyra tried to pull themselves free.


    Ss activated his berserker rage, and with a roar of effort, he managed to break through theyer of goop that had formed around them.


    He pulled his friends free. They gasped for air as they emerged from the suffocating mass.


    But their relief was short-lived. The goop came together, forming a massive, pulsating creature that towered over them. Its surface was covered in dozens of grasping hands, like people were trying to get out of it.


    The slime creature reached out with its arms of goop, seeking to ensnare them once more. Ss dodged to the side, his ws severing some of the arms.


    Jace and Rowan nked the monster, their des shing as they struck at its gtinous form. Nadia loosed arrow after arrow. Lyra''s rapier darted in and out, piercing the slime.


    Despite their efforts, it seemed to absorb their attacks, its wounds closing almost as quickly as they were inflicted. They needed a new strategy, and fast.


    Focusing, Ss activated his essence revtion skill, to see if their was anything he could use. The things that stood out were [Immunities: Bludgeoning, slicing, and piercing damage] and [Weaknesses: Fire].


    "Fire! Its weakness is fire! Use any fire spells you know!"


    Jace and Rowan unleashed a barrage of fireballs at the creature. Nadia lit her arrows on fire mid-flight.


    Lyra wrapped her rapier in me and thrust it into the monster''s side. Ss only knew beginner spells, so he summoned fireballs the size of his fist and threw them at the slime.


    The slime recoiled from the onught of mes, its surface bubbling and hissing.


    Despite their efforts, the battle was far from over. The giant slime crashed into Jace and Rowan like a tidal wave and swallowed them up.


    Ss could see inside the slime, trying to swim out of it, but to no avail.


    "Just shoot it with fire! As much as you can produce at once!" Ss yelled.


    Lyra and Nadia dropped their weapons, and put their hands together. In front of their hands, arge stream of fire formed and sprayed the creature with mes. Ss added to theirbined salvo.


    The slime writhed and thrashed, its screams echoing through the chamber. Slowly but surely, it began to shrink, its form copsing in on itself.


    Eventually it got small enough that they were able to pull Jace and Rowan out before they suffocated. With a final desperate lunge, the slime tried to attach itself to Lyra, but she sidestepped its attack. Seizing the opportunity, she scooped the diminished creature into a ss jar, sealing it tightly.


    The group watched in silence as the once-massive slime was reduced to an apple-sized glob, swirling angrily within its prison.


    [Boss Slime defeated! +100 Exp]


    Ss checked his current level and exp and it said Lv 7 (240/640). He had leveled up again. This gave him 3 attribute points and 20 affinity points.


    He put 3 points into his intelligence, because he had noticed that some neuromancy skills were locked behind an intelligence requirement of 15 and higher.


    Biomancy and Essomancy had attribute requirements as well but his stats already met the requirements. He decided to wait on using his affinity points until he knew what he might need.


    Now that they had the opportunity to look around, they realized they were in an alchemyb. Lyra approached the alchemy set with a determined stride.


    She ran her fingers along the beakers and alembics. "This is perfect," she said. "With these supplies, I can make us a stockpile of health potions. It''ll be fairly high quality too, with the supplies here."


    Lyra set to work, gathering the necessary ingredients. She measured out precise amounts of herbs and powders,bining them in arge cauldron that sat atop a flickering me.


    The room filled with the pungent aroma of brewing potions, a mixture of earthy scents and sharp, medicinal notes. Ss watched in fascination as Lyra worked, stirring the bubbling mixture.


    Hours passed, and Lyra''s efforts began to bear fruit. She filled dozens of ss vials with a deep red liquid.


    Ss was in awe of the sheer number of potions Lyra had managed to create. The table was lined with neat rows of vials.


    "Lyra, this is incredible," Ss said.


    "Yeah great job Lyra!" Jace said.


    "Good job," Rowan said.


    "You''re the best," Nadia said.


    "It was my pleasure," Lyra smiled, as she started handing out health potions. "Each of you take two."


    She carefully packed the remaining potions into her pocket dimension.


    "I hate to leave this ce behind. There are so many rare ingredients here," Lyra said. After a few moments, she said, "I guess I don''t have to. Everyone, help me put the ingredients in my storage."


    They all began opening and emptying drawers into Lyra''s pocket dimension.


    When they were done, Ss looked around and said, "So how do we get out of here?" He looked down at the luxurious rug that covered the floor near some chairs. Lifting the rug, revealed a trap door.


    Ss opened it. It led to a long hole with adder against the wall.


    "Shall we?" Ss said.


    They followed Ss down thedder. About 100 rungs down, they reached a ledge with a door. Thedder continued further down the hole.


    As Ss opened the door, he was greeted by an enchanting sight. Beyond the thresholdy a magnificent garden, filled with an array of vibrant flowers and lush greenery. The air was heavy with the sweet fragrance of blooming blossoms, and a gentle breeze carried the soothing sound of rustling leaves.


    In the center of this paradise stood an impossibly beautiful woman. Her long, flowing hair shimmered like spun gold, and her porcin skin seemed to glow. She was dressed in a gown of the finest silk, its delicate fabric clinging to her curves in a way that was both alluring and elegant.


    As the woman''s gaze fell upon the group, Ss felt a strange sensation wash over him. It was as if he was being drawn towards her, an irresistible forcepelling him to step into the garden and bask in her presence. He could see that hispanions were experiencing a simr pull, their eyes zed over with a dreamy expression.


    Suddenly, realization dawned on Ss. This was fairy mour, a powerful magic designed to ensnare the unsuspecting. He shook his head, trying to clear the fog that had settled over his mind. Looking around, he saw that Rowan, Lyra, and Nadia had also managed to snap out of the trance, their faces etched with a mixture of confusion and rm.


    Jace, however, was not so fortunate. He had already taken a step towards the garden, his hand outstretched as if to touch the beautiful woman. "Prettydy," he murmured.


    Acting quickly, Ss reached out and grabbed Jace by the arm, yanking him back from the doorway. Jace struggled against his grip, still entranced by the fairy''s spell. Without hesitation, Ss raised his hand and delivered a sharp p across Jace''s face.


    The sound of the p echoed through the chamber, and Jace blinked rapidly, his eyes clearing as he regained his senses. He looked around. "What...what happened?" he asked, rubbing his cheek.


    "It''s a trap," Ss exined. "That woman is a fairy. Her mour almost got us."


    The group exchanged uneasy nces. They knew that entering the garden would have been a grave mistake.


    "We don''t have what it takes to fight a fairy yet," Ss said.


    With a collective nod, they decided to continue their descent down thedder, leaving the temptation of the fairy''s garden behind. They came to multiple other doors on the way down thedder, but opted not to open them, lest they run into more dangers that they would rather avoid.


    As Ss and hispanions reached the bottom of thedder, they were met with a peculiar sight. The door at the base was propped open by a stone statue, its face frozen in an expression of shock and horror. The statue''s eyes were wide, its mouth agape, as if it had witnessed something truly terrifying in its final moments.


    Ss approached the statue cautiously. He reached out and tentatively touched the cold, smooth surface of the stone, half-expecting the statue to spring to life at any moment. But it remained motionless, its gaze fixed on some unseen terror.


    "What do you think happened to them?" Jace asked, his voice barely above a whisper.


    "This can only mean one thing. A basilisk," Lyra said.

 Chapter 26: The Basilisk

    <h4>Chapter 26: The Basilisk</h4>


    Knowing they were up against a basilisk, Ss went back to his skill menus and chose aura sight and sneak attack. Aura sight would allow him to see the beast''s aura with his eyes closed.


    Sneak attack doubled his attack damage if his opponent wasn''t looking directly at him. Since it was a snake and had to move it''s head a lot to see him, this could help him end the fight quicker.


    Ss rummaged through his inventory, his mind racing to find a solution to the petrification threat. As Lyra suggested they all put on blindfolds, an idea struck him. He pulled out his aviator sunsses, the reflective lenses glinting in the dim light.


    "We could use these," Ss said, holding up the sunsses. "The reflective surface should prevent petrification."


    Jace furrowed his brow. "But how are we all going to use one pair of sunsses?"


    A smirk tugged at the corner of Ss''s mouth. "Remember, you can duplicate things."


    Understanding dawned on Jace''s face. He took the sunsses from Ss and focused his mana, creating four identical pairs. Each member of the group took a pair, sliding them onto their faces.


    Lyra, ever the resourceful one, tore strips of cloth from her cloak. "We should tie these around the back of our heads, so the sses don''t fall off during the fight."


    They all nodded in agreement, securing the arms of the sses with the cloth. The makeshift straps ensured the protective eyewear would stay in ce, no matter how intense the battle became.


    Ss adjusted his sunsses, the world taking on a slightly darker tint.


    "Alright," he said. "Let''s do this."


    "Wait," Lyra said. "Before we go in, remember that if we do get petrified, the secretions in the basilisk''s stomach have de-petrifying properties."


    "I didn''t remember that," Jace said.


    "Me neither," Rowan said.


    "Me too," Nadia said.


    "I did...no, I didn''t," Ss said.


    With that, they entered the room through the propped-open door. Ss''s world took on a ck-and-white quality as he activated his aura sight.


    The cavernous room opened up before them, with each of hispanions surrounded by a distinct hue. But it was the sinister, pulsating red aura emanating from behind therge boulders at the back of the room that caught his attention.


    "The basilisk," Ss called out, his voice echoing off the stone walls. "It''s hiding behind those boulders!"


    His friends sprang into action, their movements fluid and purposeful. Jace, his brow furrowed in concentration, summoned a small army of duplicates, each one an exact replica of himself. The copies fanned out, taking up strategic positions around the room, ready to strike at a moment''s notice.


    Rowan, his eyes closed in focus, raised his hands, and a dozen impish creatures materialized in the air above them. The imps flitted about, their leathery wings beating frantically as they awaited their master''smand.


    Nadia, her face set in determination, extended her hand, and a brilliant orb of light burst forth, illuminating every corner of the cavernous expanse. The shadows retreated, and the basilisk''s hiding spot wasid bare.


    Lyra, her expression one of intense concentration, knelt down and ced her hands on the stone floor. A shimmering portal opened beneath her fingertips, its edges pulsating with energy. She looked up, and Ss followed her gaze to see a second portal materializing on the ceiling directly above the first.


    The stage was set. With his enhanced vision and thebined powers of hispanions, they stood ready to face the basilisk head-on.


    Ss watched the basilisk emerge from behind the boulders, its scales glistening in the light of Nadia''s orb. The creature''s eyes, hidden behind translucent membranes, darted from one member of the group to another, seeking to make the deadly eye contact that would turn them to stone.


    But the sunsses worked, the reflective lenses deflecting the basilisk''s petrifying gaze. Ss breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for the makeshift protection.


    The relief was short-lived, however, as Rowan''s imps, unprotected by the sunsses, met the basilisk''s stare head-on. In an instant, their small bodies hardened, their leathery wings freezing mid-p. The petrified imps plummeted to the ground, shattering into countless shards of stone.


    Jace and his duplicates sprang into action, their hands blurring as they hurled a barrage of knives at the basilisk. The des, each one an exact replica of thest, whistled through the air, their polished surfaces glinting in the light.


    But the basilisk''s scales, as hard as tempered steel, deflected the knives with ease. The des ttered harmlessly to the stone floor, their effectiveness rendered null by the creature''s natural armor.


    Nadia, her brow furrowed in concentration, nocked arrow after arrow, letting them fly with unerring precision. The arrows found their mark, embedding themselves deep into the basilisk''s side. But the beast, its size dwarfing the projectiles, seemed unfazed by the attack.


    Lyra was able to get the portal underneath the basilisk, causing it to fall through the portal on the ground and the connected portal on the ceiling. The basilisk''s massive body mmed into the ground with a resounding thud, but it appeared to not take any damage from the fall.


    Rowan charged towards the creature, his sword poised to strike. But the basilisk, its reflexes lightning-fast, snapped its jaws around the young warrior''s body, lifting him off the ground like a rag doll.


    Ss''s heart leaped into his throat as he saw Rowan struggling to hold the basilisk''s jaws open, his muscles straining with the effort. But the creature''s strength was too great, and with a sickening gulp, it swallowed Rowan whole.


    Nadia, her eyes zing with fury, charged forward, her wed gauntlet outstretched. The basilisk''s head snapped towards her, its maw opening wide. In a sh, Nadia disappeared down the beast''s gullet, her scream of rage cut short.


    Jace, consumed by anger and desperation, leaped towards the basilisk, his knives shing as he shed at the creature''s face. The basilisk hissed, its forked tongue darting out, and in one swift motion, it engulfed Jace and his duplicates.


    As thest of Jace vanished into the beast''s maw, his duplication magic dissipated, leaving Ss as the only one still wearing the protective sunsses.


    Ss turned to Lyra, only to see her standing motionless, her face frozen in an expression of horror. The basilisk''s gaze had found her, and in an instant, she had turned to stone.


    Ss stood alone. The basilisk, its belly distended from its recent meal, turned its attention to Ss, its eyes glinting with malevolent hunger.


    With his sunsses firmly in ce, Ss knew he was the only one left who could face the beast. Ss felt a surge of primal energy coursing through his veins as he activated his berserker rage.


    With a guttural roar, he charged towards the basilisk, his eyes locked on the beast''s gaping maw. The snake, its eyes glinting with hunger, opened its mouth wide, ready to swallow Ss whole, just as it had done to his friends.


    But at thest possible moment, Ss called upon his pounce skill. His body, imbued with supernatural agility,unched him 15 feet to the right, effectively dodging the basilisk''s deadly jaws. Hended gracefully on the side of the massive serpent.


    Without hesitation, Ss threw his war hammer to the ground, the weapon ttering against the stone floor. He flexed his fingers, and the razor-sharp ws of his gauntlets unsheathed. In one fluid motion, he raked the ws along the basilisk''s scaly hide, leaving deep, angry gashes in their wake.


    The basilisk, enraged by the sudden pain, whipped its head around to face Ss once more. Its eyes narrowed, and it lunged forward, determined to capture its prey within its powerful jaws.


    But Ss, his reflexes heightened by the berserker rage, activated his pounce skill once again, this time dodging to the left. The basilisk''s teeth snapped shut on empty air, mere inches from Ss''s face.


    Seizing the opportunity, Sstched onto the beast''s side, plunging the ws of his left gauntlet deep into its flesh. The basilisk thrashed and hissed, trying to dislodge its unwanted passenger, but Ss held fast.


    With his right gauntlet, he began to slice into the creature''s side, his ws tearing through scales and muscle with savage efficiency.


    [Sneak attack sessful!]


    [Sneak attack sessful!]


    [Sneak attack sessful!]


    Ss concentrated, dismissing the notifications to the icon in the upper right of his vision. With each relentless strike, Ss felt the basilisk''s flesh yielding beneath his ws.


    And then, with a sickening tear, he broke through the beast''s stomach wall. In a grotesque cascade, his friends came tumbling out, their bodies covered in the basilisk''s digestive fluids.


    Ss watched as the basilisk convulsed, its massive body thrashing in its final moments. With onest shuddering breath, the beast fell still, its eyes zing over in death. Ss retracted his ws, panting heavily from the exertion of the battle.


    [You defeated a boss enemy! +1000 Exp]


    This caused Ss to level up to level 8 with a current exp of (600/1280).


    He turned to his friends, who were slowly regaining their bearings, their bodies slick with the basilisk''s stomach fluids.


    "Jace, Rowan, Nadia," Ss called out, his voice hoarse. "Gather some of the basilisk''s stomach secretions in your hands. We need to pour it onto Lyra."


    The three of them nodded. They scooped the viscous liquid into their cupped hands, careful not to let a single drop spill. Together, they made their way to Lyra''s stone form, her face frozen in an expression of horror.


    Ss watched as they poured the secretions over Lyra''s body, their hands working to spread the fluid evenly across her petrified surface. For a moment, nothing seemed to happen, and Ss felt a knot of fear tightening in his chest.


    But then, slowly at first, the stone began to crack and crumble. kes of gray fell away, revealing the soft, pink flesh beneath. Lyra''s fingers twitched, then her arms, as the petrification reversed its hold on her body.


    With a sudden gasp, Lyra''s chest heaved, her lungs filling with air. Her eyes flew open, wide and disoriented, as she took in her surroundings. She looked down at her hands, flexing her fingers as if to reassure herself that they were indeed flesh and blood once more.


    "What...what happened?" Lyra asked, her voice shaky.


    Ss stepped forward, relief flooding through him at the sight of his friend restored. "The basilisk got you," he exined gently. "But we managed to defeat it, and the stomach secretions brought you back. Just like you said they would."


    Lyra''s gaze swept over her friends, taking in their disheveled and fluid-covered appearances. A look of understanding dawned on her face, followed by a flicker of gratitude. "Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you for saving me."

 Chapter 27: The Staff of Aleron

    <h4>Chapter 27: The Staff of Aleron</h4>


    Ss ckwood, his body still aching from the grueling battle with the basilisk, approached the altar in the center of the room. His eyes fell upon the staff thaty atop it, its surface gleaming with an otherworldly light. This, he presumed, was the Staff of Aleron, the artifact they had been seeking.


    Ss, activated his Essence Revtion skill, focusing his gaze on the staff without touching it. The information flooded his mind, revealing the staff''s true nature. It was a tier 5 magical item, quite an exceptional find.


    But it was the staff''s ability that truly caught Ss''s attention. The Staff of Aleron, he discovered, had the power to raise a mage''s current tier by two, granting them ess to the spells of their affinity that came with those elevated tiers. It was a tantalizing prospect, the thought of wielding such power.


    Ss turned to Jace, a spark of excitement in his eyes. "Jace," he said, his voice tinged with eagerness, "do you think you could duplicate the staff? ording to my system, it can raise a mage''s current tier by two. Imagine if we all could use that?"


    Jace, his brow furrowed in concentration, studied the staff for a moment before shaking his head. "I''m sorry, Ss," he said, his tone apologetic, "but I can''t duplicate the effects of magical artifacts. I can create a physical copy of the staff itself, but the magical properties, the ability to raise a mage''s tier? That''s beyond my capabilities."


    Ss nodded, a flicker of disappointment crossing his features. He had hoped that Jace''s duplication magic might have been the key to unlocking the staff''s power for all of them. But it seemed that the Staff of Aleron, like so many other artifacts, was a singr entity, its abilities tied to its very essence.


    Essence. It''s abilities were tied to its essence. What if he could copy its essence? He could extract essence. Why wouldn''t he be able to copy it?


    Ss delved into his essomancy skill menu. He scrolled through the list of abilities, his eyes scanning each one. And then, he found it: Essence Copy.


    The skill''s description was tantalizing, promising the ability to copy the essence of any object and reshape the essence of another object to match it. It was exactly what Ss needed to share the power of the Staff of Aleron with his friends.


    But as his eyes fell upon the skill''s cost, Ss''s heart sank. 40 affinity points. He checked his own avable points and found that he only had 20. Half of what he needed.


    Ss''s mind whirred, searching for a solution. And then, like a bolt of lightning, it struck him. He turned to his friends, a determined glint in his eye.


    "Guys," he said, his voice steady, "I need you to fight me."


    Jace, Rowan, Nadia, and Lyra exchanged puzzled nces, their eyebrows raised in confusion.


    "I know it sounds crazy," Ss continued, "but hear me out. There''s a skill in my system called Essence Copy. It would allow me to copy the effects of the staff and let all of you use it. But I don''t have enough affinity points to unlock it."


    Understanding dawned on their faces, followed by a flicker of excitement.


    "So, if we fight you," Jace said, his voice tinged with realization, "and help you level up..."


    "...you''ll gain more affinity points," Rowan finished, a grin spreading across his face.


    "Exactly," Ss said, nodding. "It''s the only way I can think of to share the staff''s power with all of you."


    Nadia and Lyra exchanged a look, a silent conversation passing between them. Then, with a determined nod, they turned back to Ss.


    "We''re in," Nadia said, her voice firm.


    "Let''s do this," Lyra agreed, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.


    Ss felt a surge of gratitude and affection for his friends. They were willing to fight him to help him level up.


    "Alright," Ss said. "Let''s go away from the petrified people so we don''t smash any of them. We''ve got some leveling up to do."


    After moving to a more suitable location, Jace, ever the eager one, stepped forward first. "Alright, Ss," he said, a grin spreading across his face, "let''s do this."


    Without hesitation, Jace lunged at Ss, his fists raised. Ss, caught off guard by the sudden attack, barely managed to dodge the first blow. But Jace was relentless, his hands a blur as he threw punch after punch.


    Rowan, Nadia, and Lyra exchanged nces. Then, with a collective nod, they joined the fray. The sound of flesh striking flesh echoed through the chamber as the four friends engaged in a bare-knuckle brawl.


    Hours passed, and Ss felt his body growing weary. But he pushed on, fueled by the promise of the power that awaited him. And then, with a sudden surge of energy, he felt it happen. He had leveled up.


    Ss, his breathing in ragged gasps, stepped back from the fight. He quickly navigated to his essomancy skill menu. There, at the top of the list, was the skill he had been seeking: Essence Copy.


    Without hesitation, Ss selected the skill, watching as his affinity points drained away. But it was worth it, he knew, for the power it would grant them all.


    Ss turned his attention to the mana cores they had harvested from the scornyx earlier. He focused his gaze on the Staff of Aleron, activating his newly acquired skill. The information flooded his mind, the magical properties of the staff etching themselves into his consciousness.


    Then, with a surge of power, Ss directed the copied essence towards the mana cores. The cores pulsed with energy, their surfaces shimmering as they absorbed the staff''s magical properties. When the process wasplete, Ss picked up one of the cores, feeling the power thrumming within it.


    Ss ckwood watched as his friends gathered around, each holding a mana core imbued with the essence of the Staff of Aleron. The anticipation was palpable, the air thick with the promise of newfound power.


    One by one, they activated the cores, the magical energy surging through their bodies. Ss could feel the shift in the atmosphere, the very fabric of reality bending to amodate their enhanced abilities.


    Jace, his eyes wide with wonder, felt his current tier skyrocket, settling at an impressive tier 4. He flexed his fingers, marveling at the potential that now coursed through his veins.


    Lyra, her face alight with joy, found herself at the pinnacle of her magical potential, her current tier soaring to an astonishing 7. She could feel the spells of her affinity, once beyond her reach, now at her fingertips, ready to be unleashed.


    Rowan, his stance tall and proud, felt his current tier climb to a formidable 6. He grinned, the power of his summons now amplified to heights he had never before imagined.


    Nadia, her eyes sparkling with excitement, watched as her current tier rose to a remarkable 5. The light at hermand now shone brighter, more vibrant than ever before.


    And then there was Ss. As he activated his own mana core, he felt nothing. A system notification popped up. [Magic ipatible with user''s affinities.


    Converting to experience. +1000 exp][Lv 9 (1000/2560)]


    While the extra experience was wee, he worried that leveling up was going to get harder and harder. And with his skills bing more and more expensive, that was going to be a problem.


    As the rest of the group stood there, reveling in their newfound power, Ss couldn''t help but feel a sense of pride and camaraderie.


    "I have a feeling, that as soon as I touch the staff, we''ll be transported back to the training room," Ss said. "Meaning, we wouldn''t be able to use the staff. I think anything that is on our person that we didn''te with will disappear."


    "However, if we put things into Lyra''s pocket dimension, we will be able to travel back with them. Speaking of, we should harvest the basilisk''s core."


    Nadia, Jace, and Rowan got to work harvesting the basilisk''s core, while Ss and Lyra got to work bottling the basilisk''s stomach secretions, just in case.


    Before heading back, they decided to have a campfire and make a meal out of the scornyx they collected.


    Ss ckwood and hispanions gathered around a crackling campfire, the aroma of roasting scornyx filling the air. They had decided to take a moment to rest and recuperate before returning to the training room, their bodies still aching from the grueling battles they had endured.


    Jace, ever the jokester, regaled the group with tales of his past misadventures, hisughter infectious as it echoed through the chamber. Rowan, shook his head in amusement, asionally interjecting.


    Nadia, her face illuminated by the flickering mes, shared stories of her childhood, of the pressure she had faced as a member of an elite family. Lyra, her eyes shining with empathy, listened intently, offering words of support and understanding.


    As the conversation flowed, Ss found himself drifting, his mind wandering to the challenges thaty ahead. He quietly excused himself, rising from his seat and making his way to the edge of the chamber, where the darkness seemed to stretch on forever.


    He stood there, his gaze fixed on the inky ckness, lost in thought.


    Lyra, noticing Ss''s absence, quietly followed him, her footsteps soft against the stone floor. She came to stand beside him, her presence aforting warmth in the chilly darkness.

 Chapter 28: Dying is Bad For Your Health

    <h4>Chapter 28: Dying is Bad For Your Health</h4>


    "What''s wrong, Ss?" Lyra asked, her voice gentle, filled with concern.


    Ss, startled from his reverie, turned to face her. "I... I don''t know," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "It''s just... everything. There''s so much I want to do, and it feels like we don''t have enough time to do it."


    "Like what?" Lyra asked.


    "Like saving my mother," Ss said.


    "We have more than enough time to save your mother. We killed a basilisk in a week. We got this," Lyra said.


    "You''re probably right. Let''s go rejoin the others," Ss said.


    After their respite, Ss looked around at the statues of people petrified by the basilisk.


    "Guys. Let''s unfreeze all these people," Ss said.


    With the gallons of basilisk secretions they had stored in Lyra''s pocket dimension, they covered the people head to toe in the liquid and watched as they came back to life.


    Most of them, were overjoyed to be saved and restored to their former selves, but one of them said, "My name is Elias Whitecliff. I''m the prince of the nearby kingdom. If you ever need anything, give a guard this coin," Elias said, handing Ss a distinctive coin. "And tell them Elias gave it to you."


    "Ok, thanks," Ss said. "I don''t know the next time we''ll be back, but I''ll keep that in mind."


    They found a door in the back of the room that seemed to lead outside. After the people had all left, Ss said, "There''s something I need to do before we go back. Lyra, hand me the basilisk core."


    Lyra gave Ss the core. Ss activated his essence extraction ability and watched as the silvery essence drained out of the core. He took the test tube out of his chest and put a small amount of the essence in his mouth, before putting the tube back in his chest.


    Swallowing the essence,


    Ss swallowed the basilisk essence, bracing himself for the impending transformation. The familiar searing pain consumed his body, causing him to copse to the ground. His friends rushed to his side, their faces etched with concern as they watched him writhe in agony.


    The skin on the back of Ss''s hands began to change, taking on a scaly appearance. The scales, a deep emerald green, glimmered in the dim light of the room. As the transformation progressed, the scales spread, creeping up his arms.


    As the pain subsided, Ss drew in a shaky breath. He looked down at his hands, marveling at the scaly texture that now adorned his skin. He could feel the essence of the basilisk flowing through him, imbuing him with newfound strength and resilience.


    [You have acquired a new skill! Petrifying Stare]


    [Petrifying Stare: Activating this ability while making eye contact with someone or something, will cause the target to turn to stone. (cost 150 mp)]


    Ss checked his stats. His strength had gone up by 6, now sitting at 26. His other stats were unchanged.


    Finally, Ss and his friends gathered around the altar that held the staff. cing all their handsyered on top of each other, they all touched the staff at the same time. A brilliant white light red, and they were gone.


    Ss ckwood and hispanions materialized in the training room, their bodies tingling with the residual energy of the magic. They nced around, taking in the familiar surroundings, a sense of relief washing over them as they realized they had sessfullypleted the scenario.


    Lyra, her brow furrowed in concentration, reached into her pocket dimension, her fingers grasping at the air. A momentter, she withdrew her hand, a triumphant smile on her face as she held up the tiny angry slime in a jar and the remaining stomach secretions.


    "It''s all here," she said, her voice filled with excitement. "Everything we collected, it''s still in my pocket dimension."


    Ss nodded, a sense of satisfaction settling over him. They had not only survived the challenge but had also managed to bring back valuable resources that could aid them in their future endeavors.


    However, their sense of victory was short-lived. As they made their way out of the training room, they noticed amotion near the potion evaporators on the outside of the building. A group of students and instructors had gathered around the machines, their faces etched with concern and frustration.


    Ss and his friends approached, curious to see what had caused such a stir. As they drew closer, they saw that the potion evaporators had been damaged, their delicateponents twisted and broken.


    Jace, his eyes narrowing, stepped forward to examine the damage more closely. "This wasn''t an ident," he said, his voice low and serious. "Someone sabotaged these machines deliberately."


    Nadia, her face darkening with anger, clenched her fists. "Damien," she said, her voice dripping with venom. "It has to be him. He''s the only one who would stoop so low."


    Rowan, his expression grim, nodded in agreement. "He must have done it while we were in the scenario," he said, his voice tight with frustration. "He knew we wouldn''t be able to stop him."


    As Ss and hispanions stood amidst the gathering crowd, a sudden realization struck him. Despite the hours they had spent battling their way through the Temple of Aleron, no time seemed to have passed in the real world. The sun still hung in the same position, and the bustling activity around the university grounds remained unchanged.


    Lyra, her eyes widening with understanding, turned to Ss. "The training scenario must have been in some sort of temporal bubble," she said, her voice filled with awe. "We could have spent days in there, and it wouldn''t have made a difference out here."


    Jace, his face breaking into a grin, pped Ss on the shoulder. "You know what this means, right?" he said, his voice filled with excitement. "You still have time to make it to your duel with Damien."


    Ss, his heart racing at the prospect, nodded slowly. He had been so caught up in the challenges of the Temple of Aleron that he had almost forgotten about his impending confrontation with Damien. But now, with the knowledge that no time had been lost, he felt a renewed sense of determination.


    Rowan, his expression serious, stepped forward. "We''lle with you," he said, his voice filled with conviction. "You don''t have to face him alone."


    Nadia, her eyes shing with anger, nodded in agreement. "Damien needs to be taught a lesson," she said, her voice cold and hard. "And you''re going to be the one to do it."


    Ss and hispanions approached the dueling grounds, which were an open air version of the training rooms. The health potion evaporators were funneled under the ground, so the mist rose up through the floor.


    They were greeted by arge crowd of students and faculty members, all eager to witness the impending confrontation between Ss and Damien. At the center of the gathering stood a university official, his face stern and his posture rigid.


    "Attention, everyone," the official called out, his voice cutting through the excited chatter of the crowd. "The duel between Ss ckwood and Damien Devereux will soonmence. However, before we begin, let me make the ground rules clear."


    He paused, his eyes scanning the faces of the assembled students. "This duel will be conducted in ordance with the university''s guidelines for magicalbat."


    "The use of lethal force is allowed and encouraged to determine the winner of the duel, but gratuitous violence such as dismemberment, decapitation, and disembowelment are strictly prohibited. Any vition of this rule will result in immediate disqualification and disciplinary action."


    Ss, his heart pounding with anticipation, nodded his understanding. He had no intention of using such methods against Damien, but he knew that his opponent might not share the same restraint.


    As the official stepped back, Ss and Damien took their positions on opposite ends of the dueling grounds. They faced each other, their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills.


    Then, without warning, Damien summoned a pair of blood whips, one in each hand. But these were no ordinary whips. Each one split off into four separate strands, each ending in a wicked, scythe-like de that glinted menacingly in the sunlight.


    At the sight of Damien''s weapons, Ss pulled his war hammer off his back and activated his berserker rage skill.


    The two opponents circled each other, their weapons at the ready. Then, with a sudden burst of speed, Damienshed out with one of his whips, the des slicing through the air with deadly precision.


    Ss, dodged the attack using his pounce skill, rolling to the side anding up in a crouch. Using his enhanced speed, he rushed towards Damien, getting a swing ready.


    Within range, Ss swung the hammer into Damien''s side, shattering his ribs and sending him to the ground. Damien had tried to defend but his weapons were primarily for creating and maintaining distance, not for fighting within arms reach.


    Getting up slowly, by the time he was standing, Damien''s ribs had healed and he was ready to go again. The university official along with two people standing beside him, were keeping track of the blows for point tallying.


    Damien started whirling the whips out in front of him as a defense against Ss getting up close and personal. If he could maintain distance, he could control the fight.


    Once again, Ss was too fast for Damien. Ss ran and dove straight through the whip field, spinning to deflect the scythes and prevent the whips from wrapping around his body.


    Making it safely to the other side, Ss mmed the head of the hammer into Damien''s sternum, knocking him to the floor once more. Tired of getting knocked around, Damien pulled the whips back into his wrists and he unsheathed a sword on his hip and pulled a shield off his back.


    Then out of his back burst the whips with the scythe tips still attached. Now he was prepared to fight Ss close, medium, and long range.


    The scythe-whips sliced through the air towards Ss, but he jumped back, just out of reach. Running through the range of the whips, Ss dodged and rolled and jumped, eventually making it to Damien.


    He swung his hammer down at Damien, but this time he blocked it with his shield and stabbed at Ss''s midsection with the sword. Ss was able to dodge to the side to miss the sword, but he wasn''t prepared for what came next.


    A stabbing pain jolted through Ss''s back, once, twice, three times, eventually ending at 8. While he was distracted fighting him up close, Damien had stabbed all 8 scythes into Ss''s back.


    Having won that round, Damien threw Ss back 20 feet and off his scythe des, to get ready for the next round. Ss took some time to get up, the familiar pain of punctured lungs stabbing through him.


    With the beginning of the next round, Ss made a mental note to keep track of the whips while fighting. Keeping this in mind made the difference he needed to not get stabbed in the back again.


    At this point the fight became fairly even, with both parties attacking and parrying in turn. A minute went by without a single blow dealt, until something changed.


    All of a sudden, Ss felt a strange force within his body. It was as if the blood inside his body had frozen in ce, preventing him from moving.


    At first, Ss thought it was Damien''s doing, but as he struggled against the unseen bonds, he realized that Damien couldn''t be maintaining so much control over his body while fighting as hard as he was.


    Ss''s eyes darted around the dueling grounds, searching for the source of the magic. And then he saw him. stair Devereux, Damien''s younger brother, was standing at the edge of the crowd, his eyes fixed on Ss and his hands moving in aplex pattern.


    Ss''s heart sank as he realized what was happening. stair was using his own blood magic to hold Ss in ce, secretly aiding his brother from the sidelines. And because Damien and stair shared the same blood magic affinity, they could easily argue that it was Damien who was responsible for the magic, not stair.


    With a roar of defiance, Ss summoned every ounce of his strength, pouring it into a desperate attempt to break free of stair''s hold. And break free of stair''s hold he did, at the expense of significant blood loss.


    Ss ripped himself free of the blood frozen in his veins, essentially ripping his circtory system out of his body. He fell to his knees due to losing all of his blood.


    The health potions started to heal him, but they couldn''t heal him fast enough. Damien seized the opportunity to strike. He sent one of his blood whips hurtling towards Ss, the wicked strands wrapping around his body like a serpent.


    Ss gasped as he felt the whip tighten around his neck, the des digging into his flesh. He tried to break free of the whip''s hold, but he was too weak and it was toote.


    With a sickening crack, Damien pulled his shoulder back, and the whip constricted with brutal force. Ss felt a moment of searing pain.


    For a moment, Ss experienced a strange sensation of weightlessness, as if he were floating above his own body. He watched in horror as his head flew away from his shoulders, spinning through the air like a grotesque ball.

 Chapter 29: Turnabout is Fair Play

    <h4>Chapter 29: Turnabout is Fair y</h4>


    Ss watched himself fly through the air in what felt like slow motion. He regretted not being able to wipe the smug look off Damien''s face, but he knew his friends would do it for him. The man was not going to escape justice regardless.


    After hearing Lyra scream, "Nooooo!!!" suddenly, he stopped flying away from his body. He watched as his head flew in reverse of its original trajectory and reattached itself to his body. He was alive again.


    Technically, he had never been unalive, since he was conscious the whole time but you could probably consider yourself to have died if you were decapitated.


    In his peripheral vision, he saw Lyra, a look of terror on her face and her hands outstretched. She must have used to time affinity magic to rewind time. He felt a wave of gratitude for Lyra saving his life, but he would thank hereter, when his life was not in danger.


    Wondering how he was able to perceive the effects of Lyra''s magic, he supposed it was because they had soul linked in the past. Getting ready for time to start again, Ss came up with a n of what he was going to do to survive this time around.


    When time resumed, Ss make venomous eye contact with Damien. He used a skill he had been holding in his back pocket. A skill he wouldn''t even consider using an another person, but for Damien, a man who tried to kill him multiple times, he would make an exception.


    Ss activated his skill ''petrifying stare.'' He watched as Damien progressively turned to stone, his body freezing in ce, and his eyes widening in shock and horror.


    The fight being over since Damien was no longer able to fight, Ss turned away from Damien''s petrified form. The university official supervising the duel stormed up to him, his face twisted in anger.


    "You have vited the rules of this duel by killing your opponent. I will be bringing this matter to the headmistress immediately!" the official bellowed in his ear.


    Ss, feeling no remorse for his actions, looked the official in the eyes. "You didn''t see it, but Damien decapitated me. My friend has a chronomancy affinity, so she rewound time."


    "Otherwise I would be dead. Besides, he''s not dead. He can be revived. You wouldn''t have been able to revive me, and I highly doubt you would be reprimanding Damien the way you''re reprimanding me right now," Ss said.


    The official sputtered, "Th-that''s not true! All students are equal in this university."


    "If you really believe that, then I feel sorry for you," Ss said. With that, he walked away, with his friends falling into step beside him.


    Lyra still had a look of shock on her face from witnessing him his head get cut off.


    "What happened?" Jace said.


    "Damien cut Ss''s head off," Lyra responded.


    "What? Then how is he still alive?" Rowan asked.


    "I rewound time to bring Ss back to life," Lyra said.


    "Just when I think that guy can''t get any worse," Nadia said. "That dude blows."


    "I couldn''t agree more," Ss said. "And thank you, Lyra. I owe you my life."


    "Think nothing of it," Lyra said. "I just couldn''t stand the idea of Damien killing you."


    As they walked, the official''s shouts grew fainter and fainter, his words lost in the growing distance between them.


    They all hung out in Ss''s room waiting for the inevitable summons from the headmistress. Rowan was sitting on his bed watching Nadia pet Steggie, his dog sized stegosaurus familiar.


    "He''s so cute. Unlike someone else I know," Nadia looked at Rowan.


    Rowan just sighed and rolled his eyes. Lyra was doing an inventory of the contents of her pocket dimension, specifically the alchemy ingredients.


    Jace was tapping at the ss of the jar that contained the purple slime. "I shall name you Goopy," he said. "What''s up Goopy?"


    Jace''s eye widened for a few seconds and then he turned back to his friends. "Whoa. Goopy talked to me in my head. He called me a big dumb idiot."


    "Tell us something we don''t know," Rowan said,ughing.


    "Shut-" Jace began to say, when there was a knock on the door.


    An envelope was shoved under the door with Ss''s name on it. Opening it, he read it and said, "It''s the summons we were waiting for. It says I have to talk to the headmistress Vaunsguard immediately."


    Ss stepped into the headmistress''s office, unsure of what he was going to say. He just knew he was done being pushed around and ignored.


    The room was grand and imposing, with towering bookshelves lining the walls and a massive, ornate desk at the end of the room.


    The headmistress sat behind the desk, her gaze fixed upon Ss as he approached. Her expression was stern, her lips pressed into a thin line of disapproval.


    "Mr. ckwood," she began, her voice cold and authoritative. "You stand used of killing a student during a sanctioned duel. What do you have to say for yourself?"


    Ss met her gaze with indignation. "I didn''t kill anyone, Headmistress. Damien can be revived."


    "I see. How did you manage to petrify him in the first ce? I''ve never heard of such a spell," she said.


    "That''s because it''s not a spell. It''s a beast ability. The basilisk has it," Ss said.


    "How is it that you''re using beast abilities?" The headmistress asked.


    Ss thought before he spoke. The more his secrets got out, the danger he was in. "Would you be willing to agree not to tell my secrets anyone other than you and I?"


    "Hmm, I can tell you have something up your sleeve, so out with it. What are you scheming?" she said.


    "It''s not a scheme. Just an agreement with a little magic to bind it. That way I know I can trust you," Ss said.


    "A magic spell that enforces an agreement. Interesting. Fine, I''ll agree to that. I don''t need to divulge your secrets to make your life a living hell. Which, if I don''t like how this conversation goes, I assure you I will," she said.


    "Let''s shake on it," Ss said, a smile making its way onto his face.


    "Very well," she said, extending her hand.

 Chapter 30: The Headmistress’s Permission

    <h4>Chapter 30: The Headmistress''s Permission</h4>


    Ss took the headmistress''s hand in his. [Blood pact sessful!]. She didn''t even flinch as the needle pierced her palm. She sat back down and smoothed out her clothes.


    "You were saying?" she said.


    "I can absorb essences, which allows me to gain beast abilities," Ss said.


    "And why can you do that? You''re really making me pry this out of you. Just tell me the full story," she said exasperated.


    "I was born without a mana core, so I wasn''t able to produce mana or learn spells, but before she was arrested, my mom made a machine that fixed that somewhat. I still can''t produce mana, but I can siphon it from other sources."


    "An added effect of the machine is I can absorb essences and gain abilities that way," Ss said.


    "I see. This machine, does it give you any other unique abilities?" the headmistress asked.


    "It does, but I won''t go into that right now. The list is long and I haven''t read the whole thing," Ss responded.


    "I will require that list eventually. Write it down and put it in my mail. Who is your mother that she was able to create this device, with capabilities no one has ever heard of?" she said.


    "Evelyn Winterbourne," Ss said, watching her face for a reaction.


    She was good, but not good enough. Ss noticed an almost imperceptible raising of her eyebrows. "Interesting. Never heard of her," she said.


    "You''re lying," Ss said.


    "How dare you use someone of my status and position of deception!" the headmistress said.


    "You''re lying and now you''re trying to cover it up," Ss said, determined.


    They stared each other down for a full minute, neither one giving an inch. The headmistress cracked first. She had no skin in the game. She didn''t have the resolve that Ss had.


    "Fine. I am lying," she said.


    "I want to know why," Ss said.


    "I''m not at liberty to discuss anything I may or may not know about your mother," she said, putting her hands up.


    "Is my mother the one making all this new magitech for the universities?" Ss said.


    She narrowed her eyes at him.


    "I think that answers my question," Ss said, sitting back.


    "Now that we''re done discussing your mother, we need to discuss you restoring Mr. Devereux to his original state," the headmistress said.


    "The man has tried to kill me on three separate asions, thest of which he technically seeded."


    "The only reason I''m here in front of you is because my friend, Lyra, can rewind time now, which she used to bring me back to life," Ss said, seriously.


    "He also openly admitted to me that he killed other students by throwing them into theke. Do you really think someone like that should be walking around campus?" Ss leaned back and crossed his arms.


    "If all that is true, no. No I don''t. There''s nothing I can do to him though. His family has government connections. His father sits on the grand council. However, if something were to happen to him when I wasn''t looking..." she said.


    "I guess that''s the most I can ask for," Ss said.


    "While we''re on the subject, do you have any proof of these allegations?" she asked.


    "I have the ability to share memories with people through eye contact," Ss said. "I can show you what he''s done."


    "Interesting. Another one of your mysterious abilities. I very much desire to determine the veracity of your ims. Show them to me," she said.


    "Just make deep continuous eye contact with me," Ss said.


    They established a soul link and Ss shared the memories with her. After it was over, she leaned back and wiped a single tear out of her eye. She looked at it, then rubbed it on a handkerchief she pulled out of her pocket.


    "Yes, I do think that is enough. I would encourage someone to end his reign of terror as soon as possible, by any means except death or petrification," Headmistress Vaunsguard said.


    "I''m sure someone will," Ss said, getting up out of his chair. "This conversation went far better than I expected it to."


    "The feeling is mutual," she said.


    With that, Ss walked out of the room.


    * * *


    Ss stood in the dueling grounds with his friends, staring at a stone statue with a frightened look on its face.


    "Lyra, would you be so kind as to lend me some basilisk secretions?" Ss asked, putting his hand out.


    Lyra ced a bottle into his hand. Ss undid the cap and poured some on the head of the statue and made sure to cover the entire surface of the statue with the liquid.


    "You know, I have a feeling my stomach secretions would do the trick now too, but I''d rather not get caught throwing up on Damien, despite how much fun that would be," Ss mused.


    "I''d pay to see that," Nadia said.


    The surface of the statue started to ke and crack, revealing skin and clothing underneath. When the process was about halfway done, Ss ced his hand on Damien''s chest, and activated his essence extraction skill.


    Damien''s eye popped wide open and his back arched. He gasped for air. The color drained from his skin and a milky white light pulled out of his chest, through S''s hand and arm. After several seconds, it was over.


    Ss pulled his hand back, and Damien started to fall forwards. Rowan and Nadia grabbed him and held him up. When he finally seemed to be regaining consciousness, Ss leaned forward until their faces were inches from each other.


    "You''re going to feel terrible for a while. If my theory is correct, you won''t be able to cast spells either. We''re going to do this every so often, until they ship you off."


    "Let this be a warning. If you mess with me or my friends ever again, I''ll do a whole lot more than just take your magic away. That counts for your brother and your friends too," Ss said, straightening back up and pulling his face away from Damien''s.


    Ss nodded, and Rowan and Nadia let Damien go.


    "Now get out of here." Jace said, gently kicking Damien in the butt. They watched as he slowly walked in the direction of the dorms.


    "That''s more like it!" Nadia said. "We finally taught that jerk a lesson."


    "Let''s hope he learns it," Ss said.


    "Do you think he will?" Lyra asked.


    "Nope," Ss said.

 Chapter 31: The Hunt Begins

    <h4>Chapter 31: The Hunt Begins</h4>


    After the Damien problem had been dealt with temporarily, everything seemed to quiet down for Ss for a while. His sses went well. He was achieving high marks in two of his three sses.


    Arcane theory was throwing him for a loop. Most of the concepts went way over his head. He was more an action person than an analysis person, he learned.


    Tiffany put off the Combat and Magic I outing for a while to give Ss some room to breathe after the duel with Damien. Which was a big deal. Professors didn''t generally cater to individual students, but Tiffany was built different.


    She cared for every student in her sses like she did a child. That and she didn''t want to see her star student wash out. Washing out generally meant you died.


    Today was the day of the outing to hunt magical beasts. Ss got up like every other day, put his eyedrops in, petted Steggy, and chatted with Jace until Rowan finally got out of bed.


    Before ss, they made their way to the dining hall for breakfast. Ss, Rowan and Jace loaded up their tes and sat down.


    "I''m so d they have coffee here. My mom always used to make it in the mornings, and it smelled amazing." Ss said, taking a sip of his coffee.


    "I still can''t get over the fact that all of the new trends, technology and even food were started by your mother," Jace said, pouring an obscene amount of sugar and cream into his coffee.


    "I can. These potatoes are great!" Rowan said, stuffing his mouth. "What did you call these? Hash browns?"


    "Yeah. My mom always used to make them on special days. Birthdays, holidays, graduations." Ss said.


    "I will say that calling them fried potato shavings doesn''t have the same ring to it," Jace said.


    "Yeah, that just sounds weird," Ss said.


    "I don''t care what they call them, as long as I get to eat them everyday," Rowan said.


    "Is that how you''re always packing on more muscle? Potatoes?" Jace said.


    "I guess," Rowan shrugged.


    "So do you guys have a specific beast you''ll be targeting today? Rathgar said he''d be happy to make you guys armor and weapons as soon as you collect the cores," Ss said.


    "I was thinking something easy, like giant mole rats," Jace said.


    "I''m going after a megapede. Imagine how strong my armor would be!" Rowan said.


    "Nice. I''m just going to gather as many mana cores as I can," Ss said.


    They finished eating and headed to ss.


    Ss, Jace, and Rowan entered the Combat and Magic I ssroom together, their chatter about the uing hunt filling the air. Ss couldn''t help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension at the prospect of venturing out into the wilds surrounding Arcanium. It would be his first real test of the skills he''d been honing in ss.


    As they took their seats, Lyra and Nadia walked in, deep in conversation. Ss caught Lyra''s eye, and she gave him a quick smile before turning her attention back to Nadia.


    Professor Tiffany Umbercrowe strode into the room, her presencemanding instant silence. "Today, we''ll be putting your training to the test. We''re heading out to the hills around Arcanium to hunt magical beasts."


    A murmur of excitement rippled through the room. Tiffany held up a hand for silence. "In future weeks, we''ll be venturing further afield, which will require the use of the teleporters in the training rooms. But for today, we''ll be staying close to home."


    She paused, letting her words sink in. "You''ll be splitting up into groups to watch each other''s backs. I want you to form your own groups, but choose wisely. Your lives may depend on the people you surround yourself with."


    Ss immediately looked to Jace and Rowan, who nodded in unspoken agreement. Lyra and Nadia made their way over to join them,pleting their group of five.


    "Looks like we''ve got a solid team," Jace said with a grin.


    Nadia nodded, her expression serious. "We''ll need to be on our guard out there. The wilds can be unpredictable."


    Ss felt a surge of gratitude for his friends. He knew he could count on them to have his back, no matter what challenges they faced.


    Ss ckwood, Jace, Rowan, Lyra, and Nadia ventured into the hills surrounding Arcanium, their horses'' hooves clopping against the rocky terrain. The sun beat down on their backs as they rode.


    As they reached a clearing, Ss dismounted and tied his horse to a nearby tree. The others followed suit, securing their mounts before gathering their gear.


    "Alright, let''s see what we can find," Ss said, adjusting his gauntlets.


    They set off into the underbrush, their senses heightened and weapons at the ready. The air was thick with the scent of wildflowers and the hum of insects.


    Suddenly, a rustling sound caught Ss''s attention. He held up a hand, signaling the others to stop. They crept forward, peering through the foliage.


    There, in a small de, was a patch of vibrant flowers, their petals shimmering in the sunlight. But as they watched, the flowers began to move, their stems twisting and writhing.


    "Watch out!" Lyra cried as the flowers lunged towards them, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth.


    Ss leapt back, narrowly avoiding the snapping jaws of a carnivorous bloom. The others scattered, drawing their weapons as the flowers advanced, their petals ring with predatory intent.


    Rowan summoned a group of deer with glowing antlers and spots. The deer charged forward, their antlers glowing with magical energy as they tore into the carnivorous blooms, ripping petals and stems with their teeth.


    Jace''s daggers flew through the air with precision, each one finding its mark in the center of a carnivorous bloom. The flowers writhed and thrashed as they were pinned to the ground, their deadly petals fluttering uselessly.


    With a grim determination, Jace strode forward and crushed each bloom beneath his feet, ensuring they would not rise again. He then retrieved his daggers, wiping the sap from their des.


    Lyra raised her hand, her eyes narrowing in concentration as she focused her magic on the carnivorous blooms. Time seemed to slow, then stop entirely for several of the flowers, their petals frozen mid-lunge.


    With a flourish, Lyra drew her rapier and darted forward, the de shing as she sliced through the immobilized blooms with surgical precision.


    Nadia nocked an arrow to her bow, the tip glowing with a blinding intensity as she infused it with her lumomancy. With a steady hand, she let the arrow fly, watching as it streaked through the air like a miniatureet.


    The moment it struck a carnivorous bloom, the flower burst into mes, its petals curling and ckening as the concentrated light incinerated it from within. Nadia continued to fire, each arrow finding its mark with deadly uracy.


    Ss gripped his war hammer tightly, channeling mana into the weapon until it thrummed with power. With a roar, he charged forward, bringing the hammer down on the nearest carnivorous bloom. The flower exploded in a shower of petals and sap, its stem crushed beneath the weight of Ss''s blow.


    He moved through the de with practiced ease, smashing the flowers left and right, their remains sttering against his armor. Ss stomped on the fallen blooms, ensuring they would not rise again.

 Chapter 32: Megapede

    <h4>Chapter 32: Megapede</h4>


    As thest of the carnivorous blooms fell, Ss and hispanions took a moment to catch their breath. The de was now littered with the remains of the deadly flowers, their petals and stems strewn across the ground.


    But their respite was short-lived. A thunderous rumbling shook the earth beneath their feet, and the trees at the edge of the clearing began to sway and bend. Something massive was approaching.


    Ss readied his war hammer, his eyes scanning the treeline for any sign of movement. Beside him, Jace, Rowan, Lyra, and Nadia took up defensive positions, their weapons at the ready.


    Suddenly, a monstrous creature burst through the underbrush, its segmented body undting as it charged towards them. It was a megapede, a gargantuan centipede with a heavily armored exoskeleton and venomous mandibles.


    Jace leapt into action, his hands moving in a blur as he summoned a hundred duplicates of himself. The army of Jaces swarmed the megapede, their daggers shing as they attacked the creature from all sides.


    Rowan raised his hand, and a massive shape materialized beside him. It was Steggy, his loyal stegosauruspanion, but now grown to an immense size. The ground shook as Steggy lumbered forward, his spiked tail swinging. Rowan then summoned a majestic horse, its mane a mohawk of unicorn horns.


    Lyra''s eyes glowed as she focused her magic on the megapede. Time seemed to warp around the creature, slowing its movements to a crawl. The megapede struggled against the temporal chains that bound it, its legs twitching feebly.


    Nadia nocked an arrow to her bow, the tip zing with the intensity of a miniature sun. She let the arrow fly, watching as it streaked towards the megapede like a bolt of pure light. The arrow struck the creature''s armored hide, exploding in a burst of radiant energy.


    Ss charged forward, his war hammer crackling with mana as he brought it down on the megapede''s head. The creature let out a shrill cry of pain, its exoskeleton cracking under the force of the blow.


    But the megapede was far from defeated. It reared up, its maw opening wide as it unleashed a spray of corrosive acid. Ss and his friends scattered, narrowly avoiding the sizzling liquid.


    Rowan''s summoned steed galloped forward, its unicorn horn mohawk glowing with magical energy. The horse lowered its head, impaling the megapede with its horns. The creature thrashed and writhed, its movements growing weaker.


    Jace''s duplicates continued their relentless assault, their daggers finding the chinks in the megapede''s armor. Lyra maintained her temporal hold on the creature, keeping it trapped in a state of sluggish motion.


    Nadia fired arrow after arrow, each one a searing bolt of light that pierced the megapede''s hide. The creature''s movements became more erratic, its attacks growing desperate.


    Ss''s eyes shed with determination as he saw his opening. The megapede, weakened by the relentless assault of hispanions, reared up once more, exposing its soft underbelly.


    With a fierce battle cry, Ss charged forward, his war hammer pulsing with arcane energy. He leaped into the air, bringing the hammer down in a mighty arc. The weapon struck the megapede''s vulnerable underside with a resounding crack, the force of the impact sending shockwaves through the creature''s body.


    The megapede let out a shrill screech of agony, its legs twitching spasmodically as it copsed to the ground. Ssnded beside it, his chest heaving with exertion.


    But the creature was not yet defeated. With a final, desperate surge of strength, the megapede lunged forward, its venomous mandibles snapping at Ss''s face.


    Ss reacted instinctively, his hand shooting out to grasp the creature''s maw. He felt the megapede''s acidic saliva burning his skin, but he held fast, his fingers tightening around the creature''s jaws.


    With a grunt of effort, Ss wrenched the megapede''s head to the side, exposing its neck. He raised his war hammer high, the weapon thrumming with barely contained power.


    "This ends now," Ss growled, his voice low and menacing.


    He brought the hammer down in a final, devastating blow, the weapon shattering the megapede''s exoskeleton and crushing its skull. The creature''s body went limp, its legs twitching feebly before falling still.


    Ss stepped back, his breathing in ragged gasps. He looked down at his hand, wincing at the sight of the angry red burns that marred his skin.


    But there was no time to dwell on his injuries.


    Ss approached the fallen megapede, his eyes fixed on the creature''s shattered skull. He could sense the powerful mana core within, pulsing with energy even in death.


    "Let me extract it," he said, ncing at hispanions. "I have a sneaking suspicion it might be beneficial if I do it."


    The others exchanged curious looks but nodded in agreement. Ss knelt beside the megapede''s head and ced his hands on its exoskeleton, focusing his essence extraction ability.


    He felt the mana core''s energy flow into him, a rush of power that made his heart race and his skin tingle. As he extracted the core, he felt a strange sensation, as if something was shifting inside the creature''s skull.


    To his surprise, as he removed the mana core, another one appeared in its ce, glowing with the same intense energy. Ss''s eyes widened, and he quickly extracted the second core, feeling its power join with the first.


    He stood up, holding the two cores in his hands, their light casting an eerie glow on his face. His friends gathered around him, their expressions a mix of awe and concern.


    "How did you do that?" Jace asked, his voice hushed. "I''ve never seen anyone extract two cores from the same beast before."


    Ss shook his head, a grin spreading across his face. "Luck," he said. "I have a feeling it''s going toe in handy."


    "Luck?" Jace said, confused.


    "I literally have a stat called luck and it''s high, so sometimes weird lucky things like this just happen to me," Ss said.


    "How does that work?" Lyra asked.


    "Quantum mechanics," Ss said.


    "What is that?" Lyra asked.


    "You''d have to talk to my mom. I have no idea," Ss said.


    As the group gathered the mana cores from the fallen carnivorous blooms, Ss noticed a peculiar pattern. Roughly a third of the flowers yielded an extra mana core, identical to the original ones. He couldn''t help but smile, knowing that his luck stat was at y once again.


    Ss hade to expect these fortunate urrences, as his unusually high luck stat often manifested in unexpected ways. Whether it was finding extra resources, stumbling upon valuable information, or even escaping dangerous situations unscathed, Ss''s luck seemed to be a constantpanion.


    He carefully collected the additional cores, marveling at their luminescent beauty. Each one pulsed with a soft, mesmerizing glow.


    "Looks like we hit the jackpot," Ss said, holding up a handful of the extra cores for his friends to see. "These wille in handy for crafting and enhancing our abilities."


    Jace let out a low whistle, his eyes widening at the sight of the bonus cores. "I''ve never seen anything like it," he said, shaking his head in disbelief. "You really are a lucky bastard, Ss."


    Lyra and Nadia exchanged impressed nces, while Rowan simply nodded, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.


    Ss grinned, pocketing the extra cores and mentally calcting the potential applications for this unexpected windfall.

 Chapter 33: Beasts and Bloodshed

    <h4>Chapter 33: Beasts and Bloodshed</h4>


    Ss realized he hadn''t received a notification in quite some time. He checked the icon in the upper right corner of his vision, and he had 50 notifications!


    Opening them up, he saw that most of them were hp loss notifications from his fight with Damien, but a couple caught his eye. One said [You have survived death! +2000 exp].


    Another said [You have reached Level 10! Would you like to evolve?]. Evolving probably would change his appearance more drastically thanst time. After some consideration, he decided to wait until he was alone to evolve.


    * * *


    Ss ckwood''s eyes widened as he noticed a group of students running towards them across the open field. Behind the fleeing students, a horde of magical beasts stampeded, their thunderous hooves shaking the ground.


    "Iing!" Ss shouted, readying his war hammer. "Looks like those idiots started a stampede!"


    Jace, Rowan, Nadia, and Lyra quickly fell into formation, their weapons at the ready. The beasts closed in, their eyes wild with panic and rage.


    "We need to fight our way through," Ss said, his voice steady despite the impending danger. "And take out as many as you can. We need those mana cores."


    Jace nodded, his hands already moving in the intricate patterns of his duplication magic. Within seconds, a phnx of piled up Jace duplicates stood before them, forming a living barrier.


    The stampede hit the wall of Jaces, splitting around the obstacle like water around a rock. Beasts tumbled and fell, their momentum broken by the unexpected barrier.


    Lyra seized the opportunity, her hands weaving aplex spell. A shimmering portal appeared before the stampeding beasts, its edges crackling with arcane energy.


    With a flick of her wrist, Lyra opened a second portal, this one a hundred feet in the air. The beasts, unable to stop their charge, plunged through the first portal and fell to their deaths from the second.


    Nadia, her bow singing with each shot, rained arrows down upon the beasts. Her aim was true, each arrow finding its mark in the creatures'' vital points.


    Ss and Rowan waded into the fray, their weapons shing in the sunlight. Ss''s war hammer crushed skulls and shattered bones, while Rowan''s sword and shield worked in perfect harmony, cutting down beast after beast.


    Ss ckwood surveyed the carnage, his chest heaving with exertion. The once-thundering stampede had been reduced to a scattered collection of lifeless bodies, their blood staining the trampled grass.


    "Good work, everyone," Ss said, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Now, let''s get those mana cores."


    The group moved methodically through the fallen beasts. Ss knelt beside a massive, tusked creature, its eyes zed in death. With a precise motion, he plunged his hand into the beast''s chest, his fingers seeking the pulsing core within.


    As he extracted the core, Ss performed essence extraction on it, gathering its essence in the machine in his chest. Each core he harvested brought him one step closer to his goal, one step closer to freeing his mother.


    Jace and Rowan worked side by side. Jace''s duplicates swarmed over the fallen beasts, their hands darting in and out with practiced efficiency. Rowan, his sword now sheathed, used his shield as a makeshift tter, stacking the extracted cores in neat rows.


    Lyra moved with a different kind of grace. Each time she extracted a mana core, it vanished into the depths of her pocket dimension, stored safely forter use.


    Nadia, ever practical, had produced arge sack from somewhere within her gear.


    She moved from beast to beast, plucking the cores from their chests and dropping them into the sack with a businesslike efficiency. Her eyes, sharp and calcting, scanned each core for ws before she moved on to the next.


    As they worked, the field around them began to shimmer with the residual magic of the extracted cores. Ss could feel it thrumming in the air.


    Ss ckwood squinted at the horizon, his keen eyes detecting a plume of smoke rising in the distance. The dark, billowing column stood in stark contrast against the clear blue sky, a foreboding sign of trouble brewing.


    As Ss and hispanions exchanged concerned nces, the sound of hurried footsteps drew their attention. They turned to see Professor Tiffany Umbercrowe approaching, her face etched with worry and urgency.


    "Students," Tiffany called out, her voice carrying across the open field. "I''m afraid I have grave news. A nearby vige is under attack by goblins and ogres."


    "How far away is the vige?" Ss asked.


    Tiffany pointed towards the rising smoke, her expression grim. "It''s not too far, but we must act quickly. The longer we dy, the more lives will be lost."


    Ss nodded, his grip tightening on his war hammer. He nced at hispanions, seeing the same determination and resolve reflected in their eyes. They knew what had to be done.


    "We''re ready, Professor," Ss said, his voice steady and unwavering. "Lead the way."


    As the group set off towards the besieged vige, Ss''s thoughts turned to the challenges thaty ahead.


    Goblins and ogres were formidable foes, known for their brutality and savagery in battle.


    The smoke grew thicker as they approached, the acrid scent of burning wood and thatch filling the air. The sounds of distant screams and shing weapons grew louder.


    With Tiffany leading the charge and his friends at his side, Ss ckwood marched towards the embattled vige.


    As Ss, hispanions, and Tiffany reached the besieged vige, the sight that greeted them was one of utter devastation and horror. Most of the buildingsy in ruins, their walls crumbling and roofs caved in.


    The air was filled with the acrid stench of smoke and the coppery tang of blood, a nauseatingbination that assaulted Ss''s senses.


    Screams of terror and agony echoed through the streets as the surviving vigers fled for their lives, pursued by the relentless horde of goblins and ogres.


    Ss watched in horror as the monstrous creatures caught up to the fleeing vigers, their crude weapons slicing through flesh and bone with sickening ease.


    The goblins and ogres seemed to revel in the carnage, their twisted faces contorted with glee as they feasted upon the fallen, tearing into the still-warm bodies with ravenous hunger.


    Amidst the chaos, a figure caught Ss''s eye - a fire sprite, darting from building to building, its manicughter ringing out as it set each structure aze with a mere touch of its fiery hands.


    The mes spread rapidly, consuming everything in their path and adding to the suffocating smoke that choked the air.


    Ss knew that he had to act fast if he hoped to save any of the remaining vigers. He answered yes to the system''s question asking him if he wanted to evolve.


    Pain exploded through Ss''s body as the transformation began, his flesh and bones shifting and twisting.


    He felt his skin harden and thicken, ck scales erupting along the sides of his face, down his neck, and across his body.


    His spine elongated, forming a powerful tail that thrashed behind him, while fins emerged from his back.


    The agony of the transformation was unlike anything Ss had ever experienced before, far more intense and disorienting than the first time he had undergone such a change.


    He gritted his teeth, fighting back the urge to scream as his body was reshaped by the arcane forces that flowed through him.


    When the pain finally subsided, Ss stood tall, his new form radiating an aura of raw power and primal ferocity.


    [You have evolved into a human/leviathan youngling]


    [Your physical stats have increased]


    [New affinity acquired: Hydromancy]


    With a roar that shook the very foundations of the ruined vige, Ss ckwood charged forward, his war hammer held high, ready to meet the monstrous horde head-on and put an end to their reign of terror.


    Hispanions followed close behind, their own weapons at the ready, prepared to fight alongside him until the bitter end.


    Ss and hispanions tore through the horde of goblins with ruthless efficiency.


    Jace''s duplicates swarmed the smaller creatures, overwhelming them with sheer numbers and a flurry of stabbing des. The goblins'' screeches of pain and surprise filled the air as they fell to the relentless assault.


    Rowan''s voice rang out, summoning his stegosaurus familiar, Steggy. The massive creature materialized in a sh of light, its spiked tail swinging in wide arcs.


    Goblins flew through the air, their bodies broken and battered by the powerful blows.


    Lyra darted in and out of her shimmering portals, appearing behind unsuspecting goblins to deliver swift, lethal strikes with her rapier. Her movements were fluid and graceful, each thrust finding its mark with deadly precision.


    Nadia''s bow sang as she loosed arrow after arrow, each shaft wreathed in brilliant light. The arrows pierced goblin skulls with ease, leaving smoldering holes where they struck. The air crackled with energy as she continued her barrage.


    Ss, his new leviathan form radiating power, wielded his war hammer with terrifying strength. Goblin skulls shattered beneath the weapon''s mighty blows, their bodies crumpling like ragdolls.


    As the group carved a path through the goblin horde, they encountered a towering ogre. The creature''s massive bulk and thick hide presented a far greater challenge than the goblins they had faced.


    Nadia reacted quickly, loosing a volley of light arrows at the ogre''s face. The projectiles found their mark, exploding in brilliant shes that temporarily blinded the beast.


    Seizing the opportunity, Lyra conjured a portal beneath the ogre''s left leg. The limb sank into the shimmering opening, throwing the creature off bnce.


    With a deft motion, she opened the other end of the portal near the ogre''s head. The beast''s own leg swung up, delivering a powerful kick to its face.


    Rowan, seeing the ogre''s disorientation, summoned a swarm of flying imps. The tiny creatures descended upon the ogre in a chittering cloud, biting and wing at its face. The ogre roared in frustration, swatting ineffectually at the swarming imps.


    Ss, his blood singing with the power of his berserker rage, charged forward. With inhuman strength, he grasped the ogre''s trapped leg and heaved.


    The massive creature was lifted off the ground, its bulk no match for Ss''s enhanced might. With a primal roar, Ss mmed the ogre into the earth, the impact shaking the ground beneath their feet. He repeated the brutal action, each thunderous crash weakening the once-formidable foe.

 Chapter 34: Tiffany vs Thorne

    <h4>Chapter 34: Tiffany vs Thorne</h4>


    Ss''s rage consumed him as he mmed the ogre into the ground repeatedly, each impact sending shockwaves through the earth. Blood sttered across the battlefield, the once-mighty creature reduced to a broken, pulpy mass beneath his relentless assault.


    Before he could revel in his victory, chaos erupted around him. A fresh wave of ogres burst onto the scene, their massive shoulders adorned with goblin archers. The air filled with the twang of bowstrings and the whistle of arrows as the goblins unleashed a deadly barrage.


    Ss watched in horror as his friends scattered, each pursued by an ogre of their own. He turned to face the ogre bearing down on him, muscles tensing for another brutal fight.


    But before he could strike, a searing st of me incinerated the ogre''s head, leaving nothing but a charred stump. The goblin archers on its shoulders met a simr fate, their screams cut short as they were engulfed in mes.


    The source of this fiery destruction revealed itself - a fire sprite, her form flickering with barely contained power. She fixed Ss with a mocking gaze, her voice dripping with disdain.


    "Well, well, what do we have here? A little fish boy out of water?"


    Ss had no time to retort as the spriteunched into action. She soared overhead, raining down streams of fire that forced Ss into a frantic dance of evasion. He ducked and rolled, the heat of near-misses singing his hair and clothes.


    Frustration mounted as Ss realized he couldn''t reach the agile sprite. She darted just out of range of his war hammer, herughter mocking his futile swings. Sweat poured down his face, both from exertion and the oppressive heat of her attacks.


    In a moment of rity, Ss remembered the system''s notification about his new water affinity. A n formed in his mind, born of desperation and newfound power.


    Concentrating hard, Ss called upon his hydromantic abilities. At first, nothing happened, but then he felt a surge of cool energy flowing through him. Water materialized around his hands, responding to his will.


    With a shout of triumph, Ssunched a jet of water at the fire sprite. She shrieked in surprise as the liquid doused her mes, steam hissing into the air. Emboldened by his sess, Ss pressed his advantage. He summoned a heavy mist that enveloped the battlefield, obscuring the sprite''s vision and dampening her fiery attacks.


    The tables had turned. Without her mes, the sprite was far less formidable. Ss could hear her cursing as she flitted about, trying to reignite her powers in the damp air.


    Seizing the opportunity, Ss began hurling debris at incredible speeds. Chunks of stone and wood whistled through the air, but the sprite''s agility allowed her to dodge each projectile. Her tauntingughter rang out once more, believing herself safe from Ss''s assault.


    But Ss had one more trick up his sleeve. He hefted arge rock, calcting angles in his mind. With a mighty throw, he sent the stone ricocheting off a nearby wall. The sprite, focused on Ss, never saw iting. The rock struck her squarely in the back, sending her tumbling from the air with a pained cry.


    Ss stepped on the fire sprite''s legs, preventing it from going anywhere. The creature writhed beneath his foot, its mes flickering weakly as it struggled to break free.


    "Why did you attack this vige?" Ss demanded, his voice low and dangerous.


    The sprite''s eyes darted around, searching for an escape route. Finding none, it slumped in defeat.


    "We were chased out of our homes by Queen Mab," it confessed, its voice a mixture of fear and resentment. "She said if we killed a lot of humans, she might let use back."


    Ss''s brow furrowed at this revtion. He''d heard whispers of Queen Mab, the ruler of the Unseelie Court, but he''d never imagined her reach extended this far.


    "And you believed her?" Ss asked, incredulous.


    The sprite''s mes flickered in what might have been a shrug. "What choice did we have? Our homes, our families - everything was taken from us. We had nowhere else to go."


    Ss felt a twinge of sympathy, despite himself. He knew all too well what it was like to be an outcast, forced to make impossible choices.


    "That doesn''t justify attacking innocent people," Ss said, but his tone had softened slightly.


    The sprite''s eyes met his, a spark of defiance still burning within them. "Easy for you to say, human. You''ve never had to choose between survival and morality."


    Ssughed bitterly at that.


    "You''d be surprised," he muttered.


    Ss''s grip tightened on the fire sprite''s leg as it made onest desperate attempt to incinerate him. With a swift, merciless motion, he crushed the creature beneath his foot, extinguishing its mes forever.


    Panting heavily, Ss surveyed the devastation around him. The once-peaceful vige nowy in ruins, smoke rising from smoldering buildings and bodies strewn across the ground. His enhanced senses picked up the faint sounds of battle in the distance, but nearby, an eerie quiet had settled over the area.


    As he wandered through the wreckage, searching for any sign of hispanions or remaining threats, Ss''s keen eyes caught sight of a familiar figure at the vige''s edge. Professor Tiffany stood rigid, her posture tense as she faced an unfamiliar individual.


    Curiosity piqued, Ss activated his sound istion skill, focusing intently on the conversation unfolding before him.


    The stranger, an elf adorned in intricate wooden armor, spoke with a voice as smooth and unyielding as polished oak. "Stand down, Tiffany. This territory now belongs to Queen Mab."


    Ss watched as Tiffany''s hand tightened on the hilt of her dragon-scale sword, her voice low and dangerous. "You have no right to im thesends, Thorne. These people are under my protection."


    The elf, Thorne, let out a coldugh. "Your protection? Look around you. This vige lies in ruins, and you were powerless to stop it. Face it, Tiffany, you''re no match for me or the forces Imand. Don''t throw your life away for a lost cause."


    Ss tensed, ready to intervene if necessary. He knew Tiffany was formidable, but this Thorne exuded an aura of power that set his nerves on edge.


    Ss watched in awe as Tiffany and Thorne squared off, their weapons at the ready. Tiffany''s eyes zed with determination, her dragon-scale sword gleaming in the fading light.


    "I will not stand down," Tiffany dered, her voice ringing with conviction. "Your reign of terror ends here, Thorne. I''ll cut you down where you stand."


    Thorne''sughter echoed across the ruined vige, cold and mirthless. "Bold words from a fallen knight," he sneered, raising his own de. "Let''s see if you can back them up."


    In a blur of motion, the two warriors shed. Their swords met with a resounding ng that sent sparks flying. Ss marveled at their speed and precision, each strike and parry executed with deadly grace.


    But this was no ordinary duel. As they fought, the air around them crackled with magical energy. Tiffany''s sword erupted in mes, leaving trails of fire in its wake. With each swing, she unleashed bursts of scorching heat that threatened to incinerate her opponent.


    Thorne countered with his own elemental mastery. Frost coated his de, and with every block, shards of ice exploded outward. The ground beneath their feet froze and cracked, turning the battlefield into a treacherous arena.


    Fire and ice collided in spectacr fashion. Steam hissed and billowed around them as their conflicting magics battled for dominance. Tiffany''s mes melted Thorne''s icy constructs, while his frost threatened to extinguish her inferno.


    Ss watched, transfixed, as the twobatants pushed their abilities to the limit. Tiffany summoned a swirling vortex of me, hurling it at Thorne with a fierce cry. The elf responded by raising a wall of ice, which shattered under the intense heat but absorbed the brunt of the attack.


    Undeterred, Thorne retaliated with a barrage of razor-sharp icicles. Tiffany danced between them, her de a blur as she deflected those she couldn''t dodge. A few found their mark, leaving shallow cuts on her arms and legs, but she pressed on, her determination unwavering.


    As the battle raged on, Ss couldn''t help but marvel at the raw power on disy. He had known Tiffany was strong, but seeing her unleash her full potential was something else entirely. And Thorne, for all his cruelty, was clearly a formidable opponent in his own right.


    Ss watched in awe as the battle between Tiffany and Thorne reached new heights of intensity. Suddenly, Tiffany stood still, her skin beginning to glow with a almost mist like light. White energy and steam wisped off her body, creating an aura around her.


    When they resumed fighting, Ss could barely keep up with their movements. Tiffany moved with inhuman speed and strength, her blowsnding with devastating force. Thorne struggled to keep pace, his defenses crumbling under the relentless assault.


    As Tiffany wore him down,nding blow after punishing blow, Thorne''s expression shifted from confidence to desperation. Realizing he was outmatched, the elf retreated a few steps, his face contorting with concentration. Green energy began to emanate from his body, mirroring Tiffany''s transformation.


    Thebatants faced each other once more, their powers now evenly matched. Ss blinked, and in that instant, they vanished from sight. He strained his enhanced senses, trying to track their movements, but they were simply too fast.


    The only evidence of their continued battle came in the form of tremendous shockwaves that erupted seemingly from thin air. Each collision of their des sent cracks spiderwebbing across the ground and hurled debris in all directions. Trees toppled, and the ruins of nearby buildings crumbled further under the onught.


    Ss marveled at the raw power on disy, realizing he was witnessing a level ofbat far beyond anything he had ever imagined. The very air seemed to crackle with energy as these two titans shed, their battle reshaping thendscape around them.


    Ss watched in awe as both Tiffany and Thorne suddenly halted their frenziedbat. The air around them grew thick with tension as they focused their energies, drawing even more power from within. Their bodies began to glow with an intensity that hurt Ss''s eyes, forcing him to squint against the radiance.


    As the light grew brighter, Ss noticed something rming. Thebatants'' bodies seemed to be breaking down under the strain of channeling such immense power. Their skin cracked and ked, wisps of energy escaping from the fissures forming across their flesh.


    Despite their deteriorating state, neither warrior showed any sign of yielding. They shed once more, their movements a blur of light and fury. Ss could barely follow the exchange, his enhanced senses struggling to keep up with their superhuman speed.


    In a final, decisive moment, Tiffany struck. Her de, wreathed in blinding white energy, arced through the air with devastating precision. There was a sh of light, a sound like thunder, and then silence.


    As the dust settled, Ss saw Thorne''s headless body crumple to the ground. Tiffany stood victorious, but the cost of her triumph was evident. Her skin hung in tatters, peeling away from her body in long strips.


    rmed, Ss rushed to her side. As he approached, he watched in amazement as Tiffany''s wounds began to heal before his eyes. The torn flesh knitted itself back together, fresh skin growing to rece what had been damaged. Within moments, she appeared whole and unharmed, as if the grueling battle had never urred.

 Chapter 35: The Power of The Sidhe

    <h4>Chapter 35: The Power of The Sidhe</h4>


    Ss approached Tiffany. Despite her recent ordeal, she stood tall andposed, her armor gleaming in the fading light.


    "I''m sorry I didn''t join you in the fight, but it looked like I''d only get in the way," Ss said. "You were incredible, though. You said you were good, but I didn''t know that level of fighting was possible."


    Tiffany turned to him, her expression softening slightly. She waved her hand dismissively, as if defeating a powerful elven warrior was a mere trifle.


    "Thank you, Ss, but it was nothing extraordinary. Thorne may have been formidable by mortal standards, but he was just an elf. Compared to the true Sidhe, he was barely more than a nuisance."


    Ss''s eyes widened at her casual dismissal of such a powerful opponent. "But he nearly matched you inbat. Are you saying the Sidhe are even stronger?"


    Tiffany''s eyes took on a distant look, as if recalling memories from long ago. "The Sidhe are in a league of their own, Ss. Their power is... difficult toprehend. What you saw today was but a pale shadow of their true capabilities."


    She paused, considering her words carefully. "Thorne was dangerous, yes, but hecked the innate magic that flows through Sidhe veins. Their connection to the very essence of magic itself makes them formidable beyond measure."


    "Our main advantage in this war," Tiffany said, her voice low and serious, "is that the Sidhe are few in number. They reproduce only once in a millennium, which means there are probably no more than a few thousand of them in existence."


    Tiffany continued, "Humans, on the other hand, number in the billions. Our sheer poption gives us an edge that the Sidhe can''t match."


    She paused, her gaze distant as if recalling countless battles. "There''s another factor working in our favor. The Sidhe, for all their power and arrogance, prefer not to dirty their hands in directbat. They consider it beneath them."


    Ss frowned, trying to reconcile this information with the brutal attacks they had just witnessed. "But if they''re so powerful, why wouldn''t they fight themselves?"


    Tiffany''s lips curved into a wry smile. "Pride, mostly. And perhaps a touch of cowardice. They send lesser fae to do their bidding instead. Creatures like Thorne or the goblins and ogres we faced today. It''s a way for them to wage war without risking their own immortal lives."


    "Tiffany," he ventured, "what was that glowing energying off your bodies?"


    Tiffany''s gaze met his, a flicker of approval in her eyes at his astute observation. "That, Ss, was a technique known as Mana Body. It''s an advanced form ofbat magic where you flood your mana circuits with raw magical energy."


    She flexed her fingers, as if feeling the residual power coursing through them. "It dramatically enhances your strength and speed, but ites at a cost. The sheer amount of mana puts enormous stress on your physical form. Use too much, and your body will quite literally start to break down."


    "But you were using so much of it. How were you able to push it that far without... well, dying?" Ss asked.


    "My particr brand of immortality grants me certain advantages. My regenerative abilities allow me to push Mana Body to levels that would be fatal for most mages," Tiffany replied.


    She paused, her expression growing more serious. "Elves, like Thorne, are considered immortal in the sense that they don''t age. But they can be killed. Their bodies are incredibly resilient and resistant to the damaging effects of Mana Body, which is why Thorne could match me for a time."


    Tiffany''s gaze grew distant, a hint of something like regret flickering in her eyes. "My immortality is... different. I live forever, and I can be killed, but I alwayse back. It''s a blessing and a curse, Ss. It allows me to push my limits in ways others can''t, but it also means I''ve seen and experienced things no one should have to endure."


    Ss absorbed this information, feeling a mix of awe and sympathy for his instructor. The power she wielded was incredible, but the weight of her immortality seemed a heavy burden to bear.


    "I can''t pass on to the afterlife. My soul will never rest. I had hoped the Seelie court would change me back one day when they no longer had use for me, but that was not meant to be. It seems I still serve a purpose here."


    Ss and Tiffany moved through the smoke-filled vige, their eyes stinging from the acrid haze. Visibility was near zero, and Ss felt a growing sense of unease as they searched for his friends and ssmates.


    "I can''t see a thing," Tiffany muttered, her voice tight with frustration. "This smoke is too thick."


    Ss nodded, then remembered she probably couldn''t see him. "Yeah, it''s impossible to¡ª" He stopped mid-sentence as an idea struck him. "Wait, I might be able to help."


    Closing his eyes, Ss activated his aura sight. When he opened them again, the world had transformed. The smoke faded into irrelevance as glowing outlines of living beings became visible through the haze.


    But that wasn''t all. To his amazement, Ss realized he could see these auras through solid objects as well. The walls of nearby buildings, piles of debris¡ªthey all became translucent, revealing the life forces within and beyond them.


    "I can see them," Ss said, his voice filled with wonder. "I can see everyone''s auras, even through walls and rubble."


    Tiffany''s eyebrows rose in surprise. "That''s an impressive ability, Ss. Can you locate any of your ssmates?"


    Ss scanned the area, his enhanced vision piercing through the chaos. Suddenly, he spotted a familiar aura trapped beneath a pile of wooden beams.


    "There!" he eximed, pointing towards a copsed structure. "I think it''s Jace. He''s pinned under some debris."


    Without hesitation, they rushed towards the fallen building. As they approached, Ss could make out Jace''s muffled calls for help.


    "Jace!" Ss shouted. "We''re here! We''re going to get you out!"


    Ss approached the pile of rubble, his muscles tensing as he prepared to lift the heavy beams. To his surprise, the wood felt lighter than he expected. His enhanced strength, a result of his recent transformations, made the task far easier than it should have been.


    "Hang on, Jace," Ss called out as he hefted arge beam off the pile. "We''ll have you out in no time."


    Tiffany watched with raised eyebrows as Ss cleared away the debris with remarkable speed and efficiency. Within minutes, they uncovered Jace, who looked shaken butrgely unharmed.


    "Thanks, dude," Jace said, grasping Ss''s outstretched hand. "I thought I was done for."


    With Jace freed, they set out to find the others. Ss''s aura sight proved invaluable as they navigated the smoke-filled vige. One by one, they located Rowan, Lyra, and Nadia, along with the rest of their ssmates.


    To everyone''s relief, there were no fatalities among the students. Some sported cuts, bruises, and minor burns, but nothing life-threatening. Tiffany produced a small bag of healing potions from her armor, distributing them among the injured.


    "Drink up," she instructed, her voice firm but reassuring. "These will help with the pain and speed up your recovery."


    Ss watched as his ssmates downed the potions, their injuries visibly improving within moments. The tension in the air began to dissipate as everyone realized they had made it through the ordeal rtively unscathed.

 Chapter 36: Selene

    <h4>Chapter 36: Selene</h4>


    Ss, Jace, Rowan, Nadia, and Lyra huddled together, their voices a mix of excitement and disbelief as they recounted their individual battles.


    "I can''t believe we actually fought goblins and ogres," Jace said. "It''s one thing to read about them in books, but to face them in realbat..."


    Rowan nodded, his usually stoic expression softened by a hint of pride. "We held our own, though. I''m surprised my summons did as well as they did. Not like the fight with the basilisk."


    "Your summons were impressive," Nadia agreed. "But did you see how every one of my shots was a head shot? Now, that''s impressive, if I do say so myself," sheughed.


    Lyra chimed in, her voice tinged with a mix of excitement and schrly interest. "Experiencing the differences in their fighting styles was fascinating. We should document our observations while they''re still fresh in our minds."


    Ss listened to his friends, a small smile ying on his lips. He felt a surge of pride in how far they''d alle, how they''d worked together to ovee such overwhelming odds.


    "What about you, Ss?" Jace asked, nudging him with an elbow. "That berserker rage of yours was something else. You tore through those ogres like they were made of paper!"


    Ss felt a twinge of unease at the memory of his transformation, the raw power that had coursed through his veins. "It was... intense," he admitted. "I''m just d we all made it out in one piece."


    Ss watched as Rowan summoned a magnificent ck horse with a mohawk of unicorn horns. The creature materialized in a swirl of magical energy, its coat gleaming in the fading light. Nadia approached the horse cautiously, her eyes wide with admiration.


    As the group prepared to mount their steeds for the journey back to Arcanium, Tiffany''s gaze suddenly locked onto the ck horse. Her eyes widened in recognition, and she strode forward with purpose.


    "Rowan," Tiffany called out, her voice tight with barely contained emotion. "How did you summon this horse? Where did you find her?"


    Rowan blinked in surprise at the intensity of Tiffany''s question. "I... I''m not entirely sure, Professor. My summoning ability sometimes brings forth creatures I''ve never encountered before. Is there something special about this horse?"


    Tiffany didn''t answer immediately. Instead, she approached the horse and gently pressed her forehead against its muzzle. The two remained still for a long moment, and Ss could sense a powerful connection between them.


    When Tiffany finally pulled away, her eyes were glistening with unshed tears. "This is Selene," she said softly, her voice thick with emotion. "My sister."


    The students exchanged shocked nces, and Ss felt a pang of sympathy for Tiffany. He remembered the story she had shared about sacrificing her freedom to save her sister.


    Tiffany stroked Selene''s mane, her fingers tracing the line of unicorn horns. "She was in a dark, hot ce," she continued, her brow furrowed with concern. "I''m certain the Unseelie fae have her trapped in a dungeon somewhere."


    Tiffany took a deep breath,posing herself before turning to face Rowan. Her eyes, usually sharp and focused, now held a vulnerability that caught the young mage off guard.


    "I apologize, Rowan," she said, her voice steady despite the emotion behind it. "It was... quite a shock to see my sister after all this time. I didn''t mean to startle you or make you ufortable."


    Rowan shifted his weight, clearly unsure how to respond to this unexpected situation. "It''s alright, Professor," he managed, his usual stoic demeanor softening slightly. "I had no idea. If I''d known..."


    Tiffany shook her head, a sad smile ying on her lips. "How could you have known? This isn''t something I''ve shared with many people." She turned back to Selene, running her hand along the horse''s nk. "It''s been so long since I''ve seen her like this."


    Ss watched the exchange, feeling a mix of sympathy and curiosity. He''d known about Tiffany''s past, but seeing the reality of it unfold before him was something else entirely. He nced at his friends, noting their varied reactions - Jace''s wide-eyed fascination, Nadia''s guarded interest, and Lyra''s thoughtful frown.


    Ss watched as Tiffany''s gaze shifted between Rowan and Selene. The professor''s usualposure wavered, a flicker of hope dancing in her eyes.


    "Rowan," Tiffany began, her voice softer than Ss had ever heard it, "I know this is an unusual request, but... would you be willing to summon Selene during our sses?"


    Rowan blinked, clearly caught off guard by the request. He nced at Selene, then back to Tiffany. "I... I suppose I could, Professor. But I''m not sure how long I can maintain the summon."


    Tiffany nodded, understanding the limitations of Rowan''s abilities. "Of course. I wouldn''t expect you to keep her manifested for the entire ss. Perhaps just for a short while?"


    Ss could see the conflict in Rowan''s eyes. The stoic young man rarely showed emotion, but now he seemed torn between wanting to help and feeling ufortable with the responsibility.


    "I''ll do my best, Professor," Rowan finally said, his voice steady despite his evident uncertainty.


    Tiffany''s face lit up with a smile that transformed her usually stern features. "Thank you, Rowan. You have no idea what this means to me."


    Ss felt a pang of empathy for both Tiffany and Rowan. He understood the professor''s desperate need to reconnect with her sister, even in this limited form. But he also recognized the weight this ced on Rowan''s shoulders.


    As the group prepared to mount their steeds for the journey back to Arcanium, Ss caught Rowan''s eye and gave him a supportive nod.


    Ss exhaled deeply, the adrenaline from the recent battles finally beginning to ebb. As the group made their way back to Arcanium, he turned his attention inward, essing his system interface. The familiar screen materialized before his eyes, and he couldn''t help but raise an eyebrow at what he saw.


    His levels had reset, and he was now a level 4 leviathan youngling. The fights against the goblins, ogres, and the fire sprite had earned him three level-ups, leaving his current experience at 20 out of 400 points needed for the next level.


    Ss felt a mix of excitement and trepidation as he noticed the 80 affinity points waiting to be allocated.


    What really caught his attention, however, were the 11 stat points avable for distribution. These could enhance his physical and mental attributes, making him stronger, faster, or more resilient.


    Ss knew he''d need to think carefully about where to allocate these points to bestplement his fighting style and newfound abilities.


    As he closed the interface, Ss nced at hispanions. They rode in silence, each lost in their own thoughts after the day''s events.


    He wondered if they, too, had experienced simr growth in their abilities. The challenges they had faced together had undoubtedly forged them into a more cohesive and formidable team.

 Chapter 37: Appearance Control

    <h4>Chapter 37: Appearance Control</h4>


    Ss leaned back against his mount, his mind wandering through the intricate web of his newfound abilities. The system interface flickered before his eyes, revealing a fresh array of skill trees. Among them, a new addition caught his attention - the water affinity tree.


    A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he examined the lone skill nestled within: Water Jet. It seemed simple enough, allowing him to create a stream of water at will. While not particrly shy, Ss couldn''t help but imagine the potential applications of such an ability.


    His thoughts drifted to the Staff of Aleron, its power now dispersed among his friends. A twinge of regret shed through him, wondering what other marvels he might have unlocked with its aid. But he quickly pushed the feeling aside, knowing the choice they''d made had strengthened their group as a whole.


    As his mount plodded along, Ss''s attention shifted to a more pressing concern - his monstrous appearance. The recent evolution had left him looking far from human, a fact that would undoubtedly cause problems back at Arcanium. His eyes scanned the biomancy skill tree, searching for a solution.


    There, nestled among the various skills, he found what he was looking for: Appearance Control. The description promised the ability to alter his physical form, to mask the inhuman features that now marked him as different. Ss felt a wave of relief wash over him. With this skill, he could walk among his peers without fear of discovery or rejection.


    Ss''s eyes widened as he selected the Appearance Control skill, watching as 50 affinity points vanished from his total. A warm tingle spread through his body, starting at his core and radiating outward to his fingertips and toes. He closed his eyes, focusing on the sensation as his body shifted and morphed.


    When he opened them again, Ss found himself staring at hands that looked decidedly more human. Gone were the scales and ws that had marked him as something other. He ran his fingers through his hair, relieved to feel soft strands instead of the tough, reptilian ridges.


    As he explored this new ability, Ss realized its versatility. With a mere thought, he could revert to his more monstrous form, embracing the raw power and heightened senses of his Leviathan part. It was a tactical advantage he knew would prove invaluable inbat situations.


    However, the skill came with its own set of drawbacks. Maintaining his human appearance drained his mana reserves, a constant but manageable trickle that he''d need to monitor closely. More significantly, he noticed a decrease in his physical capabilities. The superhuman strength and agility he''d enjoyed in his Leviathan form were muted, leaving him feeling somewhat vulnerable inparison.


    Perhaps most frustrating was the loss of his water affinity while in human form. The newfound ability to manipte water, which he''d been eager to explore, was now only essible when he embraced his monstrous appearance. It was a trade-off that left Ss feeling conflicted, torn between the desire to fit in and the allure of his newfound powers.


    Ss exhaled slowly, a mixture of relief and apprehension washing over him. The Appearance Control skill had given him a semnce of normalcy, but it couldn''t erase the memories of those who had witnessed his transformation. He nced around at his ssmates, noting the wary looks and hushed whispers that followed him.


    As they rode back to Arcanium, Ss practiced shifting between his human and Leviathan forms, marveling at the ease with which he could now change. In his human guise, he looked just as he had before the incident - unassuming, even a bit scrawny. It was aforting familiarity, but one that came at a cost.


    The constant drain on his mana reserves worried him. While manageable for now, Ss knew he''d need to find ways to replenish his energy more efficiently than relying on his friends.


    His friends watched him with a mix of fascination and concern. Jace, ever curious, peppered Ss with questions about how it felt to change forms. Rowan remained quiet, his expression thoughtful as he observed Ss''s transformations. Lyra''s gaze was sharp, analytical, as if trying to unravel the mysteries of Ss''s new ability.


    "At least you won''t scare the first years anymore," Nadia quipped, breaking the tension with her dry humor.


    Ss managed a weak smile. "True, but I can''t help feeling like I''m hiding part of myself."


    Lyra leaned in, her voice low. "Remember, Ss, this isn''t about denying who you are. It''s about choosing when and how to reveal your true nature. Use this ability wisely."


    Her words resonated with Ss. He nodded, grateful for her insight.


    As Ss and hispanions returned to Arcanium, the familiar spires of the university loomed before them. The adrenaline of their recent adventure began to fade, reced by a collective sense of exhaustion and aplishment.


    They made their way to an empty ssroom, closing the door behind them for privacy. Ss pulled out the satchel containing their hard-earned spoils - a collection of mana cores harvested from the beasts they''d encountered.


    "Alright," Ss said, dumping the cores onto a nearby desk. "Let''s see what we''ve got here."


    The mana cores glowed softly in the dim light, each pulsing withtent magical energy. Jace''s eyes widened at the sight, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.


    "Dibs on the big ones!" he eximed, reaching for a particrlyrge core.


    Rowan intercepted his hand, shaking his head. "We should distribute them evenly. It''s only fair."


    Lyra nodded in agreement, her analytical mind already at work. "We should consider our individual strengths and weaknesses when dividing them. Some cores might be more beneficial to certain affinities."


    Nadia rolled her eyes but didn''t argue. "Fine, but can we hurry it up? I''m starving after all that fighting."


    Ss watched his friends with a mixture of amusement and fondness. Despite their different personalities, they''de together as a team during their hunt. Now, even in the simple act of dividing their spoils, that camaraderie shone through.


    They spent the next hour carefully examining each core, discussing its potential uses and debating who would benefit most from its power. Ss found himself taking on the role of mediator, ensuring everyone''s voice was heard and that the distribution remained fair.


    As the pile of cores dwindled, Ss noticed a small, unassuming core that had been overlooked. He picked it up, feeling a strange resonance with his leviathan side. Without a word, he pocketed it, sensing it might hold some special significance for himter.


    With the divisionplete, each of them now possessed a small collection of mana cores. The potential for growth and new abilities hung in the air, an unspoken excitement shared among the group.


    Ss watched as Professor Rathgar Ironforge set to work, his skilled hands moving with practiced efficiency. The forge roared to life, its heat filling the workshop with aforting warmth. Rathgar''s eyes gleamed with excitement as he examined the various materials they had gathered during their recent adventure.


    "Alright, let''s see what we can craft for your friends," Rathgar said, his voice filled with enthusiasm. He turned to Jace first, studying the young man''s build and fighting style. "For you,d, I''m thinking a set of lightweight, daggers. They''llplement your duplication magic nicely."


    Jace''s face lit up at the prospect. Rowan stepped forward next, and Rathgar nodded approvingly. "A sturdy shield and a well-bnced sword for our summoner. We''ll incorporate some of those beast cores to enhance your connection with your summoned creatures."


    As Rathgar continued discussing designs with Nadia and Lyra, Ss''s attention wandered to a nearby bookshelf. His eyes fell upon a tome titled "Advanced Hydromancy: Mastering the Ways of Water." Curiosity piqued, he pulled the book from the shelf and began to leaf through its pages.


    As he read, Ss felt a surge of excitement. The spells described in the book resonated with his newfound water affinity. He realized that instead of spending precious affinity points to unlock these abilities, he could simply learn them through study and practice.


    Eagerly, Ss immersed himself in the book, absorbing knowledge about water maniption techniques, pressure control, and even more advanced concepts like phase changing and ice formation.


    Hours passed as Ss devoured the contents of the hydromancy tome and several others he found on rted subjects. The sound of Rathgar''s hammering and the asional exmation of delight from his friends faded into the background as he lost himself in the world of water magic.


    Ss followed Lyra to a secluded corner of the workshop, away from the nging of Rathgar''s hammer and the excited chatter of their friends. Lyra''s eyes darted around, ensuring they were truly alone before she spoke.


    "Ss," she began, her voice low and urgent, "I have information about your mother."


    His heart skipped a beat. "What? How?"


    Lyra took a deep breath. "She''s not in the capital as we thought. She''s at Eldritch Academy, working on some kind of project. The security there is much lower than at the capital."


    His mother, so close and yet still out of reach.


    "How do you know all this, Lyra?" he asked.


    Lyra hesitated for a moment, then squared her shoulders. "I''m part of an organization called Unbound. We have... sources."


    Ss blinked, confusion recing his excitement. "What''s Unbound?"

 Chapter 38: Planning the Heist

    <h4>Chapter 38: nning the Heist</h4>


    "Unbound is dedicated to dismantling the corrupt system that governs Eldoria," Lyra said, her eyes burning with a fierce intensity. "We aim to tear down the nepotism and concentrated power that keeps the elite in control."


    Ss felt a mix of surprise and intrigue wash over him. He had always sensed an undercurrent of discontent in magical society, but he''d never imagined there was an organized resistance.


    Lyra continued, her voice tinged with a hint of pride and sorrow. "I was born into Unbound. My father is one of the leaders. He... he raised me in the movement after my mother died."


    Ss noticed the pain that shed across Lyra''s face at the mention of her mother. He remained silent, allowing her to continue.


    "The system killed her," Lyra said, her voice hardening. "She needed urgent medical attention, but a rich noble was given priority over her. By the time they got to my mother, it was toote. And the noble''s issue? Minorceration. Something a quick healing potion could fix."


    Anger and injustice radiated from Lyra as she recounted this personal tragedy. Ss felt a surge of empathy, understanding how such an experience could shape someone''s worldview.


    "That''s why I joined Unbound," Lyra concluded, her eyes meeting Ss''s with determination. "To ensure that no one else suffers because of this broken system."


    "I want to help you rescue your mother, Ss," Lyra said, her voice low but firm. "I believe both of you could be invaluable to Unbound''s cause. Your mother''s scientific knowledge and your unique abilities... they could be game-changers in our fight against the corrupt system."


    Ss felt a surge of conflicting emotions. The prospect of rescuing his mother filled him with excitement and trepidation in equal measure. But aligning himself with a resistance movement? That was a whole different level of risk.


    "I appreciate your offer, Lyra," Ss replied carefully. "But I can''t promise my cooperation with Unbound just yet. Let''s focus on rescuing my mother first. If we seed, I''ll reconsider your proposal."


    Lyra nodded, epting his cautious response. "Fair enough. Now, let me outline the n I''ve been working on."


    She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "The fall dance at Eldritch Academy. That''s our window of opportunity. Your mother will be alone in the observatory, working on a dimensional portal for the academy. The guards will be upied with the festivities, leaving her unguarded."


    Ss''s heart raced at the thought. It seemed almost too good to be true. "How did you get this information?" he asked, unable to hide his skepticism.


    Lyra smiled cryptically. "Unbound has its ways. We''ve been nning this for a while, waiting for the right moment - and the right ally."


    Ss gathered his friends in a secluded corner of the library, his voice low as he outlined the n to rescue his mother. Jace''s eyes widened with excitement, while Nadia nodded solemnly, both immediately agreeing to help.


    Rowan, however, hesitated for a moment. "I know I initially said no to getting involved," he began, his brow furrowed. "But after you''ve saved my life at least twice now, Ss, I''ve reconsidered. Count me in."


    Relief washed over Ss as he looked at his friends'' determined faces. "Thank you, all of you. This means more to me than you know."


    Over the next two weeks, the group threw themselves into intense training. They spent every spare moment honing their skills, preparing for every possible scenario they might encounter during the rescue mission.


    As they trained, a thought nagged at the back of Ss''s mind. His mother had created the training rooms - was it possible she''d left him a way in? On a hunch, he approached the control panel one evening after the others had left.


    "Training room," Ss said, his heart pounding, "grant administrator ess."


    To his amazement, the system responded immediately: "Administrator ess granted. Wee, Ss ckwood."


    A grin spread across Ss''s face as he realized the possibilities this opened up. "Create a new scenario," hemanded. "Location: Eldritch Academy. Time: During the fall dance. Objective: Infiltration and extraction."


    The room shimmered around him, transforming into the grand halls of Eldritch Academy. Ss could hear the faint strains of music andughter, simting the dance in full swing.


    "Guys," Ss called out to his friends who were just about to leave, "you''re going to want to see this."


    Ss watched with a mix of pride and anticipation as his friends filed into the simted halls of Eldritch Academy. The training room had outdone itself, recreating every detail down to the ornate tapestries and the faint scent of magical incense in the air.


    "Alright, team," Ss said, his voice steady with newfound confidence. "Let''s run it again."


    Over the next few hours, they practiced their infiltration route countless times. Jace''s duplicates scouted ahead, providing real-time intelligence. Nadia''s light maniption skills proved invaluable for creating distractions and obscuring their movements. Rowan''s summoned creatures acted as both decoys and additional muscle when needed.


    Lyra''s space maniption abilities allowed them to bypass locked doors and navigate tight spaces with ease. And Ss, with his enhanced senses and growing arsenal of abilities, took point on the most critical moments of the extraction.


    They failed spectacrly the first few times. Jace''s duplicates were spotted too early. Nadia''s light show drew unwanted attention. Rowan''s summons proved too unruly in the confined spaces. But with each attempt, they refined their approach.


    By their tenth run-through, they had cut their infiltration time in half. By the twentieth, they moved through the simted academy like ghosts, their movements synchronized and purposeful.


    As theypleted their final run, Ss called out, "Time?"


    Lyra nced at her enchanted pocket watch. "Seventeen minutes and thirty-two seconds. That''s our best yet."


    Ss nodded, a satisfied smile ying on his lips. "I think we''re ready."


    Ss ckwood adjusted his cor, smoothing out the wrinkles in his finely tailored suit. Around him, his friends were simrly attired in their best formal wear. Jace fidgeted with his bow tie, while Rowan stood stoically in a crisp ck ensemble. Nadia had chosen a sleek, form-fitting dress that shimmered with every movement, and Lyra looked radiant in a flowing gown of deep blue.


    They stood before the entrance to the only avable training room, which had been transformed into a grand ballroom for the dance.


    Ss stepped away from the group and approached a nearby wall. He turned to his friends, who were watching him with curious expressions. "I have an idea," he said, his voice low and urgent. "Gather around me."


    Once they were huddled close, Ss faced the wall again and spoke in a clear, confident tone. "Training room, teleport Ss ckwood, Jace Sterling, Rowan Summers, Nadia Sinir, and Lyra Voidwalker to the corresponding training room in Eldritch Academy."


    The air around them shimmered, and for a brief moment, the world seemed to blur. When their vision cleared, they found themselves standing in the middle of a grand ballroom, filled with the sounds of music andughter. Elegant decorations adorned every surface, and the room was packed with students and faculty in formal attire.


    They had arrived at the fall dance in Eldritch Academy.


    Ss and his friends found themselves swept up in the elegance of the Eldritch Academy Fall Dance. The grand ballroom sparkled with magical decorations, and the air thrummed with excitement and music. Despite the tension of their secret mission, they knew they had to blend in to avoid suspicion.


    Ss offered his hand to Lyra, who epted with a graceful nod. They moved onto the dance floor, their steps slightly awkward at first but soon finding a rhythm. As they swayed to the music, Ss couldn''t help but notice how Lyra''s eyes darted around the room, constantly assessing their surroundings.


    Nearby, Rowan and Nadia had also paired up. Rowan''s usual stoic demeanor softened as he led Nadia through the steps of a waltz. Nadia, for her part, seemed to rx into the dance, her light maniption abilities subtly enhancing the shimmer of her dress.


    Jace, ever the social butterfly, found himself swept up by a pretty Eldritch student with long, dark hair. She pulled him onto the dance floor before he could protest, and soon they were twirling amidst the other couples. Jace''s natural charm kicked in, and he found himself enjoying the unexpected dance partner.


    As the songs progressed, Ss kept a watchful eye on the other attendees. He noticed professors and chaperones beginning to mingle, their attention diverted by conversations and refreshments. It was almost time for them to make their move.


    Ss caught Lyra''s eye and gave a subtle nod. She understood immediately, and they began to make their way towards the edge of the dance floor. Rowan and Nadia, seeing this, followed suit.


    Jace, however, was having a harder time extracting himself from his dance partner. The girl seemed utterly enchanted by him,ughing at his jokes and holding onto his arm. As his friends approached the exit, Jace''s eyes widened in panic, silently pleading for help.


    Ss watched with growing concern as Jace struggled to extricate himself from his dance partner. The girl clung to Jace''s arm, herughter tinkling through the air as she gazed up at him adoringly. Jace''s eyes darted towards his friends, silently pleading for assistance.


    Before Ss could devise a n to rescue Jace, piercing screams erupted from the crowd. The jovial atmosphere of the dance shattered instantly as a gang of banshees materialized in the center of the ballroom. Their ethereal forms flickered in and out of visibility, long hair whipping around their pale faces as they unleashed their bone-chilling wails.


    Panic swept through the room. Students and faculty alike scrambled for the exits, their formal attire tangling and tearing in their haste to escape. The banshees swooped through the air, their ghostly fingers raking across exposed skin, leaving trails of frost in their wake.


    Ss''s mind raced. This wasn''t part of their n, but it could provide the perfect cover for their mission. He locked eyes with Lyra, a silent understanding passing between them. They needed to use this chaos to their advantage.


    Rowan reacted swiftly, summoning a pair of spectral wolves to harry the banshees. The ethereal canines leapt at the wailing spirits, their jaws snapping at wispy forms. Nadia, her face set in grim determination, began weaving intricate patterns of light, creating dazzling illusions to confuse and disorient the attackers.


    Jace, finally free from his dance partner who had fled in terror, sprinted towards his friends. His face was pale, but his eyes burned with determination. "What''s the y?" he shouted over the cacophony of screams and wails.


    Ss''s mind whirred, quickly adapting their carefullyid ns to this new situation. "We stick to the mission," he yelled back. "This is our chance. The guards will be distracted dealing with this threat."


    As if to punctuate his words, a squad of Eldritch Academy security personnel burst into the room, their hands at the ready. Spells crackled through the air as they engaged the banshees, adding to the chaos.

 Chapter 39: The Heist (part 1)

    <h4>Chapter 39: The Heist (part 1)</h4>


    Ss watched as chaos unfolded around him. The banshees'' wails pierced the air, their ghostly forms swooping through the ballroom. Students and faculty scrambled in panic, their elegant attire now disheveled and torn.


    Amidst the mayhem, Ss''s eyes locked onto Jace. His friend stood frozen, horror etched across his face as he witnessed a terrifying scene unfold. The girl he''d been dancing with moments ago now dangled helplessly in the grasp of a banshee. The spirit''s skeletal fingers curled around her waist, lifting her off the ground with unnatural strength.


    The banshee''s face contorted, its jaw unhinging to unleash a bone-chilling scream directly into the girl''s face. The sound was deafening, even from a distance. The girl''s eyes rolled back, and her body went limp as consciousness fled.


    Jace''s expression shifted from fear to determination. Without a word to his friends, he sprinted towards the banshee and its victim. Ss felt a surge of admiration for Jace''s bravery.


    Jace reached the banshee, his hands already moving in the familiar patterns of his duplication magic. In an instant, three identical Jaces surrounded the spirit, each one reaching for the unconscious girl.


    The banshee shrieked in confusion, its grip on the girl loosening just enough for one of the Jace duplicates to pull her free. As the real Jace caught her in his arms, the other copies began to harass the banshee, drawing its attention away.


    Ss watched as Jace carried the girl to safety, dodging other fleeing students and stray spells from the academy personnel.


    Ss watched as the girl in Jace''s arms stirred, her eyelids fluttering open. She gazed up at Jace, confusion giving way to recognition.


    "You... you saved me," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the chaos.


    Jace nodded, a bashful smile tugging at his lips. "Are you alright?"


    "Thanks to you," she replied. "What''s your name?"


    "Jace. Jace Sterling."


    The girl''s eyes lit up, and without warning, she leaned up and pressed her lips against his. Jace froze for a moment, caught off guard, but then returned the kiss.


    Ss cleared his throat, breaking the moment. "Jace, we need to go. Now."


    Reluctantly, Jace set the girl down on her feet. She swayed slightly but managed to stand.


    "I have to leave," Jace said, his voice tinged with regret.


    "Wait!" the girl called as Jace turned away. "Will I see you again?"


    Jace hesitated, ncing back at her. For a moment, Ss thought his friend might change his mind about their n. But then Jace''s expression hardened with resolve.


    "I''m sorry," he said, before turning and following Ss, Rowan, Nadia, and Lyra out of the ballroom.


    As they slipped through the doors, Ss heard the girl''s voice onest time, pleading for Jace to wait. But they were already gone, leaving the chaos of the banshee attack behind them.


    Ss and his friends burst through the ballroom doors, only to find themselves face-to-face with a swarm of banshees. The ethereal creatures floated menacingly, their haunting wails filling the air with an otherworldly cacophony.


    Ss''s mind raced, searching for a solution. In that instant, he recalled a technique they''d been practicing in mana maniption ss - the mana beam. While his friends had made progress, they hadn''t yet mastered it. Ss, however, had perfected the skill using his system.


    Anytime he learned a new technique and performed it correctly once, the system took over in the future and allowed him to perform it perfectly every time through the application of his ''learn'' skill.


    Without hesitation, Ss stepped forward, his hands moving in aplex pattern as he gathered his mana. He felt the energy building within him, a torrent of pure magical power begging to be released.


    Every time they trained, Jace, Lyra, Rowan, and Nadia would pour mana into Ss to fill up his mana points before training. They did the same before every mission, this one included.


    "Everyone, get behind me!" Ss shouted over the banshees'' screams.


    Jace, Rowan, Nadia, and Lyra quicklyplied, forming a tight group at Ss''s back. They watched in awe as a brilliant light began to emanate from Ss''s palms.


    With a grunt of effort, Ss unleashed the mana beam. A dazzling stream of pure magical energy erupted from his hands, cutting through the air like a de of light. The beam struck the first banshee, and to everyone''s amazement, the spirit disintegrated on contact.


    Ss swept the beam in a wide arc, carving a path through the spectral horde. Banshees caught in its radiance vanished with unearthly shrieks, leaving behind nothing but wisps of ectosmic mist.


    The drain on Ss''s mana reserves was immense, but he gritted his teeth and pushed on. He could feel sweat beading on his forehead as he maintained the beam, methodically clearing their escape route.


    "It''s working!" Nadia eximed, her voice a mix of relief and excitement.


    Jace and Rowan exchanged impressed nces, while Lyra''s eyes narrowed in concentration, studying Ss''s technique.


    As thest banshee in their path dissolved, Ss finally allowed the mana beam to dissipate. He stumbled slightly, the exertion catching up with him, but Rowan quickly steadied him with a strong hand.


    "That was incredible," Jace said, pping Ss on the shoulder. "You''ve got to teach us how to do that properly."


    Ss managed a tired smile. "Later. Right now, we need to move."


    Ss watched as his friends followed his lead, their hands glowing with mana as they attempted their own beams. Though weaker than his, theirbined efforts effectively dispatched the remaining banshees.


    "We need to find the observatory," Lyra reminded them, her voice hushed but urgent. "It should have a ss roof."


    They moved swiftly through the corridors, eyes scanning for their target. Ss''s enhanced senses proved invaluable as he guided them through the chaos. Finally, they spotted the distinctive dome of the observatory, its ss panels glinting in the moonlight.


    As they ascended the tower, eerie balls of light began to materialize around them. Will-o''-wisps, Ss realized with a sinking feeling. These spectral entities were known for their ability to drain energy and lead travelers astray.


    "Stay focused," Ss warned hispanions. "Don''t let them cloud your minds."


    They attempted to use their mana beams again, but the wisps were faster and more numerous than the banshees. Despite their best efforts to remain calm, fear and frustration began to creep in. The wisps, sensing their emotional turmoil, swarmed around them in a dizzying dance of light.

 Chapter 40: The Heist (part 2)

    <h4>Chapter 40: The Heist (part 2)</h4>


    Ss felt his energy draining as the wisps pressed closer. He could see the strain on his friends'' faces as they struggled to maintain their mana beams. It was clear this tactic wouldn''t work.


    "Switch to weapons!" Ss shouted, drawing his war hammer. "Use your mana to empower them!"


    The others followed suit, their weapons glowing with magical energy. But fighting in such close quarters proved challenging. Jace''s daggers sliced through the air, barely missing the nimble wisps.


    Rowan''s sword and shield provided some protection, but he struggled tond solid hits. Nadia''s bow was nearly useless in the cramped space, forcing her to rely on her wed gauntlet. Lyra''s rapier darted in and out, asionally catching a wisp but often meeting empty air.


    Ss swung his hammer in wide arcs, trying to create some breathing room. But for every wisp they managed to dispel, two more seemed to take its ce. The constant drain on their energy was taking its toll. Ss could feel his movements bing sluggish, his reactions slowing.


    Just as despair began to set in, Ss felt a surge of determination. He refused to let his friends down, refused to fail when they were so close to their goal. With a roar of defiance, he channeled every ounce of his remaining mana into his hammer.


    His renewed vigor seemed to inspire the others. Jace''s movements became a blur as he darted between wisps, his daggers shing. Rowan stood firm, his shield a bastion against the spectral assault while his swordshed out with precision.


    Nadia''s wed gauntlet raked through multiple wisps at once, her face set in grim determination. Lyra''s rapier danced through the air, each thrust dispelling another wisp.


    Slowly but surely, they began to turn the tide. The swarm of wisps thinned, their eerie light dimming. With one final, coordinated assault, they vanquished thest of the spectral entities.


    Panting and exhausted, the group leaned against the tower walls. Ss looked at his friends, noting their pale faces and trembling limbs. They were all pushed to their limits.


    "We need to rest," Ss said, his own voice hoarse with fatigue. "Just for a moment, to catch our breath and recover some energy."


    The others nodded in agreement, too drained to speak. They slumped to the floor, weapons still clutched tightly in their hands, ready for whatever challenge mighte next.


    Ss''s heightened senses picked up the approaching threat before the others. The air grew colder, and an otherworldly wail echoed through the tower. His heart sank as he realized their moment of respite was over.


    "Banshees," he warned, his voice barely above a whisper. "They''reing."


    His friends struggled to their feet, weapons at the ready, but Ss could see the exhaustion etched on their faces. They were in no condition to face another onught.


    As the first banshee rounded the corner, its skeletal form gliding effortlessly through the air, Ss made a split-second decision. He closed his eyes, focusing inward, and triggered his transformation.


    Pain ripped through his body as scales erupted from his skin. His muscles bulged and stretched, bones cracking and reforming. When he opened his eyes, the world looked different ¨C sharper, more vibrant. He towered over his friends, his Leviathan form fully manifested.


    Jace let out a low whistle of appreciation, while Nadia and Rowan took an involuntary step back. Lyra, however, merely nodded, a look of grim determination on her face.


    The banshees attacked en masse, their ethereal forms swarming around the group. Their wails intensified, threatening to overwhelm Ss''spanions. But in his Leviathan form, Ss found he could withstand the assault.


    He reached out with his mind, tapping into his drain skill. As the banshees drew near, he felt their mana ¨C cold and alien ¨C flowing into him. The spirits shrieked in confusion and pain as their very essence was stripped away.


    Ss''s friends watched in awe as the banshees began to fade, their forms growing translucent and then disappearing entirely. With each vanquished spirit, Ss felt his own strength returning, his mana reserves refilling.


    The drain was intoxicating. Ss found himself craving more, pushing his skill to its limits. He pulled at the mana of multiple banshees simultaneously, his body thrumming with power.


    Ss and his friends pressed forward, their path now blocked by a swarm of wraiths. These ethereal beings, more dangerous than the banshees they''d faced earlier, posed a new threat. Their ghostly forms shimmered in the dim light, their hollow eyes fixed on the group with malevolent intent.


    Ss stepped forward. He activated his drain skill, reaching out with his mind to pull at the wraiths'' mana. The spectral entities recoiled, their forms wavering as Ss began to siphon their energy.


    But the wraiths weren''t defenseless. Theyunched a counterattack, their ghostly tendrils reaching for Ss. He felt a bone-deep chill as they attempted to drain his very soul. It was a battle of wills, each side trying to overpower the other.


    Behind him, Ss''s friends rallied. Though still weakened from their previous encounters, they managed to fire off stuttered mana beams. The beams flickered and sputtered,cking their usual power, but they provided enough of a distraction to give Ss an edge.


    The battle raged on, with Ss at the center. He gritted his teeth, pushing his drain skill to its limits. Wraiths dissolved into nothingness as he absorbed their essence, but more took their ce.


    Finally, only one wraith remained. It wasrger than the others, its form more solid. As Ss engaged it, he felt its power. This was no ordinary wraith.


    Their contest intensified. Ss could see his own soul being pulled from his body, a shimmering, ethereal version of himself emerging. The wraith''s hollow eyes gleamed with triumph as it tugged harder.


    But Ss refused to yield. With a final, monumental effort, he poured everything he had into his drain skill.


    The wraith''s form began to waver, its grip on Ss''s soul weakening. With a soundless howl of defeat, the wraith disintegrated, leaving behind nothing but a fading wisp of spectral energy.


    Ss stumbled, as exhaustion threatened to overwhelm him. His friends rushed to his side, supporting him as he fought to maintain consciousness.

 Chapter 41: The Heist (part 3)

    <h4>Chapter 41: The Heist (part 3)</h4>


    Ss and his friends stumbled into the circr observatory, their bodies aching from the arduous climb. The ss dome above them revealed a tapestry of stars, but Ss''s attention was immediately drawn to two figures at the center of the room.


    His mother, Evelyn Winterbourne, stood with her back to him. Her fiery red hair was unmistakable, even after all these years.


    Facing her was a being of otherworldly beauty - Morainn, the Queen of the Banshees. Her silver hair flowed like liquid moonlight, and her ck eyes with pinpricks of white light seemed to hold the secrets of the cosmos.


    Ss felt his breath catch in his throat as he listened to Morainn''s melodious voice.


    "Evelyn, surely you can see the wisdom in our offer," Morainn said, her tone both alluring and persuasive. "Your brilliance is wasted in a world that fears and misunderstands you. With us, you could unlock the full potential of your innovations."


    Evelyn''s shoulders tensed, but she remained silent, listening.


    Morainn continued, her voice growing more impassioned. "We can provide you with a home where you and your family will be respected, valued for your minds rather than judged for your origins. The Fae do not share the prejudices of the human world."


    Ss watched as his mother''s head tilted slightly, a sign he recognized as her considering aplex problem.


    "What of Eldoria?" Evelyn asked, her voice steady despite the weight of the moment.


    Morainn''s expression softened. "We seek not to destroy, but to liberate. Eldoria has be a symbol of corruption and colonization, Evelyn."


    "Its current path will only lead to ruin for the and its inhabitants. We aim to tear down the systems that perpetuate this injustice, to create a world where all beings can thrive in harmony with nature."


    Ss felt a mix of emotions swirling within him - hope at the prospect of reuniting with his mother, fear of losing her again, and confusion about the true motivations of the Fae. He nced at his friends, seeing his own uncertainty mirrored in their faces.


    As Morainn spoke of dignity and respect, of a world without the cruelty they had all experienced, Ss couldn''t help but feel a pull towards her words. The promise of eptance, of a ce where his unique nature wouldn''t be seen as a curse, was tempting beyond measure.


    Yet, as he watched his mother considering Morainn''s offer, a seed of doubt took root in his mind. The Banshee Queen''s words were honeyed, her promises grand, but could they be trusted? And what would bing allies with the Fae mean for their future, for the world they knew?


    Ss watched as his mother''s posture shifted, her shoulders squaring as she faced Morainn. Evelyn''s voice rang out clear and firm, cutting through the tension in the room.


    "Your offer is tempting, Morainn, but fundamentally wed," Evelyn began. "First, your promise of respect and value is built on a foundation of destruction. You speak of liberating Eldoria, but at what cost? The lives and livelihoods of countless innocents?"


    Morainn''s ethereal features hardened, but Evelyn pressed on.


    "Second, your vision of harmony with nature is a thinly veiled excuse for conquest. The Fae''s history of colonization across the gxy speaks for itself. Third, you underestimate the resilience and potential for change within human society. Progress is slow, yes, but it is happening."


    Ss felt a surge of pride as his mother continued, systematically dismantling Morainn''s arguments.


    "Finally," Evelyn concluded, "I cannot in good conscience ally myself with a force that seeks to tear down rather than build up. My work has always been about creating a better future, not destroying the present."


    With a swift motion that caught everyone by surprise, Evelyn reached into her robes and pulled out a sleek, medium-sized gun. It hummed with an otherworldly energy, crackling with green and purple lightning.


    "I''m afraid my answer is no," Evelyn dered, aiming the magitech weapon at Morainn.


    The room erupted into chaos. Ss and his friends sprang into action, their exhaustion forgotten in the heat of battle. Morainn''s haunting wail filled the air as she summoned her banshee minions.


    Ss charged forward, his war hammer crackling with energy. Jace''s daggers shed as he darted between opponents. Rowan''s summoned creatures provided crucial support, while Nadia''s arrows found their marks with deadly precision. Lyra''s space-warping magic created openings for her allies to exploit.


    Evelyn''s magitech gun proved devastatingly effective against the spectral foes, each burst of energy dissipating banshees into wisps of ectosm.


    Yet Morainn was no ordinary opponent. Her power seemed to grow with each passing moment, her form shifting and expanding until she towered over them all.


    The tide of battle ebbed and flowed. One moment, Ss and his allies would gain the upper hand, pushing back the ghostly horde. The next, Morainn would unleash a devastating attack, forcing them to scatter and regroup.


    Ss found himself fighting back-to-back with his mother, a surge of emotion threatening to overwhelm him. They moved in perfect sync, as if years of separation had never happened.


    Just as it seemed Morainn might overwhelm them, Ss tapped into his drain skill, pulling at the Queen''s vast reserves of mana. The effect was immediate and dramatic. Morainn''s form began to waver, her power diminishing.


    With a coordinated assault, Ss and his friends pressed their advantage. Evelyn''s gun zed, Jace''s daggers found their mark, and Rowan''s summons harried the weakened Queen.


    As Morainn fell, her corporeal form dissolving into mist, one of her dying banshees careened into a control panel. Lights shed, and a low hum filled the air as the machine whirred to life.


    The air crackled with energy as a swirling vortex materialized in the center of the observatory. Its surface swirled and pulsed, casting eerie shadows across the room. The portal''s pull was immediate and intense, threatening to drag everyone into its depths.


    Ss felt the force tugging at his clothes and hair, his feet sliding across the smooth floor despite his best efforts to resist. He nced around frantically, seeing his friends struggling against the portal''s pull as well.


    Jace had anchored himself to a nearby pir, while Rowan and Nadia clung to each other, theirbined weight helping them stay grounded. Lyra had created a small spatial distortion around herself, providing some protection from the portal''s draw.


    Evelyn, her red hair whipping wildly around her face, shouted over the deafening roar of the portal. "We need to shut it down! The control panel!"


    Ss nodded, gritting his teeth as he fought against the pull. He inched his way towards the control panel, every step a monumental effort. Just as his fingers brushed against the panel''s surface, a bone-chilling howl erupted from the portal.


    Dark, writhing shapes emerged from the swirling vortex. Demons, their forms a nightmarish blend of shadow and me, poured into the observatory. Their eyes gleamed with malevolent intelligence as they surveyed the room.


    Before anyone could react, two of the demons lunged for Evelyn. Their wed hands wrapped around her arms, yanking her off her feet.


    "Mom!" Ss cried out, reaching for her desperately.


    Evelyn''s eyes met Ss''s for a brief, heart-wrenching moment. "Ss, I-" Her words were cut short as the demons dragged her into the portal, her form disappearing into its swirling depths.


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