Mitch made a deliberate decision to hold onto his allocable attribute point from the recent level-up.
There was no imdiate pressure to spend it, and he preferred to consider his options carefully before committing to any particular path of developnt. Patience had served him well so far.
After reaching his new level, he thodically absorbed six additional cores, feeling the familiar surge of energy coursing through his body as each one dissolved into pure power.
Revitalized and sharp with renewed vitality, he made his way to the local library, hoping to expand his understanding of this world.
The library’s map collection proved illuminating, offering him glimpses into the vast continent’s geography, political boundaries, and major settlents.
However, when he sought more advanced texts on mana manipulation and magical theory, he found the shelves disappointingly sparse, containing only elentary guides that barely scratched the surface of what he needed to know.
Approaching the librarian’s desk, Mitch cleared his throat politely. "Excuse , do you have anything more comprehensive on magical studies? Perhaps advanced mana manipulation techniques?"
The petite librarian looked up from her ledger, adjusting her wire-rimd spectacles. "I’m afraid we don’t carry materials of that caliber here.
For serious magical education, you’d need to enlist with one of the factions, they possess the resources and knowledge that an awakener like yourself requires."
"Faction?" Mitch’s curiosity was piqued by the unfamiliar term.
The librarian’s eyebrows rose in genuine surprise. "You’re not familiar with the faction system? Are you perhaps from so remote woodland settlent?"
"Sothing like that," Mitch replied with an amused smile, not bothering to correct her assumption.
"Well then, allow to enlighten you." She leaned forward conspiratorially.
"The entire kingdom operates under a guild system overseen by our sovereign ruler. Within this structure exist nurous factions of varying sizes and influence.
So are modest affairs, barely more than organized gangs with perhaps a dozen mbers. Others command armies of tens of thousands."
She paused to organize her thoughts before continuing. "Five factions hold particular prominence throughout the kingdom. Here in our region, we fall under the jurisdiction of the Sun faction, a hybrid organization that welcos mbers from diverse class backgrounds and specializations."
"And what exactly does faction mbership entail?" Mitch inquired, sensing this information could be crucial to his future plans.
"My knowledge is admittedly limited, but from what I understand, the benefits significantly outweigh any obligations or restrictions.
Most individuals who achieve real power choose faction affiliation, it provides both protection from enemies and access to advanced knowledge that would otherwise remain beyond reach."
"Thank you for the explanation, beautiful," Mitch said with a charming wink.
The librarian’s cheeks flushed crimson as she busied herself with distant bookshelves, though Mitch noticed her stealing glances in his direction, her face maintaining its rosy hue.
Later, Mitch sought out Leya to discuss this new developnt. He found her sharpening her blade in the inn’s courtyard, her movents precise and thodical.
"I’ve been learning about factions," Mitch began. "Do you think I should pursue mbership with one?"
Leya paused in her maintenance routine, her expression growing somber. "Absolutely, it’s almost a necessity for serious advancent.
I’m already affiliated with a local group called the Sword of Heaven." She grimaced slightly at the na. "Rather pretentious, isn’t it? But it’s a small faction based here in town, and I had compelling reasons to join."
Her voice dropped, heavy with worry. "The faction leader promised access to redies for my brother’s condition, guaranteed that sufficient gold would secure a cure.
I’ve already invested over a hundred gold pieces in various treatnts, but none have shown results.
Now he’s presented with a new redy, supposedly more potent than the previous attempts, but the cost..." She shook her head. "It will consu nearly everything I’ve earned."
"Leya, that sounds suspiciously like exploitation," Mitch said gently, concern evident in his voice.
"No, no, it’s not a scam," she protested, though her tone lacked complete conviction.
"The leader is honorable. He’s provided genuine redies, and I’ve had them authenticated by multiple appraisers in town to verify their legitimacy.
And the faction has taught valuable skills, the mana blade technique and ice aura blade, both learned from them, without additional cost."
She continued, her voice growing stronger as she defended her choice.
"The work they require isn’t unreasonable, tending to injured mbers, maintaining their facilities, handling deliveries.
Training accidents are common at their compound, so there’s always a need for soone to clean up blood and assist the wounded. I’ve also served as a courier, transporting ssages, valuable items, and paynts throughout the town."
"The librarian ntioned that the Sun faction dominates this area and would be ideal for soone like . Should I seek mbership with them? Would you consider transferring your allegiance?"
Leya’s eyes lit up briefly before dimming with resignation. "The Sun faction would indeed be perfect for you, they have resources and connections that dwarf our local groups. As for ..." She sighed deeply.
"Faction mbership isn’t easily dissolved. There are contracts, obligations, and consequences for abandonnt. I need to resolve my current situation first."
Her expression brightened slightly. "However, before you commit to any faction, would you be interested in exploring a few dungeons together? The leader’s newest redy won’t arrive for approximately a month, so I have ti to focus on other pursuits."
"Excellent idea," Mitch agreed readily. "I’d like to absorb more cores before making any major commitnts anyway."
Leya’s deanor shifted, becoming more reflective. "Speaking of unfinished business, I visited the guild today to file my official report against the man who abandoned my team in that forest, leaving us to die."
"What did they tell you?"
"They inford that he was discovered dead in an inn not long ago." Her voice carried a strange mixture of satisfaction and disappointnt.
"That’s justice served, isn’t it?" Mitch offered reassuringly.
"Perhaps," Leya replied, but her eyes blazed with barely contained fury. "Though I would have preferred to deliver that justice personally, with my own blade."
"Calm down, everything’s gonna be alright." Mitch embraced her.
"Here, take those. I forgot to give them to you. I have no use for them."
Mitch gave Leya the trinkets he got from the assassin.
"This ring, it can’t be!"
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