"My soul and my laboratory have rged..."
I was thinking about this, reflecting on what I had learned so far. The tower of Mount Sol, with all its grandeur, still seed to be barely scratching the surface of what souls really were. They had only managed to comprehend basic behaviors and patterns of the cytoplasmic beings. To uncover the deeper secrets, only an Official Mage would have access.
It only reminded that, on the path of magic and engineering, there was still a long way to go.
"I still have a lot to learn."
The mind of an Acolyte like couldn’t even dream of ddling with the complexity of souls yet.
"Bring up my current statistics."
Inside my mind, the voice of the virtual lab imdiately responded.
["Na: Tyler Rustel"]
["Gender: Male"]
["Age: 16 years"]
[Level: 2 acolyte]
["Race: Human"]
["Strength: 2.20"]
["Agility: 2.40"]
["Vitality: 2.70"]
["Spiritual Energy: 4.0"]
The 3D image of my statistics appeared before , floating in the air. What caught my attention most was the spiritual strength, which had more than doubled since advancing to Level 2. A significant increase, a clear reflection of my progress.
Smiling contentedly, I continued to ponder my next steps.
I got up from the bed and started getting ready to go out. I knew the spell market was located in the district between the Academic Area and the Trading Post. It was a strange place, with an uncomfortable atmosphere, as if it were more of a rchandise selling post than a learning center. And the service, well... it was almost nonexistent. The people there were cold, as if no one really wanted to be there.
I wasn’t expecting any sympathy from anyone, but I needed what they were offering. Spells, the next essential step.
When I arrived at the place, the first thing I noticed was the desolate and impersonal environnt. The counter was empty, except for an old lady with a serious appearance behind a glass box. Her expression was impenetrable, as if I were a stranger who owed her sothing.
"Sorry to bother you!"
Bowing slightly, I felt a dense pressure in the air. The old lady in front of emitted a distinct energy, very strong. There was no doubt: she was a Level 3 Acolyte, but sothing about her seed different.
I wasn’t sure what she had experienced to reach this point, but I could feel the weight of her presence. Without hesitation, I decided to use my Virtual Lab to check for more details.
"Lab, Inspect!"
Her voice suddenly sounded, cold and authoritative, like a sharp blade cutting through the air. She didn’t seem the slightest bit interested. "What do you want?"
The Virtual Lab imdiately responded to my request, displaying a holographic screen that showed the old lady’s statistics, and what I found was surprising.
["Bip!"]
["Na: Unknown"]
["Gender: Female"]
["Age: Indeterminate"]
["Level: 3 Acolyte."]
["Race: Human"]
["Strength: 2.0"]
["Agility: 2.0"]
["Vitality: 3.70"]
["Spiritual Energy: 6.6"]
Although she was a Level 3 Acolyte, her spiritual strength was surprisingly low, which suggested she had likely gone through so kind of injury or severe damage. However, I was still far from being a threat to her.
The Lab had made a great update since my promotion. It was now capable of inspecting even the statistics of other Level 3 Acolytes and living beings, although its capacity was limited when compared to Mages.
I smiled as best as I could and, in a gentle voice, asked: "Would you let take a look at the spell models?"
Without saying a word, the old lady grabbed a large, dusty book and threw it onto the table carelessly. She didn’t seem the least bit concerned whether I would buy anything or not, but this was sothing I had already expected from the cold and impersonal service of the place.
With eager hands, I opened the book. The sll of old and dust filled the air, but the content inside was what truly interested . What lay before were spells and their magic models. The vision expanded, and the details began to form in my mind.
1.Solar Light Arrow
Description: Conjures a bow that shoots powerful solar light arrows, capable of exploding enemies. Solar energy incinerates the darkness and purifies the trajectory of the arrows.
Prerequisites: Energy Fundantals, Magic Model Construction, Advanced Magical Literacy.
2.Radiant Orb
Description: Creates a sphere of condensed light with intense thermal power. The trajectory can be slightly adjusted as the orb moves through the air.
Prerequisites: Energy Fundantals, Basic Alchemy.
3.Hand of Auris
Description: Materializes a hand of sacred light capable of grabbing or attacking enemies with an energetic impact. The hand shines brightly and dispels shadows around it.
Prerequisites: Energy Fundantals, Light Studies, Basic Evocation, Advanced Magical Literacy.
As I looked at the spells, my mind began processing the information. The solar light arrow... a simple destructive spell, but with great power. I already knew it would be useful for , considering that with the virtual lab, hitting moving targets wouldn’t be difficult.
"These are very basic spells. Are there any more advanced ones?"
I furrowed my brows, waiting for a response. The old lady didn’t seem at all willing to help beyond this. She answered in a cold, direct manner:
"None! We only provide basic types of magic here. As for the rest, get them from your ntor!"
I was a little frustrated by her lack of patience, but I knew I had little ti to waste.
"Give the magic models for the Solar Light Arrow and the Hand of Auris!"
I put on the best smile I could. She looked at for a mont, clearly impatient, but finally responded in an even more irritated voice: "Each one will cost 50 magic crystals!"
With the old lady irritated, I had no choice but to pay the requested price. I took 100 magic crystals from my pouch and placed them on the table, watching her hand over two thick parchnt books.
The covers of the books were simple, but in the magical style, the nas of the spells were written: Solar Light Arrow and Hand of Auris. I held them firmly, knowing that these books would now be a crucial step in my future as a mage.
I was about to leave, the two books weighing in my hands, when a voice caught my attention.
"Hey, Tyler!"
I stopped imdiately, a bit surprised to hear my na. When I looked back, I saw a man running toward , wearing a leather armor that seed to be in terrible condition. The armor was torn, with battle marks all over it, and it looked like he hadn’t made the slightest effort to fix it.
"Liam?" I said, recognizing him imdiately.
"I thought it was you! It’s been a while since we last t!" Liam said, with a genuine smile, but he soon looked at the books I was holding, and his expression changed to one of surprise masked by curiosity. "You’re… buying magic models? Did you advance to Level 2 Acolyte?"
"Yes! I just advanced! I bought these books to learn!" I replied, feeling a bit proud, though I didn’t want to show it too much.
"Virtual Lab, inspect Liam and show only his attribute status!" I thought, and the holographic screen appeared, showing Liam’s information.
["Strength: 2.5"]
["Agility: 2.7"]
["Vitality: 3.0"]
["Spiritual Energy: 4.0"]
"It looks like Liam advanced not long before . These stats are typical for a newly advanced Level 2 Acolyte." I concluded ntally, observing him more carefully.
"We needed so magic crystals, so our team took on so missions. Jas also advanced to Level 2 Acolyte recently and wanted to try learning a magic model. It’s a sha he still has to take so theoretical classes after failing several of them..." Liam comnted, casually putting his hands in his pockets, but the look in his eyes was not as calm as his posture suggested. He was clearly frustrated with the financial situation and the obstacles in his way.
I looked at the spells in my hand, and then he made a comnt about them.
"You really are worthy of being an Engineering student, with all that money!" he said, with a bitter laugh.
I just smiled. "Ah, my success rate has increased a bit recently, so I earned more magic crystals. But as you can see, I’ve already spent all of them on these spells." I made a dramatic gesture, putting a helpless expression on my face, which made Liam chuckle lightly, but he seed sowhat uncomfortable seeing my "good luck."
"Yeah! Every cost at the Tower of Mount Sol is so high..." he muttered, and I could hear the frustration in his voice.
I knew about his situation. Liam ca from a noble family, but when he arrived here, he realized that magic crystals and the resources to move forward were far more limited than he had imagined. Without the family wealth to support him, he found himself in difficulties.
"Speaking of which, after we all advance to Level 2 Acolytes and master our spells, shall we all take on a group mission?" Liam looked at with a strange expression.
"No. Because we’re not on the sa level." I said, trying to soften the words, but with a calm smile on my face.
Liam frowned, clearly uncomfortable, but instead of reacting in the aggressive way I expected, he sighed and replied with a slight resignation:
"I know… You don’t have to risk your life in that dangerous forest, just build a few devices and sell them. You’ll make more profit than I will, risking my life every day."
He clenched his fists, and I could see his frustration becoming clearer.
"This isn’t fair!" He said, his voice trembling with emotion.
I shook my head, understanding his frustration. "It’s not unfair, Liam. Everyone has their own path to follow. Mine is different from yours, but you have your own advantages."
"But…" he began, but I was already starting to walk away, not wanting to get involved more than necessary.
I knew what he wanted — he wanted my support, maybe even a loan of magic crystals or devices to help with his situation, but I already had what I needed. It was better to move on before he started asking for more help.
"Anyway, see you later, Liam." I said goodbye, raising my hand and leaving before he could insist further.
....
1763 words
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