Adrian’s heart raced with the prospects of the System notifications, but before he could fully process them, a searing pain erupted in his head like a blade carving through his skull.
He clutched his temples and gritted his teeth as the ache pulsed in waves, each one heavier than the last.
’What the hell is this?’ he thought, his vision blurring. The mana bulbs’ light seed to flicker, the walls closing in as the pain dragged on, minutes stretching into an eternity.
Finally, the agony subsided and Adrian exhaled with a shaky breath, and the System’s notifications resud, clearer now:
[Evolution Complete!]
[Cognitive abilities have been greatly enhanced.]
[System Upgrade Completed!]
[Tech Core functionality optimized for improved efficiency and adaptability.]
[New Reward System: TP and EXP will now be earned when your inventions achieve remarkable outcos or serve their intended purposes effectively.]
[System Store updating...]
Adrian’s eyes widened as the words sank in.
He had long hoped for a new way to earn TP aside from new inventions, and the Tech Core seed go have answered his prayers.
But the final notification stole his breath:
[You have obtained a reward: Evolvable NanoForge Power Suit!]
A description followed, glowing in his vision:
[Power Suit: A cutting-edge, adaptive armor crafted from nanomaterial alloys. Lightweight yet durable, it enhances strength, agility, and defense through integrated rune circuits.
The suit evolves with the user, unlocking new functions as levels increase. Current abilities:
>>Enhanced Durability (50% damage reduction),
>>Self-Repair (minor damage regenerates over ti).
Adrian stared, his mind racing despite the lingering ache. ’This is insane,’ he thought, picturing the suit.
He leaned back, processing the flood of changes. The cognitive boost explained the pain —vhis brain had been rewired, sharpened to handle more.
’Enough stalling. I have to see this,’ he thought, his fingers twitching with excitent.
"Equip NanoForge Suit," he muttered in a low voice.
IInstantly, a ripple of energy coursed through him, and his body was enveloped in a cascade of liquid tal.
The suit ford in seconds, molding to his fra like a living thing — sleek, black, silver, and blue. It was lightweight yet he felt its strength.
Adrian flexed his hands, marveling at the responsiveness. "This is way better than enchanted armor," he whispered with a grin.
Even though he wanted to study more of the suit’s abilities, caution soon crept in. ’Soone could walk in,’ he thought, glancing at the door.
Karl could return any mont, and explaining a futuristic suit wasn’t on his agenda. "Disable," he said, and the suit disintegrated into a shower of pixels, vanishing into his [Inventory] like a digital ghost.
"I’ll check it out later," he muttered, settling back onto the bed. The ache in his head was fading, now just a faint pulse, but it still nagged enough to make him crave rest. He closed his eyes, ready to let the day slip away, when the door creaked open.
Karl burst in, his grin wide and infectious. "You won’t believe how I spent my day!" he said, tossing his bag onto his bed.
Adrian didn’t move as his head felt too heavy to engage, but Karl’s energy filled the room. He was also curious to where Karl had been, but the headache sapped his strength, and he stayed silent, hoping Karl would wind down.
Karl didn’t wait for a reply. "I know you’re not interested, but I’ll tell you anyway," he said, flopping onto his bed.
"The Academy’s got a club center just outside the Year 1 premises. Saw a couple of Year 2s there too — the real tough types. There’s all kinds of clubs, man!"
Adrian’s interest stirred, though he didn’t turn. "What kind of clubs?" he asked in a low muffled voice.
Karl’s grin widened and his eyes lighted up. "Oh, you na it! There’s a Duelist Club — swords, spells, you na it. I jumped in, fought a few guys. Won so, lost so, but it was a blast! Then there’s the Artificer’s Guild, for forgemasters, tinkering with enchantnts.
Even a Lorekeeper’s Society, digging into old texts and secrets. I made a few gold coins betting on duels, too. Cleaned up against a cocky Year 1 Mage who thought he had ."
He laughed, kicking off his boots. "You’d eat ’em alive in the Artificers. They’re always looking for rune nerds."
Adrian let out a soft "Hmm". The Duelist Club sounded tempting — real combat could test the Power Suit but the headache dulled his enthusiasm, though, and he stayed still, letting Karl ramble.
"You should check it out," Karl said, leaning forward. "I bet you’d find sothing that suits you. The clubs are open to Year 1s, but you gotta prove yourself. The Year 2s don’t ss around, but they respect skill.
Saw a guy in the Artificer’s Guild crafting a dagger that shot lightning — lightning!" He paused, then added, "They’ve got tournants, too. Gold and gear for winners. You in?"
Adrian exhaled, the idea sparking interest but not enough to override his exhaustion.
"Sounds interesting. But I’ll pass for now."
Karl shrugged, unfazed by Adrian’s reluctance. "Fair enough. If you change your mind, the club center’s always there. Might see you crushing it in the Artificer’s Guild soday!"
He chuckled, pulling out a small pouch of coins and counting them with a satisfied grin.
Adrian, anwhile ignored him and allowed himself to embrace sleep.
By the ti the dinner bell rang at around 6:00 PM, its deep chi cutting through the evening air, Adrian pushed himself up, his stomach growling insistently.
"Let’s go," he muttered, nodding to Karl, who leapt up with enthusiasm. They left the dormitory together, the courtyard alive with students heading to the dining hall.
As they walked, Adrian pulled out a scrap of paper and began sketching a titable, estimating the day’s structure based on the bells.
Breakfast at 7:00 AM, followed by Combat Training from 7:30 AM to noon. Lunch stretched to 1:00 PM, then two Electives each for two hours, wrapping up by 5:00 PM.
He sighed as he imagined himself going through the morning drills again tomorrow.
’I just can’t imagine feeling that way agaun,’ he thought silently, hoping for a different start. Closing his eyes briefly, he let the cool evening air ease his fatigue as they neared the hall.
’I’ll just have to brace through it.’
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