Arthur, Finn, and Leon left the lecture hall, walking through the academy corridors toward the administration office. The halls bustled with students, so still chatting about the unexpected free day, while others looked eager to explore the academy grounds.
Arthur had heard from Finn that Velcrest Academy’s yearly tuition was one platinum and twenty gold coins a year, but students had the option to pay in six-month installnts.
While this sum was manageable for noble-born students, it was a hefty price for commoners, sothing that explained why there were so few of them at the academy. And even among them most were childrens of rchants or had a mage in their family.
The administration office was a large, well-maintained building near the main courtyard. Inside, clerks sat behind enchanted wooden counters, processing docunts, answering inquiries, and handling financial matters.
Arthur, Finn, and Leon stepped up to a counter where a middle-aged man with neatly combed gray hair and round spectacles greeted them.
"Na?" the man asked, barely looking up from his records.
"Arthur," he responded simply.
"Finn."
"Leonardo."
The clerk’s fingers moved deftly across a floating mana-infused parchnt, checking their student files. He nodded and pulled out a small, rune-inscribed ledger. "Your tuition fees for the first six months co to 60 gold coins per student. You may make the paynt now."
Arthur reached into his dinsional pocket and retrieved the required sum, placing it on the counter. Finn and Leon did the sa, though Finn winced slightly as he handed over the gold.
The clerk quickly verified their paynts and stamped a small receipt with a glowing academy seal. "Your paynts have been recorded. Now, proceed to the uniform collection area."
They exited the office and made their way to a nearby building where academy-issued gear was distributed. A young woman in an academy uniform, likely a senior student, handed them each two sets of academy uniforms and two sets of training suits. The fabric was imbued with size-adjusting enchantnts, allowing them to fit perfectly regardless of body shape.
Finn examined the material and whistled. "Not bad. Feels sturdy too."
Leon nodded. "Enchanted uniforms are expensive. The academy spares no expense."
Arthur placed his uniforms inside his dinsional pocket without thinking much of it. The mont the clothes vanished, Finn’s eyes widened in shock.
"Whoa… wait a minute! You have a storage device?!"
Arthur glanced at him and nodded. "Yeah."
Finn's jaw dropped. "Do you have any idea how expensive those things are? Even the smallest ones cost a fortune! Are you secretly so noble’s lost heir or sothing?"
Arthur smirked slightly. "Nope. Just rich."
Finn shook his head in disbelief while Leon chuckled. "Well, that explains how you paid your fees without flinching."
Once they had everything they needed, the trio decided to head into Brightwater City for a proper al. The academy food was decent, but nothing beat the fresh, hearty als found in a bustling city.
…
Brightwater’s market district was alive with activity. The streets were lined with vendors selling exotic fruits, craftsn displaying enchanted weapons, and street perforrs showcasing their skills for passing crowds. The aroma of sizzling at and freshly baked bread filled the air, making Finn’s stomach growl audibly.
“Alright, I’m starving. Let’s find a good place to eat,” Finn groaned.
Arthur led them into a well-established tavern-style restaurant, where the scent of roasted at and spices imdiately greeted them. They found a table near the window, and Finn wasted no ti ordering a feast: roasted lamb, buttered potatoes, grilled fish, and fresh bread.
Arthur chuckled and let him indulge, casually covering the bill before Finn could protest.
“Hey, hey! At least let pitch in,” Finn said, looking guilty as he watched Arthur pay effortlessly.
“Don’t worry about it,” Arthur replied. “I don’t mind.”
Leon smirked. “Well, if you insist. Can’t say no to free food.”
After eating their fill, they stepped back onto the busy streets.
Finn stretched, satisfied. “Alright, I’m heading back to the dorms. What about you?”
“I’ll stay in the city for a while,” Arthur said. “Got sothing to take care of.”
Leon raised a brow but didn’t pry. “Alright. See you back at the academy.”
With that, the two left, while Arthur turned his attention toward sothing he had been aning to do, buying mana stones.
…
Arthur walked through Brightwater’s high-end trading district, scanning for shops that dealt in mana-related goods. Soon, he found a luxurious looking store with golden accents on its signboard, indicating high-value transactions.
Stepping inside, he found himself in a well-lit establishnt lined with glass cases displaying weapons of various grades. Behind the counter stood a well-dressed rchant, an older man with a neatly trimd mustache and shrewd eyes.
The rchant’s gaze flicked over Arthur’s attire. "Welco, young sir. How can I assist you today?"
Arthur wasted no ti. "How many mana stones do you have in stock?"
The rchant’s expression shifted slightly. "That depends on the grade you’re looking for."
"All of them," Arthur replied flatly.
The rchant blinked, as if he hadn’t heard correctly. "...All of them?"
Arthur nodded.
After a brief pause, the rchant cleared his throat and listed his stock. "I currently have 7,500 low-grade, 670 mid-grade, and 15 high-grade mana stones."
Arthur considered the numbers and asked, "What are your prices?"
"Low-grade are sold at 10 silver per stone. Mid-grade, 10 gold per stone. And High-grade at 10 platinum per stone," the rchant recited.
Arthur didn’t hesitate. "I’ll take them all."
Silence.
The rchant’s jaw nearly dropped, but he quickly regained his composure. "...Pardon?"
"You heard ," Arthur said, retrieving a pouch filled with platinum coins and setting it down.
Mana stones are precious, especially High grade mana stones, generally only 7th circle mages or above use them, not only because of their cost but the mages below 7th Circle weren't able to absorb mana from high grade mana stones. And if one forcefully tries to absorb mana from them it could cause backlash.
The rchant blinked in astonishnt. He hesitated for a mont, then swiftly ordered his assistants to gather the entire stock. As Arthur stored the mana stones into his dinsional pocket, the rchant couldn’t help but stare in disbelief.
"Sir… if I may ask… who exactly are you?"
Arthur simply smiled. "A rich custor."
The rchant could only nod as Arthur left.
…
Arthur didn’t stop there. He scoured other shops and street vendors, buying every mana stone he could find. By the ti evening rolled around, he had acquired 27,500 low-grade mana stones, 2,940 mid-grade mana stones and 57 high-grade mana stones
The entire market district was in shock.
One blacksmith murmured, “Who in their right mind buys up all the mana stones in one day?!”
A noble rchant speculated and replied, “Could he be a prince from another kingdom? Or a hidden expert preparing for sothing big?”
So vendors lanted, “Damn! If I knew, I’d have stocked more.”
Arthur ignored the rumors and made his way back toward the academy. However, he realized this thod of acquiring mana stones wasn’t sustainable. And it could attract unscrupulous gazes towards him, he wasn’t afraid of them. But they could beco a nuisance.
He contacted the Guardian AI through their neural link. "Hey Guardian, start scanning for unoccupied mana stone mines across Thyrandel."
The Guardian AI responded, [Acknowledged. Updating probe data...]
Arthur smirked to himself. Soon, he wouldn’t have to rely on rchants to supply him with mana stones. He would simply own the source.
With that thought, he returned to the academy, preparing for the days ahead.
…
Arthur returned to his dorm room, locking the door behind him. He sat on the bed, crossing his legs as he retrieved a handful of low and mid grade mana stones from his dinsional pocket.
With a steady breath, he activated his Energy Absorption ability. Instantly, the mana stones in his hands dimd as their energy surged into his body. The mana flowed through his body, converging at his core in a swirling vortex of raw power. He could feel his mana core growing denser with each passing second, the energy refining itself into sothing more potent.
Ti blurred as he absorbed stone after stone, the cycle repeating over and over. His body adapted swiftly, greedily drinking in the energy without resistance.
By the ti night arrived, his mana core, once a simple gathering of energy, had beco more compact, more refined. He was making rapid progress, he thought at this rate, in just a week, he could break into the 1st Circle Mage realm.
Arthur opened his eyes, exhaling slowly. A faint blue mist lingered around him before dissipating. ‘Not bad.’
A knock at his door broke his focus.
“Arthur! Dinner ti!” Finn’s voice called out.
Arthur stood up, stretching slightly before heading out.
..
The cafeteria was lively as students gathered for their evening als. Arthur, Finn, and Leon found a table near the back, away from the louder crowds. Their plates were filled with roasted chicken, seasoned vegetables, and thick slices of buttered bread.
Finn took a huge bite and sighed contentedly. “Man, I swear, food always tastes better when you’re hungry.”
Leon raised a brow. “Where do you stuff so much food in that skinny body of yours.”
Finn scoffed. “Listen, life is short. If I die tomorrow, at least I’ll have lived with a full stomach.”
Arthur smiled, cutting into his chicken. “Your logic is… questionable, but I won’t argue.”
Leon chuckled, then turned to Arthur. “You were out late. What were you up to?”
Arthur shrugged. “Just so shopping.”
Leon gave him a knowing look. “Shopping or sothing else?”
Arthur didn’t reply, just continued eating. Finn, however, leaned forward eagerly. “Wait, wait! Did you buy sothing insane again?”
Arthur took a sip of water before answering. “Mana stones.”
Leon continued eating and asked. “How many?”
Arthur didn’t even blink. “All of them.”
Finn choked on his food. “WHAT?!”
Hearing his shout so students looked over, and Finn shrank his neck seeing various gazes on him.
Leon rubbed his temples. “By ‘all of them,’ do you an…”
“The entire stock in Brightwater market,” Arthur confird, his tone casual.
Both Finn and Leon just stared at him, stunned.
“…Dude,” Finn muttered, “I don’t know if I should be impressed or concerned.”
Leon sighed. “You’re going to start rumors at this rate. No…scratch that, you already did. The entire rchant district is probably talking about you. This could attract trouble for you.”
Arthur smirked. “Let them.”
Finn shook his head, grinning. “You really are sothing else.”
The conversation shifted to lighter topics as they finished their als. Eventually, Finn stretched and yawned. “Alright, I’m turning in for the night. That al hit hard.”
Leon nodded. “Sa here.”
Arthur stood up as well. “I’ll head back too.”
They left the cafeteria and parted ways for the night.
…
Back in his dorm, Arthur sat on his bed, reaching into his dinsional pocket. The smooth, black Obelisk appeared in his hand.
Holding it firmly, he used technopathy to connect with the artifact. With a ntal command the symbols lit up.
A mont later, space itself seed to twist. The air in front of him rippled before splitting open, revealing an interdinsional portal.
Arthur stepped forward, vanishing into the portal as it closed behind him.
…
The air was hot and dry as Arthur erged on Trakuun-5. As he exited the cave the sky overhead was a swirling mixture of dark clouds and distant celestial lights. It was approaching evening as only a few hours had passed since he left for Thyrandel. He spent less than a week there and less than five hours have passed here.
Arthur exhaled, feeling the weight of the different gravity settle in.
“Ti to head back.”
With that, he took out the shuttle and made his way toward the mining station.
***
Free patreon mbers gets to read 2 chapters ahead!
You can join my discord channel to discuss my novel and find artwork of this novel!!
.gg/PmkQsrAdMY
User Comments
0 comments from readers