Arthur, Finn, and Leon left the lecture hall, walking through the academy corridors toward the administration office. The halls bustled with students, some 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 installments. 

While this sum was manageable for noble-born students, it was a hefty price for commoners, something that explained why there were so few of them at the academy. And even among them most were childrens of merchants 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 documents, 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.

“Name?” 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 parchment, checking their student files. He nodded and pulled out a small, rune-inscribed ledger. “Your tuition fees for the first six months come to 60 gold coins per student. You may make the payment now.”

Arthur reached into his dimensional pocket and retrieved the required sum, placing it on the counter. Finn and Leon did the same, though Finn winced slightly as he handed over the gold.

The clerk quickly verified their payments and stamped a small receipt with a glowing academy seal. “Your payments 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 enchantments, 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 dimensional pocket without thinking much of it. The moment 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 some noble’s lost heir or something?”

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 meal. The academy food was decent, but nothing beat the fresh, hearty meals found in a bustling city.

…

Brightwater’s market district was alive with activity. The streets were lined with vendors selling exotic fruits, craftsmen displaying enchanted weapons, and street performers showcasing their skills for passing crowds. The aroma of sizzling meat 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 meat and spices immediately greeted them. They found a table near the window, and Finn wasted no time 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 me 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 something 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 something he had been meaning 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 establishment lined with glass cases displaying weapons of various grades. Behind the counter stood a well-dressed merchant, an older man with a neatly trimmed mustache and shrewd eyes.

The merchant’s gaze flicked over Arthur’s attire. “Welcome, young sir. How can I assist you today?”

Arthur wasted no time. “How many mana stones do you have in stock?”

The merchant’s expression shifted slightly. “That depends on the grade you’re looking for.”

“All of them,” Arthur replied flatly.

The merchant blinked, as if he hadn’t heard correctly. “…All of them?”

Arthur nodded.

After a brief pause, the merchant 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 merchant recited.

Arthur didn’t hesitate. “I’ll take them all.”

Silence.

The merchant’s jaw nearly dropped, but he quickly regained his composure. “…Pardon?”

“You heard me,” 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 merchant blinked in astonishment. He hesitated for a moment, then swiftly ordered his assistants to gather the entire stock. As Arthur stored the mana stones into his dimensional pocket, the merchant couldn’t help but stare in disbelief.

“Sir… if I may ask… who exactly are you?”

Arthur simply smiled. “A rich customer.”

The merchant 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 time 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 merchant speculated and replied, “Could he be a prince from another kingdom? Or a hidden expert preparing for something big?”

Some vendors lamented, “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 method of acquiring mana stones wasn’t sustainable. And it could attract unscrupulous gazes towards him, he wasn’t afraid of them. But they could become 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 merchants 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 dimensional pocket.

With a steady breath, he activated his Energy Absorption ability. Instantly, the mana stones in his hands dimmed 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 something more potent.

Time 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 time night arrived, his mana core, once a simple gathering of energy, had become 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 time!” Finn’s voice called out.

Arthur stood up, stretching slightly before heading out.

..

The cafeteria was lively as students gathered for their evening meals. 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 some shopping.”

Leon gave him a knowing look. “Shopping or something else?”

Arthur didn’t reply, just continued eating. Finn, however, leaned forward eagerly. “Wait, wait! Did you buy something 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 some students looked over, and Finn shrank his neck seeing various gazes on him.

Leon rubbed his temples. “By ‘all of them,’ do you mean…”

“The entire stock in Brightwater market,” Arthur confirmed, 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 merchant district is probably talking about you. This could attract trouble for you.”

Arthur smirked. “Let them.”

Finn shook his head, grinning. “You really are something else.”

The conversation shifted to lighter topics as they finished their meals. Eventually, Finn stretched and yawned. “Alright, I’m turning in for the night. That meal hit me hard.”

Leon nodded. “Same 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 dimensional pocket. The smooth, black Obelisk appeared in his hand.

Holding it firmly, he used technopathy to connect with the artifact. With a mental command the symbols lit up.

A moment later, space itself seemed to twist. The air in front of him rippled before splitting open, revealing an interdimensional portal. 

Arthur stepped forward, vanishing into the portal as it closed behind him.

…

The air was hot and dry as Arthur emerged 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.

“Time to head back.”

With that, he took out the shuttle and made his way toward the mining station.

***

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