"Who does this idiot think she is!" one student yelled out

"She's in her second year and doesn't even know a single spell!" Complained another

"A path with more than two schools is unheard of!" Yet another voiced their concern,

Their complaining is cut short by the sound of the bell, signaling to the students to change classes. I continued through my classes, but nothing crucial to plan happened. The next step to the plan would happen at lunch.

As I walked into the cafeteria I immediately spotted who I was looking for. Without bothering to grab a plate I walked immediately to Colette. Her table was currently empty, but it was clear she was waiting for the rest of her friends to arrive. As I sat down she scowled. I smiled.

"I know you are a very busy girl, so I will make this quick," I say

"Good,"

"I would like to borrow your Tier 1 conjuration spellbook," I paused, "For one day," I then added,

"I don't support your decision." She thought for a moment, "100 credits for the day,"

I frown, "I have no credits. I know you are Tier 4, you have no need for the book."

She smiled, "Girl needs to make money somehow,"

I sighed and stood up, "Thank you for the help," I walked away.

I smirked as I walked away. Everything went just as planned. There are three hours left before classes end, but since I am not enrolled in any specific magic classes I don't have that restriction. I walk straight into our shared dorm and "borrow" her Tier 1 Conjuration book. Then it's straight to the library.

The book before me was a stunning piece, with ornate details and yellowed, slightly crinkled pages that hinted at its age. The blue cover was adorned with a red orb at its center, with a pentagram etched into it. As soon as I laid my eyes on the symbol, I knew it represented the School of Conjuration.

The book had an otherworldly quality, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe as I held it in my hands. The pages seemed to hum with ancient magic, and I couldn't wait to delve deeper into its contents. Despite its age, the book was well-preserved, with the binding holding together perfectly.

As I turned the pages, my gaze was drawn to the notes scribbled in the margins. Two distinct styles of handwriting had been etched into the pages, suggesting that two different people had shared the book. My curiosity was piqued when I stumbled upon a page titled "Mineralized Warrior," where a note caught my eye: "Easy spell for beginners. Quite powerful as well." The handwriting was sloppy and rushed, and it didn't match Colette's meticulous script.

Excitement coursed through my veins as I committed the rune formations and incantations to memory. In this world, magic could be cast through drawn rune formations or spoken incantations. While incantations were considered more powerful, I was determined to master both techniques. The potential for power and influence was too great to ignore.

After memorizing the spell, I set out to test it. I muttered the incantation under my breath, and a pile of rocks began to take shape, forming a human-like figure. But as I completed the spell, I couldn't help but feel disappointed. The book had promised a soldier that would stand at least five feet tall, yet the creature before me barely reached my knees.

My frustration was short-lived, however, as I heard Colette's voice echoing through the library. She was yelling my name, demanding to know what I had done with her precious book. I knew it was pointless to run, so I stayed put, determined to uncover why the spell hadn't worked as intended.

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Colette soon appeared, and her eyes widened in surprise as she took in the tiny stone creature at my feet. She kicked it lightly, causing it to crumble into pieces. "Is that the best you can do?" she scoffed, "I mastered that spell in an hour." An obvious lie based on her body language, but I chose to ignore it.

"Let's make a bet," I said, laying the bait, "In the next 24 hours, I will become a Tier 1 mage. If I fail, I owe you 10,000 Credits, to be paid in any way you see fit."

Colette laughed. "That's impossible," she said, shaking her head. "It took me a week to become a Tier 1." Still lying.

"Humor me," I said, feeling a spark of defiance. "And what if I win?"

Colette shrugged. "You won't," she said confidently. "But if you do, I'll give you the book and 1000 Credits."

She fell for my trap hook line and sinker, and now all that was left was my part. As soon as she left I got straight back to work learning spells. The next spell I focused on was Conjure Small Object. The note on this page simply said, "Useful spell, good for getting free credits. The item disappears when you stop supplying mana so be fast," That was from the disorganized writing. Right underneath that was another set, this time it was likely to be Colette's: "Don't do that,"

After learning that spell, which was once again weaker than advertised, I learned one more before taking a short break. The Mist Clone spell was also weaker, but I decided not to focus on it. I used this break to check my stats.

HP

5/5

Level 2

EXP

15/100

Mana

10/18

Strength

2

Intelligence

18

Agility

6

I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement as I saw the changes in my stats. With renewed determination, I quickly moved on to the next quest. "Become Tier 1 - Time Limit: 24 Hours(16 Remaining) - Reward: One Additional Skill." I knew I had to act fast to reap the rewards. Without wasting a second, I delved into learning the final two spells that would help me ascend to the next tier.

The first spell I practiced was a fascinating one - a Conjuration and Evocation spell that conjured a ball of solid light. However, it was still too weak for my liking, and I decided to seek help later. Moving on, I focused on the final spell - Conjure Messenger. The spell was relatively easy to learn, and it summoned a small bird that could deliver short messages.

As I cast the spell, I felt a rush of energy course through my body, and my brown shirt turned into a vibrant lime green. It was a sign that I had achieved my goal. Turning to the bird perched on my hand, I commanded it, "Tell Colette that I would like my credits now." The bird gave a weak nod before hopping off in the direction of my dorm room.

With my spells mastered, I decided to check out the new skills I had acquired. The first was "Precision Strikes," but its description remained locked until I could use it. Moving on, I was surprised to discover the second skill, "Mind Sanctum." Its description was intriguing: "Create a mental sanctuary that exists only in your mind, where you can store and retrieve information at will. Time moves slower inside the Mind Sanctum at a ratio of 3:1, giving you more time to study and learn. You can also bring books, notes, and other materials from the real world into the Mind Sanctum, allowing you to access them even when you are physically separated from them."

I couldn't wait to try out this fascinating new skill, but as I prepared to delve into the inner workings of my mind, my stomach growled, reminding me of my physical needs. Realizing that I needed a break, I decided to head to the cafeteria to grab some food. But as I walked down the corridor, my mind couldn't help but wander, thinking of the endless possibilities that the Mind Sanctum held.