Chapter 28

The day started as any other.

I had a great training session with Lady Von’Graysing in the morning. As for my afternoon classes with Magister Carthwright, I was still doing my own independent studies.

Studies that I used to continue improving my Spatial magic affinity.

I often kept one eye on Rydel, which was Magister Carthwright’s instructions, constantly trying to mask and conceal my presence, until even the Magister himself couldn’t notice my intrusions.

Then I also learned to keep a second set of eyes on Marie.

In a way, I felt sorry for Marie.

Actually, bump that. I felt sorry for most of the attendants here.

I never quite noticed before, but all of the personal attendants for the various love interests were treated poorly.

Well maybe not poorly. It’s not like they were being whipped or suffering from corporal punishment. But it was clear that they were lesser beings.

Honestly it was sickening.

This is partly why I found myself drawn closer to Rydel than even his brother Daren, mainly due to the way Rydel didn’t actually have attendants. I’m guessing part of this not having an attendant is a direct result of not wanting your innermost secret being revealed.

After seeing the way all of the attendants were being treated, especially Marie, I made sure to get as many of the ‘save the world’ props as possible. I sold items to get her the sacred jade comb, a few more bags of chocolate, and the ultimate one, a tome of sacred poetry.

Yeah, the more I think about it, the more I am finally now understanding Marie’s intricate character. The reason she is so resolute on only having one true love is due to her being a romantic at heart.

I remember always getting the tome of poetry far later, but always considered it junk. Now I am fairly certain it was a hidden item meant for Marie.

As for the hidden items meant for me, I got most of them.

The best part is that they were mostly cheap and considered trash. Part of this was due to the supposed lack of knowledge of what the items really were.

While the main reason was that no one wanted to wasted hundreds of gold on an Attendee, someone who would leave the party and thus the game by midway through. That was why all of my items cost half a silver, while the other items for Marie also cost half a silver.

This meant that I got a well used metal rod, that I always thought of as a rusted screwdriver. The shop owner apparently thought the same thing, making the item particularly cheap.

That said, after mastering my Tier I training, I now knew the item for what it was, a screwdriver with a power cell attached.

No clue why I would need a power cell attached to my screw driver, but I could not help but notice that the screwdriver had a micro sized battery on its back. Fortunately, it was one of the easier models to fill, where I just trickled a beam of energy in and then hit one spot and got everything going at once.

Now I safely had the newest item of my inventory.

(Fully Charged) Expert Mechanist Utility Tool

Yes, this game was very descriptive. The name was provided to me, and I could see a slight blue bar while holding the tool, which denoted its fill rate.

Fortunately for me, I wanted to try using this tool on everything around here. Particularly as I no longer had to worry about finding a way to charge this device.

The other item that was me, or rather my character, specific was a sturdy leather belt.

For whatever reason this was the only belt type item that Karen could, or rather would equip. And other than adding a bit more buoyancy to her body and making her less likely to get back injuries after acquiring the belt, no one could understand why this belt called to her.

A few mean bloggers joked that the belt was likely the only one big enough to completely wrap around Karen and buckle at the front. I don’t believe that.

Personally, I don’t really see the purpose of this belt, at least I didn’t at first.

That said, the first time I touched the belt, I did feel a slight discharge of energy and an immediate link to the belt.

I’m sure there was more to the item, but for now I will have to wait and see. There are likely things I could do for or to the belt, maybe power attachments. I see a few empty slots, but they are just that, empty.

Actually, now that I have my Expert Mechanist Utility Tool, AKA an electrical screwdriver, I try placing the tool on the belt and, nope, nothing.

Yeah, just two different items that take up space on my body in different ways. The belt around my waist, while the screwdriver looking thing in my pocket.

In a way, I guess it is a good thing that I can split my attention between having my mind take in information from not one, but two different locations simultaneously. Both Rydel and Marie are being watched by me simultaneously, and I’m at the level of mastery where I can even think about other things like shopping items to pass the time.

If you asked me a week ago, I would have said that such a feat was impossible. Yet, this is part of why training under a master is so important.

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I’m pretty sure if I checked, I would note that I made it past the C-Rank threshold for both Intelligence and likely Spatial. Maybe a few other skills as well.

While I am tempted to see my progress, I am going to hold off for now. If I have succeeded, then seeing growth across the board would be a better pick me up than anything else. Whereas, if I thought I had made a breakthrough, but it didn’t register, then what? I’d still be here, still be feeling the effects of either having a breakthrough or being close to one.

No, for now, I’m just going to keep going forward as planned.

At this rate, I will easily make my marks for graduation, and then be able to explore the world. Better still, I will be able to explore the world without fear of needing to raise my country. Of forging alliances, of gathering rare resources, or any of the other countless minutia that would bog down the royalty route of this world.

In a way, I have been blessed, being able to get all the specialized training for both legendary masters. Being able to mirror not one set, but two sets of exceptional masters. Then I can explore the world as a wandering powerhouse.

A mythical warrior whose very presence would spark fear in the opposing forces. That is what this world is ultimately about, world domination.

After this, I could participate in battles as a highly accomplished warrior mage adventurer. The more of a name I then make for myself, the more my time and efforts would be purchased for. There would also be the ability to make money as a supplier and transporter of troops.

As a legendary Spatial mage, I could make an entire living by transporting goods or resources as needed. This idea played deeper into the idea of traveling, for I could only go as far as I have previously traveled.

Though I do think that I could theoretically cheat, by getting the Ancient fast travel network up and operational first, then pop out from the base, find a nearby safe spot to land troops, or gain supplies. Then I would of course head back.

That is my goal.

Bring to life the Ancient’s infrastructure, have potentially hundreds of little safe houses around the world, and then live the good life exploring.

I don’t know what it is about this world that is so amazing. Maybe it is the way the world still looks fresh and vibrant, thanks to magic, or the way everything feels just that much crisper, that much clearer. But this world is still just as amazing and immersive as I had expected it to be, and more.

Of course, just I was imagining how I was going to be able to avoid all the drama that the MC, that is Main Claudia, would have to deal with, that is when the trumpets of change bellowed.

Literally bellowed in this case.

Hidden Trumpets Blare.

Startle.

I’m not going to lie, when the walls of this institution came to life and began chanting the same sounds associated with finding the first Ancient temple, I jumped.

The sad part was, only now did I realize that I missed the sound when I first entered the Ancient’s temples. Though, having played the game for so many times, my mind instantly made the association, before I could fully comprehend what was happening.

To say that I was the only person confused by the sudden sound would be an understatement.

Marie and Claudia both looked up startled at each other.

Magister Carthwright had a momentary daze fill his mind, as he first had a distant look. Then turning to Rydel he noted, “classes are cancelled, head back to your room.”

“Right,” Rydel replied.

With that acknowledgement, Magister Carthwright nodded to himself, before turning to one of my pinhole sized viewing holes, before speaking.

“Go back to your room,” Magister Carthwright stated a grave tone filling his words.

At that I nodded.

Apparently, that was enough, as Magister Carthwright who looked more flustered than I had ever seen him took that as good enough and then cast his own Perfect Teleportation.

Just seeing his spell work made me angry, the way he could do such a complex spell working so simply. I would get there, in fact I had done just that very spell the same way he had countless times. The only problem was that I still needed to build up my mana reserves and mental ability to allow my body to switch between planes like that.

I cancel my vision spells, and am about to leave, when I realize something.

While I did agree to go back to my room, I never stated that I wouldn’t follow the Magister to see what caused such a commotion.

That was the only excuse for why he would leave in such a hurry.

The logic also made sense, as the head of the school, it would be his priority to safeguard the school and its students, thereby checking out the entity capable of setting off the warning alarm system.

Also, when did that become a thing? I don’t think I’ve ever heard that before? Is this part of the new content? If so, it is fairly incongruous, but I guess the creators had to add something to make the world more immersive this time around.

I am walking home, or back to my dorm room when I realize I can split my focus. Also, this is likely perfect training time, using Far Viewing, while walking and trying to remain cognizant of my surroundings is important right?

That is why I focus on Magister Carthwright and cast Perfect Far Viewing.

Instantly, I feel a part of my consciousness reach out to the now familiar professor. A professor who normally swats away such attempts to spy on him easily. The fact that he hasn’t no doubt means that either he wants me to see this. Or what is more likely the case, he is too focused on what is ahead of him to notice that I am now piggybacking off of his own position in space.

“Hello, Grand Master?” Magister Carthwright’s voice asks.

There is a clear note of confusion and forced reverence in his voice as he talks to the person that seemed totally incongruous with the surrounding area.

There before the old Magister, was the ultimate Ancient himself.

There standing under the city’s archway was none other than the mysterious master who only appeared at random times during Claudia’s adventures. Even then, I never saw him go outside of his own mountain. At that time he wore loose clothing, that made him look like he was about to do stretch yoga. Now though, now he looked refined.

He was wearing a pristine uniform that clearly came from the Ancient facilities. It was clear that he had unlocked advanced features that allowed him to embroider images and extra details into his clothing. He also got to wear the pristine white of a grand master.

Seeing him, it was clear that not only had he been to the Ancient facilities just as I had, but he proudly wore his clothing of the Ancients.

I would have to ask him for hints at this rate, as he managed to push those machines farther and harder than I could. Though now that I’ve seen what they are capable of, I feel I could do more if I truly tried.

It was rumored that he was gravely injured, that if one looked closely, they could see the remnants of scarred skin on their left arm. While I had noticed that key detail while playing, right now it appeared that this was not the case.

Also, it was clear that when I saw him later on, he would be wearing the red underclothing. Which would add to the idea of him being injured. A master like him, only going out in the bare minimum of clothing would be scandalous and likely something that would only be done if he was nursing an injury.

Did that mean this was a time before he got injured? If so, what could injure an ancient master like him?

Probably a dragon, or something.

The old master just smiled coyly to himself, before bowing in recognition of the person coming to greet him, “close enough.”

Watching the interaction, I could still see the glowing marks on his left hand, burning brightly. There just as I remembered were the three circles that all connected to a triangle at the top of the hand, pointing towards the knuckles. Though this time, with the symbol actually glowing for some odd reason, I saw something else that I had missed. That or maybe it wasn’t as prominent in the first game, but on his hand were the three open circles, followed by three tiny completed circles that linked each ring together, with the third and final complete circle linking both the final loop, and the triangle together.

Seeing the full symbol, I pause and look down at my own hand.

Then I notice the same.

Well not exactly the same, as I still only have the one open loop. But connecting that loop and triangle together is now one completely filled circle.

It’s small and compact, so I could have missed it, but I’m pretty sure I would have noticed that minor detail.

Which, makes me wonder when exactly I got the marker. However, before I can get too lost in my own thoughts, Magister Carthwright continues interacting with the odd hermit.

“To what do we owe the presence of such an accomplished master as yourself?”

“I am searching for a fellow Master Caster.” The old guru stated.

Gasps.

With that a number of people gasped.

“By any chance, do you mean me?” Magister Carthwright asked, clear confusion in his words.

The old guru just gave a quick scan of the area. His bright silver eyes blazing with intensity as he seemed to take in the whole world around him. Then turning back to the Magister, he looked like he was about to say something.

Then staring at the Magister he paused.

Then cocking his head to the side, he seemed to notice something.

Seeing his look and the way his eyes directly linked to my vision, I felt a slight chill run down my spine.

“It seems I have found her,” the old guru stated.

“What?” Magister Carthwright asked, but then he too seemed to look up and glance at my tracking spell.

Tingle.

While I couldn’t feel the old Guru’s intrusion, noticing when the Magister found my spell was easy to notice. Comparing the two would be like comparing a master to a novice.

It was clear that for however powerful the Magister himself was, this Guru was leagues above him.

“Forgive my rudeness. Please allow me to introduce myself,” the old Guru began. “I am Grand Master Sage Rikt, last of the Void Defenders, and I have been looking for you for a very long time.”

Chills.

Hearing the words of the old Guru, and seeing it play out in such a way. Particularly from this vantage point, I instantly knew this for what it had to be.

A hidden cut-scene.

Realizing this moment for what it was, I couldn’t help but feel strangely excited. As I knew that this old guru was talking to me.

“Hello Grand Master Sage Rikt, I Magister Carthwright, greet you on behalf of the Academy and all of its staff.” Magister Carthwright began, his words seeming to be confused, but he quickly seemed to gain some bearing over the situation at hand.

“You fool, I’m not talking to you. I’m talking to the very master that you even noticed, finally.” The old Guru stated.

“Yes, about that. She means no harm, in fact, she was just about to leave.” The Magister stated.

Hearing the words for what they were, a commandment to cancel my spell and leave the area, I acquiesce.

Or at least I try to.

Just as I begin to cancel my connection to my spell, I feel an unimaginable force reach out and grab my spell.

“Not so fast,” the Old Guru stated, as he all but forced my spell to not only maintain its consistency, but to also expand.

And like that, I knew my curiosity would likely force a restart.