[Strength]
[Psyche]
[Mana Affinity]
[Mana Affinity]
[Ordinary Magical Sword]
John strolled through the botanical garden. Tiny bubbles, more blue ones than usual, danced in the air. "A good harvest," he muttered, kicking at a pebble. "It's a pity that I can't pick any crystals." His mind drifted to his crippling debt of a thousand mana crystals.
While he had a stockpile of swords and elixirs, selling a large quantity would raise suspicion; It's hard to explain where he got them. "If only I could collect high-quality elixirs," he mused, "that would solve everything." Unfortunately, he hadn't seen any so far.
"I'm down to a hundred and sixty-eight crystals. Even after selling some swords and elixirs, I'll barely scrape together two hundred." His mind raced with the grim calculation. "Eight hundred to go...looks like I have to take on some Order missions."
The midday sun beat down as he stood before the Law Enforcement Hall's mission board. Suddenly, a familiar voice boomed behind him, "Well, well, well, if it isn't John Riversong! Been hiding out in the garden, have you?"
John turned to find Redmond Sunbask, his old roommate from their apprentice days, a wide grin spread across his face. Two other disciples flanked him, their eyes appraising.
"Redmond, good to see you," John replied, mustering a polite smile.
"Whoa, hold up! You're Wave Weaver now? Since when?" Redmond exclaimed, approaching with surprise. The two figures beside him mirrored his shock. A young Wave Weaver - that was impressive!
John chuckled. "Just a bit of luck," he said, though internally he grimaced. The transparency of levels in their world made hiding progress difficult.
"I need to find a technique to mask my true level soon," John thought to himself, his mind racing. But his immediate focus remained on his debt. He had to find a way to earn those one thousand mana crystals.
Swallowing his pride, John knew he had to settle his debt with the Citadel of Siren Delight. Failure could lead to a disaster orchestrated by the Citadel. Cliff of Broken Love wouldn't be able to fully protect him. John couldn't fathom why the Citadel would go to such lengths for a traitor like Nevaeh. Yet, her words echoed in his mind - that someone coveted her body. But was unfulfilled sexual desire truly a motive worth such relentless pursuit? The memory of the woman in red ignited within him - the intoxicating scent, the silken touch of her skin, the heat of their entwined bodies.
Redmond clapped a hand on John's shoulder, brought him back to reality. "Hey everyone, meet John, my old bunkmate. We go way back."
A kind smile spread across Craig Clement's face, the man beside Redmond. "Rare to find two such promising disciples under one roof," he remarked. "Craig Clement, at your service. And this is Disciple Moon Wright."
John bowed respectfully. "Pleasure to meet you both."
Craig and Moon beamed, eager to befriend a rising star. "So, which Hall are you with?" Moon inquired.
"Cliff of Broken Love," John replied
Their smiles dimmed. "Ah, Cliff of Broken Love..." Craig repeated, a note of hesitation in his voice. He drew a careful breath. "Disciple John, would you happen to know who was responsible for... the incident with Nevaeh of Citadel of Siren Delight?"
Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.
John was thrown off by the sudden question. But he quickly replied, "It was me."
The news hit them like a lightning bolt. Even Redmond took a step back. After a few uncomfortable moments, Craig steered Moon and Redmond away.
John watched them go, a bitter taste in his mouth. He didn't care that much of their friendship. Most relationships here were transactional, built on a foundation of self-interest and ambition. To certain extent, he understood their reaction. Citadel of Siren Delight surely was not to be trifled with.
Still, a knot tightened in his stomach, a burning anger rising within him. He had eliminated a traitor, yet now he was the one being cast out? The injustice of it all stung, a cold reminder of the harsh realities of the Order of Forbidden Harmony.
In a secluded corner, Craig Clement leaned closer to Redmond Sunbask, curiosity etched on his face. "Redmond, you know John well. What's his talent like? "
Redmond pondered for a moment, "Above average, I'd say." He finally replied.
Moon Wright's eyebrows shot up. "Above average? How old is he?"
"Nineteen," Redmond answered honestly, "two years younger than me."
Craig's true interest surfaced. "Above average talent at nineteen... how did he become a Wave Weaver?" He asked.
Redmond's brow furrowed. "He had a lucky encounter, a huge boost to his magic training. I suspect his breakthrough to Wave Weaver is related to that as well." He eyed Craig and Moon cautiously. "Do you two think something's off?"
Craig and Moon exchanged a knowing look, a silent confirmation passing between them.
"Redmond," Craig said quietly, "maybe it's best to keep your distance with John. Cliff of Broken Love isn't exactly rushing to defend him. His advancement was likely a fluke, making his future uncertain... not exactly someone worth investing in."
"And offending Citadel of Siren Delight is a risky move. I heard Archmage Extasie wanted him dead. I'm not sure how he survived, but even if things are quiet now, trouble might be brewing. Don't get too close, Redmond. It could reflect poorly on your master."
Craig admitted he was initially drawn to John's potential. Despite knowing about the Siren Delight Citadel issue, a part of him held onto hope. After all, a young Wave Weaver was often a sign of true genius, and genius could overcome obstacles. But learning about John's supposed "lucky encounter" shattered his hope, replaced by a hint of disdain. "Who couldn't reach realm of Wave Weaver these days?" he scoffed internally.
---
John scoured the mission board, his brow furrowed. The high-paying tasks either required venturing outside the Order or boasted stringent requirements. With his current abilities, he was limited to smaller jobs.
A glimmer of hope emerged - alchemy, forging, and crafting talismans seemed lucrative. Unfortunately, John lacked any knowledge in those areas.
The thought of learning a new skill flickered across John's mind. However, he quickly dismissed all three options. Not only were they difficult to master, but access to essential recipes and techniques was scarce.
John then considered scroll weaving. Seemed simple to start, with methods readily available for purchase inside the Order.
"I'll buy some materials and instructions, experiment back in my room," he decided.
With a plan in mind, John opted to take on a smaller task to earn some much-needed mana crystals. Many a little makes a mickle. This was his only option for now. Though a thousand crystals seemed like a distant dream, he couldn't afford to waste time. He'd figure out the rest as he went along. Setting unrealistic goals would only lead to disappointment.
Finally, John found a suitable mission: tending to the Pristine Luna. Seven days of work for twenty mana crystals - a fair exchange given his experience in the botanical garden. Awarded by Moonsilver Lake, a prestigious Hall under the regent headmaster's direct control, this opportunity felt almost tailored for him.
John had never met the regent headmaster, nor any of the other high-ranking officials like coaching elders, protective elders, Hall masters, or pavilion masters. Even his own master, Archmage of the Cliff of Broken Love, was rarely seen. Perhaps that was the life of a disciple - distant from the higher echelons of the Order.
"First, materials and instructions for scroll weaving," John reminded himself. "Then, I'll head to Moonsilver Lake to check out the mission details."
A final thought lingered: "The Pristine Luna is said to be a holy medicine. I wonder if it could get me a purple bubble, I'm one to go for another magical power."