Chapter 611 - Even more questions (Patreon)

“So, the 1st reset happened on the 11th day. The 2nd reset happened on the 15th day. Does this mean the length of the…”

“Loops!” Dennis interrupts Tess.

She looks at him and then shrugs, “…length of the loops is either increasing or it is random, possibly triggered by an event we don’t know about. The important question is if the Ruler Candidate is in the loops with us. If yes, another question is how they would react to that – would they try to kill us, contact us? If they are here as well, it’s highly possible they already realized we are “looping” as well, possibly even during our 1st loop.”

Sophie joins in, “But we have to protect the Candidate. Doesn’t that imply that they are in the loop as well and realizing it? Or will we keep getting looped until we protect the candidate? And what do we need to protect them from?”

"Assassins?" Dennis draws attention to himself again. "Maybe they are after the candidate? So the candidate is hiding?"

(Food?!)

“No, he didn’t mean hiding the food,” I answer Biscuit.

“Unfortunately, our shards reset as well,” Min-Jae says from the side, “otherwise it would be possible for Nat to find the best materials, sell an item, then in the next loop find the same materials and sell the same item again, but quicker. But with shards resetting, it doesn’t make sense.”

“Shame, isn’t it?” I complain.

Tess chimes in, “We cannot be too greedy. We don’t know if there will be a third reset or, if yes, how many there will be, so… just be careful. All of you. I know some of you, Nat, probably want to do risky things, but do not push it until we find out more.”

"Did you just mistakenly mention my name, Tess?"

“Did I?”

“Anyway, you already have all the info I collected outside, so I’m going to get insulted by that douche Elian.”

With that, I leave, and the others follow soon after. It might be me, but some of them seem way too excited.

***

After hearing the same words again from Elian and watching servants carry my things to the office, I sit there, putting my legs up on the two boxes.

Looking at them, I wonder if I should try to secure them more or wait for the thief. Or possibly ignore them entirely. Maybe I could sell them for information, because it looks like knowledge is the most valuable thing we can get from here. Of course, with all of this, we cannot forget the Ruler Candidate, whoever it might be.

From the table, I pick up a piece of paper and start writing down somewhat important events that I know will happen.

day 1 - Professor Elian dissing me

day 2 - free day, meeting Maya, Tess, twins, while others are busy - if we decide to follow the 1st loop´s schedule

day 3 - 1st lesson with Elian - getting “punished”, Meeting Lily and other healers during her picnic, if I walk around again and if she goes on a picnic again

day 4 - Ari, Kays lesson 1 on basics, thermonuclear warhead stolen, meeting the Vice Director if I follow the schedule

day 5 - 2nd Lesson with Elian - mana releasing stuff, meeting Tyven and Ari, if I eat at the same place

day 6 - Min-Jae mentioning meeting Tyven in the library - possibly going as well if I want to check that guy

day 7 - selari Champion visiting and having a talk, 3rd lesson with Elian - a bunch of students trying to disrupt my orbs

day 8 - Transfer student in Izzy’s class, getting salary - 8 obsidian drachen

day 9 - Meeting the primordial energy demon Professor, if I follow the schedule, selari Champion found dead in the Academy

day 10 - sensory deprivation tank - Ari, Keys lesson 2

day 11 - train or airship trip

Of course, that is not all. I also did some other things for fun, like exploring the facilities around the Academy. But these are what I feel are the most important. The important question is how much I should follow this. The question is what I could do to abuse this mechanism again.

Of course, I have a good idea.

You have used an active skill combination token. Please pick two or three from the following ones you would like to combine.

Warning! Combining three skills will reduce the level of the acquired skill.

Warning! A combination of not-compatible skills can result in worse skills.

Warning! After combining the skills, it will become extremely difficult to acquire the skills used for the combination.

Please select the main skill of the combination and two supportive skills.

List of available skills to combine:

Perception - Lvl 62

Mana Domain (Pride) - Lvl 61

Mana Crown -Lvl 55

Mana Manipulation - Lvl 67

Ley Line - Lvl 54

Knitting - Lvl 37

“[Knitting] as the main one, and [Mana Manipulation] and [Mana Domain] as supportive ones.

Congratulations, you have successfully combined [Knitting], [Mana Domain], and [Mana Manipulation]! A new skill has been created.

You have acquired [Framework]

[Framework - lvl 0 > Framework - lvl 8]

Okay, next step.

I create a mana orb, concentrate on it and-

Congratulations, you have acquired a new skill!

[Mana Manipulation]

[Mana Manipulation - lvl 0 > Mana Manipulation - lvl 61]

Suck it, system. I will never get tired of this shit.

Now I have almost two days before the 1st lesson with Elian on the 3rd day. Out of curiosity, I check [Framework] and to be honest, I like the name a bit more than [Ur Line]. Having a bit of sense of how system names stuff and after seeing those lines with my trait, I still think [Ur Line] is likely the rarer skill. Buuuut, and just maybe, it is a worthy sacrifice in return for getting rid of [Knitting], plus I will try more combinations later and will pick the one I like the most.

So far, [Framework] seems to keep the effects of [Knitting], it allows me to knit together threads of mana, keeping them flexible. It is something I can still apply to [Ley Line] and to my javelins, shields, and all other creations. As I have learned, doing it this way makes them much more durable and resistant to disruption. Currently, I can even do it nearly reflexively without thinking too much.

[Framework] takes that even further. The connections between threads are stronger and denser. At some point, it even seems like they are pulled to each other, and when damaged, a bit of mana seeps from surrounding threads to fix them.

There is this feeling I can use the skill on my body, not just to create stronger armor, but as something I can build on, like some sort of base or frame I can tie my creations to, or almost inscribe into that frame. I suspect at higher levels, such a frame could be something possible to keep up permanently or semi-permanently. It seems to synchronize very well with my way of storing arrays, sets of inscriptions, or information in the back of my mind.

It is fascinating and really elusive, but I like it a lot.

Damn, deciding which skill to pick will truly be difficult.

Next, I go to the system store and, for a total of 900 thousand shards, I buy two mid arcane items. One defensive amulet and another one a bow. Of course, first, I carefully observe them. I even use them and activate my eyes to learn as much as possible for my future crafting.

Then I head to the head accountant’s office and enter. In this loop, he hasn’t met me yet, but he acts in the same polite manner, likely already knowing who I am.

I put the two mid arcane items on the table in front of him.

“I want to sell them to the Academy.”

He blinks, looks at me, and then back at the weapons.

"May I request the registration documents for these items? As you are undoubtedly aware, all weapons of epic rank and above, particularly those classified as arcane or higher, must be properly registered prior to being brought onto Academy grounds. I will also require a proof of ownership certificate."

Oh boy.

“I don’t have it, I just made them today.”

“Assistant Professor Gwyn.”

“Yes, that’s me.”

"If I am correct, it is your first day at the Academy, and you have already created two mid arcane items?"

“Yes.”

"If I consult the head of the Crafting Zone, will they be able to confirm that you were present there and that you produced these items on-site?"

“No, I made them in my office.”

"So, if I submit an inquiry to the Tower Butler regarding your recorded movements, will the log indicate that you were already present in your office at that time?"

“I meant that I made the items in one of the gardens.”

“I see. Can you wait a minute before I contact Professor Elian so we can continue this conversation?”

Well, fuck.

“I don’t know if you are aware, Assistant Professor Gwyn, but you have said that out loud.”

“I wanted to say, sure, call him.”

He politely agrees but likely already pressed something like a panic button, as behind the door, I sense a powerful signature of guards and defenses rising up, ready to activate. It is all done politely, but I notice.

Five minutes later, I’m sent outside the room, and Professor Elian passes by me. His violet eyes with a golden circle around the pupils stare at me as he closes the door.

Meanwhile, I sit on the chair nearby and think of how I’m not used to this kind of formality. Is it normal in “civilized” floors? I mean, mid arcane items are powerful, likely very, very enticing even to a person at around level 350-380-390? And even though the ones I bought were cheaper, they can be considered items that would be passed down in some families.

Well, the next loop I will do better.

Barely two minutes after entering, Professor Elian exits holding only a defensive amulet. The bow is gone. Before handing the amulet to me, he looks at me for confirmation that I understand.

It seems the price for overlooking this is a mid-arcane item, which is an absolutely insane cost. Maybe I should hold off a bit longer before I start selling thermonuclear warheads.

I nod, and only then does he hand me the amulet.

"I am very disappointed by such a lack of thought," he says, then leaves without another word.

As he walks downstairs, I knock on the door again and then open it, where the head accountant looks at me in a confused manner.

“You don’t want to buy the amulet?” I ask before he can react.

***

Five minutes later, I leave with a pouch full to the brim with ivory white drachen and even a few pieces of gold drachen, all likely worth as much as decades of my salary here would be.

Before I leave, I ask the head accountant for rules and for a list of items that are allowed and not allowed to be brought to the Academy without registration or proof of ownership. Then I ask him for an estimation of prices, sliding a few obsidian drachen to him as a courtesy.

As he talks and explains, I go through the system shop to pick the best options to sell next time.

Lastly, I ask him about Professors willing to give private lessons for the right price, and unsurprisingly, this is fairly common. Powerful families hire tutors or pay professors to give extra attention to their family members in the Academy.

Some professors offer multiple lessons for a set price, while others only provide small-group sessions. A few demand more drachen than I even possess. The most expensive professors likely set their rates not only based on lesson quality, but also as an informal bribe to foster connections with them. Those charging the highest fees are typically professors at or near level 400, with decades or even centuries of experience. Fewer than five of them are currently at the Academy.

With Champions likely starting at around 450-500, it might not seem that far off Champion rank, but there is a HUGE difference in having 50-100 more levels once you reach the 400s. Not because of extra stats, but because of time. Leveling after level 300, 400 slows down a lot; you must fight exceedingly powerful monsters, not to mention finding them in the first place. Even then, it takes a long time, so you are likely fairly experienced and powerful with multiple skills over level 75.

As I walk to my office, I also wonder whether I should reveal my black mana to the professor I hire, and which professor I should choose for lessons.

***

Next Chapter