After reporting the mission details to Elder Ke Xin, Markus made his way back to the mission hall.
Markus scanned his student badge onto the digital platform.
(It's time to bring the group on to more challenging tasks.)
From his observation, the tier 1 tasks they undertook posed no challenge to the group of elites.
[Tier 1 - Harvest Glimmer herb]
Location: Outskirts of the Forbidden Forest
Objective: Collect 10 stalks of Glimmer Root.
Reward: Up to 50 CP, dependent on the quality of harvest.
[Tier 2 Portal Maintenance]
Location: Academy Grounds
Objective: Clear a level 28 dungeon portal to stabilise its energy output.
Reward: 60 CP
[Tier 2 Escort Quest]
Location: Queens City
Objective: Escort and protect a group of students from the Queens Academy for a hunting mission
Requirements: 2 Students with tier 2 or above combat abilities
Reward: 130 CP
[Tier 2 Portal Exploration]
Location: Jersey Municipality
Objective: Explore a newly formed portal, determine if it's suitable for relocation into the academy grounds.
Reward: 150 CP
[Tier 2 Harvest Mist-Vein Kelp]
Location: Swamp in the Forbidden Forest
Objective: Collect 5 stalks of Mist-Vein Kelp
Reward: Up to 150 CP, dependent on the quality of harvest.
Markus selected the portal quests; this time, he added several team members.
[Team Leader: Markus Blackwell]
[Team Member Added: Mika Ross]
[Team Member Added: Jessica Johnson]
[Team Member Added: Donna Michealson]
[Team Member Added: Rosanne Vance]
**
[You have been added by Markus Blackwell for 2 Academic Tasks]
The girls saw the notification on their student badges.
"YAY!! Brother Markus is bringing us to tier 2 missions!" Rosanne leapt in excitement.
They had been breezing through tier 1 tasks without much challenge.
[Mission departure: In 6 days]
**
Markus went to the exchange counter in the mission hall.
[Meteorite Ore – 1000 Cp]
Markus selected the Meteorite Ore, his balance: 2510 Cp.
From this recent Tier 3 mission, he realised he needed proper equipment for future missions.
[Adaptive Cloak – 2000 Cp]
Waterproof cloak that is wind-resistant and adapts to extreme heat and cold.
[Contribution Point Balance: 510]
(That should do it)
Markus headed back to his dorm room, where the goods would be delivered within the hour.
**
Markus dripped another drop of blood onto the Jörmungandr's Egg.
[Days left to hatching: 6 days]
An automated delivery bot made its way into his room.
Leaving 2 parcels by his study desk.
Markus stored the Adaptive Cloak in his inventory and examined the Meteorite Ore.
[Meteorite Ore]
A fragment of a dead star, containing dense spatial laws.
Goosebumps ran through his skin.
It felt like Markus was a pawn on a chessboard.
The universe pushing Markus towards a grander goal.
Resources fell into his lap, as if it was destined to be.
(I'll deal with it when the time comes. I need to get stronger to step out of the bindings of fate.)
Markus meditated on the prayer cushion.
The meteorite ore was floating on his lap.
[Law of Space: 11%]
[Law of Space: 12%]
[Law of Space: 13%]
[Law of Space: 14%]
[Law of Space: 15%]
The spatial laws within the ore assimilated within Markus's spatial core.
At 15%, his spatial abilities are likely becoming more efficient, costing less mana while hitting harder.
As he opened his eyes, the sky was dark outside.
Damn, a meditation session and it's already nighttime?
Markus looked at the clock in the room.
[11.32 pm]
Markus turned on the television, and the news was reporting on the fallout of Vane Enterprises.
[Silas Vane, elder brother of Sylas Vane, was voted into the council with a 51% majority.]
[Silco Vane, son of Sylas Vane, took over the military weapons branch of Vane enterprises.]
[Simon Vane, son of Sylas Vane, sold his 3% stake in the Vane enterprises]
[Sienna Vane, daughter of Sylas Vane, took over the alchemical research and development branch of Vane Enterprises.]
"Wait What?" Markus saw the date on the television screen. "It has been 5 days of meditation?!"
As Markus touches higher Laws, his perception of "mortal time" is starting to slip, a classic sign of ascending towards godhood.
Markus checked his student badge.
[Mission departure: In 8 hours]
Markus went to the dining hall for a quick meal.
"Good evening, chef," Markus handed him his spare tier 1 storage ring, containing some of the beasts he had hunted in the past week.
"Boy, you're our favourite student," Chef Ramsay said, "I'll transfer some Cp to you as payment, don't refuse it."
[Contribution Points: 510 + 90]
"See you around, boy," Ramsey handed Markus a generous serving of Floridian lobster, "Stay safe out there!"
Markus wolfed down the rich and indulgent Floridian Lobster, accompanied by Mac and Cheese.
The plump, tender chunks of lobster meat are folded into a velvety 5 cheese sauce, bound together by a roux-thickened milk and cream base.
Topped with a crispy panko crust for texture.
It was decadent and heartwarming after a long meditation session.
Markus took a nice, long bath, soaking himself in warm water infused with botanicals to promote skin health and muscle relief.
Black pus seeped from his pores, as the herbal bath detoxified his body from toxins and sweat accumulated from the portal diving.
Markus leapt out of the tub and let the impurities drain down the sink.
Heading to bed, he set an alarm for 4 hours, not wanting to be late for the upcoming team missions the following day.
**
Markus awoke early, heading to the mission hall before the ladies arrived.
At the exchange counter.
Tier 1 Health potion x12
Tier 1 Mana potion x12
[Contribution Points: 600 – 24]
Markus stocked up on potions for the gang.
His intentions were to guide them through the portal with minimal involvement.
They had to learn and adapt to random and dangerous situations.
And also, to understand elemental synergies between themselves.
The vibrant group of 4 young ladies arrived together.
Rosanne and Jessica, arms intertwined, with a bounce in their steps.
Without Markus's special privilege, they would not be able to access tier 2 tasks until their first semester ends.
"BIG BROTHER!!" Rosanne shouted across the hall, attracting annoyed looks from several students.
"Alright, guys, settle down," Markus said, pulling them to a private room.
Markus clicked the projector, the blue light reflecting off his calm, steady eyes.
To the girls, he looked like a supportive friend, but the air around him felt different now—sharper, like a blade that had been folded a thousand times.
[Mission Details: Tier 2 portal maintenance]
[Location: Academy Grounds]
[Portal type: Dungeon]
[Beast type: Flying]
[Objective: Conduct a full sweep through the dungeon]
Markus started briefing the group on combat formations.
"This isn't a Tier 1 walk in the park," he said, his voice dropping an octave. "In a Flying Beast dungeon, the ground is your enemy. If you lose your footing, you lose your life. I won't be your shield today—I'll be your shadow. Show me what the 'Elite Class' is actually worth."
Donna would take point with her SSS wind affinity.
Mika and Jessica would be at the core of the group, providing offence and defence.
Rosanne would stay at the rear to provide healing and support.
Markus would be observing from a distance, only stepping in if they were overwhelmed.