The girls stumbled through the portal exit, consciousness wavering as they neared mana exhaustion.
Professor Candy rushed over to support them, "Let's get you girls to the break room first."
"I'll head up to the mission hall to update on the mission status," Markus tapped his student badge on the digital gantry, exiting the portal basement.
The girls rested for half an hour before they made their way back to the dorms.
[Contribution Points Balance: 726]
Markus also purchased a black metal steel blade, crafted by a top-tier blacksmith in the northern empire.
Its mana conducive properties were top-notch, and its weight was perfect for Markus's sword style.
[Contribution Points Balance: 226]
**
Markus headed to the library, looking to expand his knowledge on elemental synergies.
The display of wind and lightning fusion by Donna and Jessica inspired him to seek avenues of improvement.
"It's been a while, Markus boy," the old librarian, Isaac Darwin, said as Markus arrived at the library entrance.
"Good afternoon, Elder Darwin," Markus bowed politely.
Darwin, albeit a secluded elder who loves to spend his time in the library, has made a good impression on Markus.
"I sense the power of laws in you, young boy, to delve deeper into laws, you have to first understand the elements around you," Isaac remarked, "Play a game of go with me sometime."
Markus nodded, wasting no time heading into the library to search for introductory books on elemental synergies.
Markus spent an hour browsing through the catalog of information available on the digital self-help desk.
[Message sent to Rosanne Vance]
Markus forwarded the library catalog to Rosanne, getting her lazy bum to read some books.
At the dining hall, Markus gave Chef Ramsay another tier 1 storage ring with the freedom chickens the group had slain during their most recent dungeon expedition, earning them another 100 CP, which he divided equally amongst the group.
[Contribution Points: 246]
**
Back in his dorm room, floating above the prayer cushion.
Markus couldn't forget what Elder Darwin said earlier in the day.
(First, understand the elements around you)
"Was I not already understanding the spatial elements during my meditation sessions?" Markus mumbled to himself.
"What is Space?"
"Is Space empty?"
"Is Gravity related to Space?"
[Law of Space: 16%]
"Vacuum"
"Sound"
"Heat"
"Cold"
"Light"
"Light"
[Law of Space: 17%]
"That's it! Light!" Markus jumped, an idea struck him, "To sense Space better, to understand what's around me, I'll need a blindfold!!"
"I need to learn how to perceive space without visual perception."
"True Spatial Perception is what I can see around me, what I can sense around me, without looking, without smelling, without tasting."
[Law of Space: 18%]
Satisfied with his progress, Markus took a refreshing cold bath and went to bed early.
**
(Saylor's POV)
Saylor, dressed in a black tailored suit, worth 2000 credits, sat in the front row.
It was the funeral of Sylas Vane, the monarch of the Vane Enterprise.
Sylas was Saylor's best friend; he was the closest family member within the Vane estate.
Saylor had been nurtured with love and care by Sylas, the best resources, training, and education.
An inner demon was developing in Saylor's heart and soul.
A dark infestation, a constant nagging.
[Let anger empower you]
[Let your pride devour others]
The whispers of corruption, invading the minds of the weak.
Saylor's emerald, green eyes, slowly changing, blood red pigments invading its green shine.
At the cremation ceremony, as Sylas's body was rolled into the cremation chamber, a wave of sorrow flooded the viewing room.
(These filthy snakes, they've been plotting and scheming against Grandpa for years, crocodile tears, just for the cameras)
Saylor stood solemnly, tears streaming down his face.
He was probably the only one who was mourning truly for Sylas.
[Badump]
[Badump]
Corruption began worming its way through his heart.
His eyes clouded with anger and revenge against the Blackwells.
(Assassin's guild, I'll come for you first, then the Blackwells, the world will feel my rage.)
Saylor, fueled by rage and grief, made a heart vow, chains of mana stabbed through his chest.
**
Markus arrived back home, dropping a surprise gift for Grandpa Sloane.
He displayed the Cerberus body atop the kitchen counter.
"AH! My dearest Grandson has delivered on his promise!!!" Sloane bellowed.
Rich blood essence from the tier 4 flame elemental beast permeated through the house.
"Markus, don't stink up the whole house, put it in a storage ring!" Isolde grumbled, storing the large beast carcass in her storage ring.
"Sorry, Grandma," Markus awkwardly apologized, scratching his head.
"The Vane's going to come after you once the dust settles, Markus," Isolde whispered into Markus's ears, as she held him close.
"There's nothing they can do, unless a tier 7 law wielder steps in," Markus comforted Isolde, embracing her fully.
The family of three spent the day at the beach, fishing for dinner and preparing the grill for a barbecue.
"GRANDPA GRANDMA BLACKWELL!!" Rosanne's cheerful voice roared across the sandy beach.
Isolde invited Rosanne to the barbecue.
They had an overwhelming amount of beast meat due to Markus's adventures.
Spending the night talking and eating under the stars brought warmth to their souls.
It has been incredibly difficult for awakeners to have any reprieve from hunting and missions in these increasingly turbulent times.
Ever since Markus and Rosanne were accepted into the Valerian Royal Academy, the military has been requesting their presence on the frontlines in beast-contested territories.
Their absence in the past few years while taking care of Markus and Rosanne has been felt on the borders of the Valerian Empire.
The Solarian Empire in the south has been escalating tensions, dispatching scouts and spies into these contested territories.
Without a strong military presence, casualties have been mounting as of late.
However, now that Sloane and Isolde have solidified their foundations as a tier 7 awakener, their combat abilities have skyrocketed.
Their mastery over elemental laws turned them into a living, breathing weapon of mass destruction.
The Valerian Council has been fighting over all the red tape and bureaucracy.
Now that approval has been given by the Royal Family, the Blackwells have been mobilised to the southwestern borders, nearing the Solarian Empire.
By deploying the Blackwells to the front lines, the Valerian Council is essentially saying the "Nuclear Option" is now on the table.
As the sun set over the beach, the orange glow reflecting off the waves felt like a final moment of peace.
Sloane stood tall, his presence pushing back the very tide, while Isolde's eyes held a rare flicker of worry.
They weren't just going to a "mission"; they were going to hold back an Empire.
"Stay sharp, Markus," Sloane rumbled, his hand heavy on his grandson's shoulder. "The world is getting louder. Don't let it drown out your focus."