Markus strode into the mission hall with gusto; he had been recognised as a first-year regular, spending all his time on missions, barely attending any classes.
Some seniors protested at the favoritism the Headmistress and professors showed towards him.
But there was nothing they could do; Markus was too much of an anomaly.
Markus could probably hold his own against his seniors.
Markus tapped his student ID against the digital scanner.
**
[Tier 3 Portal Maintenance]
Location: Academy Grounds
Objective: Clear a level 36 dungeon portal to stabilise its energy output.
Reward: 100 CP
[Tier 3 Escort Quest]
Location: Boston City
Objective: Escort and protect a group of students from the Boston Academy on a hunting mission
Requirements: 1 Student with Tier 3 and above combat abilities
Reward: 150 CP
[Tier 3 Portal Exploration]
Location: Boston City - Middletown Reservation
Objective: Explore a newly formed portal, determine if it's suitable for relocation into the academy grounds.
Requirements: 1 Student with Tier 3 and above combat abilities
Reward: 300 - 500 CP
[Tier 4 Beast Culling Task]
Location: Illinois City - Northern Border Forbidden Forest
Objective: Cull the local population of growing beasts, jointly assist local military personnel in beast raids, and town defense.
Requirements: Students with Tier 4 and above combat abilities
Reward: 500 CP
[Tier 4 Gathering Task]
Location: Illinois City - Northern Border Forbidden Forest
Objective: Aurelian Embassy requests to harvest and extract tier 4 and above herbs
Requirements: Students with Tier 4 and above combat abilities
Reward: 250 CP - 1000 CP (reward based on handling of herbs and their quality)
**
Markus selected both tier 4 tasks without hesitation
This was the first herb-gathering task worth spending time on.
His equipment has been due for a qualitative upgrade.
[I'll be heading out for tier 4 missions now, I'll be back for the inter-school competition, take care - Markus]
Markus sent Rosanne a message before heading back home to the Blackwell Estate.
**
Pulling up at the Blackwell estate, there was a sense of emptiness.
Isolde's warm embrace, Sloane's loud greeting, and a tinge of sadness wrangled Markus's heart.
[Welcome back, Young Master Markus] NOVUS greeted.
(At least NOVUS is always around)
"NOVUS, secure the estate. What plans does Grandma and Grandpa have for the oncoming beast invasion? Markus questioned, heading down towards the alchemy lab in the basement.
Markus saw a variety of potions and several pills, all stored in containment devices to retain their purest essence.
[Tier 4 Body Refinement Pill] x 100
[P.S. Split these pills between Rosanne and you, Markus; remember to take good care of her in school]
Markus headed back up to his childhood bedroom, swallowing a Tier 4 body-refinement pill in the bathtub.
Slowly, black impurities secreted from his pores, and a foul odor emanated from his skin.
After a thick layer of impurities was excreted from his pores, Markus rinsed it away and soaked in an herbal bath to revitalize his skin and deep-clean his pores.
Markus stood in front of the mirror, his skin glistening with a bright afterglow.
[Body refinement (Tier 4)]
His muscles felt firmer, more developed, more robust.
Markus held the Black Steel Blade in his hand.
(I'll need a new blade, this feels too light now)
**
[Young Master Markus, the doomsday protocol has been initiated.]
[Master Sloane and Mistress Isolde have begun relocating several portals under the Blackwell Estate.]
[A secure underground vault will be built under the foundations of this building.]
[Three portal regions dedicated to herb growing and beast farming would sustain the Blackwells and the Vances for decades.]
[5 Dungeon portals, ranging from tier 1 to 5, would be powering the underground facility as well as providing resources for growth and training.]
**
"Understood. Is there anything I could do to help?" Markus asked.
[Negative Young Master Markus, everything has been arranged; your focus should be on the Academy and growing stronger.]
Relocating portals under the estate to create a self-sustaining ecosystem (herbs, beasts, and energy) effectively turns the Blackwell Estate into a private fortress-state.
While the rest of the world will struggle with supply chain collapses during the Calamity, Markus's family will have Tier 1–5 resources on tap.
Markus sat alone in the living room with Nagini nested on his hair.
Taking in a deep breath, the scent of home is always the best.
"Time to leave, we have work to do," Markus mumbled.
Markus called for a taxicab and headed towards the Royal Central Underground Metro.
**
Markus grabbed a quick bite at the Campeón, his favourite restaurant at the RCUM.
"Beef Wellington served with baby carrots and roasted asparagus, enjoy your meal, sir," the waiter said after pouring a generous portion of gravy.
[Boarding for Illinois City in 35 minutes.]
The announcement system chimed throughout the metro station.
Markus worked his way through the dish, the buttery, flaky crust of the puff pastry providing a contrasting texture to its soft layers within.
Beneath a layer of Prosciutto di Parma, which acts as a moisture barrier to keep the outer pastry crisp.
Under the layer of ham, a concentrated paste of finely minced mushrooms provides a deep umami flavor.
The heart of the dish, a tier-3 cattle filet mignon, was seared quickly before being wrapped; the meat remained incredibly tender, delivering a mild, clean beef flavor.
Markus paid for his meal and left towards the entry gates.
[Platform 9 1/2]
Markus picked up a bento box packed with Japanese short-grain rice, chicken cutlets, and pickled radishes.
[Platform 9 1/2 Bound for Illinois City]
[Departing in 10 minutes]
…
…
…
[Last Call, Departing in 5 minutes]
Markus closed his eyes, taking a short nap.
This was his furthest trip out of the capital since the start of the academic year.
..
..
..
..
[Illinois City in 5 minutes]
[Passengers, be ready to alight]
[Thank you for riding with RCUM]
[We wish to see you again]
**
Leaving through Exit B from the underground metro, Markus was greeted by street vendors hawking their wares.
Markus picked up several Illinois specialties, pumpkins, and popcorn kernels, planning to enjoy them with Rosanne back at the Academy.
This city, compared to Oakhaven, had 4 times the population of residents. It was vibrant and lively.
Markus headed to the nearest military post for directions to his reporting officer.
"Boy, this is a tier 4 combat mission in the forbidden forest. You look like a freshie. Are you sure you're at the right place?" The officer, visibly confused, questioned Markus.
"Yes, sir, I'm already at level 41," Markus said, presenting his student badge.
"Alright, I'll drive you down to the command post to report to the chief," The officer replied, shaking his head, "What do they feed kids these days, 10-11 years old and already tier 4?"
The grumpy officer looked well into his 30s. By estimation, Markus guessed he was around level 30.