The following morning, Kael woke earlier than usual.
After completing his morning cultivation, he opened his eyes and glanced toward the window.
His progress toward the next Hero Core breakthrough had slowed. Reaching Rank E had improved his overall strength, but further advancement would require considerably more effort.
’I need better enhancement materials.’
Ordinary cultivation was still useful, especially with the academy’s training facilities and access to concentrated mana. However, relying exclusively on natural recovery and gradual refinement would take too long.
Core enhancement materials would be a better option.
He remembered the effects of the Low-grade Core Enhancement Crystal he had received after the crisis-response drill. Absorbing it had pushed his Hero Core from F(+1) to F(+3), providing a noticeable improvement in his physical attributes and mana capacity.
Of course, he couldn’t expect another breakthrough from every crystal.
His thoughts drifted beyond the academy walls.
He remembered several locations from the original game. Some contained rare magical materials, while others possessed unusually concentrated magical and spiritual energy. A few would have been excellent places to strengthen his Hero Core.
Unfortunately, reaching them was currently impossible.
Kael clicked his tongue.
’What a waste.’
After the Wilderness Examination incident, the academy had significantly tightened its security. Students were no longer permitted to leave the grounds without explicit authorization. Patrols had been increased around the outer walls, and instructors were monitoring the surrounding territory.
The restrictions made sense. Students had already been targeted once. Allowing them to wander outside as though nothing had happened would be irresponsible.
Still, that didn’t make the situation any less inconvenient.
’There are valuable materials sitting somewhere outside, and I’m stuck here.’
He had prioritized the Wilderness Examination and the immediate dangers surrounding it. Given everything that had happened, that decision was reasonable.
But now that the academy had effectively closed its gates, he couldn’t help regretting the missed opportunity.
Kael sighed and stood.
There was no point complaining about something he couldn’t change.
Besides, the academy had its own marketplace. If he couldn’t gather enhancement materials himself, he could always purchase them.
At least, that was the plan.
...
After breakfast, Kael met the others near the eastern training grounds.
Darius was already stretching his arms while Elias sat on a nearby bench, checking the condition of his bowstring. Mira was organizing several small containers of healing supplies.
Quinn rested on Kael’s shoulder, occasionally moving its legs as though it were conducting an inspection.
"Morning," Elias greeted, raising one hand.
"You’re early," Kael replied.
"Trying to become a responsible student."
Darius snorted. "You’ve been saying that for three days."
"And I’ve been improving for three days. Consistency matters."
Kael glanced at the bow in Elias’s hands.
"Have you checked the string tension?"
Elias nodded. "Yesterday. I also adjusted the grip. It feels more comfortable now."
"Good. Don’t change anything major before the assessment."
"I wasn’t planning to."
Mira approached them, holding a small pouch.
"I prepared some additional healing supplies," she explained, carefully tightening its drawstring. "They’re mostly for minor injuries, but I thought we should have them available."
Kael accepted the pouch and inspected its contents.
"Useful. Keep it with you during training."
Mira smiled faintly. "I will."
Darius rested his greatsword against his shoulder.
"So, what’s the plan today?"
Kael considered their remaining preparation time.
"We’ll continue working on individual weaknesses this morning. After lunch, I want to practice adapting to different formations."
Elias tilted his head.
"Didn’t we already do that yesterday?"
"We did. Yesterday, you were still losing your balance whenever you repositioned."
"That’s a harsh way to describe it."
"Would you prefer an artistic interpretation?"
Elias shook his head.
"No, thanks."
Kael continued.
"Today, we’ll make the exercises more difficult. Darius will face two opponents with different attack patterns. Elias will need to maintain accuracy while moving between positions. Mira will practice responding when the frontline collapses."
Mira nodded.
"What about you?"
"I’ll participate in the exercises, but I’ll also work on my external mana control."
Darius glanced at him.
"Still working on that curved barrier?"
"Something like that."
"How long can you maintain it now?"
"Twenty seconds under controlled conditions."
Elias raised his eyebrows.
"That’s pretty good."
"It’s a start. It still needs more durability and better responsiveness."
Kael wasn’t particularly interested in celebrating a technique that could still collapse under sufficient pressure. Twenty seconds was useful during training. It wasn’t necessarily enough during an actual battle.
"Anyway," he added, "let’s get started."
Quinn suddenly raised two legs.
"Qiu!"
Kael looked at it.
"And you can help by placing the silk strands where I tell you instead of improvising."
Quinn tilted its head.
"Yes, I’m talking to you."
Elias chuckled.
"Don’t be so heartless with my master."
"So you’re learning to crave food from it, that’s a problem. Next time, it will teach you how to gossip."
"Qiu!" Quinn protested.
The group laughed.
...
The morning passed with a series of increasingly difficult exercises.
Darius struggled against two training constructs whose attack patterns deliberately differed. One relied on powerful strikes, while the other moved quickly and attacked from unexpected angles.
His first attempt ended with him being pushed outside the designated area.
His second attempt lasted considerably longer.
By the third, he had learned to avoid wasting energy on unnecessary blocks.
Meanwhile, Elias practiced moving between elevated platforms while maintaining accurate shots. The uneven surfaces forced him to adjust his posture before releasing each arrow.
Mira’s exercises were less physically demanding, but they required considerable concentration.
She had to maintain a healing spell while retreating from approaching training constructs, occasionally using barriers to create distance.
Kael watched her complete another exercise.
"Good control," he remarked.
Mira lowered her hands, breathing slightly harder than before.
"Thank you. I think I’m getting used to casting while moving."
"Your timing has improved too. You’re no longer waiting until an opponent gets too close before retreating."
Her cheeks turned faintly pink.
"I’ve been practicing that."
"I can tell."
Mira looked down at her hands, quietly pleased.
Nearby, Darius finally managed to hold his position against both constructs.
Elias raised a fist.
"That’s more like it!"
Darius wiped his forehead with his sleeve.
"About time."
Kael nodded.
"Your footwork was better. You still need to avoid getting pushed into a corner, but the improvement is clear."
Darius grinned.
"See? I told you I’d get it eventually."
"Don’t celebrate yet. We haven’t started the harder version."
Darius’s expression immediately changed.
"...There is a harder version?"
Kael smiled faintly.
"Of course."
Elias laughed.
Quinn chirped from beside a wooden post.
Kael glanced toward it.
"Don’t encourage him."
...
After lunch, Kael decided to visit the academy’s marketplace.
He had been putting it off for several days, partly because of the assessment preparations and partly because he had assumed that the available materials would be limited.
However, with the restrictions on leaving the academy still in effect, he needed to explore every available option.
The marketplace was located in the eastern commercial wing, a spacious building connected to several student facilities.
Unlike the ordinary shops in Eldoris, most of its establishments catered specifically to academy students and instructors.
There were equipment stores, potion vendors, magical tool workshops, bookstores, and several stalls operated by students who had obtained permission to conduct small businesses.
There were even some Familiar Stores around.
The moment Kael entered the market, he heard merchants calling out their offers.
"Freshly prepared mana recovery potions! Suitable for practical training!"
"Reinforced training gloves! Improved resistance against impact!"
"Low-grade monster cores available! Perfect for magical experiments!"
The smell of medicinal herbs mixed with the metallic scent of enchanted equipment. Crystals displayed beneath glass counters reflected the overhead magical lamps, filling the marketplace with faintly colored light.
Kael walked past several stalls.
He wasn’t particularly interested in ordinary equipment.
His primary objective was to find materials capable of improving his Hero Core.
He stopped in front of a stall displaying several small crystals.
The merchant, a middle-aged man with a neatly trimmed beard, immediately noticed his interest.
"Looking for enhancement materials, young master?"
"Something suitable for a Rank E Hero Core," Kael answered.
The merchant rubbed his chin.
"Rank E, you say? I have a few options, although the better materials aren’t cheap."
He opened a wooden display case.
Inside were several crystals of different sizes and colors.
"These are low-grade Mana Crystals. They’re commonly used in magical equipment, but they can also serve as supplementary materials for cultivation."
Kael examined them.
Their mana concentration was relatively low. They were useful for replenishing energy, but not particularly effective for directly strengthening a Hero Core.
"Do you have anything more concentrated?"
The merchant nodded and produced a small, pale-blue crystal.
"This is a Condensed Mana Shard. It contains more concentrated energy than ordinary Mana Crystals. Some students use them during cultivation."
Kael examined its surface.
The crystal contained a relatively stable mana structure, but its energy density was still modest.
"What about Core Enhancement Crystals?"
The merchant’s expression changed slightly.
"Those are harder to obtain. The academy’s supply is generally reserved for official rewards, and private sellers rarely have any available."
"Even low-grade ones?"
"Especially those. They’re valuable because their energy is more compatible with Hero Cores."
Kael nodded.
That was understandable.
Core Enhancement Crystals were not ordinary magical materials. Their ability to directly improve a Hero Core made them considerably more valuable than their size suggested.
"How much for the Condensed Mana Shard?"
The merchant quoted his price.
Kael considered it.
The amount wasn’t unreasonable, but he wasn’t particularly interested in purchasing something that would provide only a minor improvement.
"Do you expect to receive anything better soon?"
The merchant shook his head.
"Not within the next few days. The recent restrictions have disrupted several supply routes. Most merchants are waiting for the academy to resume normal operations."
Kael frowned slightly.
That was another inconvenience.
The security restrictions weren’t only preventing students from gathering materials. They were also affecting the marketplace’s supply.
"Understood. I’ll think about it."
The merchant nodded.
"You’re welcome to return whenever you like."
Kael moved toward the next stall.
He checked several others, but the results were similar.
Ordinary Mana Crystals.
Condensed Mana Shards.
Low-grade monster cores.
A few medicinal materials with minor mana-enhancing properties.
Nothing particularly impressive.
He eventually stopped at a stall selling cultivation accessories.
The merchant displayed several polished stones, enchanted bracelets, and small containers designed to preserve magical energy.
Kael examined a transparent crystal.
"What’s this?"
The young merchant behind the counter straightened.
"That’s a Spiritual Resonance Stone. It can help stabilize the surrounding mana during meditation."
Kael turned it slightly.
"Does it increase mana concentration?"
"Not directly. It helps reduce fluctuations, making cultivation slightly more efficient."
"How much?"
The merchant gave him a price.
Kael considered it.
It wasn’t particularly expensive, but the improvement would probably be marginal.
He placed the stone back.
"Not what I’m looking for."
The merchant nodded without appearing offended.
Kael continued through the marketplace.
After visiting several stalls, he had confirmed one thing. The academy marketplace contained useful resources, but its current stock was insufficient for his needs.
If he wanted something capable of significantly improving his Hero Core, he would need either a better supplier or permission to gather materials outside the academy.
Neither option seemed particularly convenient.
...
Kael eventually stopped at a small banking counter near the marketplace entrance.
Students used enchanted account plates to manage their academy funds. Each plate was registered to its owner and connected to the academy’s central financial network. It could display account balances, record transactions, and transfer money without requiring students to carry large quantities of coins.
Kael removed the thin silver plate from his storage pouch.
A faint magical symbol appeared when he touched its center. Several lines of information emerged across its surface.
Academy Financial Account
Account Holder: Kael Grayford
Current Balance: 350.50 Aurels
Gold Coin Equivalent: 3.505 Gold Coins
Latest Family Deposit: 5,000 Aurels, 1st of the month
Previous Family Deposit: 5,000 Aurels, 16th of the previous month
Recent Transactions:
[Training Equipment: -3.25 Aurels]
[Academy Supplies: -4.80 Aurels]
[Personal Purchases: -26.40 Aurels]
[Miscellaneous Expenses: -15.65 Aurels]
Kael stared at the figures.
"...That’s lower than I expected."
He checked the balance again, wondering if he had misread it.
No. The number remained unchanged.
Three hundred and fifty point five Aurels.
For someone who had spent most of his life as the son of a duke, the amount was surprisingly small. His family possessed enormous wealth, and even a modest allowance from his father would have been more than enough to cover his academy expenses.
But that wasn’t what puzzled him most.
Kael opened the full transaction history.
The latest family deposit had arrived on the first day of the month. It amounted to five thousand Aurels, equivalent to fifty gold coins.
That alone was more money than most ordinary students could expect to possess.
Yet his current balance was barely a fraction of it.
He scrolled through the records.
Clothing. Accessories. Entertainment. Expensive personal items. Several purchases that seemed to serve no practical purpose beyond satisfying a passing whim.
The previous Kael had spent an astonishing amount of money since the latest deposit.
The displayed transactions were only the most recent entries. According to the complete record, his total spending since the deposit had reached 4,649.50 Aurels.
Kael slowly lowered the account plate.
’He spent nearly the entire allowance?’
He rubbed his forehead.
The previous Kael had apparently treated his father’s money as an inexhaustible resource. Whenever he wanted something, he bought it without considering whether he actually needed it.
That explained the current balance.
What it didn’t explain was the missing deposit.
Kael checked the calendar displayed beside the transaction history.
The twenty-first.
His expression changed.
’Wait. Shouldn’t there have been another transfer?’
He recalled something from the previous Kael’s memories. His father might have stopped showing him affection or taking an interest in his daily life, but he had never neglected his financial allowance. Despite their strained relationship, the duke had continued sending an almost unreasonable amount of money to his son’s account.
The transfers were supposed to arrive every fifteen days.
The first and sixteenth of each month.
The latest deposit had arrived on the first.
There was no record of another on the sixteenth.
Kael leaned closer to the display.
It’s already the twenty-first. Five days late.
That was unusual.
The duke might have been distant, but he wasn’t careless with family obligations. He had consistently maintained the allowance even after he stopped showing much interest in his son’s life.
’Did the father actually forget?’
It seemed unlikely.
Perhaps there had been an administrative delay or some interruption in the transfer process. Kael didn’t know enough about his family’s financial arrangements to draw any other conclusion.
He also had no reason to assume his father had deliberately stopped sending money. For now, he would wait a little longer. Still, the missing transfer was worth keeping in mind.
Kael closed the account display.
Three hundred and fifty Aurels wasn’t enough to casually purchase valuable cultivation materials, especially if he hoped to find another Core Enhancement Crystal.
At least he wasn’t completely broke.
’I should probably stop spending carelessly, too.’
He had inherited the previous Kael’s remaining funds, but he had no intention of repeating his spending habits.
There was another expense he couldn’t ignore.
Kael glanced at the familiar perched on his shoulder.
Quinn tilted its head.
’Right. This little glutton.’
Ever since joining him, Quinn had developed an impressive appetite. Ordinary meals rarely seemed sufficient, and the academy’s special beast food disappeared much faster than Kael would have preferred.
It hadn’t been much of a concern when his account was well funded. Now, however, its appetite represents another recurring expense.
’I need to include Quinn’s food in the budget.’
He wasn’t about to let his familiar go hungry, especially considering how useful it had been during their previous ordeals. Still, constantly buying expensive beast food wasn’t sustainable.
Kael looked at Quinn again.
"You’re going to have to cooperate with my financial planning," he said, tapping the account plate against his palm.
"Qiu?" Quinn tilted its head.
"That means your meals might become slightly less extravagant."
Quinn immediately raised several legs in protest.
Kael sighed.
"Don’t look at me like that. You’re not the one paying."
The familiar lowered its legs, apparently unconvinced.
Kael returned the account plate to his pouch.
If the family transfer arrived, he could reconsider his plans. If it didn’t, he would need another source of income.
Either way, he couldn’t afford to keep spending without thinking.
...
The two of them left the marketplace without buying anything.
Kael adjusted his bag.
He had visited the marketplace hoping to find something useful, but the trip had produced more questions than answers.
The academy’s security restrictions had limited the supply of valuable materials, while his own finances were becoming tighter than expected. On top of that, he had a familiar whose appetite seemed determined to test his remaining budget.
He still needed to prepare for the upcoming assessment, and finding suitable enhancement materials remained a problem.
Neither task could be ignored.
As he walked toward the dormitory, Kael glanced toward the distant academy walls. Beyond them lay the forests, ruins, and hidden locations he remembered from the original game. Some contained valuable resources. Others offered opportunities that the academy’s facilities couldn’t easily replicate.
For now, they were inaccessible.
’I really should have collected those materials earlier.’
He exhaled.
There was no point dwelling on it.
The academy would eventually relax its restrictions, and when that happened, he intended to make better use of the opportunity.
Until then, he would have to work with what was available.
Kael glanced at Quinn.
"By the way, if you happen to discover a hidden treasure somewhere, do let me know."
"Qiu!"
"Preferably something that doesn’t require me to spend money."
Quinn tilted its head.
Kael shook his head.
"Never mind. I don’t think you understand the concept of a budget."
The familiar chirped happily.
Kael continued toward the dormitory.
His account was lower than expected, the academy’s gates remained closed, and the upcoming assessment was only a few days away.
He could deal with the financial problem afterward.
For now, he needed to make sure that he and Team 37 were ready.