Pierce sat cross-legged on his bed, feeling the newly solidified Will-Rune #2 within his mind. He couldn't suppress his grin. There was no better way to start the day than with a surge of raw power.
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[Spirit: 5.02 (+1.4)]
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[Physique: 2.24 (+0.44)]
His Spirit had finally broken the threshold of 5 points, and his Physique had more than doubled. Pierce hopped off the bed and stretched. His body felt lighter, stronger, and more vibrant than ever.
"My physical stats are now over twice that of a normal adult male," he noted. A Squire—a trainee knight—usually had a Physique between two to three times that of a commoner. In terms of pure durability and strength, Pierce was already on par with them.
Unlike the fragile glass cannons found in old legends, the Mages of this world were "Hexagon Warriors"—combatants with no weaknesses. A full Arcanist could utilize Bio-Mutations or Bloodline Modifications to reinforce their bodies until they could crush a High Knight with their bare hands.
Pierce internally issued a new command. "Omniscience, begin analysis of Rune #3." [Task created. Estimated time: 8 days.] He authorized an acceleration. [Update: 6 days, 18 hours remaining.]
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After donning his grey robes, he headed out. Since he was no longer tied to the classroom schedule, he left later than usual. The streets of the Outer City were buzzing with the chaotic energy of the working class. The air was a thick soup of coal dust and cheap grease.
"Two meat pasties, please," Pierce said, reaching for his coins. "Right away, sir! Four coppers, and here you go!" The vendor beamed, his voice tinged with a fawning, humble tone.
Pierce felt the weight of dozens of eyes on him. "Is that an Initiate from The Spire?" "I didn't know anyone from this block made it into the Academy..." "A Mage in the making... that family’s fortune is made. It’s like their ancestors were blessed by the gods."
Pierce realized he had underestimated the social standing of his new rank. Inside the Academy, Initiates were a dime a dozen. But out here in the fringes of Aurora City, an Arcane Initiate was a rare, majestic creature. He felt like a celebrity walking through a slum, his every move scrutinized with a mix of awe and envy.
He ignored the stares and pressed on toward the Academy's Mission Plaza. The area was a sprawling open-air square filled with massive, oil-painted Notice Boards. Thousands of grey-robed students moved between the boards like a shifting sea of mist.
Pierce began scanning the bounties:
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Task #2612: Tending to Medicinal Garden #12 (7 days). Requirement: Herbology expertise. Reward: 10 Credits.
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Task #3112: Cleaning Biological Lab #45 (7 days). Reward: 10 Credits.
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Task #198: Research Assistant for Master Rowan (1 day). Requirement: Knight-level Physique, high pain tolerance. Reward: 50 Credits.
When his eyes hit Task #198, Pierce’s pulse quickened. High risk, high reward. It was the "Mad Scientist’s Assistant" role—dangerous, potentially agonizing, but paying five times the rate of a week’s labor.
For someone with his enhanced body and a desperate need for resources, it was perfect.