°800°
As the number pops up on the surface of the ball, the clerks look at the scroll where the tasks that I want to take have written.
"Okay sir, your aptitude grade is just enough for the tasks. Good luck in your journey"
The clerk smiles nods and picks up something to be used to put a stamp on the scroll and my I.D.
After putting the stamp, the clerk gives it back to me. I also smile as I take it from her and hide it in my spatial ring.
With that stamp, it means that they have already deleted the task on the task board and it is now on my hand to execute.
I walk out of the place, afterward.
.
.
.
There is a year due before the task has to be completed, and if I cannot do it, the task will return on the task board again and I am required to pay a certain fee.
Even in collecting tasks, there are still strict rules to follow in order to make the students not greedy or collect too many tasks that they can't do in time.
We can't deny that there are always those individuals that are biting more than they can chew.
Anyway, I don't need to be problematic about it.
I shake my head and delete all unnecessary ideas. Rather than thinking about nonsense, I should think about my tasks instead.
The reason I took three quests is not that I am greedy, but because I am certain that I can find them in the same place.
The first task is collecting a Flower called White Feather. Its name came from its features; a flower that is as white as clouds and as soft as feathers. They are a valuable type of elixir. However, because it is valuable, they are difficult to locate. But I think one year is more than enough for me.
The second task is collecting lightning wood. Another type of valuable item. This wood is originally normal but has nurtured by lighting by getting struck once a year in over fifty years. These fifty times lightning strikes make the wood or the tree get lightning mana and become a lighting tree. Compared to the White Feather, lightning wood isn't only useful in creating pills, but also in forging an artifact. They aren't rare, but they are difficult to collect even if you find one.
The third task is collecting a bottle of wood blood. Also known as Dragon Blood. Although they are not that valuable because of limited usages, this still can't say a cheap product. You can find dragon blood once you pill the surface of an old tree.
The most important thing I can find these three tasks in the same place.
The Mist Forest.
And I am currently on my way towards it.
The mist forest is at the end of the kingdom, and I estimate that it will take me a week to go to that place. Fortunately, I learned the skill "Shadow Move" that can help me fasten my pace. Or else, a month before reaching that forest isn't an exaggeration.
How necessary.
I take a deep breath in relief.
Adding to that, for more convenience, I didn't tell anyone about this trip. I made sure no one can find out that I will leave. Even my sister doesn't know about it.
I am afraid if someone finds out that instead of participating in the fight, I instead take tasks. It will be troublesome.
I don't know the temperament of every individual in the entire academy. There might be many stubborn people that will annoy me or would hinder me from taking on tasks if they know.
Also, to make sure that no one will find out about this trip, I had to act.
At first, I went into the registrar and said I would take part. I acted as if I went into the waiting room, but when no one was looking anymore, I left in silence.
With this action, although I will destroy my reputation again, and maybe going to offend many, there is nothing to regret about it.
First, my reputation is already bad, and it won't worsen anymore.
Second, even if I offended someone, I already have many enemies. I don't mind having one more.
Third and most important of all, the anonymous individual's identity will get publicized and I will find out his goal once I learn his identity. With that, I can make countermeasures once I am back.
That is also the reason I didn't tell Jasmine or Tiara that I will leave, for them to attend at the arena and witness what is going to happen there as my proxy in my absence.
I don't know if this move is good or bad, but I know it is better than fighting with no clue.
I shake my head as I shrug.
Forget about this battle. Time to go.
I turn my eyes in the direction where the arena is before I become a shadow and disappear in the southern direction.
Yes, in the southern direction is where the forest can get found.
Fortunately, it isn't uncommon to see someone casting magic, so, even after activating my skill, it didn't steal the attention of others.
Using magic inside the city ain't prohibited, as long as you don't use it for bad things.
Tsk*
It's a world filled with magic, anyway. What am I saying? Haha.
.
.
.
Three days pass within a blink of an eye.
Even with my two months of training, my mana storage is still not huge. I have to stop many times to have a rest and meditate.
I am yet to encounter any trouble on my way, so my movement isn't being hindered.
Tsk*
I think my luck since I came into this world has become heaven-sent.
At this moment, I finally arrived at the Rain Village; the last village before the border of the city and the forest.
I am currently in a tavern not only to have a rest but to meditate to regain mana as well.
The tavern has two floors, the first floor is a bar and the second floor is the rooms. Although the place is messy and noisy, this tavern is the cheapest place I found. I sadly don't have that much money to spend on this expedition of mine.
I want to eat back the heaven send luck that I said.
Knock* Knock*
"Mr. Adventure, do you want me to send your food here, or do you want to go to the table?"
A voice sounds after the knocks.
My closed eyes slowly open, and I answer.
"I'll be there in a second!"
"Okay, Mr. Adventurer. "
After that, the sound of faint footsteps slowly disappears.
There is another reason I enter this tavern. It is because of the bar.
If there is a bar, there are drunk people. If there are drunks, there is information.