The only thing which would restrict him was his Spiritual Energy. And in order to increase his spiritual Energy, Kai had plenty of methods.
The first method was to utilise potions to improve the efficiency of his regular meditation. This would be rather useful for Kai, considering that the efficiency of using the Santok Meditation method, when both Kai and Yu were using it, was almost twice as effective as it would have been if only one of them were using it. Improving this efficiency further would be rather useful, however almost all such potions had side effects, and deciding which side effect was acceptable for the Mage was an important task.
The second method was using a Meditation Method, however, almost all such methods were secured for core disciples of the Bluestone Sect. Normal disciples would not be able to access Meditation Methods, which made Kai rather confused.
Initially, based on how the Bluestone Sect was able to detect his Medium Grade Elemental Affinity with Blood, he had assumed that they were more developed in the way of the mage as compared to the Santok Empire. Now however, it seemed as though they were the ones behind the Santok Empire, relying on potions and other external factors to increase the Spiritual Energy of their disciples, as Yu; a 'useless' item production student, was given the choice between 5 Meditation methods.
There was also the possibility that the methods given to Yu were of really poor quality, and the potions might have a much better effect than such a low-level technique, while the ones reserved for the core disciples might be even better than the potions. To test this out, Kai would naturally have to test out the effects of the potions multiple times.
The third method was to utilise an external Art which increased your Spiritual Energy with every use, or had a similar effect over time. This was incredibly rare and there have only been 2 recorded cases of such an External Art existing.
The fourth and final method is to use Artifacts which help increase your Spiritual Energy over time.
Now that Kai thought about it, did that mean that Aaron, was also a core disciple since he knew about the meditation method?
While pushing this thought out of his mind, Kai left his room in search of potions. The only place which sold potions was the student market. Essentially, it was a marketplace for students to trade between themselves, without the involvement of teachers unless a fight broke out.
Kai walked in and noticed a few stalls with a large number of students crowding around them, shouting and yelling to get their turn to make a purchase. And all of these stalls were selling potions.
Going towards the stall, Kai noticed what they were selling; Spiritual Energy Potions! However, they were selling out fast! With just 5 remaining, and over 20 people vying for them, Kai squeezed closer through the crowd and checked the descriptions and prices for each potion.
Merman Scale Potion- Boosts Spiritual Energy by 20% for those who have not reached Rank 1, but causes the user to fall into a deep sleep for 10 hours after consuming it – 200 Mana crystals
Shark-fin Potion- Boosts Spiritual Energy by 20% for those who have not reached Rank 1, but causes the user to drink a lot of water daily while using it – 220 Mana crystals
Seeing the exorbitant prices, Kai was immediately disheartened as he tried to move out of the crowd, only to find out that the salesman had turned his attention to Kai.
"You seem like a promising young disciple. How about this, I will give you a discount now to you can get the potion you want, and you just have to repay me later!"
Kai looked at the disciple who was selling the potions and squinted his eyes before nodding.
"Alright. Which potion do you want?"
"Merman Scale Potion"
"Alright, I will sell each one to you for 20 Mana crystals, and you can just pay back the rest over the next 2 years! How does that sound? Of course, there will be an interest of 5% per month for this."
"…" Kai remained silent, however, a moment later he nodded once more, and a contract appeared in front of the disciple with a pen.
"Just sign here, and the potions are yours."
"Magic Contract…" Kai instantly became suspicious and asked the system to check the price of Merman Scale Potions from the information they had gathered at the library.
*Beep*
[Establishing task]
[Time until completion: 2s]
[Task complete]
[Historically, the Merman Scale Potion has cost around 2 Mana crystals in terms of raw materials, and has been sold for around 10-20 mana crystals depending on the availability of Mermen in the era and locality]
"…" Kai was instantly stunned, and also at a loss for words. However, just as quickly, a raging anger built up in his heart as his expression darkened considerably. He snatched the contract but did not sign it, and instead took it away, heading straight for the Faculty section of the Battle Hall.
Behind him, the salesman, as well as the crowd who he had hired to crowd around his stall, were left stunned at the sudden turn of events.
Although Kai had felt like killing the disciple right then and there, he reined himself in since the rules of the sect forbade killing on Sect grounds other than in the Life-or-Death Arena. Plus, the 2 years he had spent with Aaron and Pops had greatly diminished his killing intent which had been built up in the battle to save Pops from the enemies.
"I would like to report a scam taking place at the disciple marketplace," Kai said to the same receptionist who had informed him about the free Spiritual Energy scanning in Hall 5 two days ago.
"Name?"
"Kai"
"Not yours. The name of the student conducting fraudulent activities."
"…" Kai was instantly at a loss; however he immediately opened the contract, only to realise that neither of the party names had been filled or signed, likely the disciple was going to pass on the contract to someone else who would be in charge of debt collection or something, ridding himself free of the case.
"I- I don't know. However, it is the disciple nearest to the entrance of the Disciple Marketplace with a large crowd around his stall, selling potions. He was selling Merman Scale Potions for 200 mana crystals, but giving me a discount to 20 crystals and taking on the rest as debt, using this contract."
"Oh?" The receptionist picked up the contract, before reading it briefly.
"I am sorry Kai. Although I have indeed heard of such things happening, without a name and solid evidence of his or her involvement in the case, I cannot take any action or inform any of the Rank 1 magi."
The receptionist leaned in closer and whispered, "Plus, do you think someone with no backing could survive in this place while doing fraudulent activities like this? Surely there is someone behind this person, someone rather influential if you catch my drift?"
"Oh…" Kai sighed as he left the magic contract and returned to his dorm, on the way, he found Fred.