Amidst the buzz and varying reactions, the center of everyone's thoughts, Alex himself, was preoccupied with something else entirely.
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[The host has completed a Quest]
[Main Quest: Attain Top Ranking]
[Rank Attained: 67]
[Calculating Rewards...]
[Reward: 1000 XP and Random Skill Card (Rank: E) X1]
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Alex had anticipated the rewards to be a modest increase in experience points and system points, which aligned closely with what was actually awarded.
However, receiving a Random Skill Card was a pleasant surprise, albeit not a groundbreaking one.
He knew he could purchase an E rank skill for just 200 shop coins or exchange by selling four E rank monster cores for one.
Still, the prospect of discovering which skill he would receive was exciting. All the remaining E rank skills in the system held exceptional potential, and he had already been considering investing in them.
With anticipation, Alex opened his inventory. There, amidst his collection of various items, was the Random Skill Card.
He clicked on it, and almost immediately, a new skill notification popped up from the system.
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[The host has acquired the E rank skill Berserker]
Skill: Berserker (Active)
Rank: E
Description:
- Enhances all physical attributes such as strength, speed, and endurance for a limited time
- Renders the user immune to all forms of status debuffs
- Reduces the effectiveness of incoming damage by developing heightened resistance to pain and damage
==============================
"So what sort of reward did you receive for your quest?" Aurora inquired, already aware of the sudden quest and the system's notification triggered by his actions.
"Some experience points and an E-rank skill," Alex replied briefly before Aurora shifted the conversation to the next day's events.
"Tomorrow will be open to all. You can challenge anyone for their ranks. If you win, you earn their ranking for yourself. Many are unsatisfied with your current rank, so expect a slew of challenges from plenty of disgruntled students."
'Yeah, I noticed plenty of unhappy faces and glares my way that could kill.' Alex sighed deeply, dreading the upcoming challenges. "Yeah, I know tomorrow is going to be hectic."
"Are you planning to challenge anyone, Alex?" Aurora asked curiously.
"No, I don't think so. I'm satisfied with my current standing. But if anyone challenges me, I'm ready to hand them a crushing defeat."
'My sudden rise through the ranks has already drawn too much attention. The last thing I want is to catch the eye of some formidable figure by accident.'
As anticipated, the next day was fraught with challenges. Numerous foolhardy souls, blinded by ego, stepped up to challenge Alex, hoping for glory.
All they managed was a resounding defeat at Alex's hands, which they dismissed as mere luck or error.
'Foolish humans, drunk on pride, are indeed blind.' Aurora chuckled from the sidelines, thoroughly amused by their misery as they lamented their losses against Alex.
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆
All the tests were finally over, and the students were given a few days off to recover from the week's exhaustion.
Back in his dorm room, Alex sat on his bed, engrossed in his system. Aurora, growing restless in the silence, finally spoke up. "What are you doing?"
"I was thinking about increasing my mana pool by refining these monster cores I've collected. With everything else going on, I haven't had much chance to use the mana-gathering technique you taught me."
"Ooh, how many do you have now?"
"In my inventory, there are about 10 E-rank and 1 D-rank monster core. I also have the body of that Berserker Boar I defeated earlier."
Alex then crossed his legs and began refining the monster cores. As he processed each core, his refining speed increased.
The D-rank monster core took the longest to refine, but he eventually managed to absorb all its mana.
'The mana from this core is as berserk as the monster it came from.'
After completing the refinement of all the monster cores he stopped. It was time to check his progress by pulling up his status panel.
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[Status]
[Host: Alex Blanc]
[Race: Human]
[Age: 16]
[Rank: E → E+]
[Magic Affinity: Dark(SS)]
[MP: 800/800]
[HP: 400/400]
[Experience: 9000/10000]
[System Points: 37]
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As Aurora couldn't view the system, Alex excitedly shared his progress with her. He was delighted to report that his mana pool had increased by 250.
Aurora was pleasantly surprised by the news; the increase was even more than she had anticipated after refining all those cores.
'He truly is a gifted genius.' she thought. 'His refining speed visibly improved with each core, and he's becoming increasingly proficient.'
Encouraged by his progress, Alex spent the rest of the day diligently practicing the mana-gathering technique Aurora had taught him. By the end of the day, his mana capacity had surpassed the 900 mark. Still not satisfied, he continued practicing late into the night until his mana capacity reached 1000 MP.
Alex grinned with satisfaction upon seeing his mana capacity hit four digits. Aurora, too, felt a surge of happiness seeing his excitement and joy.
"So, what are your plans now, after this achievement?" she asked, her voice filled with anticipation.
"Let me think." Alex pondered. "Helping Sherry and completing that special quest are scheduled for later, and I don't have any immediate plans. Maybe now that I've increased my mana pool, I could learn some new magic spells from you? Or perhaps take on a mission from the Adventurer's Guild?"
"If you don't have anything particular in mind, how about I give you one small task? If you complete it, I'll teach you not just any spell, but a Tier-5 spell."
"What? A Tier-5 spell? You mean we're completely skipping Tier-3 and Tier-4 spells and going straight to a Tier-5 spell?" Alex could hardly believe her offer.
"Yes, a Tier-5 spell. Not just some lower-tier spell." She confirmed, her expression serious yet playful.
"So, what sort of impossible task are you setting for me to teach me a Tier-5 spell all of a sudden?" Alex asked, his curiosity piqued by Aurora's unexpected offer.
Aurora's eyes twinkled with mischief as she prepared to lay out the challenge. "It's a simple request, nothing impossible."