Mortals who had awakened their spirit veins were known as spirit warriors. These individuals could harness soul power in the most basic ways.
In the past, spirit warriors were often considered negligible, but this perception underwent a drastic change following a shocking event that took place during the great Wizard War.
This shocking event was a planned assassination that stood out for its unprecedented nature.
The most unique aspect of this assassination was that although the targets were actual wizards and the assailants were Spirit Warriors, it ended in the annihilation of both sides.
This event not only shook the world but also garnered the attention of the higher-ups in the wizarding world.
The fact that Spirit Warriors, previously considered significantly inferior to wizards, could mount such a formidable challenge against their magically superior counterparts, and inflict considerable damage, led to a reevaluation of their status and capabilities, and their status in society was raised.
Since then, although still not held in the same esteem as wizards by magicists, spirit warriors were no longer underestimated.
The spirit warrior rank was further divided into eight levels, corresponding to the number of spirit veins they had successfully awakened. For example, a level 1 spirit warrior had only awakened their level 1 spirit vein, while a level 2 had awakened both their level 1 and level 2 spirit veins.
Since Valerius had awakened his level 1 to level 3 spirit veins in the spirit vein awakening ceremony, he was now a certified level 3 spirit warrior and his soul power capcity was at 30 points.
Unfortunately, this new status didn't bring any monetary benefits. The House of Khaleji did not allocate resources to their spirit warriors. This was a long-standing rule and hadn't changed, even though the status of spirit warriors had long been elevated in society.
The only benefit of becoming a level 3 spirit warrior for Valerius was that he had secured the right to remain a part of the House of Khaleji until his death or unless he committed an unforgivable crime. Wizards or those with the potential to become one couldn't be expelled from the House of Khaleji without a valid reason, after all.
"Now that I have become a spirit warrior and secured a permanent spot in the House of Khaleji, what should I do next?" Valerius thought.
He was unsure if his newfound status as a member of the main family and the sole adopted son of the head of the House of Khaleji would be enough to ward off the assassination attempt that was to take place on his life within a month.
Now that he had changed the present, the future had also changed. There was a 50% chance that the assassination would happen and a 50% chance that it wouldn't. He, however, had no way of knowing what it would be.
What he did know was that strength could be his compass to navigate the unpredictable tides of the future and ensure his survival.
Considering his current situation, he felt an intense thirst for strength. For him, strength was not merely a desire; it was an absolute necessity. After all, it represented the key to protecting himself from looming threats and carving a path in a world brimming with unforeseen challenges and opportunities. Moreover, it was his only hope of finding a way back home to his parents.
He needed strength. But where could he get it?
Valerius tapped his chin with his forefinger as he contemplated his next steps. After a few moments, an idea sparked in his mind, lighting up his eyes with excitement.
"Before anything, I should explore the new changes in the mysterious space within my mind."
Before acting on his plan, Valerius informed the servants of the mansion not to disturb him under any circumstances and locked the door to his room for privacy.
Settling comfortably on the bed, he closed his eyes.
The familiar star-like glow appeared in his mind's eye.
Focusing intently on it, he was swiftly transported to the mysterious space, where a significant and noticeable change had occurred.
Now, in addition to the treasury and the altar with the quest book, there stood a massive pagoda with a serene and ancient aura in the endless expanse of the mysterious space.
The pagoda had countless levels, each adorned with intricately carved eaves and roofs that elegantly curved upwards at the corners.
The pagoda was the reward he received from the quest book for altering the fate of the Limitless. Each level of the pagoda represented a challenge, and he could get a reward for completing each challenge.
'I should better equip myself before attempting to challenge the first floor of the primordial pagoda,' Valerius thought.
He spared the pagoda a long, silent glance before entering the treasury to collect the rewards he had received from completing the second and third quests issued by the quest book.
Inside the treasury, a rune and a piece of black fabric could be seen on the item rack.
Each item was accompanied by an old sheet of paper.
These sheets were frayed at the edges and had yellowed with age, and they provided detailed information about the two items they were placed beside.
Product Name: Rune of Swiftness
Serial Number: N/A
Type: Magic Artifact
Creator's ID: ∞
Description: The Rune of Swiftness appears as a round mirror that has its surface veiled by a red curtain.
Tests conducted over several years have revealed the following things about it.
A) The Rune of Swiftness can be attached to almost any object or being, and as a result, it significantly enhances the speed or agility of that object or being. For example, if attached to a flying sword, the sword's flight speed would double. If attached to a pair of boots, the wearer's walking and running speed would increase significantly. If it's attached to a human body, it enhances the person's overall agility.
B) The Rune of Swiftness is a living object that becomes hungry every midnight if used during the day. To satiate its hunger, it devours its host. Whatever serves as its medium is destined to be consumed by it. This is the cost of harnessing its power.
C) The aforementioned scenario does not apply to entities or objects possessing soul power as they can feed the rune their soul power in exchange for using its powers and making it hungry. The amount of soul power required during the feeding process depends on the extent of the rune's use during the day.
D) The feeding process occurs at midnight on the day of its usage, precisely at 24:00.
E) Once attached to an object or an entity, there is no physical way to detach it. It will come off by itself when the host is dead or if the help of a God is used. It's recommended to not try the latter even if you have the chance as gods are one of the greediest creatures known to man and their help doesn't come without a price.
Product Name: Shielding Glove
Serial Number: 123
Type: Magic Artifact
Creator's ID: ∞
Description: The Shielding Glove initially appears as a piece of black fabric. However, once bound to a user, it transforms into a glove as dark as ink.
The shielding glove has two effects. Its first effect is the ability to morph into a sturdy shield capable of withstanding significant damage. Its second effect is to change into an extendable and retractable hook with an invisible grip. What it morphs into can be determined by the user's thoughts.
There's a notable side effect of using the Shielding Glove. Using it causes fluctuation in the user's mood. These fluctuations can range from sudden bursts of anger to uncharacteristic bouts of sadness. However, these emotional changes are typically mild and manageable.
Based on extensive testing over several months, it has been observed that, given its powerful and versatile effects, the side effect of emotional fluctuations is relatively negligible. It is a highly recommended item for anyone who has a hand.
The product name and type were self-explanatory.
The creator's ID showed who created a magic artifact. Most artifact creators, known as artificers, didn't use their real names as their creator IDs for their own safety. After all, this practice helped them avoid being targeted by those who would be willing to commit heinous crimes to seek the creation methods of the artifacts they had invented, and there were many sich crackheads among wizards.
The serial number indicated how many of the same items existed. For example, the Shielding Glove had the serial number 123, meaning it was the 123rd magic artifact of its type. More than 122 Shielding Gloves had been created before this one.
At the same time, it showed a bunch of other things.
The Rune of Swiftness having a serial number of N/A signified that there wasn't another like it. It was Infinity's unique invention.
Moreover, leaving it without a serial number indicated his intent not to publicize its creation method.
This meant it was one of a kind, and this unique item had ended up in Valerius's hands. He felt quite joyous about it.
The creator's ID for these two objects was 'Infinity.' Valerius had never heard of such an artifact creator, and this name wasn't mentioned in the novel either. He was completely in the dark about who it might be.
However, whoever they were, they had to be a wizard and were deeply connected to the appearance of the mysterious space inside his mind, as well as the quest book that was bound to him.
Perhaps they created both of them, or they were simply using the quest book to communicate with him and entice him to do their bidding in exchange for rewards. Whatever the case, he was willing to comply, as he would fare much worse otherwise and might even face death.
Though the idea of it being a ticking time bomb did cross his mind, sending goosebumps throughout his body, he knew he wasn't in any position to decline it as he needed it. Not to mention, he had no idea how to.
Also, magic artifacts could be naturally occurring, and there were artifacts that could create magic artifacts. So, until he read their description, he had no idea they were man-made. Only now had he discovered that a wizard was behind this and it both horrified and amazed him.
'Where is it?'
On the front of the parchment papers, their description was mentioned. But there was no mention of how to attach with the rune of swiftness or form a bond with the shielding glove there. Valerius wondered where he could discover this valuable information.
'It should be here somewhere. Aha, found it!'
After carefully examining the old parchment papers, Valerius found the instructions needed to bond with the Rune of Swiftness and the Shielding Glove on their back.