Tepo woke up in his own room.
He had been resting for three days now, his injuries mostly recovered. Only the spot on his waist where his defense was breached left behind a scar which wouldn't heal unless treated separately.
Hearing a movement from the bed, Varei slowly stopped his training and eyed Tepo.
"How are you?"
"Never felt better."
"Hmpf. In the future, you better take your life more seriously. Why risk it for such an irrelevant fight?"
"Oh, have you been worried for me?"
"Stupid human, you should feel honored if this dragon spirit shows concern for you."
"Haha, thank you your highness."
The friends bantered happily as Tepo slowly got out of bed. He stretched his body and loosened his joints.
Tepo's mood was great, although he was a bit worried since Yerive hadn't shown himself over the last few days.
But with the 200.000 credits in his pocket, Tepo finally had everything he needed to finish his and Varei's spells.
Afterwards he only needed to absorb some more of the Force of Time before he could break through to the acolyte rank.
Thus, Tepo was ready to spend most of the day shopping for spells.
Leaving the dorm, Tepo decided to take a look at the Web's headquarters first.
The intelligent man behaved carefully, knowing that he fully offended the Gold family this time. He put on his mask to change his face as he went out into the city.
A while later Tepo arrived in the vast exchange area in the Web's base. He traded in his loot from the last dungeon raid, receiving 1200 contribution points, not enough for his taste.
I should've made another trip to the forest…
But now it was too late. Tepo could only take his contribution points and get a list of affordable spells from the Web.
Still, the selection was a lot bigger than in the Carrying Winds World.
Tepo studied it closely, committing it to memory before leaving the base.
Next, he returned to the forum. Teaming up with Varei, Tepo strolled through the park enjoying the atmosphere.
Since his conversation with Yerive, Tepo had been questioning himself, realizing that his behavior over the last few months was too excessive.
Even if he had a lot of pressure on his shoulders, sacrificing everything for growth wasn't the correct way.
As he continued to ponder, Tepo gradually accepted that he had to balance training and life, or he might lose his mind before finding any 'outsiders'.
I also miss mother. Maybe I should take a trip back after reaching the acolyte rank.
Right, I could also invite Yerive. By now he should have the self-esteem to settle things with his father.
As various thoughts ran through Tepo's minds, the duo soon reached a small square.
In its center was a small fountain, surrounded by flowers and benches. Groups of students met here, exchanging opinions.
A few buildings surrounded the square, with students busily entering and leaving all the time.
That's what a student's life should be like. What a harmonious scene.
Tepo shook his head with a wry smile. He had never experienced the happy days of school life. Even in his new life, they only came as memories, feeling more like a long movie instead of something real.
But Tepo didn't linger for long. Ever since he killed the first 'outsider' he had accepted this burden and was willing to carry it. If his fight could allow others to live in peace, Tepo was already content.
Naturally, this peace was relative in a world of warriors…
Varei eyed Tepo strangely as the young man chuckled to himself. But quickly his attention diverted elsewhere as the duo stepped into a large building.
This was the forum's spell store, hailed as the most comprehensive even in the surrounding worlds.
Tepo stared at the rows and rows of spells and displays, neatly organized, offering an incredible variety of materials.
So many! Where do they get all these spells from?
The average student might not question these logistics, but Tepo felt a deep shock. As someone who went through several dungeons, he couldn't imagine how much work it took to accumulate all these spells.
Does the forum have a way to make money? What a joke, as if the aristocrats would use it to fill the spell store…
While Tepo was pondering random issues, Varei already browsed the first shelf in excitement. But soon his eyes showed a puzzled look, turning towards Tepo.
"Tepo? What's going on? These spells sound so weak!"
The question also diverted Tepo's attention, prompting him to approach Yerive.
"You're right. Most of these are three-runed, and even among those they aren't outstanding."
"Excuse me. Do you need some help?"
Suddenly a friendly voice reached the duo's ears.
They looked to the side, finding a rather petite young woman in orderly blue uniform, her brown hair forming a tidy bun.
Her subtle cleavage directed one's eyes to the text embroidered on her chest:
'Forum Spell Store, Assistant Helna Jafur'
Noticing Tepo's appreciating gaze the women smiled proudly as she explained:
"Respected guests, this first floor only holds standard spells.
For rare and powerful spells, you need to go upstairs.
Only outstanding individuals can enter the higher floors, needing to prove themselves in missions or dungeons.
But for you this should be no hindrance."
"Oh? You know me?"
"Of course, mister Tepo. Who in the forum doesn't know you?"
The pretty shop assistant let out a chuckle as Tepo raised his brow.
The young man had already noticed the Force of Natural Perception over the last few days, about to push his core's quality to the next level. But he hadn't expected that his name had already spread in the forum.
"Well then, miss Jafur. Can you show us some powerful spells?"
"My pleasure. Follow me."
Tepo and the shop assistant smiled at each other before walking towards a few stairs not far away.
Following behind Helna, Tepo wasn't shy to look at the woman's deliberately swaying butt.
However, an innocent question suddenly turned the atmosphere awkward:
"Tepo? Why is this person walking so strangely? Do you think she isn't feeling well?"
Suddenly Tepo let out a loud cough, looking at Varei with disbelief in his eyes.
But who could blame him? Dragon Spirits also had their mating rituals, but those were based on strength instead of appearance. Varei genuinely didn't know what the shop assistant was doing by swaying her butt.
While Tepo was caught between laughing and crying, Helna proved surprisingly professional. She simply changed her walk and diverted the topic with a question:
"Mister Tepo, can you tell me which spells you are interested in?"
"Oh, of course."
Over the last few weeks Tepo had also spent quite some time to sort out his thoughts. He gradually formed some ideas based on his preferences during fights.
"First, I need a strong nine-runed offensive spell. Something applicable to weapons.
Furthermore at least one supportive six-runed spell.
And a set of three-runed spells, which make for a strong combination.
Additionally, one spell of the 'last resort' kind."
Helna nodded calmly, not surprised by any of Tepo's wishes. She was confident that their store could accommodate him.
A few moments later the trio arrived before a closed door within the fourth, and highest, floor.
Helna smiled gently as she stepped to the side, letting Tepo prove his qualification with his token.
Nothing unexpected happened as the door blurred and vanished, granting the trio access.
Helna even turned a blind eye as Varei trotted into the room behind them.
Even up here, where only rare and powerful spells were sold, the shelves were still filled. However, the atmosphere was more comfortable, with large armchairs and plants decorating the room.
Helna even offered her customers something to drink, while beginning to introduce the wares at display.
Like children in a toy shop Tepo and Varei happily browsed through the spells, imagining their might.
After a while Tepo couldn't help but sigh. He didn't expect this store to have so many rare spells, its selection only rivaled by the Web.
Many of the exotic spells he could've bought with contribution points were on display here as well, proving the influence of both organizations.
With this variety it was hard to decide. Tepo and Varei took multiple hours until finally leaving in satisfaction.
They almost used up all their precious credits. Although Varei scolded Tepo, inwardly they both knew that they couldn't be stingy when it came to spells.
Leaving the store with broad grins, they couldn't wait to return to the dorm and finalize their spellcircles.
But unfortunately, another important matter was waiting. Today a course would be held, which was strongly recommended for all students with few exceptions.
Thus, the young warriors had to suppress their excitement and take some time to listen to what the teacher had to say.
A while later Tepo and Varei were seated within a massive open-air arena. It formed a half-circle around a podium, which would be barely discernible for the eyes of common people.
Thousands of students of all age groups chatted excitedly, not yet convinced how the upcoming course could be of such high importance.