Getting caught was not an option. Kai quickly ran out of the kitchen and into the canteen where he was met by some recruits. 'How long have I been in there?' Kai asked himself as he kept a straight face walking through the recruits. By the time Kai was at the exit to the canteen, a figure emerged from the kitchen he had exited.
"Where is the brat that just came out of my kitchen." He heard the feminine voice ask as he quickened his step. He hurriedly left for his dorm before someone came to look for him. What was he going to say he was looking for inside the kitchen? There was a non-staff restriction board placed on the door before he entered. He was surprised that no recruit asked him any questions. Maybe they were all low-level recruits.
"One mission down, a little more determination, and I'll get there." Kai hurried into the washroom. He was now determined to improve in every aspect of his training since his last encounter with Erik. Frode was shocked when he saw Kai all dressed up in his blue uniform and black pants. "Let's go, we don't want to be late for today's lessons," Kai said as he left the dorm.
Frode hurried behind Kai leaving Erik behind. They soon arrived at the canteen. It was heavily packed with recruits as the chef in charge had refused to serve anyone their breakfast until the culprit that broke into her kitchen came forth. Kai without a doubt knew the recruits could recognize him but said nothing, he just walked over to a table and took a seat.
"That's him." A tiny voice came from the back. Kai quickly hurried to take his leave. "Yes, the one that just came in. He left your kitchen this morning." Erik was shocked when he saw someone was coming to get him. He felt all high and mighty but was surprised when his face was met with a slap.
"You brat, think I wouldn't get you." The chef dragged him by the ear as she pulled him along with her into the back kitchen. The attendees behind the counter began to serve the breakfast as if by command. Kai walked up with a broad smile on his face. "Phew." Breakfast was oatmeal, eggs, and a cup of brewed tea. Kai walked back to his table with Frode behind him.
"You were scared when we walked in, now you're happy. Tell me what's going on with you." Kai raised his head, his mouth full as he looked at Frode. "I don't know." He said, muffled with food still in his mouth.
"Lazy bunch, hurry up let's go." Annika's voice sounded subtle to Kai's ears. "Today we begin formal training on increasing our skill level."
"When do we start?" Kai asked, everyone turned to look at him. He had no skill yet he was in a hurry to learn how to level up. "As soon as Colonel Skai approves. He seems to have left for a meeting this morning." Annika said. "So we have till afternoon" Kai kept bombarding questions. "I guess so."
Kai was done with his breakfast as he quickly left the canteen, he headed straight for the boulder rock he used as his meditation point. And after a long 3-hour marathon of sitting under the sun to absorb heat, Kai's mission was now complete. His screen popped up before him.
-|MISSION COMPLETE|-
-|20XP ADDED TO EXP|-
-|EXP: 100/100|-
-|LEVELING UP|-
-|SUCCESSFULLY REACHED LEVEL 5|-
-|100 SKILL POINTS ADDED TO INVENTORY|-
-|SKILL POINTS: 320|-
-|100XP ADDED TO EXP|-
-|EXP: 100/140|-
-|NEW SKILLS UNLOCKED|-
-|FIRE FIST: COST 100 SKILL POINTS|-
-|FIRE BALL: COST 170 SKILL POINTS|-
Kai quickly navigated through the screen to buy his newly acquired skills.
-|NEW SKILL ADDED TO INVENTORY, FIRE FIST: LEVEL 1|-
-|GRANTS USER THE ABILITY TO USE FIRE TO INCREASE PUNCH POWER|-
-|COST- 4 MANA PER USE|-
-|NEW SKILL ADDED TO INVENTORY, FIREBALL: LEVEL 1|-
-|GRANTS USER THE ABILITY TO RELEASE FIREBALL AT TARGETS|-
-|COST- 5 MANA PER USE|-
Getting these new skills was truly a game-changer for Kai. He was surely going to surprise anyone he faced now with his new skills, even though they cost him a lot and would drain even more mana from him if he didn't handle the situation well.
Kai met back with his teammates at the arena, the Ranking Board now displayed their team at 30th position. It seemed the little stunt which Kai had pulled and Erik paid for had impacted their team position. Erik had also dropped on the Ranking Board to 3rd position.
"As you all observed on the day you all went out on a tour of the academy there were different facilities still being erected." Colonel Skai spoke into the microphone that stood on the podium. "Well, those facilities are what you will be using to train in different areas of your astral nodes." Kai and his teammates were unable to join the tour party so they had little information on what the facilities looked like. "The Ranking Board displays each of your positions as I mentioned before so without much talking let's, get down to business."
Sergeant Valkyrie walked up the podium with a micro book in her hand. "In a month, we will officially begin the tournament. There you can display your skills and assist your teammate in helping level up and increase your position on the Ranking Board.
Erik walked into the arena, his face was blank without expression. He walked over to where his teammates sat down.
"What happened to him," Ingrid asked. Frode took the liberty to explain what transpired at the canteen this morning. No one bothered to ask any further questions after Frode finished as they all waited for the lessons to begin.
To level up a skill, the user of the skill has to either buy skill points to level up, meditate, or take missions. Kai was now ready to test his skills.