"Time to rank up," Lami said with anticipation.
He sat cross-legged on his bed, holding a crystal-like gray mana core in his palm. Being from a Hatchling, the size was quite small—almost the size of his index finger.
"I sadly have only five of them," he muttered.
After slaying more than a hundred Hatchlings, he had found only five cores; even that could be considered lucky.
The chances of finding cores were extremely slim, and the higher-ranked ones went for a lot.
The drop rate was too low…
"Well…"
Crack!
Crushing the core in his palm, threads of mana came undone. They swirled around aimlessly; however, their trajectory changed all of a sudden. Mana rushed toward the earrings and entered his body. Lami felt a surge of strength and vigor. It was an addictive feeling.
"Close," Lami said under his breath.
Crack!
Borderline…
Crack!
Almost…
Crack!
With the fourth crack, Lami felt his mana amount multiplying as his mana core shook slightly. After a short, slightly discomforting moment, the shaking stopped. A sudden wave of mana surged within his body like a tidal wave.
Lami's senses sharpened as he dazedly observed his room. Everything appeared the same, yet subtly different—especially in the vibrancy of the colors.
Lami felt serene, he was floating. "Lami hadn't thought his first rank-up would be this… euphoric
It was all thanks to the earrings, but sadly he couldn't abuse this method. Due to the wicked quality of Crazed cores, Lami didn't want to consume much mana from the cores.
The mana they possessed within their bodies was different than the cores. It was completely corrupt.
"I can get addicted to this," Lami said, clenching and unclenching his fist. Then he looked at the clueless kitten.. 'What do you think, Jack?'"
"Meow!"
"Yeah thought so."
Lami petted the kitten that was sitting on his side.
"Status.."
A holographic screen he had seen many times appeared in front of him, revealing his profile.
=======[Status Window]=======
Name: Lami Stern
Age: 16
Year Rank: 2543
Class:
﹂N/A: Apprentice Rank needed.
Will(s):
﹂N/A
====[Rank Stats]====
Rank: Beginner
Strength: Tier - 2
Stamina: Tier - 2
Agility: Tier - 3
Mana: Tier - 3
Control: Tier - 2
…
==========================
Apart from his rank stats, everything was still the same as before.
'....I'm probably not there yet.'
Concluding it was time to get ready Lami quickly took a shower and changed into a new set of clothes.
This time he didn't feel the need to hide his tattoo and wore a white plain t-shirt with black sports shorts.
"Let's go, Jack," he said, motioning for him to follow, and Jack gladly complied.
They walked for 10 minutes to reach the building that was home to the top 100 students from each year, entering the luxurious and grandiose lobby, Lami was awestruck. Helios Hall—it was magnificent.
The lobby lounge was furnished with silver Chester sofas and wooden panels.
Bamboo chandeliers and multiple lined small-sized trees evoked a cozy feeling. There was a pond in the middle, with various colored koi fish swimming within.
Lami looked around in astonishment, walking on the granite floor.
"We have a slight problem…" he said, stopping dissapointedly. "I don't know where Lumia's room is and I can't as Lucian or Lumia… I don't have their contact information."
Such a basic oversight…
It was unlike Lami so naturally, he felt ashamed of himself.
Tok! Tok!
Reaching the elevator with heavy steps, Lami pressed the button for the first floor, guessing the first years would be assigned to the lower levels.
Ding!
The door opened with a small chime. Lami quickly scanned the floor, noticing that each one consisted of 15 suites.
If his theory about first-year students being on lower floors was correct, it would still take considerable time to check each one.
And if his assumption was wrong, it was almost impossible to find the right room.
'I'm cooked.'
A defeated look took place on Lami's face, he didn't know what to do.
He considered going back but couldn't stomach breaking a promise. Getting Jack in his arms, he pressed on the 2nd floor button.
Ding!
Again there was no one and no clue.
Sigh.
"...."
Ding!
His frustration growing with each floor, Lami quickly walked through the silent corridor. As he was about to call the elevator, the door opened, revealing a somewhat familiar face.
With deep black hair cascading freely like a silken waterfall and piercing ocean-blue eyes that seemed to hold the weight of the sea, it was none other than Seren Steinhart.
She scanned Lami, her disinterested eyes momentarily stopping at Lami's forearm, before starting to walk away without saying anything.
Tak! Tak!
The sound of her steps faded as she walked away.
"Wait!" Lami called. I'm looking for Lumia's room. Do you know where it is?"
Lumia and Seren were together alongside Eleanor during the whole duration of Reiko's assessment.
Seren stopped, turning her attention to Lami she said with a disinterested look on her face,
"Follow me."
Lami did exactly that.
They didn't enter the elevator, meaning her suite was located on the fifth floor.
Lami looked around in astonishment, walking on the granite floor. As Lami pressed the ring Seren again started to walk away, not even giving attention to Jack.
'What a crude,' Lami condemned.
Before he could condemn her further, the door opened, revealing a pair of glimmering golden eyes.
"Jack!" Lumia remarked, excitedly. "Come in Lami!"
'...It's always Jack.' Lami sighed.
She reached for Jack, and he leaped into her arms without hesitation.
'Traitor.'
Lami removed his shoes and entered the suite as Lumia poked her head out, noticing Seren at the end of the corridor. "Seren, do you want to eat together?"
Hearing the tempting proposal, Seren halted but said nothing.
"Please?"
"...What are you eating?" Seren asked, tilting her head ever so slightly.
Lumia shrugged. "I don't know, but he seems to know what he is doing. ….I guess."
Seren raised her eyebrows in doubt. "Who?"
"Lucian."
Seren paused momentarily, her confused expression betraying a rare glimmer of emotion as she asked, "..Who?"
"....A friend of mine and our classmate. You know him," Lumia replied. "Are you coming or not?
'She adapted faster than I expected,' Lami thought, noting Lumia's insistence. The robotic tone of her voice had nearly vanished, leaving only a faint trace.
Seren once again lingered for a bit, contemplating. However, she affirmed at the end with a nod.
She soon also entered the suite after taking her shoes off.