The faint hum of the Da'at System echoed in Isaac's mind as he sat cross-legged on his dormitory bed, his brow furrowed in concentration. He had spent the better part of the morning running simulations in his head for the upcoming entrance exam. With his limited skills and mana reserves, every move had to count.
It was during one of these thought experiments that a new notification appeared, breaking his train of thought.
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[System Notification]
Host please look at the Store feature for item.
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Isaac's eyes widened. "Wait… there's a store?"
A golden icon appeared in the interface, pulsing faintly as if beckoning him. He tapped it, and a sprawling grid of items filled his vision: weapons, armor, materials, and tools, each accompanied by a glowing price tag in System Points (SP).
For a brief moment, he marveled at the sheer variety. Then his expression darkened.
"You're telling me this was here the whole time?" he muttered, his voice dripping with irritation.
The system's calm voice responded.
[The store feature has been accessible since your initial awakening.]
Isaac's jaw clenched. "And you didn't think to tell me?"
[The user unlocked the store feature during the tutorial phase but neglected to access it.]
Isaac blinked, the words sinking in. "Wait… I forgot? Are you serious?"
The system didn't respond, leaving Isaac to stew in his frustration. He ran a hand down his face, groaning. "Unbelievable. I could've had better tools for training this whole time, and I didn't even bother checking."
After a moment of grumbling, Isaac sighed and turned his attention back to the store interface. Rows of items shimmered faintly, categorized by type: weapons, armor, tools, and materials.
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Available Balance: 750 SP
Item Available: Beginner
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The first section was filled with mundane options: rusty daggers, poorly made swords, and chipped shields. The descriptions didn't inspire confidence.
[Rusty Dagger]: A basic weapon. Sharp enough to cut soft materials. Durability: 10/30. Price: 50 SP.
[Cheap Leather Armor]: Provides minimal protection. Durability: 15/50. Price: 100 SP.
[Basic Health Potion]: Restores 20 HP. Price: 30 SP.
Isaac winced. "This stuff looks like it belongs in a yard sale."
Further down the list, he found tools and materials. Most were equally underwhelming: basic mining picks, wooden staffs, and coarse fabrics.
Further down the list, he found a weapon that caught his eye.
[Iron Brass Knuckles]: Lightweight and durable. Perfect for hand-to-hand combat. Durability: 50/50. Price: 200 SP.
Isaac leaned back, considering his options. He didn't want to rely too much on flashy weapons or tools that could draw attention to his other abilities. These brass knuckles would let him enhance his fire skills while appearing to be a straightforward brawler.
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Locked Items
Some sections were grayed out entirely, their names accompanied by a padlock icon.
[Intermediate Gear] (Unlocks at Level 10)
[Rare Items] (Unlocks at Level 15)
[Advanced Tools] (Unlocks at Level 20)
....More.....
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He frowned, trying to select one of the locked categories. The system responded immediately.
[Access restricted. Current level insufficient.]
Isaac sighed. "Figures. Guess I'm stuck with the bargain bin for now."
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Determined to make the most of his situation, Isaac began browsing the available items more carefully. He prioritized utility over quality, knowing his budget wouldn't allow for anything extravagant.
[Basic Adventurer's Toolkit]: A simple set containing a rope, flint, and a small knife. Price: 150 SP.
[Iron Brass Knuckles]: Lightweight and durable. Perfect for hand-to-hand combat. Price: 200 SP.
[Cheap Healing Potion]: Restores 10 HP. Price: 20 SP (x10).
He added the items to his cart, wincing at the total: 550 SP.
"Great," he muttered. "There goes most of my points."
With a resigned sigh, he finalized the purchase. The items materialized in his inventory, glowing faintly before disappearing into storage.
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Isaac stood in the outer layer of the academy, a secluded training field surrounded by dense trees. His new brass knuckles glinted faintly in the sunlight as he adjusted their fit over his hands. The weight was perfect—not too heavy to hinder his movements but solid enough to pack a punch.
He activated Gevurah's Purging Flame, summoning a faint aura of fire around his fists. The flames danced along the surface of the knuckles, giving them an intimidating edge.
Isaac lunged forward, throwing a straight punch. The brass knuckles collided with the dummy's wooden frame, flames erupting on impact. The force sent the dummy staggering back, a scorch mark left on its surface.
"Not bad," Isaac muttered, shaking his hand. The impact resonated through his arm, but it wasn't unbearable.
He then tested a series of rapid strikes—jabs, hooks, and uppercuts. Each hit carried a burst of flames, the heat intensifying with every combination. The dummy was soon covered in burn marks, its once-sturdy frame beginning to crack.
Isaac smirked. "I could get used to this."
After a few minutes, he paused, checking his mana reserves. The constant use of fire was draining, and his limited MP wasn't helping.
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[MP: 45/150]
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"Let's try something else," he muttered.
This time, he focused on short bursts of fire, activating the flames only at the moment of impact. The technique required more precision but conserved mana significantly. He spent the next hour refining this method, his punches becoming more fluid and controlled.
Testing the weapon durability, Isaac turned his attention to the terrain, striking at nearby rocks and tree stumps to gauge the knuckles' durability. The iron held up well, but the durability meter in the system interface ticked down steadily.
[Iron Brass Knuckles]: Lightweight and durable. Perfect for hand-to-hand combat. Durability: 25/50.
"Looks like these won't last forever," he noted. "I'll need to keep an eye on that."
As Isaac continued, he noticed a faint glow on the knuckles with each successful strike. A system notification appeared.
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[Weapon Proficiency Increased: Brass Knuckles]
Damage Output: +2%
Fire Channeling Efficiency: +5%
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Isaac's eyes narrowed. "So, the more I use them, the better they get? Interesting."
He spent the rest of the afternoon pushing his limits, experimenting with different techniques and strategies. By the time he was done, the training dummy was nothing more than a charred stump, and his knuckles were warm to the touch.
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Isaac sat under a tree, catching his breath as the sun dipped low in the sky. The brass knuckles rested in his lap, their once-shiny surface now dulled with soot and scratches.
"They're not perfect," he murmured, "but they'll do for now."
Isaac exhaled, leaning back against the tree. The store had been a surprise, and while it wasn't impressive yet, it held promise.
"Just wait," he muttered, staring at the horizon. "I'll get stronger. This is just the beginning."
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. The store wasn't impressive now, but it was a glimpse of what could be. And for the first time in a while, Isaac felt a spark of something unfamiliar anticipation.
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