'First I need to win the tournament, then breakthrough the second rank and look for that beast.'
Quickly adjusting his schedule, Nux decided to choose the first quest, as it was the easiest and fastest one to complete.
[You have chosen the quest: A Commoners Pride. Rewards will be issued upon quest completion.]
A new, transparent blue screen appeared in his line of vision, signifying that he had chosen a quest.
"Dean, I think my level is sufficient enough. My combat skills are lacking, so I would like to train for a while."
Nux, confident as ever, voiced out his thoughts. He doubt the noble school would have someone at the same level as him, the only thing that puts him at ease.
"Is that so? I'll arrange for some professor to help you with combat."
Arthur didn't mind. It was more welcomed that Nux recognize his strength and weaknesses. 'Linda and Seri should be enough.' He thought about the teachers qualified enough to teach Nux the basics first.
"No need to trouble yourself. I'll be in the dungeon." Saying that, Nux excused himself and went towards his room. Arthur, left behind had a troubled expression. Everyone in this school, treated him as a superior. Nux, on the other hand have always been talking to him casually. So causally that one might think the two are just friends.
This…he himself wasn't sure if he should overlooked this matter or not.
. . .
Nux, inside his room sat comfortably in his bed. On his palm, he hold his storage ring, inspecting it properly. Inside of, a tall, pile of gold coins lay. Near on it, a chest, created from precious materials lay.
This chest, has a special mechanism that only he, at the Fifth Level can open. No one other than him.
Taking it out from his storage, it landed with a thud on his room floor. It's height reaches his waist, bigger than what it looks like inside the storage ring.
Seeing the chest, his excitement shoot through the roof. According to his parents, this was something that could help in the long term.
His father, whenever his sons and daughters reached the requirements of Fifth Level would be given a gift. It was a random gift, sometimes an artifact, a weapon, an armour, a skill or even a pet beast.
His minds wandered with the endless possibilities of what gift could he received. With uncontrollable excitement and high hopes, he opened the chest,
feeling it's cold and rough texture with his hand. With a slight pull, the top opened, revealing a single item and a piece of paper.
The item was a lone ear ring, yet Nux look at it with astonishment. This, he recognized this earring! It was the earring his father, Zirius wore in his right ear. And he knew it's functions too.
Nux felt happy because he had ask his father many times to give him this. This seemingly ordinary earring was a soul artifact, and as long as it was binded to him, it can never be taken off. If his ear were removed, he could call for this earring and it will come instantly!
"Mana Devourer." Nux recited it's name, recalling it's effects in his mind. Mana absorption increased by 30 times, mana regeneration increased by 70 percent, chanting speed increase by ten times, skill damage increases by five times, skill mana usage decreased by 60 percent and most of all, its passive effects of absorbing mana in the surrounding to help fasten regeneration of wounds and enhancement of body.
This was a very useful item, and it's value and effectiveness increases along with his Rank. Although the effects will stay the same, people on higher rank has faster mana absorption, mana regeneration etc.
Quickly putting it on, the earring binded itself on his ear as he felt a connection with it forming, meaning the Mana Devourer was now solely his!
Checking the note, he was confused. What he expected was a congratulatory letter from his parents, not a bunch of unknown words.
"Maybe a chant?" He thought. There's no way his father would send him garbage right? Sitting in a meditation position again, Nux held the paper in his hands and began reciting the words written there.
As soon as he did, the mana in his surroundings moved on its accord like it was alive. What was most astonishing was, unlike before where he had to guide the flow mana towards a specific circle, this time, the flow of mana went into three separate part, one for his Physical ring, one for his Magic Ring and one absorbed by his body.
A revelation struck him. Breakthrough for Physical Power mostly enhances the body, Magic Power enhances and increase his Mana, Mental Power enhances the mind.
Does that mean, his body, as long as he absorbed mana through this chant or the effect of Mana Devourer, against someone at the same Rank or Level, doesn't that mean his Physical Power was significantly better than them?
Nux, incredibly satisfied walked out of his room with a jovial expression. His poker face, which he tries to maintain most of the time were nowhere to be seen.
He was stopped in his tracks by a girl he had never seen before. For him, a girl in the boy's dorm was unusual. Before he could talk, the girl beat him to it.
"Will you be my boyfriend?"
This question, even Nux was caught off guard! Wasn't this girl a bit too... straightforward? He assessed the girl, who seemed to be in the same age and height as him. She has a long, violet hair and eyes, with good curves. However, Nux wasn't interested in such stuff at the current moment. Before he could talk and turn her down, a slight pain entered his head and..
"Yes." A yes, came from his own mouth!?
'Wait wait what!!!?' His normally aloof attitude was gone, replaced with absolute confusion. What was he thinking? Why did he said yes?
Just as he was about to clear the misunderstanding, the girl was already clinging onto his arms.
While he wasn't uncomfortable with the touch from the opposite sex, it was his first time experiencing such bizarre event he himself was unsure of how to react!