---
Kaelen took a deep breath, temporarily suppressing his fatigue, and focused on the system's reward notification echoing in his mind.
His mana merged with blue sparks and transformed into a long staff.
When he opened his palms, a slender, elegant magical staff appeared.
Its silvery-white color had a texture that seemed to shimmer under the moonlight. Fine engravings ran along the shaft; some runes vibrated lightly, glowing as if they were breathing.
At the top was a small, clear crystal. A delicate beam of light swirled within it, quivering as though ready to spring into action at any moment.
Kaelen examined the staff carefully, frowning.
[Item: Memento Lament]
[Item Tier: Common]
[Item Description: This valuable staff dropped from a corrupted creature in the Rocky Valley.]
Kaelen read the item description and sighed.
"This… will make focusing on magic easier. It should be especially effective for long-range spells."
But it was completely unnecessary for him. Kaelen fought using his physical strength and direct offensive magic. He didn't need such a staff. He felt a twinge of disappointment—he had expected something more useful, but the system never gave him exactly what he wanted.
He twirled the staff in his hand and, almost reluctantly, extended it toward Amanda. "This might be useful to you. Take it."
Amanda blinked and looked at Kaelen. At first, she thought it was a joke. But the child's expression was completely serious.
"You… mean for me to have this?"
"Yes. I said take it. I don't want to repeat myself."
Amanda took the staff slowly, surprised by its lightness. She couldn't understand how something so delicate could be so powerful. What surprised her even more was that Kaelen had given it to her.
Amanda wasn't from a major clan. Her family worked for the Council, and she had managed to enter Eldorian Academy thanks to her own talent. She knew the value of even the worst items dropped by mana monsters, especially staffs that only enabled long-range spells.
"But why? I mean… you could use it too, right? Or maybe you want to sell it after the exam, even if it's a common item—it could be worth hundreds of 'IC'."
Kaelen sighed. "It doesn't suit my fighting style. Long-range attacks aren't my thing; I prefer direct combat. You have magical talent and can perform blessings. Maybe this staff will enhance your spells. Don't forget, we're still in the exam."
Amanda held the staff in her hands, feeling a warmth she couldn't suppress.
She knew Kaelen had given it to her completely without concern for himself.
She nodded. "Thank you. Really."
Kaelen shrugged lightly. "Do whatever you want, but don't get too carried away. Let's go. We're not done yet. I still need to find a sword that suits me. Damn Arnold, did you really have to break my knife?"
As Kaelen muttered to himself, Amanda paused for a moment, staring at the staff in her hand. She still couldn't fully understand what kind of person Kaelen really was. Sometimes he seemed utterly indifferent and detached; other times, he extended a helping hand when least expected. It was impossible to know what he was thinking. Yet somehow, as long as she was with Kaelen, she felt safe.
It was as if this exam was a game for him, and he was just trying to have fun. Death, the outcome, or being at the bottom of the rankings didn't matter to him. He was someone who could challenge even world-class mages like Arnold and Sofia. Sofia, checking the score list still hanging on the island, had seen Kaelen at 80th place with only eight points. Why would someone who had carefully stayed in the shadows suddenly want to shine?
Amanda found herself curious about Kaelen's true intentions.
As the sun disappeared on the western edge of the valley, the sky turned dark blue. Kaelen slowly turned a piece of meat roasting over the fire. Amanda, panting, sat beside him and noticed the orange light from the burning wood illuminating her face.
"Can we really eat these worms?" she asked doubtfully.
Kaelen grinned and tore off a piece of meat, offering it to her. "You won't know until you try. They're quite juicy and tender, especially when cooked properly."
Hesitantly, Amanda took a piece. She smelled the steam rising and took a small bite. Her eyes widened slightly. "It tastes… better than I expected. But how does it stay so juicy? Aren't they supposed to be tough?"
Kaelen shrugged. "I cooked it on low heat and used a method to seal the natural juices inside the meat. If done correctly, most meat can taste good."
Amanda took another bite and nodded. "Seems like you have some talent in the kitchen too."
Kaelen smiled faintly but said nothing. The smell of the meat roasting over the fire filled the air. Stars dotted the night sky, and the only sound in the valley was the crackling of the fire…
"Actually, mana monster meat is perfect for replenishing your mana," Kaelen murmured while taking a big bite.
"If you cook it this way, you seal the mana within the meat, letting you restore your mana while eating."
"Where did you learn all this? Seems like your childhood wasn't ordinary," Amanda raised an eyebrow.
"You could say that. I mostly learned through trial and error, just like I do controlling mana. When no one teaches you, the brain tries to do the best it can."
Kaelen smiled, but Amanda saw a hint of sadness beneath it. She didn't want to dwell on it further. After finishing their meal, they continued deeper into the valley.
The air began to change.
The rocky walls rose higher, and the valley's narrow passages became darker and more threatening. Copper-colored stones gave way to black obsidian rocks.
The wind whistled strangely through the stone walls. Deep cracks and dry grass stuck between the rocks. Sunlight barely reached the surface, and the interior of the valley became black and shadowy.
Kaelen's attention sharpened quickly. He felt movement. Slight vibrations from the ground… a muffled rustling from deep below… Amanda must have felt it too because she gripped her staff tightly.
"Kaelen… I think we're not alone," she said.
At that moment, a crack on the left side of the valley widened, and a massive creature slithered out. It was an even larger Rocky Worm than the first centipede. But it didn't stop there. Another crack on the right side split open, and a second worm quickly emerged.
Kaelen gritted his teeth. "Great. Not one, but two. This will be fun. Amanda, can you help me?"
The first worm lunged toward Kaelen, its legs smashing through the rocks. Kaelen jumped aside at the last moment. The second worm aimed for Amanda.
The girl stepped back in panic and activated her blessing magic. Kaelen glowed in his golden aura again. But this time, the staff in Amanda's hand responded with a faint vibration.
Kaelen seized the opportunity and charged. He quickly struck the first worm's head with a "Mef" form punch. The creature was resilient; Kaelen's blow staggered it but didn't kill it. The centipede swung its tail, pushing Kaelen back.
Amanda was cornered by the second worm. Its legs dug into the ground, rapidly approaching her. She raised her staff to cast a spell. Her mana was in "Pik" form. Even as the monster approached, Amanda's mana wall temporarily protected her.
This was a new experience for her. The staff concentrated the magical power, clarifying the formulas in Amanda's mind. Everything felt easier.
Amanda closed her eyes. She accumulated mana in her staff in "Nex" form, then switched to "Med" form to intensify it.
The crystal at the tip of the staff glowed, and suddenly a bright beam shot out. It struck the creature's face, stunning it momentarily. Amanda stared at the staff in amazement. "It really works!"
She looked at Kaelen happily. "Hey Kaelen, did you see? I did it better than ever before!"
Kaelen took advantage of Amanda's distraction and leapt onto the first worm. He concentrated his punches and increased their speed. The creature's armor began to crack. Meanwhile, the second worm had recovered and attacked.
Kaelen quickly retreated. Both creatures were now fully active. The echoes of their cries intensified the chaos in the valley. Kaelen and Amanda had to fight together to survive…
Kaelen focused his mana and leapt. His punch slammed into the first worm's mouth, making it scream in pain.
"I need to find something stronger," Kaelen muttered. His gaze fell on the blonde mage behind him—half giving him blessings, half avoiding the worm's attacks.
"I should help her, but first I need something to pierce the worms… maybe like their own legs."
Kaelen focused on the worm's long legs. Those sharp things would make excellent weapons.
He tried to locate the buried monster using "Kai" form while defending in "Pik" form against potential danger.
He placed his hand on the ground, listening to the vibrations.
"10…9…8…"
Kaelen estimated the creature's position. He concentrated his mana. Instead of striking directly, he aimed for its joints.
He drew his mana into "Mef" form, and the legs began to feel the intense flow of energy.
"Now!"
Kaelen leapt like a cannonball. A small crater formed where he took off. The monster moved precisely where he predicted. The valley echoed with a deep sound as the centipede fell forcefully, one of its arms caught in Kaelen's hand.
The young mage's eyes glowed red as he faced the creatures with a smile.
"Now I'll pin you down. Hey Amanda, do you have an ability to hold them still?"
Gasping, the blonde mage answered. "You want me to cast a spell on them while giving you blessings?"
"Just for a few seconds, that's enough."
The mage leapt toward the worm Amanda was fighting.
Amanda struck the staff on the ground, channeling mana through her body. The yellow mana concentrated in the crystal atop the staff.
The yellow mana solidified. Multiple circular rings intertwined, forming a sturdy shape—a chain.
The chain shot out from the staff, wrapping around one of the worms and immobilizing it.
"Hurry, Kaelen! I can't hold it for long!"
This was the moment Kaelen had been waiting for. A motionless opponent and a weapon sharp enough to pierce its tough skin.
Kaelen drew his mana into "Nex" form, sending it into the creature's leg. He plunged the sharp leg into the centipede's head.
[Corrupted Rank Level 3 Rocky Worm defeated.]
The creature collapsed before it could react. Amanda, exhausted, sank to her knees.
Kaelen's blessing faded, leaving the blonde mage breathless. At that moment, another centipede appeared behind her.
She turned, with no time to react.
The worm opened its mouth, ready to swallow Amanda whole.
Time seemed to slow. Amanda closed her eyes, thinking it was over… until
Zinn
A thin sound cut through the air, stabbing into the worm's mouth.
The creature collapsed, unable to move.
Amanda turned immediately and saw Kaelen smiling at her.
"This is my second favor to you," he said, eyes darkening. In the darkness, Amanda's last memory was of the long sword Kaelen held, his red eyes examining it intently.
---