The teleportation ended not with a jolt, but with the sudden, oppressive weight of humid air thick with the scent of salt, rotting vegetation, and something wild and primal. Sebastian stumbled, his boots sinking into coarse, damp sand. The roar of The Zephyr Heart was gone, replaced by the thunderous crash of waves against a rocky shore nearby and the cacophony of unseen creatures shrieking and chittering in the dense, emerald wall of jungle that began just yards from the beach. Sunlight, filtered through a high canopy of monstrous, broad-leaved trees, dappled the ground in shifting patterns.
This was it. Trial Island Theta.
He was alone. Kael, the other students – all scattered by Professor Kingsley's teleportation. The isolation was immediate and profound. Kingsley's chilling words echoed in his mind: "Survive. Thrive. Earn." And Credits were everything.
Instinct took over, raw and sharp. He was exposed on the beach. With a thought, silver-blue light flared at his wrist, and his Storm Hawk materialized with a sharp, electric cry.
[[Storm Hawk – Tier II (Spark Guardian)]]
* Rune Power Level: 250
* Bonding Difficulty: Apprentice (3 Rune Requirements)
* Magical Resonance: Moderate
* Characteristics: Fast, evasive, keen eyesight, capable of precise lightning strikes.
* Abilities: Lightning Barrage, Aerial Reconnaissance, Electrify Talons.
* Encounter Rate: Common (25-40% in wild)
* Evolution Stages: 2-3 possible evolutions
* Bonding Time: 1-3 weeks
* Lifespan: 100-200 years
* Threat Level: Moderate
The hawk instantly soared upwards in a tight spiral, its keen eyes scanning the treeline and sky for threats. Simultaneously, a shimmering, translucent form alighted on his shoulder – Gale Shield Cicada, its wings humming faintly.
[[Gale Shield Cicada – Tier II (Spark Guardian)]]
* Rune Power Level: 200
* Bonding Difficulty: Apprentice (3 Rune Requirements)
* Magical Resonance: Moderate
* Characteristics: Agile, defensive, adept at wind manipulation.
* Abilities: Windwall, Sonic Wave, Gale Sense.
* Encounter Rate: Common (25-40% in wild)
* Evolution Stages: 2-3 possible evolutions
* Bonding Time: 1-3 weeks
* Lifespan: 100-200 years
* Threat Level: Moderate
The familiar presences, crackling with lightning and whispering wind, anchored him in the alien environment.
His first action wasn't to plunge into the jungle. It was to focus inward, on the cool band of the spatial ring on his finger. He willed it open, feeling the smooth sapphire crystal of his Student ID Token, the rolled parchment of the map, and the a scroll containing the Universal Grading System. Knowing a Bloodstone Core (Grade B Epic) was worth exponentially more than a pile of Rough Stone (Grade F Common) was his secret weapon. He needed an edge, and common materials wouldn't cut it. He needed something worthy of his Immortal Craftsman Hands.
Taking a deep breath, Sebastian closed his eyes, activating his hidden talents simultaneously, the world shifting into hyper-focus. His All-Seeing Eyes (Rare) exploded outwards and inwards. He saw the intricate cellular structure of a nearby fern, the distant heat signature of a large reptilian creature basking on a rock a mile inland, and the subtle magical auras clinging to plants and stones. More crucially, he saw the resonance. Veins of power snaking beneath the earth, concentrated pockets of elemental energy – minerals, herbs, crystals. He could taste the metallic tang of ore deposits, the vibrant life-force of potent flora, the cold spark of crystals. Distance became relative; he could pinpoint sources leagues away with unnerving accuracy.
His Book of Beast Records (Unique) synced seamlessly with his enhanced sight. As his gaze swept the landscape, the Book cataloged everything, overlaying information directly onto his perception. A cluster of glowing blue mushrooms? "Luminous Cap – Grade D Herb – Minor Mana Restoration". A moss-covered boulder radiating faint heat? "Sunbaked Stone – Contains Traces of Grade C Fire Quartz". A deep, unnatural shadow beneath a massive root system half a kilometer north? "Suspected Mineral Deposit – High Earth/Metal Resonance – Estimated Grade: B+ to A-".
The cave. It called to him. Not just ore, but high-grade ore. Perfect.
He also saw the dangers.
[[Vine Lurker – Tier II (Spark Guardian)]]
* Rune Power Level: 280
* Characteristics: Camouflaged Ambush Predator.
* Abilities: Constricting Vines, Poison Sap.
* Threat Level: Moderate
"Ember Scuttlers – Tier I (Ember Companion)"
* Rune Power Level: 100
* Characteristics: Swarming, Pyrokinetic Insects.
* Abilities: Ember Burst, Fire Resistance.
* Threat Level: Low
[[Stoneback Gorger – Tier III (Flame Warden)]]
* Rune Power Level: 550
* Characteristics: Territorial Earth/Eater.
* Abilities: Seismic Stomp, Rock Armor, Mineral Consumption.
* Threat Level: High
The cave wasn't empty. It was a deathtrap for the unprepared. Sebastian smiled, a sharp, predatory thing. He wasn't unprepared.
"Storm Hawk," he commanded mentally, "High overwatch. Priority: Large aerial threats, student approach vectors." The hawk banked higher, becoming a silver speck against the green canopy. "Cicada, passive scan. Alert to magical surges, stealth signatures within fifty yards." The insect on his shoulder vibrated faintly, its senses extending like an invisible net.
Sebastian moved. Not with reckless speed, but with the terrifying efficiency his All-Seeing Eyes afforded him. He became a ghost in the jungle. He avoided the Vine Lurker's killing radius by a hair's breadth, stepping only on stones devoid of the subtle pressure triggers the Book highlighted. He skirted the Ember Scuttler nest. He saw the patrol path of the Stoneback Gorger – a massive, six-legged beetle the size of a wagon, its carapace like rough-hewn granite, mandibles capable of shearing rock – and timed his approach to a shadowed side passage while it was crunching on a mineral outcrop deeper within.
The cave wasn't dark to him. His enhanced sight painted it in gradients of heat, magical resonance, and structural detail. The walls glittered.
[Adamantine Vein – Grade B (Epic) – Extreme Hardness, Magical Conductivity]
[Star-Iron Deposit – Grade A- (Legendary) – Lightweight, Self-Sharpening Edge, Resonates with Celestial Magic]
[Fulgurite Cluster – Grade C+ (Rare) – Lightning-Attuned, Good for Conductors/Enhancements]
[Earthblood Crystal Formation – Grade B (Epic) – Enhances Earth/Earthen Constructs, Regenerative Properties]
His spatial ring became a vortex. He didn't just collect; he stripped. His hands, guided by the Book and empowered by his innate understanding of materials from his Immortal Craftsman Hands (Legendary), moved with blinding speed and perfect precision. Chunks of Adamantine sheared away from the wall. The precious, shimmering Star-Iron was carefully pried free. Fulgurite shards clattered into the ring. The pulsating Earthblood Crystals were extracted whole. He didn't neglect the lower grades either – pockets of Grade C Silver Vein Shard, Grade D Iron deposits – all vanished into the spatial storage. He was a locust, leaving bare rock where moments before riches had lain. Every second counted; he could feel the Stoneback Gorger finishing its meal, its slow, grinding turn vibrating through the stone floor.
He emerged from the mineral-rich side chamber just as the Gorger's massive head swung towards the disturbance. Its beady eyes, glowing with dull earth magic, fixed on him. A deep, grinding roar echoed in the cavern.
"No time for you," Sebastian muttered. "Cicada! Windwall – Anchor Point: Ceiling!"
The Gale Shield Cicada shot from his shoulder. A shimmering, nearly invisible barrier of compressed air snapped into existence above the Gorger, anchored to the cave ceiling like a horizontal pane of glass. As the enraged beast charged, its massive head slammed into the barrier with a sound like a gong. It staggered, dazed.
Sebastian didn't wait. He was already sprinting for the cave entrance, the Storm Hawk's warning cry echoing in his mind – "Movement! Northwest! Human signatures!" Someone had followed him, or stumbled upon the cave.
He burst onto the ledge overlooking the jungle, the stolen riches heavy in his spatial ring. He needed weapons. Now.
Finding a concealed overhang near a rushing stream, he began. His Immortal Craftsman Hands (Legendary) flared with an inner, silvery light. This wasn't just crafting; it was artistry guided by absolute knowledge. He didn't have a forge, but his hands were the forge. He focused on the Star-Iron first, the Legendary-grade material.
- Twin Starfang Blades (Star-Iron): The silvery metal, cool to the touch yet humming with potential, flowed under his fingers. He shaped it not by hammering, but by sheer will and understanding of its crystalline structure. The metal wanted to be sharp, to be light, to resonate. He formed two blades – slightly curved, single-edged, about eighteen inches long – perfect for the swift, adaptive strikes of his Unified Twilight Blade Art. The hilts were wrapped tightly with strands of incredibly tough, fibrous vine the Book identified as Ironroot Creeper (Grade C). The balance was flawless, the edges shimmering with a faint, star-like light, impossibly keen.
[Twin Starfang Blades – Grade A- (Legendary)]
* Material: Star-Iron + Ironroot Creeper
* Characteristics: Self-Sharpening, Lightweight, Celestial Resonance
* Effect: Impossibly keen edge, resonating with celestial magic.
- Thornweaver Bow & Sunstrike Arrows (Adamantine/Star-Iron/Fulgurite): The bow stave was carved from a branch of Skywood (Grade B), reinforced with thin strips of Adamantine (B). The string was woven from Thunderwyrm Sinew (Grade B). The arrows were shafts of straight-grained Ghostwood (Grade C), fletched with tough Razorfin Feathers (Grade D). The arrowheads were cruel, barbed points forged from the leftover Star-Iron scraps and tipped with tiny shards of Fulgurite (C+).
[Thornweaver Bow – Grade B+ (Epic)]
* Material: Skywood + Adamantine + Thunderwyrm Sinew
* Characteristics: High Draw Weight, Lightning-Channel Potential
"Sunstrike Arrows (x20) – Grade B (Epic)"
* Material: Ghostwood + Razorfin Feathers + Star-Iron + Fulgurite
* Characteristics: Penetrating, Minor Electrical Discharge on Impact
- Rootsnare Whip (Earthblood Crystal/Ironroot Creeper): From the flexible Ironroot Creeper and an Earthblood Crystal, Sebastian crafted a unique weapon. The whip was segmented, each segment containing a small fragment of the crystal, capable of extending and binding.
[Rootsnare Whip – Grade B (Epic)]
* Material: Ironroot Creeper + Earthblood Crystal
* Characteristics: Extensible, Binding, Minor Terrain Sense, Regenerative Properties
- Starmetal Shivs (Star-Iron): Six smaller, leaf-shaped blades, brutally sharp and heavy for their size, perfect for silent kills or distractions.
[Starmetal Shivs (x6) – Grade A- (Legendary)]
* Material: Star-Iron
* Characteristics: Durable, Armor-Piercing, Self-Sharpening
The crafting took intense focus, sweat beading on his brow despite his War God Body (Legendary). He used every scrap of high-grade material efficiently, storing leftover bits in his ring. Lower-grade materials were ignored or used minimally for bindings. Time was slipping away. The sun, visible through breaks in the canopy, was past its zenith.
He strapped the Twin Starfang Blades in crossed sheaths on his back. The Thornweaver Bow and quiver went over one shoulder, the Rootsnare Whip felt solid and alive in his hand. The Starmetal Shivs were secured in a bandolier. He was armed. Formidably.
"Storm Hawk, full recon sweep towards the center. Mark major obstacles, concentrations of high-grade resources above Grade C, and… student clusters." The hawk shot off like a silver bolt. "Cicada, maintain close perimeter scan. Blairon Giant, standby."
He started running. Not blindly, but along the optimal path his All-Seeing Eyes and the Book plotted – avoiding dense thickets, skirting the territories of larger Tier III and IV beasts his senses screamed warnings about, leaping crevasses with War God Body-enhanced agility. He moved like the storm he was named for.
He didn't avoid conflict; he optimized it. A pack of "Razorfang Jackals – Tier II (Spark Guardian)" lunged from ambush. Sebastian didn't break stride. A flick of his wrist sent a Starmetal Shiv through the leader's eye. The Storm Hawk dive-bombed another, lightning crackling. The Cicada deflected a leaping attack with a micro-Windwall. Sebastian whipped a third through the throat with Rootsnare Whip, the crystal pulsing as it sensed the tremor of the dying beast's impact. The bodies vanished into his spatial ring – Grade E or F materials, but Credits were Credits. A cluster of "Moonleaf Blossoms – Grade C (Rare)" glowing in a moonwell? Scooped up. A seam of "Refined Iron – Grade D (Refined)" visible in a cliff face? Ignored. A "Firelily Bloom – Grade B (Epic)" guarded by a "Magma Newt – Tier III (Flame Warden)"? A risk assessment flashed: Worth it. Fast. Two Sunstrike arrows turned the Newt into a spasming, smoking ruin. The precious Epic-grade herb joined his haul.
He was a whirlwind of looting efficiency. His spatial ring filled with valuable flora, fauna carcasses (for parts/alchemy), and untouched mineral samples he spotted but didn't have time to extract fully. The map in his mind, constantly updated by the Storm Hawk's high-altitude view and his own ground-level scanning, showed the central terminal – a pulsating point of complex magical energy – still miles away. Dusk was approaching, painting the jungle in long, deep shadows that his All-Seeing Eyes pierced effortlessly, but which would hide others just as well.
He crested a rocky ridge, the Rootsnare Whip aiding his balance. Below, a wide, fast-flowing river cut through the jungle, a natural barrier. On the other side, the terrain rose more steeply towards the island's central highlands where the terminal awaited. The river itself churned, and his enhanced sight picked out powerful signatures beneath the surface,
[[Riverclaw Serpents – Tier III (Flame Warden)]]
* Rune Power Level: 600
* Characteristics: Fast, aquatic ambush predators.
* Abilities: Water Jet, Constrict, Venom Bite.
* Threat Level: High
"Whirlpool Eels – Tier II (Spark Guardian)"
* Rune Power Level: 350
* Characteristics: Swarming, generate localized whirlpools.
* Abilities: Whirlpool Vortex, Electric Discharge.
* Threat Level: Moderate
He needed to cross. As he scanned for the safest ford, his Storm Hawk sent a sharp, warning pulse. Not beasts. Students.
His gaze snapped northwest, following the hawk's sightline. Three figures had emerged from the treeline about two hundred yards upstream. They moved with purpose, scanning the riverbank. One stocky boy with close-cropped hair, held a crudely fashioned wood-and-stone club (Grade E). Second, lean and nervous, nocked an arrow on a roughly carved self-bow (Grade D). The third, a girl with braided auburn hair, knelt by the water's edge, her hands skimming the surface – a sensory talent, likely water-affinity. Their beasts were out: a snarling [Ember Wolf – Tier II (Spark Guardian)], a hovering [Crystal Drone – Tier I (Ember Companion)], and a sleek [Water Strider Lizard – Tier II (Spark Guardian)] already skimming the river's edge.
They hadn't spotted him yet, concealed on the higher ridge. But they were heading towards a shallower section of the river, a potential crossing point. They were competition. They were lootable targets.
Sebastian's grip tightened on the Rootsnare Whip. The Twin Starfang Blades felt cool against his back. The Cicada hummed softly on his shoulder. With a thought, a large construct of dark, gleaming metal solidified beside him – his Blairon Giant.
[[Blairon Giant – Tier III (Flame Warden)]]
* Rune Power Level: 680
* Bonding Difficulty: Adept (5 Rune Requirements)
* Magical Resonance: High
* Characteristics: Stoic, durable, combat-focused construct.
* Abilities: Crushing Blow, Iron Skin, Rune-Forged Armor.
* Encounter Rate: Uncommon (10-25% in wild) (Note: A construct, not natural wild beast)
* Evolution Stages: 3-4 possible evolutions
* Bonding Time: 1-6 months
* Lifespan: Indefinite (construct)
* Threat Level: High
Sebastian closed his eyes. The Book of Beast Records whispered the weaknesses of their deployed beasts. The map showed the optimal path lay through them, across the ford they were heading towards. Credits were everything. And these students… they were carrying Credits he hadn't collected yet.
"Storm Hawk," Sebastian commanded silently, a predator's smile touching his lips as he melted back into the ridge's shadow, "Mark them. Priority targets. Cicada, prepare for multi-vector defense. Blairon Giant, engage on my mark. Verdan (Springshoot Panda), Frostmaw, and Thunderjaw Wyvern – remain hidden. You are my trump cards."
He started moving downstream, silent as jungle mist, angling to intercept them at the river's edge. The Verdant Pact wasn't just about nurturing life. Sometimes, it was about reaping what others had sown. The trial had truly begun.
Sebastian moved with lethal intent. The three students by the river's edge were so focused on the crossing that they barely registered the shifting shadows until Sebastian was upon them.
"Blairon Giant, front!" Sebastian commanded, his voice a low, sharp hiss.
The metallic construct burst from the treeline, a dark, imposing wall. It slammed into the stocky boy with the club first, sending him sprawling, his crude weapon clattering uselessly. The Ember Wolf snarled, leaping for the Giant's leg, but the construct simply brought its foot down with a Crushing Blow, sending the wolf yelping back, its fiery mane singed.
"Ambush!" the lean boy with the bow shrieked, nocking an arrow.
Before he could release, Sebastian's Storm Hawk dove, a streak of silver-blue lightning. It struck the bow, shattering the Grade D wood into splinters and sending the boy reeling with a minor electric shock. The Crystal Drone buzzed erratically, attempting to target the hawk.
The girl by the water, startled, rose, her Water Strider Lizard skittering back onto the bank. She raised her hands, a faint shimmer of water coalescing around them.
Sebastian didn't hesitate. He was a blur of motion. The Rootsnare Whip lashed out, its Ironroot segments extending with surprising speed, wrapping around the stocky boy's chest and yanking him off his feet before he could recover. Sebastian pulled him in close, then jammed a Starmetal Shiv against his throat.
"Spatial ring. Now," Sebastian's voice was flat, devoid of emotion.
The boy, terrified, fumbled with his ring, his face pale. Sebastian snatched it the moment it was open, emptying its meager contents (a few Grade F herbs, some Grade E minerals, a few hundred Credits) into his own.
The lean boy tried to flee, but Sebastian's Storm Hawk was already on him, circling menacingly, its talons ready. "Don't move," Sebastian warned, his gaze flicking to the girl.
She stared at him, her watery elemental energy flickering. Her Water Strider Lizard hissed, ready to defend.
"Yield," Sebastian stated, advancing. "Or your beast is next."
She hesitated, then slowly, reluctantly, nodded. She opened her spatial ring, revealing a slightly better haul than the boy's, including some Grade C Waterlily Pads and a few Grade D River Stones, along with about 800 Credits. Sebastian efficiently transferred it all.
"Where's your companion?" Sebastian asked, glancing at the Ember Wolf that was trying to shake off the Blairon Giant's earlier blow.
"She... she's in her ring," the girl stammered.
"Good. Keep her there. Get out of here. If I see you again, I won't be so lenient." Sebastian released the stocky boy, who stumbled away, clutching his throat, his face a mask of fear. The lean boy, freed by the Hawk, fled with him, leaving their meager contents (a few Grade F herbs, some Grade E minerals, a few hundred Credits) into his own.
The lean boy tried to flee, but Sebastian's Storm Hawk was already on him, circling menacingly, its talons ready. "Don't move," Sebastian warned, his gaze flicking to the girl.
She stared at him, her watery elemental energy flickering. Her Water Strider Lizard hissed, ready to defend.
"Yield," Sebastian stated, advancing. "Or your beast is next."
She hesitated, then slowly, reluctantly, nodded. She opened her spatial ring, revealing a slightly better haul than the boy's, including some Grade C Waterlily Pads and a few Grade D River Stones, along with about 800 Credits. Sebastian efficiently transferred it all.
"Where's your companion?" Sebastian asked, glancing at the Ember Wolf that was trying to shake off the Blairon Giant's earlier blow.
"She... she's in her ring," the girl stammered.
"Good. Keep her there. Get out of here. If I see you again, I won't be so lenient." Sebastian released the stocky boy, who stumbled away, clutching his throat, his face a mask of fear. The lean boy, freed by the Hawk, fled with him, leaving their meager beasts to recover.
The Ember Wolf whined, looking from its fleeing companion to the towering Blairon Giant, then to Sebastian. It whimpered, instinctively backing away. Sebastian wasn't interested in their beasts – too low tier for his roster. He needed the Credits.
He quickly collected the dropped weapons – the Grade E club and Grade D bow – dumping them into his spatial ring. Not for use, but for exchange value. Every Credit counted.
He then crossed the river, Blairon Giant wading easily through the churning water, its immense weight undisturbed by the Riverclaw Serpents and Whirlpool Eels that darted away from its overwhelming presence. The Storm Hawk circled above, providing cover.
The invisible barrier of the trading terminal shimmered under the jungle's dappled light, revealing a hub of activity within. Students, looking exhausted and wary, milled about, exchanging their hard-earned finds for Credits or basic supplies. Sebastian, his Twin Starfang Blades sheathed, scanned the crowd, his All-Seeing Eyes cutting through the superficial calm. He found Kael in a far corner, slumped against a support beam.
"Kael!" Sebastian strode towards him, the other students parting warily as he approached, noticing his confident aura and the sheer size of the Blairon Giant that remained by his side.
Kael's head snapped up, his bruised face a mask of exhaustion and pain. His training leathers were torn, a nasty gash bleeding freely from his left forearm. His brow was split, and a bruise bloomed on his cheek. His Stoneclaw Grizzly stood protectively in front of him, its massive paws scored with fresh cuts, its fur bristling. His Umbralwing, Shade, perched on his shoulder, looked agitated, its shadow-feathers ruffled. His Boulder Fang was nowhere in sight, likely recalled to its ring after taking too much damage.
Sebastian's gaze hardened, taking in the full extent of the damage. "What the hell happened to you?"
"Other students, My Lord," Kael rasped, wincing as he moved his arm. "They were from a different nation, but they were very strong and strong enough to suppress my Titan Strength (Mythical) talent and Iron Will (Legendary) talent easily. They just kept coming."
Sebastian nodded grimly. He'd seen enough. With a subtle motion, he brought his jade beast-ring forward. Springshoot Panda, Verdan, materialized in a burst of verdant light, its emerald and gold fur shimmering, its intelligent green eyes immediately assessing Kael's injuries.
[[Springshoot Panda (Verdan) – Tier III (Flame Warden)]]
* Rune Power Level: 650
* Bonding Difficulty: Adept (5 Rune Requirements)
* Magical Resonance: High
* Characteristics: Nurturing, perceptive, connection to nature magic.
* Abilities: Nature's Renewal (accelerated healing), Vine Whip (plant manipulation), Photosynthetic Healing (sunlight absorption), Grove Guardian's Call (summon protective vines).
* Potential: ☆☆☆☆☆ (Peak Evolution)
* Next Evolution: Willowsage Panda (Tier IV: Arcane Protector)
* Guardian-class: Enhanced protective instincts, terrain manipulation, soul-linked healing with bonded companion
* Bond Strength: ★★★☆☆ (Growing)
* Threat Level: High (especially with its healing and protective potential)
"Verdan, heal him. Quickly." Sebastian commanded softly.
The panda placed its paws gently on Kael's wounded arm, a soft, emerald glow enveloping the gash. The skin knitted together rapidly, the torn muscle and flesh repairing at an astonishing rate. The bruising on Kael's face faded, his color returning. In less than a minute, Kael was fully healed, not even a scar remaining.
A few students nearby, who had discreetly been watching Sebastian and Kael, gasped. A Tier III beast with such potent, instantaneous healing? It was unheard of among the starting students. This wasn't just a powerful healer; it was an investment in endurance.
Before anyone could react further or approach, Sebastian, with another swift, subtle motion, recalled Verdan back into his jade beast-ring. No one saw it vanish; the light was momentary, concealed by his stance and the dappled shadows of the terminal. He couldn't risk revealing all his trump cards just yet.
"Feeling better?" Sebastian asked Kael, a glint in his emerald eyes.
Kael flexed his healed arm, a wide, dangerous grin spreading across his face. "Never better, My Lord. I feel like I could punch a mountain."
Sebastian nodded, then, using his Immortal Craftsman Hands (Legendary), he brought out the remaining Star-Iron he had collected. Without a forge, his hands became the crucible and hammer. The metal shimmered, flowing under his touch as he began to shape it with uncanny speed and precision. In minutes, a brutal, elegant warhammer solidified in his grasp – its head a gleaming block of the celestial metal, its haft wrapped in reinforced jungle vine.
"Here," Sebastian said, handing the weapon to Kael. "It's not as strong as Worldbreaker, but it's usable."
[Star-Iron Warhammer – Grade A- (Legendary)]
* Material: Star-Iron + Reinforced Jungle Vine
* Characteristics: Lightweight, Self-Sharpening, Celestial Resonance, High Impact Force
* Effect: Designed for powerful blunt force, resonating with celestial magic.
* Compatibility: High (for users with high strength/combat talents)
Kael's eyes widened, taking the hammer. He hefted it, a grunt of satisfaction escaping him. "This is... incredible, My Lord! Thank you!"
"How many Credits did you collect?" Sebastian asked.
"About 9,000 Credits, My Lord. I ran into a few groups, but after the last one, I pulled back to regroup."
Sebastian mentally tallied his own gains from the cave and the defeated students. "After combining yours and mine, it will be about 25,000 Credits. Let's visit the trading counter to exchange our materials."
"What for, My Lord?" Kael asked, still admiring his new hammer.
"Information," Sebastian replied, his gaze sweeping over the nervous, secretive faces of the other students. "Information about all the new students present here on this trial island."
Kael's eyebrows shot up. "Information? Why?"
"Good hunting requires good intelligence, Kael. We need to know who's here, who's strong, and who's weak. Who has what we need." Sebastian's eyes gleamed with cold calculation.
They approached the main trading counter, where a young Assistant Professor, lean and scholarly, managed the transactions. He looked surprised as Sebastian and Kael, with their powerful auras and Sebastian's unusual request, stepped forward.
"How may I assist you, students?" the Assistant Professor asked, his tone professional but with an edge of curiosity.
"We wish to exchange Credits for information," Sebastian stated directly. "On all the new students present on Trial Island Theta."
The Assistant Professor blinked, his mouth opening slightly in surprise. He was clearly accustomed to requests for food, water, basic gear, or Credit exchange for raw materials. "Information? Specifications, please."
"We need everything," Sebastian replied, unflinching. "Their names, nation of origin, their bonded Rune-Beasts and their tiers, and even any information on their awakened abilities. Anything the academy has on record."
The Assistant Professor's jaw dropped. This was the first time a student had demanded this kind of intelligence. He quickly composed himself, a flicker of professional interest replacing his shock. He tapped a few runes on his data slate, a complex calculation running. "That kind of comprehensive data… it would be extremely valuable. For all 1,000 students, including their starting inventories and beast rosters, it would cost… 20,000 Credits."
Sebastian didn't hesitate. "Deal."
The Assistant Professor stared, then nodded, a faint smile touching his lips. He processed the transaction, the number on their combined Credit balance plummeting. With a final flourish, he handed Sebastian a shimmering Rune-scroll, crackling faintly with stored data. "All available information, categorized for easy access. Good luck with… whatever you plan to do with it."
Sebastian unrolled the Rune-scroll, its contents unfolding in a holographic display. Kael leaned over, his eyes widening. They were indeed shocked. The sheer scale of the student body was daunting: exactly 1,000 students, hailing from 100 different nations and 3 sovereign territories. The scroll was a dense compendium of potential allies, rivals, and prey.
"My Lord," Kael muttered, scanning the lists. "This list is full of all the students from different nations, and it also includes ours." He pointed to their own entries, showing their names, nations, and their publicly known Rune-Beasts.
"Good," Sebastian said, a cold, predatory smile touching his lips. "Now we can hunt them." His gaze drifted over the remaining Credits. "Assistant Professor," he turned back, "exchange our remaining 5,000 Credits for Rune-beast egg incubators."
The Assistant Professor raised an eyebrow. "Incubators? Each costs 10 Credits. You'd be getting 500 of them. What are you going to do with these, if I may ask?"
Sebastian and Kael exchanged a look, a shared, dangerous grin blooming on their faces. "Of course, steal eggs," they said in unison.
The Assistant Professor was speechless, watching them leave the terminal.
Meanwhile, in Mysticrium Academy's Grand Assembly Hall, more than 500 professors, including the Headmaster, sat together, their attention riveted to a massive Rune-Screen displaying a live video feed of the Trial Island Theta. The screen showed the real-time Credit score of all 1,000 students, a fluctuating cascade of numbers.
The professors, some stern, some amused, were keenly observing the students, especially those with high potential. Then, suddenly, a sharp-eyed professor noticed a significant Credit transaction. "Wait, look!"
The Credit score for one pair of students had dropped by 20,000. Immediately, all eyes snapped to the screen. Another professor, then another, saw the corresponding exchange. "They bought information?" one whispered, shocked. "All student data?"
Murmurs rippled through the hall. Some professors' mouths hung open, others leaned forward, their expressions a mix of disbelief and fascination. A wise, elderly professor, his long white beard stroking his chin, calmly raised a hand. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Simply check who these students are."
The Headmaster, a figure of immense power whose face was etched with millennia of wisdom, gave a slight nod. The data on the screen shifted to display the profiles of the students responsible for the transaction: Sebastian Stormwright and Kael.
Their profiles glowed, detailing their origins from Stormwright Keep, Duchy of Rainmere, Sapphire Empire. But it was their Rune-Beast rosters that caused the real stir.
• Sebastian Stormwright
* Home: Stormwright Keep, Duchy of Rainmere, Sapphire Empire.
* Rune-Beasts:
- Tier II (Spark Guardian): Storm Hawk, Gale Shield Cicada
- Tier III (Flame Warden): Blairon Giant, Springshoot Panda
- Tier IV (Arcane Protector): Thunderjaw Wyvern, Frostmaw
* Talents: War God Body (Legendary Tier), Immortal Craftsman Hands (Legendary Tier).
• Kael
* Home: Stormwright Keep, Duchy of Rainmere, Sapphire Empire.
* Rune-Beasts:
- Tier II (Spark Guardian): Umbralwing
- Tier III (Flame Warden): Stoneclaw Grizzly
- Tier IV (Arcane Protector): Boulder Fang
* Talents: Titan Strength (Mythical Tier), Iron Will (Legendary Tier).
Silence descended over the hall, profound and absolute. Then, a few professors gasped. Some looked as though they had just seen a ghost, their expressions aghast.
A muscular professor, with a booming voice that usually filled the hall, suddenly burst into laughter, breaking the tension. "Hahaha! Now a days, new students are getting more terrifying! What kind of freaks capture almost 45-foot tall Tier IV (Arcane Protectors) giants like Frostmaw and Boulder Fang? These two are complete freaks!"
The Headmaster, a rare glint of amusement in his ancient eyes, merely observed the two dots on the map of Trial Island Theta, now converging on a specific area, their credit score rising steadily. The trial had indeed found some truly unpredictable participants.