The morning sun spilled softly through the windows of Nexus Hero Academy, casting a golden hue over the dormitory halls. After a long, intense battle the previous day, Kael Vi-rel quickly stepped out of his dorm, feeling fresher than he had in days.
He stretched with a satisfied grunt.
"A good bath always hits different after near-death," he muttered with a faint grin.
Although he didn't suffer any serious injuries, his body had taken a toll from the previous night's encounter. Muscles sore and spirit drained, it had taken time and more than a few potions to recover perfectly.
But Kael Vi-rel couldn't find out why bento had come to the casino during the time he visited. But completing the sub quest had gotten him some good stuff he could had tried to escape by himself but he couldn't let a lot of people die especially Selene Whitmore who is a major character.
But the effort had paid off.
> [Status Window]
Name: Kael Vi-rel
Stats:
Strength: 15
Speed: 12
Magic Power: 27
Mind Power: 21
Agility: 12
Intelligence: 5
Stamina: 15
Charm: 3
Potential: 220/1000
Unique Skill: Lucky Insight (F/SSS)
Special Skill: True Scan (E/EX)
Trait Characteristics: Magic Ruler (D/SSS)
"My stats went up by over 30 points... and my trait characteristic Magic Ruler advanced to Rank D," Kael Vi-rel whispered, a sense of disbelief and joy washing over him. "And on top of that, I even got Game Points as a reward…"
Game Store Interface – Opened
"Should I try my luck again and buy some random cards?" he thought, already navigating through the interface. Without much hesitation, he confirmed the purchase.
> Ding!
Purchase complete — 200 Game Points used to buy one Low-Class Random Skill Box.
Remaining Game Points: 61
Kael Vi-rel found an empty bench near the fountain plaza and quickly sat down, excited. His fingers trembled slightly as he opened the box.
> "Please let it be another grade skill... Come on, LUCK! Don't fail me now!"
> Ding!
Your skill [Strange Luck] has activated.
Ridiculous Luck has activated.
Never-Seen-Before Luck has activated.
> Ding! Ding!
You have received two random skill cards.
Please pick one.
Kael Vi-rel didn't hesitate. "Right one. I always go right when gambling."
> Ding! Congratulations!
You have received: [Intelligence System: Hay]
Grade: Unknown
"…What?"
His eyes widened as the item materialized in front of him not as a scroll or card, but as a faintly glowing orb pulsing with mysterious energy.
"A... Unknown Grade system? But how? This is... top-tier. Not even classified under manufactured or relic levels...!"
But why is it dropping out of there.? It a top notch item that everyone would die to have but where did it come from. It good for me that I got it but can I really get such gift.
Hehehehe I love my luck.
> System Item Classification
• Industrial: High, Intermediate, Low
• Relic: Legendary, Treasure, Rare
• Unclassified: SOUL, Unknown
A Unknown-grade AI assistant. It wasn't something a beginner should even see, let alone obtain. It was said to possess growth potential equal to the strongest relics or even surpass them.
"It says it can grow together with the user... If I nurture it right, it'll become my greatest support. But why would something like this come from a low-class skill box?"
As he examined the floating orb, lines of faint text began displaying automatically.
> [Unknown: Hay Artificial Intelligence System]
A [Data Corrupted] mage who once dominated the ancient times when continents were at war. She was… [Data corrupted]… After wandering between dimensions, she fell into another world.
She may be looking for… [Data corrupted].
It's a soul type
Growth: 1%
Rank: Middle Grade
"Huh? The description's glitched… is it broken? Or infected with a virus?"
> True Scan has activated.
Analyzing target: Hay (SOUL)... The target is resisting the foreign power
Scan level too low. Information inaccessible.
"Tch. Of course. My scan skill isn't high enough to see through it yet."
He frowned. Even though the item was top-notch, the lack of clear details made him uneasy. Still, he needed to decide how to activate it.
What is the identity then, it a shame j couldn't see all the information I just set your the main functions then.
"I'll just merge it with my drone system. That way it stays protected. I can always separate it later if I need to."
> Ding!
Do you want to link [Hay – Soul] to your drone system?
Gesture Confirmation Required.
Kael Vi-rel nodded and made a swift motion with his fingers.
> Fwoosh!
The orb rose into the air, spinning rapidly before merging into the hovering drone above his head.
A soft light burst outward.
> Link Successful.
"Hello. I am Hay."
"Yes! Everything's working well." Vi-rel couldn't hide his excitement. "Okay, Hay, let's run a quick check. What functions are available right now?"
> Hay:
"Based on current parameters, you may access:
– Combat Support
– Asset Management
– Execution Protocol
– Tactical Calculations
– Personal Scheduling
– Low-Grade Barrier Deployment"
"A barrier, too? That's rare even among support systems. Does it use magic power or mind power?"
> "No. It runs independently from your personal mana or psyche levels."
"Perfect. That's even better than I expected. Hay, arrange my schedule and prepare a forecast of likely academy events for the next 48 hours."
> "Understood, Master Kael. Compiling predictive report now."
Kael Vi-rel smirked. This was exactly the kind of advantage he needed. But there wasn't time to relax things were already moving fast.
> Ding!
Kael Vi-rel's smartwatch beeped and vibrated.
He tapped the screen.
> [Notification – Nexus Hero Academy]
All cadets are hereby informed:
The Written Placement Exam will commence shortly.
Please report to the nearest assessment center.
He stood up immediately.
"Looks like break time's over."
A cool wind passed by as Kael Vi-rel tightened the strap of his wrist device and walked off.
"Let's see how far my new power will take me now..."