Click.
Creak.
A man dressed in a grey robe unlocked the door to a dusty room. As he swung it open, a cloud of dust billowed out, causing him to cough.
“Damn it. How long has it been since they last entered this place?” muttered the worker who had been entrusted with the keys to the storeroom by Seti.
The room was dimly lit, filled with a vast array of magical artifacts: wands, tarot cards, crystal globes, and swords.
“Where the hell am I supposed to find a teleportation portal crystal in this mess? Why couldn’t they send someone to organize this place?” grumbled the worker, his frustration evident.
Without wasting another moment, he began rummaging through the clutter, determined to find the crystals he had come for.
“If it were to be unleashed today, it would spell disaster for all of us,” Kale said, summoning his magic wand wrapped in a cloth adorned with white runes.
Seti watched in awe, her face filled with surprise.
“The Wand of Luminara? What could be so significant in that storeroom that Director Kale needs this wand’s assistance?” wondered Seti.
[Wand Of Luminara] [Behold the Wand of Luminara, an artifact of unparalleled power and ancient wisdom. Crafted by the most skilled artisans of the magical realm, this majestic staff bears the essence of the Magic Academy’s illustrious founder. A symbol of authority and responsibility, it can only be summoned in the direst of circumstances by a selected few, entrusted with the highest positions of leadership within the academy’s ranks—be it the revered Director Kale, the venerable Headmaster, or the esteemed Principal.
The Wand of Luminara emanates an aura of brilliance, its slender form crafted from the finest ethereal wood, shimmering with an iridescent glow. Adorned with intricate engravings that tell the tales of the academy’s storied history, it becomes a conduit between the mortal realm and the vast wellspring of magical energy that flows through the very fabric of existence.]
“Why have you summoned me, Kale?” spoke the wand.
“I require your power,” Kale responded with seriousness in his voice.
“I do not simply follow orders. Tell me the circumstances, and then I shall decide whether I shall lend my aid,” the wand replied.
“A man has entered the enchanted room—the room that houses ‘The Mirror of Enigma,'” explained Kale.
“What? A man inside the same room as ‘The Mirror of Enigma’? Have you lost your mind? She entrusted you with one task, and you couldn’t accomplish it?” the wand questioned in disbelief.
Kale glared at Seti with intense, red eyes.
“Hii—” Seti felt a chill run down her spine, quickly averting her gaze toward the ground.
“We still have time. If we can remove him from the room, we might be able to save him, right?” Kale asked.
“No, she must have already ensnared him with her sweet words. We must hurry and prevent her from escaping the room,” commanded the wand.
“Yes.”
‘Who is she? What are they talking about?’ wondered Seti, keeping her head lowered in fear.
In the Stormborn Sea…
“Do you know how to count stars?” Anon asked.
“What?” Luna questioned, perplexed by Anon’s unusual inquiry.
“Okay, here we go…” Anon said, tightening his grip around Luna’s waist.
“Hey, what are you planning?” Luna blushed, her face turning crimson.
“Hup…” Anon made a sound with his mouth as he flung Luna high into the air.
“Ahhhhhhhhhh….” Luna screamed as she realized she couldn’t move, thrown into the air above the raging Stormborn Sea.
“Ouch, why are you screaming?” Anon murmured, swiftly retrieving a special-grade mana potion from his inventory. He unscrewed the glass bottle’s cap with his teeth and caught Luna as she descended back into his hands.
All of this happened in just three seconds.
“Hah, you damn fool. What would have happened if I had fallen into the sea?” Luna shouted.
Suddenly, Luna noticed that Anon held a purple liquid-filled mana potion in his mouth.
“Is that a special-grade mana potion?” Luna asked, her expression filled with surprise.
Anon looked at Luna and, lifting his face, turned the bottle upside down in his mouth. ．
“Bowsam puf (Bottoms up),” Anon declared.
In a mere two seconds, Anon guzzled down the entire bottle of special-grade mana potion, then tossed the empty bottle aside.
[Mana has been restored to 100%.]
“What were you saying, my dear?” Anon asked.
“Was that a special-grade mana potion?” Luna inquired once more.
“Yes, it was,” Anon replied nonchalantly.
“What the…? How can a commoner like you have a special-grade mana potion?” Luna questioned.
“Well, why wouldn’t I have one?” Anon countered.
“These potions are incredibly expensive and rare. Not because of the cost of their ingredients, but because only one or two special-grade mana potions are produced out of every ten thousand high-grade ones,” Luna explained.
“Correct, but it seems I’ve stumbled upon them, and I happen to be quite wealthy as well,” Anon teased.
“Forget it, I won’t inquire about how you obtained the potion. Just give me one, and I’ll pay any price you ask,” Luna proposed.
“I won’t. I already wasted an extra potion saving you from those frogs, and now I have limited potions for this race,” Anon stated firmly.
“Well, saving me from the frogs that you planted to kill me… I don’t understand your strategy. What do you really want?” Luna asked.
“What the hell are you talking about? Why would I plant frogs to kill you and then save you?” Anon responded.
“Are you saying you didn’t do it? Or someone from the commoners’ side?” Luna asked, her expression suspicious.
“Nope, I don’t need some flashy frogs to kill you when I can do it with a single slap,” Anon declared.
“What? Are you telling the truth?” Luna asked, astonishment on her face.
“Yes, I can kill you with a single slap. Why would I need frogs to do it for me?” Anon reiterated.
“Then why did you stop at the starting point of the desert?” Luna inquired.
“To replenish my mana,” Anon answered.
“Who could do this to me?” Luna whispered.
[Skill <Stamina Boost> will end in 2 minutes.]
A semi-transparent screen materialized in front of Anon.
“Damn it, we have to stop,” Anon exclaimed.
“What?” Luna asked, her expression filled with surprise.