Chapter 172: Provincial Quests’ Rewards

July 5, 2028.

Max was sitting in his private office. His fingers were fidgeting.

Beside him was Jeremiah, who was extremely troubled.

They had just received an information that every settlement aside from cities and the capital city across every province suffered a suicidal attack by Dark Mages.

More than sixty days passed since the first sighted of the Dark Mage.

In the span of sixty days, the Imperial Family immediately mobilized their military to focus on Malveris’ Dark Mages.

Their reactions were swift and quick.

Despite that, Max managed to assist on every settlement, providing knowledge and strategic idea how to capture the Dark MagesAs a result, his contribution was relayed to the Imperial Family.

What Max did not expect was that the Imperial Family’s military studied his strategy based on the reports and spread towards every province.

Max was supposed to only contribute in the Mirefall Province, allowing Malveris to shift his focus to other provinces, but the other provinces quickly reacted and followed him, as well.

As a result, in just mere more than sixty days, Malveris were forced to abandon and made his Dark Mages explode, causing the settlements to suffer from the explosion of dark mana.

Of course, the Imperial Family seemed to have already anticipated his desperate measures as the Church were instantly mobilized to purify the dark mana.

It was not the settlements’ suffering from Dark Mages’ self-sabotaging that upset Max.

It was the fact that it would suppose to occur in a hundred twenty days or more.

It hasn’t been a year yet, but the storyline is progressing faster than I can anticipate. At this rate, the supposed a year world event would happen in half a year.

Will the game even allow that to happen?

Why does it seem it isn’t intervening at all?

Max frowned heavily.

At this rate, the apocalypse will descend in four years...

His eyes shone with a cold glint. Or less.

It must not happen. I still need the other players, who are supposed to reach S-rank, reaches S-rank in this timeline.

I need them. I don’t want to fight against the demons alone.

Furthermore, I might not be able to reach S-rank by then.

I should have been more careful.

Max closed his eyes and finally stood up. There’s no use feeling anxious now. I’ve already done it. I will be more extremely extra careful in the future.

Jeremiah gazed at his master’s back, feeling worried.

He just recalled how elated his master was to help the settlements faced against the Dark Mage.

Yet, for some reason, when Malveris were finally forced to reveal his trump cards while he was being pursued by the Imperial Family now, instead of rejoicing, his master was actually worried.

He could only perceive what his master felt, he couldn’t determine the cause.

This time was supposed to be studying.

They were already finished reading three collections—Ecclesiastical Collection, Monster Taxonomy Collection, and Tactical Manual Collection.

The Tactical Manual Collection took lesser time to finish studying compared to other collections and they finished it within twelve days.

At this moment, there was only a single collection left—the Provincial Geography Collection.

They could finish it within two weeks at most.

Yet, the direction his master was heading was towards the adaptive combat courtyard.

He was confused.

Max naturally perceived the worry and confusion from Jeremiah.

He said, "You can continue finish reading the remaining collection. I grant you the permission. I will focus on training now and meditation. You can join us once you are finished."

Jeremiah was utterly stunned that he stopped in his tracks.

He did not expect his Master to suddenly abandon studying, which he found it more intriguing than the other activities.

Just what happened? Is it really something to worry for Malveris’ plan to fail?

While he was confused, Max was now determined to increase his levels and skills’ proficiency before Malveris’ returned.

He was also ready to sacrifice some of his sleep.

He had many sleep compression pack anyway.

What he must also plan was how to negotiate and convince the Aethernova not to disturb him for three months straight in real-world time to focus for the first world’s event.

I guess, I have to reveal to them about the appearance of the world’s event. The last phase of Malveris’ invasion had already concluded. It’ll be obvious how the current event will proceed.

While he was in the middle of his own thoughts, the system announced the completion of the provincial quest.

[You have completed the provincial quest.

The Imperial Family’s rewards will be announced to you.

As for the system’s rewards, based on your contribution, you have received the following:

1,935,000 EXP.

20 Free Stat Points.

Intermediate Elixir of Enlightened Insight (10x).

Intermediate Authority Resonance Elixir (10x).]

Max read the announcements and a smile formed across his face.

A provincial quest didn’t disappoint at all. Not only he would be receiving the Imperial Family’s rewards later on, but he also received the system’s rewards, generously granting him leveling up twenty times and additional 20 Free Stat points.

He was now at Level 180 and at the same time, he has 98 Free Stat Points.

He didn’t know the potions granted by the system, so he asked the system to show their descriptions.

[Intermediate Potion: Elixir of Enlightened Insight

Classification: Intermediate Comprehension Potion

Description: A pale golden potion infused with crystallized Aether Dew and traces of Radiant Authority. It temporarily heightens the user’s ability to comprehend magical principles, allowing techniques and spells to be learned more efficiently.

Effects:

+40% Skill Proficiency Gain

+30% Skill Comprehension Speed

Increases the chance of discovering hidden mechanics or advanced applications of skills.

Duration: 30 minutes.

Cooldown: 60 minutes.

Side Effects:

Mental fatigue after expiration.

-10% Intelligence for 10 minutes.

Cannot stack with other comprehension potions.

Exclusive Effect (Radiant Conclave): While practicing Radiant Authority skills, proficiency gain is further increased by an additional 20%.]

[Intermediate Potion: Authority Resonance Elixir

Classifications: Intermediate Authority Enhancement Potion

Description: A potion developed by ancient alchemists of the Radiant Conclave to synchronize the Authority Core with surrounding Mana.

Effects:

+20% Radiant Authority effectiveness.

+25% Authority regeneration.

Radiant Contract skills consume 15% less mana.

Duration: 25 minutes.

Cooldown: 60 minutes.

Side Effects: Radiant Authority regeneration is halted for 5 minutes after expiration.]

===

A/N: Thanks for reading! Don’t forget to show your supports by giving golden tickets, powerstones, gifts, and reviews! It means a lot since this is participating for WSA.