Chapter 31: Twenty percent increased

Kael left the three Villain Department students behind without looking back.

Once he reached the main path leading toward the academy, the adrenaline began to fade, and the pain in his shoulder became more noticeable. Blood had soaked through the torn fabric of his uniform, reminding him that tomorrow’s Wilderness Survival Examination was probably not the best time to get injured.

Those people were determined to take his Core Enhancement Crystal. At that point, a fight was unavoidable. If Kael had been any weaker, he would have had no chance of fighting back. Thankfully, all the training he had put himself through had finally paid off.

Kael was also surprised by the effect of the limiter. The moment he removed it, the resulting increase in his physical abilities was far beyond what he had imagined. His stats had risen to an almost absurd degree.

But still, fighting three upper students was no joke. Kael suffered an injury. That’s a given. At least the wound wasn’t deep.

Kael pressed a hand against his shoulder and continued toward the infirmary.

At this time of the day, when evening was approaching, the academy’s corridors were unusually crowded for today. Students returned from the training grounds carrying equipment while discussing the examination. Some had maps spread across tables, while others compared supplies or debated which monsters they might encounter in the Blackwood Region.

Kael paid little attention to them. For now, his shoulder needed treatment.

The infirmary was quieter than usual. The same healer examined the wound, cleaned the blood, and applied a healing spell. Warm light spread across Kael’s shoulder, gradually dulling the pain.

"It’s superficial," the healer said. "You’ll be fine by tomorrow, but try not to aggravate it."

"I’ll try."

After leaving the infirmary, Kael headed straight for the disciplinary committee. The pain in his shoulder had already faded considerably, but the incident itself remained fresh in his mind.

Three students had attacked him over the Core Enhancement Material. He had defeated them, but that wasn’t enough reason to ignore what had happened.

If he simply let them go, there was a good chance they would try something similar against someone else. Worse, they might assume Kael was unwilling to make trouble for them because of their department.

Kael had no intention of giving them that impression.

The disciplinary committee’s office was still open despite the late hour. A few students were working inside when Kael entered. One of the committee members looked up.

"Can we help you?"

"I’d like to report an assault."

The room immediately became quieter.

The student looked at Kael’s torn uniform and bandaged shoulder.

"An assault?"

Kael nodded.

"Three students from the Villain Department attacked me outside the eastern training grounds."

He explained what had happened without exaggerating anything. They had approached him, demanded the Core Enhancement Material, and resorted to violence after he refused. One of them had even removed his limiter and used wind magic.

The committee member’s expression gradually became more serious.

"Did you recognize them?"

"I can identify all three."

"Were there any witnesses?"

"Not that I saw."

Kael paused.

"But there should be traces of the fight at the location. The ground was damaged by wind magic, and there should still be blood from my shoulder."

The committee member wrote down the details.

"Did you retaliate?"

Kael considered the question.

"They attacked first. I defended myself."

"You defeated them?"

Kael nodded.

"Yeah."

"Really?"

The committee member looked surprised and doubtful.

But Kael just nodded again. There was no sign of any falsehood in his response and expression.

"Yes. You can investigate later."

The committee member then nodded.

"Alright. We’ll investigate the scene and summon the students involved. If your statement is confirmed, they’ll be subject to disciplinary action."

"Good."

Kael signed the report and left. He didn’t feel particularly triumphant. If anything, the entire incident had been inconvenient.

Tomorrow was the Wilderness Survival Examination, and instead of preparing peacefully, he had spent part of his precious time fighting three idiots over a crystal. At least the matter was now in the academy’s hands.

Puff.

Quinn suddenly appeared from out of nowhere, it landed on his shoulder, tilted its head. Looking worried. Kael glanced at the little spider.

"It’s nothing, Quinn. Just a tiny scratch."

Quinn nudged its head to his face.

"Yes, I’ll be careful next time."

Kael sighed.

The academy was supposed to be one of the safest places in Eldoris, but safe didn’t mean harmless. There were rules, instructors, security wards, and disciplinary committees, yet none of those things could completely prevent someone from making a bad decision.

This incident had proven that. And if three students were willing to attack him over a valuable resource, there was no reason to assume they would be the last.

At least the dormitory was safer.

The residential area had academy wards, students moving around at all hours, and instructors patrolling nearby. It wasn’t impossible for trouble to happen there, but anyone trying something reckless would have a much harder time getting away with it.

Kael wasn’t interested in finding out just how reckless people could be. He entered his room, locked the door, and checked the windows. Only after making sure everything was secure did he take out the Core Enhancement Crystal.

The crystal emitted a faint glow in the dim room. Kael stared at it for a moment. One small crystal. The value of this thing was obvious. He sat beside the bed.

Quinn climbed onto the pillow and watched him curiously.

Kael began the 4-2-6 Breathing Technique. He inhaled for four counts, held for two, then slowly exhaled for six. His heartbeat gradually settled.

The tension in his body disappeared. Once his mind was clear, Kael placed the crystal against his chest.

The Core Enhancement Material dissolved.

This was another method of absorbing the energy from it. The other one was breaking the crystal to pieces. But this method worked better as well. A powerful stream of energy immediately surged into his body.

Kael’s expression tightened. The energy was far denser than that of a Core Catalyst. Instead of dispersing throughout his body, it flowed directly toward his Hero Core, wrapping around it layer by layer.

His Core trembled under the pressure.

Kael maintained his breathing.

The 4-2-6 rhythm continued without interruption, guiding the energy through his body and preventing the surge from becoming chaotic.

Slowly, the pressure began to disappear.

This was why the breathing technique was far too valuable than anything else. It made absorption far more convenient and successful.

A faint blue glow spread from his chest. Then came the familiar sensation of advancement.

Several minutes later, the light faded. Kael opened his eyes and immediately checked his status through the Status Crystal resting on top of his table.

He immediately noticed the change.

From F(+1) previously...

Now it was F(+3).

Kael stared at it.

"Two stages?"

His eyebrows rose. That was considerably better than he had expected. A Core Catalyst could stimulate advancement, but this was something else entirely. The enhancement had strengthened the foundation of his Hero Core rather than merely increasing his energy reserves.

Kael clenched his fist. His muscles felt more responsive. His breathing flowed more smoothly. Even the magical energy inside his body seemed to circulate with less resistance.

Most importantly, his entire body felt lighter. Kael stood and moved his shoulder experimentally. The difference was subtle, but unmistakable.

The rest of Kael’s new stats looked like this:

Name: Kael Grayford

Age: 17

Hero Core Rank: F(+3)

Strength: 22

Agility: 20

Endurance: 22

Mana Capacity: 23

Combat Evaluation: Lowest Tier

He smiled.

His Strength grew from 18 to 22, Agility grew from 17 to 20, Endurance grew from 18 to 22, and Mana Capacity from 19 to 23.

All stats grew twenty percent more.

"Not bad."

He looked toward the dark window. Tomorrow was the Wilderness Survival Examination. Blackwood Region was waiting beyond the academy.

Dangerous monsters and unfamiliar situations were waiting for them. It was also unavoidable that each team would be competing against one another.

Kael knew plenty about the region from the game, but he could no longer assume everything would happen exactly as he remembered. That meant he needed to stay alert. No unnecessary risks and no careless assumptions. And definitely no walking around with valuable items as though nobody would notice.

Kael nodded to himself.

"Lesson learned."

A soft rustling came from the pillow. Quinn crawled onto his shoulder and tapped his cheek with one leg.

Kael looked at the spider.

"You’re hungry?"

Quinn’s glowing markings brightened.

Kael stared at it for a moment.

"You’re in a diet."

Quinn continued staring.

Kael sighed.

"Fine. Just one."

The spider immediately became lively.

Kael shook his head.

Some things, apparently, never changed. He stood and walked toward the food storage. Tomorrow would be troublesome enough. There was no reason to worry about it tonight.