Chapter 177: Some Good News

I did the last push-up and got to my feet, dusting my hands off. The morning sun streamed through the window, illuminating our small room. Ken was already awake and in the shower while I had just finished the ten push-ups the system had challenged me to do.

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• CHALLENGE COMPLETED

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• DO 10 PUSH-UPS

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• REWARD: 1 Mastery Point

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"Oh." I blinked at the notification. "The challenges give Mastery Points?"

That was good news. Normally, the system only rewarded Mastery Points every five levels. If these challenges were scattered around the world, then completing them could speed up my growth considerably.

"Nice." I muttered. "That’s huge."

Speaking of Mastery Points, what exactly could I even spend them on? Everything had happened so quickly that I’d never bothered to explore the system properly. I’d only used my first point to unlock Merge Class, letting me combine two classes at once, and then I’d forgotten all about it. Now that I had another point, I might as well see what else was available.

"Hmm... what’s this?"

Another interface appeared before me. The mastery tree was made up of circles connected by glowing lines. The first node, Merge Class, was already unlocked. From there, two new branches extended outward. And there was another circle right next to Merge Class.

Finish Line.

I hovered my finger over it, and another window appeared.

Finish Line granted Finishers to every class, powerful signature abilities with high mana costs and lengthy cooldowns.

"Damn..." I muttered. "That sounds useful."

Without hesitating, I pressed the node and confirmed the purchase.

"Alright. Sweet." I nodded to myself. "I’ll test it tomorrow."

"Phew." Ken stepped into the room with a towel draped over his head, his hair still damp. "That felt good."

"Hmm." I nodded. "Any news about Pix?"

"Nope." He shut the door behind him. "They’re still searching for her. The hope’s fading, but... I don’t know. I still hope they find her alive."

"Even after that suicide note?"

He sighed. "Yeah. Even then."

He walked over to his wardrobe, opened it, then groaned.

"Oh, crap. I forgot to wash my school uniform."

I walked over to mine as well, and we both changed into our uniforms. Once we were ready, we left the room and headed toward the dining hall. Since we’d woken up a little late, a line had already formed.

We grabbed our metal trays from the stack and joined the queue. Ken glanced over his shoulder.

"Hey, have you seen Professor Meki yet?"

"Yeah." I nodded. "She has... some impressive assets."

"I mean..." He grinned. "They’re the size of my head, Ace. Maybe even bigger."

"Yeah... don’t let her hear you saying that."

"Oh, she probably already knows." He laughed. "Still, she’s ridiculously gifted."

"I guess."

The line slowly moved forward, and about ten minutes later it was finally our turn. The cook placed breakfast onto our trays: thick slices of fresh bread, boiled eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, soft white cheese, olives, and a bowl of warm barley porridge sweetened with a little honey. Simple food, but filling enough to get through the morning.

We carried our trays over to a table beside the window and began eating in silence. Outside, students wandered around the circular street, most of them talking about Pix. Watching them search for someone who would never return almost made me feel guilty.

Almost.

"Hey," I asked after a while, "are there spells that need way more mana than normal ones?"

Ken nodded while chewing a piece of tomato. "Yeah. Mostly B, A, and S-rank spells. Teachers can cast them too."

"What about you?"

"I can try." He shrugged. "Whether I survive casting one is another story."

"What’s the strongest spell you know?"

"There’s one..." He frowned. "I forgot the proper name. I just call it Ghastly."

"What does it do?"

"It creates magic circles underneath everyone in an area." He gestured with his fork. "Then vines burst out, pin everyone in place, and start electrocuting them."

"Sounds nasty. How many people can it catch?"

"Depends on how much mana you pour into it, but... ten people? Maybe more."

"Hmm."

"Why’d you ask?" He took a bite of bread. "Never cast anything like that before? You should. It’s exhausting, but the payoff is worth it."

"Maybe."

Just then, Jayden left the line with his tray and walked over. "Mind if I join you guys?"

Ken smiled. "Go ahead."

Jayden sat beside him. "Yo. What’s up?"

"Good." Ken nodded. "You?"

"Tired. I joined one of the search parties yesterday." He sighed. "We covered the eastern woods and found absolutely nothing."

"It’s a shame." Ken shook his head. "First Jelda. Then Hatche. Now Pix. What a terrible year."

Jayden looked at me with a grin. "You were incredible, man. Hanging a noble? We should build you a statue."

"A pouch full of gold would be enough."

He laughed. "Fair enough." He cleared his throat. "You’re not much of a talker, are you?"

"I talk." I shrugged. "Do I really seem that quiet?"

"Not really. Just... you always look like you’re thinking about something."

"Maybe."

Suddenly, a girl’s voice rang out from outside. "GODS! Finally, they found her!"

All three of us turned toward the window.

Pix was standing in the middle of the circular street.

She was alive.

Alive?

What?

Students rushed toward her from every direction, surrounding her almost instantly. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying, and scratches covered her arms, neck, and clothes. She looked exhausted, filthy, and shaken... but she was undeniably alive.

My stomach tightened. That wasn’t possible. I’d hidden the body myself. I’d watched the life leave her eyes. There was no mistake.

"What..." I whispered, staring through the window. "How..."

"Oh!" Ken grinned as he shot to his feet. "They found her! Nice! Come on, let’s go see."

Jayden blinked. "Wait... found who?" His eyes followed ours, then widened. "Ambly’s tits... is that Pix?"

"Come on." Ken grabbed his tray. "Let’s go."

"Y-yeah," I managed, nearly dropping my fork as the slice of cucumber caught in my throat. I coughed once, forced it down, then hurried after him. "Let’s... let’s go."

"Finally," Jayden muttered as the three of us hurried toward the stairs. "Some good news."