CHAPTER 50: REWARDS AND CONFERENCE

Despite having defeated the dungeon boss, I realized that my strength was far below what I needed to face future threats.

I stared at my blade, noticing how heavy it felt in my hands now.

"I need more strength," I muttered, making a decision.

With my recent level up, I had earned new stat points to distribute.

My body still felt the strain of the battle and I knew that relying solely on my Agility and Arcane energy wasn’t enough anymore.

I needed raw power to withstand tougher enemies in the future.

I decided to allocate 10 points to Strength, boosting it from a 73 to an 83.

Additionally, reaching level 50 had granted me more Arcane reserve, bringing my total arcane output to 4000.

~Strength: 83~

~Agility: 70~

~Endurance: 68~

~Intelligence: 68~

~Memory: 54~

~Arcane reserves: 300/4000~

As I stood up, feeling the newfound strength coursing through my body, the pulsing golden interface from the reward panel regained my attention.

"In that case..."

"Begin Rebirth Process..."

Ding!

~Rebirth process has begun~

The golden light from the mystery gift intensified and from the light emerged a small, intricately carved box.

My heart raced as I opened it..

Inside was an egg, or rather something that looked like one. It was unlike anything I had ever seen, coming in the shape of a small egg but felt like a metamorphosis cocoon.

The object shimmered with faint Arcane energy as if it were reflecting different dimensions, filling me with a strange sense of anticipation.

Ding!

~Rebirth Process is advancing~

~Mystery Cocoon of the Overlord~

~Cocoon has been acquired and contains the creature that will soon to be your Arcane pet, it will need a period of time to absorb as much Arcane energy from the surrounding as possible and it will only materialize when that condition is met~

I stared at the egg like item, my thoughts wandered to my very first Arcane pet.

Naga. The direct rebirth of the dungeon boss I had defeated Duckskin Naga. The creature had become a reliable ally during my adventures, showcasing potential even at such a young level of Grade Three Intermediate.

"I can’t wait to see what this new companion will be like... Roku, that will be your name... Roku"

I thought, imagining how this mysterious item might add to my growing subordinates.

~Mystery Cocoon of the overlord~

~Arcane Energy Consumption: 0%~

My bond between all my pets would only deepen, and I hoped that this creature would join Naga, Egar, Pyro and Cryo in my quest to uncover the truth behind my parents and the dungeon gates.

With the mission now completed and the reward secured, I made my way out of the cavern with my thoughts focused on the future.

I had grown stronger, both physically and mentally, but I knew that the challenges ahead would only get harder.

As I exited the gate, I wasn’t greeted with the abandoned farmland which I used to make an entry. I was greeted with the familiar scenery of Cindralock academy.

I thought it was very convenient, not having to travel days worth of journey to get back.

»»»«««

Meanwhile.

Within the walls of RAA: Cindralock, in the conference chamber a smell of faint incense and old parchment was very noticeable. The vaulted ceiling shone with runes of light, casting a yellow-ish glow over the enormous black table that dominated most of the space in the room.

Grand seats, each etched with the insignia of their bearer’s rank, stretched along the sides like silent sentinels.

At the head of the table sat Chancellor Hans Wagner, after single handedly held back the Blood Faun’s advance, his arms were bound in white bandages, the expression of exhaustion was very noticeable on his face too, but not just that, there was something else that was way more prominent— determination.

To his right, Vice Chancellor Elara Voss adjusted her glasses, her pale fingers drumming lightly on a stack of papers. She was elegant as ever and sharp tongued for someone her age, with the air of someone who knew better than to waste words.

Beside her was Korvessa, the S-Ranked Reaper of the Vanguards, her black witch’s hat was tilted low enough to cast her smirk in shadow. Even seated, her presence was impossible to ignore, especially considering the space her curves took up in her sit.

Down the length of the table sat other honorary members of the panel:

Professor Aldric, head of Arcane defense, a battle scarred Mage class whose left eye was replaced with a mechanical lens that hummed nonstop in his ear.

Dean Lyria, master of elemental studies, her red hair burning brighter that the Arcane candle around her.

Marshal Dafon Vreth, commander of the academy guard, a broad, stoic man with armour still bearing scorch marks.

Archivist Maveen, keeper of relics, whose robes were cluttered with talismans.

High seer Ilyen Thorn, a blind oracle draped in silver silk, her empty gaze fixated on something beyond normal human sight.

Elara Voss was the one to break the calm silence first, "Chancellor Wagner," she said, her eyes flicking to the bandages. "Have the healers truly cleared you to resume your duties? You were nearly torn apart by that creature. You should be in recovery, not in council."

Hans Wagner exhaled slowly, his fingers tightening around the arm rest of his chair. "There’s no time for rest, Elara." he siad, his tone low and iron bound. "While I lie in a bed, the academy bleeds. We lost a student and several properties to that swarm of Shadow creatures... and something tells me that wasn’t random."

Korvessa leaned forward, a lazy grin playing at her well parted and poised lips. "You’re saying the swarm of Shadow creatures had... a purpose?"

Han’s gaze swept across the table, his voice dropping to a dangerous calm tone.

"I’m saying it was planned and orchestrated my an intelligent mind that wanted nothing more than to see this academy crumble..." he raised his bandaged arm slightly. "The gate which the Shadow creature that caused me my injuries came out from was located at a safe distance from here... those demonic creatures were led here."

A heavy silence dropped on the room instantly.

Lyria, master of elemental studies frowned. "You’re suggesting someone within our walls may have guided them here?"

Hans met her gaze. "I’m suggesting someone did it, it doesn’t necessarily have to be someone within the walls..."

The air in the chamber thickened instantly with shock, suspicion and the faint whisper of power gathering under the surface of the table.

Korvessa chuckled cunningly. "Well," she muttered, "Looks like this meeting just got interesting."