As soon as we were past the gate, it was like a storm wall broke. People rushed from place to place, stalls were manned by several people, washes of food smells fighting for dominance, and a veritable variety of Races, unlike Tundra’s Kiss.

  ‘Though, in all fairness I didn't take any time to explore Tundra's Kiss. Next time,’ I admonished.

  As we walked along the thoroughfare, past several vendors at their stalls, the buildings started to become nicer and more structured as we went along. I even started to notice Shops selling Cards. I ran up to a window that I saw an Ice type Card in.

  Ice Lance(C), T1R1.

  Type:Active. Affinity: Ice, Piercing.

  -Effect: Launch a sharpened shard of ice.

  -Add to a Deck for further Information-

  Cost: 30 silver.

  Laurence had followed me over to the shop in question, and looked at the same Card as me.

  “What a rip off. That Card is so common from the Spire, that it goes for 1 silver. It would make sense if this was a set Card but it doesn't have a marker for that.” He brought me back to the rest of the group.

  “Stores like that take advantage of people new to the town, or just have enough money to pay for the extra amenities. It's best to see what the school offers this year before looking at the store. I prefer to get mine from Dungeons, though I want a Spire Card that would work for me as well.”

  It was quite the change in price from what he'd told me. 1 gold was 100 silver, 1 silver 100 copper. About 5 copper was the cost of a loaf of bread. That meant the common Card should be sold for 50 loaves of bread, but he charges for 150 instead. I'd have to make sure to do my research before I buy any Cards.

  ‘Maybe the Academy has books on known Cards.’

  _____________________________________

  About 20 minutes later, we broke free of the merchants quarter into the center. Here, you could find four cardinal fountains, and almost all the inns in town. Since it was an academy town, only ? of the town was easily accessible, with the last quarter for just academy grounds. In the very center of the Center, was the entrance to the Spire.

  Many Inns were set up in the Center, due to the proximity to the Spire entrance. The Spire is delved just often enough that an outbreak hadn't happened in about 243 years. The last one being an arrogant Necromancer's fault, apparently, but I'd learn about that in school anyways.

  The Academy in Brittlemar was just considered an add-on, due to the economy that the Spire brought. The Spire was honestly one of the main reasons having the Academy here was smart, as not nearly enough Spires are delved often enough to have such a similar situation to Brittlemar. The Brittlemar Spire was also one of the few that required you to delve only on your own till the 5th floor, only with parties of the same Cultivator path till floor 25, and finally you could explore with mixed teams. They called these training Spires, gifts from the system to safeguard our world, blah blah, I just wanted to explore and gain new Cards.

  It was at the south fountain that we said goodbye to the Cub Pack, then promising to do a quest together when we gained permission from the Academy. She almost seemed certain it wouldn't be long before she saw us again.

  ‘That smug grin Jess had on her face seemed a bit ominous.’ I could only shake my head at her antics. I'd learned very quickly after the fight that Jess was a prankster with a soft spot for practical jokes, and sneaky ways of using her abilities. I was a bit wary, but would cross that bridge when I got there.

  Radwin and I were now on our way to the Academy, having just passed the east fountain leading toward the Academy grounds. Unlike the other quarters though, the whole east district was Academy grounds. It housed numerous possible courses, or extra curricular activities and multiple forms of on campus living. It was for all these reasons why the east district is gated off.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

  We approached the guards to get permission to enter.

  “Halt, it is Academy grounds past this gate. Only students and staff are permitted beyond this point,” a polite female guard called out to us.

  “We're new students, ma'am!” I stammered out quickly.

  She just gave us an appraising look. “We were due two students yesterday, not today.” Her eyes slightly narrowed at us.

  I raised my hands placatingly, as Radwin seemed to have started shaking like a leaf in the wind.

  “I'm Syilten Flykra, and this is Radwin Roal, we got waylaid by bandits on the way here.” I paused to show the bandit emblem in hand, “and claims can be confirmed with the party known as the Cub Pack,” I said calmly. ‘Acting unreasonably rash isn't the play right now.’

  Her posture eased up considerably, but was still on guard.

  “Your names match up, but I'm going to have your description pulled from our files. If you match the appearance described from after your awakening, you get to go in and finish your enrollment. We have set days to avoid these formalities, but it's for the safety of the student above all else.” She went back to stand at her station.

  “Well, at least we're not in a hurry to class. I hope it gets faster when we have our school badges.” Radwin quipped, he was still shaking off the adrenaline from the guards' tone.

  The welcome did feel a bit forced, if I was honest. We didn't have to wait long though, before someone started to approach the gate from the other side. They looked fairly casual in a loose fitting gi, and loosely tied up grey hair.

  I signaled to Radwin to start getting up in case it was time to go. He spoke in a quick, yet polite tone.

  “Mr. Flykra and Mr. Roal, I’d presume. Yes, good. Well, we have to get you assigned a dorm, fitted for your school uniforms, and have your school badges issued today. After we go on campus, I have to warn you, you'll be stuck here till you get your badge as you saw at the gate before. Any questions? No? Good, let's go.” He said all of this in a whirlwind, not once waiting to see if either actually had any kind of reply, and proudly strutted his way back towards the Academy gate.

  Turning to Radwin for long enough to shrug, we followed after the prompt and rude man as he led us toward the Center reception point. It was a building only a few minutes into the gate, well within sight. It was a building that appeared as if made of various shades of mosaic glass, yet looked perfectly normal looking back outside.

  ‘Now that's just neat. Wonder if it’s an illusion or a property of the glass.’ In my distraction, I ran into the man guiding us. I made sure to quickly apologize.

  We arrived at the front desk, where two women wearing the same blue blazers with black hats that kind of looked like loose cones.

  “Welcome to the Center Reception of the Brittlemar Academy Branch. How may we help you today?” they spoke in seamless unity.

  The gentleman who led us here transitioned without a gap for error.

  “New students here to get fitted, assigned, and issued badges.” The man was a whirlpool in his own right. “Probably best to have them either in the single or duo rooms. Scratch that, just two singles in dorms close to the crafter quarter gate.”

  For their credit, the two women were able to follow along smoothly to his ramblings.

  “Certainly Sir and sir's. If the two students could come forward and place their hand here. This will allow us to do secondary verification in the future, and bio link your facilities."

  They lifted up, not a large, but certainly bulky machine. It had cogs and vial storage in plain view, and a scarlet hand shape in the middle of a black plate in the center of the machine. Above the hand print was a small slot not unlike the ones on ticket machines.

  The machine looked rather imposing to be honest, but I steeled myself and placed my hand on the machine. The first thing that crossed my mind was that it was startlingly cold for all of a moment, before a strange energy started to rush through me as if it's goal was to map all of who I am and will be, before rushing to a secondary source beating behind my heart. I could feel the rhythmic pulsing of what felt like an orb. Frigid blues, and mix of sharp and sickly purple. Then it all came to an abrupt end, I fell on my butt with a loud Thud, my breath labored. Before I'd even caught my breath.

  *ting*

  A thin Card with a copy of my likeness, and known affinities was printed out of the machine. I noticed them trying to talk to me but my perception was still stuck on that pulsing orb behind my heart, and as if to answer my questions, the System chimed in.

  -Rare inspiration Achieved-

  All beings of Detlmar have a Core. You've managed to find the Mana Core in your body, congratulations.

  Reward: Enhanced mana regeneration. Ability to temper mana.

  Before Tier 2 Bonus: One time Boost to Mana reserves. +100mp permanently.

  Energy rushed towards me, or at least I could feel energy rushing towards me, making me feel more whole, like every breath that passed my lips was more clear than what it had been before. All at the same time I felt numb, cold, lost in a stillness unlike anything, like a profound body. Then the sounds of the world snapped back to me.

  The two receptionists, the odd man in the gi, and Radwin were staring at me. It seemed that Radwin had finished his experience with the machine a lot quicker than I did.

  “Are you okay, Syil?” He asked while reaching out one of his surprisingly strong spindly arms to help me up, but he'd ended up using both hands to help me up to both our slight laughter.

  “Sorry, I just got caught off guard.” I smiled it off, but the look that the man in the gi kept giving me made me believe he had a good idea of what just happened, but he seemed kind enough to understand the need for rest.

  With two sharp claps,

  “And without that, we've handled everything other than taking you to your new home, for at least the next year. Accommodation could be changed on request, but only between years.” Again, he was off like an arrow in an all too tight bow.