After the cafeteria buzz had subsided, Elian made his way to the registration kiosk located near the main atrium of Astralis Academy. The digital interface glowed softly, inviting students to sign up for the upcoming Beast Hunting Event. Elian tapped his ID and, with a few swift keystrokes on the holo-keypad, registered for the event. The screen confirmed his participation with a friendly chime:
"Registration Complete – Beast Hunting Event"
"Elite Hunt applicants will be reviewed."
A quiet thrill ran through him. This event was not only an opportunity to earn more EXP and rare rewards, but also a chance to further test his growing powers in a controlled, yet challenging, environment.
Once registered, Elian stepped out into the busy market district of Arcadia. The market was a vivid tapestry of sights and sounds—a bustling bazaar where futuristic stalls coexisted with ancient magic emporiums. Vendors shouted over the hum of conversations, their stalls laden with everything from enchanted talismans to advanced tech gadgets. In his satchel, Elian carried the fruits of his recent battles: 10,930 gold coins earned from defeating beasts and trading their precious remains.
He navigated through the labyrinthine alleys until he reached a renowned merchant known for rare magical items and upgrades. After some haggling and a few quick calculations, Elian acquired a set of lightweight, mana-infused armor pieces and several potions to restore stamina and mana. Each item was carefully chosen to enhance his performance in the dangerous wilderness of Shadowveil Forest.
Back in a quiet corner of the market, away from prying eyes, Elian activated his personal system interface once again. A new tab had appeared, labeled "Skill Upgrades." Among the locked skills, one in particular caught his attention: Shadow Storage. This sub-skill promised to allow him to store items in an ethereal pocket—accessible at will—an invaluable asset for a hunter on the move.
A prompt detailed its requirements:
"Unlock Shadow Storage – Cost: 5 Skill Points"
This skill will allow you to store items securely in an alternate dimension and retrieve them when needed. Upgrading it with additional points will increase storage capacity.
Without hesitation, Elian allocated 5 of his available Skill Points to unlock Shadow Storage. A soft chime confirmed the acquisition, and the new ability materialized in his system interface with a sleek, shadowy icon. Not stopping there, he decided to enhance its capacity further by allocating an additional 2 Skill Points. As the points were spent, a progress bar filled up, and the icon pulsed brighter, signifying that his storage capacity had increased significantly.
Eve's familiar voice echoed in his mind:
"Shadow Storage unlocked and upgraded. Your inventory can now be managed with increased capacity. Use this wisely, Elian."
With his items purchased and his system further honed, Elian felt more prepared than ever for the challenges ahead. The Beast Hunting Event loomed on the horizon, and each upgrade brought him closer to unraveling the full extent of his mysterious power—even if the true potential of skills like Time, Space, and Creation still lay far in the future.
As he folded the marketplace's lively chaos behind him, Elian's mind focused on the road ahead. The registration was complete, his inventory bolstered, and his system upgraded. The path to mastery, though still shrouded in uncertainty, had never looked more promising.