The blue interface popped out once more, transforming to display the available items in the Arcensis Market.
Arcensis Market
Coins: 650 Coins
Available Items:
Stat Point +1
Cost: 0 Coins
Weapon Arts:
One-Handed Sword Arts:
Crimson Flash:
Blindingly fast strike with a red afterglow, bypasses guard.
Cost: 300 Coins
Iron Guard Stance:
Absolute defense, deflects powerful powerful blows.
Cost: 150 Coins
Blade of the Iron Will:
Sword infused with resolve, cleaves tough resistances.
Cost: 200 Coins
Silent Draw (Iaijutsu):
Lightning-fast draw-and-strike, almost invisible.
Cost: 200 Coins
Viper's Strike:
Deceptive, low thrust targeting vital points.
Cost: 100 Coins
Ghost Bloom:
Rapid, ethereal slashes with afterimages, hard to track.
Cost: 1000 Coins
Cleansing Cut:
Horizontal slash with purifying energy, effective vs. magic/supernatural.
Cost: 500 Coins
Bow Arts:
Hawkeye Precision:
Unwavering accuracy over extreme distances, pierces small openings.
Cost: 200 Coins
Windfury Volley:
Rapid fanning shot of multiple arrows, wide spread/overwhelm.
Cost: 300 Coins
Whisperfeather Shot:
Silent, stealthy arrow for ambushes.
Cost: 100 Coins
Spirit Tracer:
Arrow with minor mid-flight corrections via user's will.
Cost: 150 Coins
Spear Arts:
Axe Arts:
Dagger Arts:
Blunt/Staff Arts:
Kaito's eyes immediately landed on Crimson Flash.
"That annoying red-hair's skill," he thought, a flicker of irritation crossing his face.
Eric Lionheart. "God, I hated that skill so much in the player arena, probably because it was just too common."
He'd seen it firsthand from practically every player who used a sword.
A more serious thought then hit him.
"Even if I wanted to, I can't use that in battle here."
If someone saw him, a mere commoner, use a skill exclusive to the Lionheart family, which Eric was from, he was going to get into deep trouble, so it wasn't worth the risk.
Kaito's gaze then flickered back up the list, stopping on what he'd scanned past earlier: the Stat Point +1 costing 0 Coins.
"Woah, System, aren't you too kind, really?" he muttered, a genuine chuckle escaping him.
"A free stat just for me? Or maybe a god somewhere actually likes me and decided to give me free stuff."
He shook his head, a grin spreading across his face.
"Well, I won't decline free things."
Kaito carefully scanned through the available weapon arts, his gaze lingering on each one before returning to the sword techniques.
He knew what he liked best and there was no changing that. Swords felt right.
With a determined nod, he resolved to spend all his coins, satisfying his immediate need to get stronger quickly.
He picked out everything that fit within his 650 Coins.
As his mental selections were confirmed, a notification popped out, displaying his successful purchases:
Items Successfully Purchased!
Stat Point +1
Viper's Strike Lv.1
Iron Guard Stance
Blade of the Iron Will Lv.1
Silent Draw Lv.1
Total: 650 Coins.
Without delay, Kaito said with a satisfied smile, "System, add 1 stat point to Agility."
A familiar warmth coursed through him, a subtle yet distinct sensation of newfound lightness and quickness settling into his limbs. He felt it immediately.
"Show me the Player Status!" he commanded in his mind, eager to see the results.
The blue interface popped out, now updated to reflect his latest changes.
Player Status
Name: Kaito Kuromaku Lv.: 1 Age: 16
Race: Human
HP: 150/150. MP: 10/10 SP: 60/60
Coins: 0
Stat Point Available: 0
Unclaimed Rewards: 0
Stats:
Strength (STR): 8
Agility (AGI): 6
Vitality (VIT): 7
Intelligence (INT): 5
Resolve (RES): 6
Charisma (CHA): 5
Luck (LCK): 5
Kaito smiled, seeing his progress, but his internal satisfaction quickly faded into a more pragmatic assessment.
"Well, still not strong enough," he thought.
That was the advantage of being a noble, trained by veteran swordsmen from birth.
Kaito leaned back in his chair, a wry thought crossing his mind.
"Well, that's what an extra is, I guess," he mumbled, a stark comparison forming in his head.
For context, Eric was sitting on average stats of 15 to 20, while most of the other main characters were probably at least at 12 to 15 average at level 1.
"Cheating, if I must say," he added under his breath earlier.
He let out a small, satisfied chuckle.
"I'm just happy I have weapon arts now, hahah," he thought, a genuine grin spreading across his face.
"All at Level 1, but still, better than nothing."
---
Unbeknownst to Kaito, deeply engrossed in his internal System review, his partner Catherina was watching his every subtle movement.
"What the hell is this idiot thinking?" she wondered, a hint of unease stirring within her.
Ever since she'd shaken his hand, he'd been smiling, chuckling, or mumbling to himself, staring blankly into the air.
"Who did I just make a partnership with? Not just creepy, but he's definitely not right in the head."
Their contrasting thoughts were abruptly cut short by Professor Aurora's clear voice.
"Alright, Class Alpha!" she announced, her voice echoing slightly louder than before.
"The class is officially over. Head to the training grounds immediately!"
"You need to choose your primary weapons and begin your duo training to prepare for the simulation exam."
Kaito's eyes widened, a bright smile returning to his face.
"Oh, finally!" he said, almost bouncing in his seat.
"Time to try my theory and these new stuff I got."
His gaze automatically flickered to the empty air in front of him where the notifications of his newly purchased weapon arts had just been displayed.
Weapon Arts Management
Sword Arts
Viper's Strike:
Deceptive, low thrust targeting vital points.
Iron Guard Stance:
Absolute defense, deflects powerful blows.
Will of Steel:
Sword infused with resolve, cleaves tough resistances.
Silent Draw:
A lightning fast draw and sheathe, almost invisible.
---
Students slowly began to filter out of the classroom, murmuring amongst themselves, all heading towards the training hall.
Kaito didn't waste any time.
He pushed himself out of his seat and quickly moved for the door.
He knew exactly where it was, of course.
After playing SpellxEdge Online countless times, he knew almost every significant location in this world, Arcensis, as long as it hadn't changed or differed too much from his game knowledge.
He didn't look back, nor did he wait for his partner.
Kaito's quick, unconcerned departure only served to make Catherina Montaigne feel more frustrated at the man.
"What? Is he just going to leave like that?" she fumed internally, watching his back disappear through the doorway.
"I thought he was supposed to help me get familiar with this school."
"He looks like he already forgot about me! What the hell is wrong with this guy?"
"Who does he think he is? I'm Catherina Montaigne!"
As Kaito confidently navigated the academy halls towards the training grounds, and Catherina followed, seething with frustration.
---
Kaito reached the training hall almost immediately, despite Professor Aurora having allotted a good fifteen minutes for students to handle their personal business before the next class.
Catherina followed a short distance behind him, her eyes still fixed on his very punchable back of the head, her fingers twitching.
She was very tempted to just end the man's life for his sheer audacity to ignore her.
"Can you believe this guy?" Catherina muttered under her breath, though she knew no one was close enough to hear her.
"He just leaves? No 'excuse me,' no 'are you coming?' Nothing! What's his deal?"
---
Soon, the other students of Class Alpha slowly showed up, filling the training hall and waiting for the professor to arrive.
To everyone but Kaito, it was a surprise to see Professor Aurora walk in and announce she would be their trainer as well.
Well, Aurora's class is called "Combat Class," Kaito thought to himself, watching her.
Not only on paper and theories, but also on real combat and weapons training.
He added silently, But it's definitely because the game wants her to be more involved in the story and the growth of the characters.
Professor Aurora talked a little about the class, giving instructions on what they were going to do for the day.
Finally, she let the duos of students come forward and take a weapon of their choice from the stands.
All the weapons were made of wood and perfectly safe, meant only for training and planning purposes.
"Finally," Kaito mumbled, stretching slightly.
"I almost fell asleep waiting. I can finally do what I want."
A smile spread across his face as he thought about the stuff he bought from the market.
He believed he had perfectly balanced his combat style, he had a defensivd, an offensive, a buff, and a finisher skill from the market.
As an "extra" only, he was more than satisfied with his purchase.
So when his turn to pick a weapon finally came, Kaito immediately stood up and went to the stands where the wooden weapons were displayed, completely forgetting he had a partner he was supposed to wait for and pick at the same time.
Catherina followed behind him, still pissed off about his attitude, but decided to focus on choosing her own weapon.
Kaito finally noticed her as she walked past him to pick a weapon first.
"Ah, right, forgot she was here," he thought.
"Well, I already know what she's going to pick, a rapier."
And so he was right. Catherina did pick a wooden rapier.
"Ahh, another generic choice of weapon," Kaito thought, rolling his eyes internally.
"A woman using a rapier? Ooh, so original."