Mages Requiem

Liam moved through the sea of students like a shadow, blending effortlessly. His mind hummed with purpose, driven by the sheer power of his Origin; Index Record, the true gem of his rebirth.

The Index Record was more than just a mental filing system—it was a weapon. Every bit of knowledge he gathered was cataloged, sorted, and cross-referenced within the vast mental library now embedded in his consciousness. Magic formulas, historical events, arcane theories, combat techniques—everything was in perfect order. All were accessible within a blink of a thought.

In his previous life, Liam Noah, in prison out of boredom had painstakingly helped his brother acquire mastery over countless spells and techniques, only to lose them all by rewinding time. But even without the magic itself, he had retained the knowledge—of every ritual, historical event, arcane theory, combat technique, and rune he had ever wielded. All he needed were the right tools, reagents, and mana to use what he had.

More importantly, the Index Record's processing speed shaved precious seconds off casting time. Where others might fumble through incantations or channel power, Liam could mentally invoke a spell formula in an instant—no words, no gestures, just intent. Even high-level, multi-layered spells that would take minutes or hours for others to cast could be executed by him in a fraction of that time.

And that speed could mean the difference between life and death.

The Merchant System wasn't just a tool; it was a weapon—a lifeline to climb from the pit of his previous failures. And it had handed him more key figures: Luna Franklin, the enigmatic outsider with a mind that could be dangerous in the right—or wrong—hands and her twin older brothers Benjamin and Christopher Franklin. They were mad scientists in their Junior year.

Ding!

[Daily Quest Complete: Observe and Analyze]

[Objective Complete: Spend the day gathering intel and assessing 5 key figures in the academy]

[Reward: Sales Contract]

Sales Contract:

Creates a Contract so users can trade abilities, resources, and even people's lives.

Conditions:

All parties involved must willingly agree to the terms. Penalty: If any party defaults, the system enforces consequences (severity based on contract complexity). Optional Clause: Include loyalty-binding terms for absolute obedience.

A glowing, semi-transparent window appeared in his mind, the interface for the Sales Contract pulsing with a faint blue hue. His reward was more than just a fancy piece of magical bureaucracy—it was power. Real power.

Liam's grin widened as he mentally dismissed the window for now. The potential uses for this contract were staggering. He could buy alliances, trade knowledge, or even bind people to his will. The question wasn't if he'd use it—but when. And who his first target would be.

The clock was ticking on his 100,000 MSP debt. He needed to start building leverage fast, but every step had to be measured and precise. Luna Franklin, Benjamin and Christopher Franklin were his starting points, but there were still others at the academy with influence—and weaknesses.

Liam pondered his choices, aware of the Sales Contract's looming presence in his thoughts. The academy functioned as a semi-boarding school, providing dormitory living for some while remaining open to day students from the local area. It resembled a jungle, and survival meant adopting the mindset of a predator—silent strikes, no superfluous actions, and the foresight to be consistently two steps ahead.

For the moment, he would wait. The Sales Contract required careful consideration, not haste—it had to be flawless, a deal with enduring effects.

'Soon.'

Liam contemplated, his smile sharp and purposeful.

'Very soon.'

As he set the initial strategies in motion, he blended into the dispersing crowd under the fading evening light, his mind already weaving the fabric of tomorrow's schemes. The contest had begun, and Liam Noah was determined to triumph, regardless of the sacrifices involved.

He needed to move strategically. Relationships, like business, were built on trust and manipulation in equal measure. The question wasn't just how to approach these figures, but when and where. For now, Luna seemed like the safer first step—low profile, little risk, and a potential goldmine of information.

'Target Acquired – Luna Franklin.'

Liam positioned himself near the bench where Luna sat near her brothers. She was engrossed in her book, a leather-bound volume that gave off an aura of age and weight. From her posture—relaxed but focused—she clearly wasn't reading for fun.

'Researcher. Bookworm. Perfect.'

Liam knew from experience that people like Luna couldn't resist talking about what they were passionate about. All he needed was an opening—just enough to make her feel heard without giving too much away. He glanced at the spine of the book:

"Applications of Thaumaturgy in Artificial Systems."

Magic-based engineering. That was unexpected.

Liam smirked.

'Halfway there. Now it was time to get her talking.'

He leaned casually against a tree near her bench, pretending to scroll through his phone. After a moment, he glanced at Luna and, with a subtle shift in tone, made his move.

"That's a heavy read for orientation day."

He said lightly, just loud enough to cut through the rustling pages.

Luna glanced up, her eyes flickering with mild annoyance before settling into cautious curiosity.

"What's it to you?"

Liam offered a disarming smile.

"Nothing, really. Just caught my eye. Thaumaturgy and tech, right? I didn't think anyone else was into that kind of thing."

Claire blinked, surprised.

"You know about it?"

"Enough to be dangerous."

Liam replied smoothly.

"But I'm more curious about your angle. What's got you so hooked on it?"

Her gaze sharpened, suspicion flickering briefly before curiosity won out.

"You don't strike me as the type to care about magical theory."

"I'm not."

Liam shrugged.

"But I care about people who know things others don't."

Luna studied him for a moment longer, then—against her better judgment—snapped her book shut.

"It's not just theory. There's a lot of untapped potential in merging spells with artificial constructs—machines, golems, you name it. Imagine automating what only mages could do before."

Her voice carried the faintest hint of excitement now, and Liam knew he had her. Perfect.

As Luna reopened her book, seemingly satisfied with their brief exchange, Liam slipped back into the flow of students. His mind was already shifting gears toward Ethan Bishop. The heir to the Bishop's fortune wouldn't be as easy to engage as Luna, but Liam had time. He just needed to lay low, observe, and find the cracks in Ethan's armor.

As the bell rang, signaling the start of orientation, Liam glanced up at the grand archways leading deeper into the academy.

This place is full of opportunity, he thought, his heart steady and cold. I just have to take it—one trade, one secret, one alliance at a time.

With a smirk lingering on his lips, Liam Noah stepped forward into the academy, ready to begin his ascent.

'Game on.'

The Founding Fathers Campus looked majestic and old yet beautiful. Even Liam couldn't help but think:

'This is how you should be introduced to the magical world.'

As Liam approached the auditorium entrance, he observed students receiving uniform sets—each embroidered with unique insignias representing their assigned dorms. The process seemed straightforward: the academy wasted no time in sorting its students into distinct tiers based on status, power, and bloodline.

The entire sorting system wasn't just about housing; it reflected an unspoken hierarchy of privilege and expectations. Every dorm came with its advantages and limitations, but more than that, it served as an implicit statement about a student's place in the world of magic.

Liam knew which group he was destined for—The General Dorm, the dumping ground for new-generation magic users and those without significant magical heritage. But that didn't matter. No matter where they placed him, he would use the system to his advantage.

The Four Dorms and Their Dynamics

Elite Dorm:

The Elite Dorm brimmed with pureblood arrogance, a haven for those who could trace their magical lineage back generations. Its students wielded ancestral power and resources, often bringing pre-trained skills from private tutors. Liam saw them for what they were—pawns born with an edge but shackled by tradition. These mages valued status over innovation, and that made them predictable.

Tuition:

$500, or $650 for room and board; textbooks are not included.

Opportunity:

Elite students often needed "help" navigating the real world or managing their overinflated egos. Liam could exploit their insecurities in exchange for favors or magical items.

Leverage:

Many sought recognition and were desperate to prove they were more than just their name. A well-placed deal could set one against another.

General Dorm:

Liam's likely home. This dorm was filled with mixed-bloods and new-generation mages. They had some raw talent but lacked the refined upbringing of the Elite. It also housed those wealthy enough to attend but not influential enough to climb the social ladder.

Tuition:

$300, or $400 for room and board; textbooks are not included.

Opportunity: 

These students were desperate for improvement and opportunity—perfect customers for Liam's Sales Contracts. He could offer knowledge, spells, or even connections they couldn't obtain on their own.

Leverage:

In an environment built on exclusion, everyone wanted to move up. A few well-timed promises could easily buy loyalty.

Corp Dorm:

A melting pot of non-human magical races, Gnomes, Halflings, Orcs, and Elves, among others. This dorm reflected the academy's attempt at inclusion. However, its students were often treated as outsiders by the human population. Many harbored resentment, and others simply kept to themselves.

Tuition: 

$300 or $400 for room and board; textbooks are not included.

Opportunity:

Magical races often possessed unique artifacts, knowledge, or innate abilities. If he could broker alliances here, it would provide Liam with access to rare resources.

Leverage:

Exploiting their isolation—or offering protection—could turn key individuals into powerful allies.

Council's Dorm:

The Council of Archmages handpicked students with the highest potential, regardless of background, covering their tuition and offering stipends. In return, graduates were required to serve the Council. Students in this dorm were under immense pressure to meet lofty expectations.

Opportunity:

Many would balk at the idea of being chained to the Council, which meant Liam could offer them a way out—for a price.

Leverage:

A handful of Council students on his side would grant Liam access to restricted resources and opportunities beyond the academy's walls.

Liam approached the desk where a sharp-eyed faculty member handed him his uniform and registration card. The symbol on the sleeve was simple, bearing the emblem of the General Dorm. No surprise there. He slipped it into his bag with a small, knowing smile.

"General Dorm. Fitting."

It didn't matter where they put him. Liam knew his goals—and knew the system wouldn't hold him back. He could already see the potential—hidden cracks in the academy's rigid structure, ready to be pried open. The key figures, the dorm rivalries, the Council's politics—all of it was raw material waiting to be shaped.

"Let the Elite have their privilege, and let the Council keep their pawns."

Liam's eyes gleamed as the Sales Contract shimmered faintly in his mind.

"I'll own them all soon enough."

As the auditorium filled with students taking their seats for orientation, Liam quietly slipped into the crowd, mentally cataloging faces and dorm insignias. Each name and symbol was a potential entry in the Index Record, a future transaction waiting to happen.

And today? Today was just the beginning.