The Aura Ascendant: A Knight's Unbroken Path

"Three options?" Julia felt excited. Although she didn't know what to expect, she knew that whatever the reward was, it would surely be something she needed as an Apprentice Mage.

Instructor Chavez smiled seeing that excited Julia.

Then, she revealed three objects that she could choose for her reward

At first, Chavez picked up a porcelain vial sealed with a stone stopper.

"This is the Verdant Ascension Pill. It's a rare alchemical treasure forged by a Pill Saint for about five days. If you're unaware of it, a Pill Saint is equivalent to a Fourth-Circle Mage, but instead of focusing on Spells and Combat, they focus on Alchemy." Chavez then placed the vial on the table.

"Its primary function is to forcibly enhance your core mana capacity, pushing you halfway into the next Circle of magic instantly. In your case, as a Zero Circle Mage, you will probably reach the First Circle if you consume it now. However, I suggest that you consume this instead, a few days after reaching the First Circle, so you will soon be preparing for the Second Circle. I can tell that it's possible with your talent. "

Instructor Chavez explained.

"Of course, with the large amount of Mana inside this pill, you will have to temper your mana heart. It comes with risks since failing to absorb it properly may cause an internal backlash. But if successful, it will increase your path in just a matter of hours in what would normally take a year or more."

Instructor Chavez had to explain this carefully since obtaining Verdant Ascension Pill for free may not happen again after this.

Seeing that Julia understood as she nodded gently, Chavez gestured toward a black case.

After opening it, she unveiled a long, silver-white staff carved with a dragon-like image.

Then, there was a crescent-shaped crystal embedded above the staff's tip.

"This is the Staff of Echoes. It is made from the bones of a Storm Wyrm a Four-Horned Magic Beast… Aside from its bones, the crafter also embedded it with a mid-grade Magic Core."

The Magic Core was something Julia learned from the Academy. It wasn't a natural thing but a created item by the Archmages and used to power Artifacts or Magic Items.

Unfortunately, as a Zero-Circle Mage, Julia doesn't know much about it or how it was even made. Still, only Archmages could do it, so it was something that would take a long time for her to truly understand its intricacies.

Anyway, Instructor Chavez continued to explain.

"It contains a built-in reservoir of mana and is capable of amplifying spell output by up to 30%. Even more, the crystal at its tip holds a recorded Echo Strike—a spell that calls down a chain of lightning strikes, stored and ready to be released once every twelve hours."

"Echo Strike… It's one of the most powerful First Circle spells approaching the Second Circle! Awesome!" Julia commented.

After all, being able to cast that spell every 12 hours could be considered a lifesaving item already. It was something that Julia would want to have.

Still, she contained her excitement as the last item could be much better.

Chavez smiled after seeing Julia's reaction.

"It's a very powerful weapon for a Zero-Circle Mage, so if you want this, you have to make sure to protect it well... With this, you could even rival many advanced mages twice your age in combat as long as you know the timing to use it..."

Finally, Instructor Chavez lifted the last item.

It was a smooth, dark egg placed on a satin pillow. It was the size of a watermelon and marked with various runic languages that she couldn't understand. Still, she guessed that it was some sort of seal to ensure that the egg wouldn't hatch.

As she focused on it, she confirmed that it exuded a mysterious heat—and a faint heartbeat-like thrum.

It was definitely alive.

"This is the Obsidian Egg. We know very little about its origins. It was discovered in an Ancient Tower during an excavation. For years, it remained dormant… until last month, when it pulsed for the first time. The Rukh Tower didn't want to hatch it due to various reasons, and one of them was the fact that none of us wanted to be Magic Beast Owners. It's simply not our path. However, for new students, you can consider exploring this path, and we will assist you."

Chavez looked at Julia seriously.

"Our Seers speculate it contains a beast of something ancient and bound to mana. What it will become… depends on the one who bonds with it. But make no mistake, this is a risk—and a contract."

Chavez then recalled something and immediately added.

"It may hatch into something powerful. Or something dangerous. Possibly both. So it's a gamble."

Julia wryly smiled after hearing this. Perhaps, they wanted her to gamble since they did not want to lose the Verdant Ascension Pill or the Staff of Echoes.

After all, for someone at her age, she might have an impulse to get the egg instead!

Soon, Chavez stepped back, allowing Julia space to step forward.

"Choose wisely, Julia. Each of these could change your path in the Academy—and beyond."

***

After a long moment of thought, Julia stepped forward and pointed toward the porcelain vial resting atop the velvet cloth.

"I'll take the Verdant Ascension Pill…" she declared with a steady voice. It was a decision she made after considering various things.

Instructor Chavez raised an eyebrow briefly, then smiled approvingly. "I think it's a wise choice."

It was the practical option.

While the Obsidian Egg was actually filled with mystery and potential, Julia wasn't a Beast Tamer.

It was not surprising that she had no affinity, training, or ambition to walk that path.

And although the Staff of Echoes was powerful and tempting, she didn't need to rush.

Her fifteenth birthday was coming in a few more years—her father, an Archmage, had already hinted at gifting her a custom Mage Staff crafted by one of his trusted artificers.

Needless to say, the Staff of Echoes would no longer be useful at that point. Furthermore, she was confident of obtaining her First Circle in a couple of more years. The Echo Strike might be useful for her right now, but she'd quickly outgrow this item.

There was no need to be greedy and obtain a powerful staff at this moment.

She wasn't even fighting on the front lines.

With a nod, Chavez picked up the vial and gently placed it into Julia's hands.

"You can only consume this once… Even if you get another Verdant Ascension Pill, she should not consume it. There will be a different one that you can try once you reach the Second Circle." Chavez reminded.

"Thank you…" Julia said as she took the vial.

The glass felt cold, but the mana within gave off a faint, comforting warmth… Even with the vial, Julia could already tell how good this Pill was. It was a pity that she could only use one of these.

"Use it well. Remember to prepare your mana heart before consuming it…" Chavez advised. "If possible, make sure to have someone to protect you when you consume this in a safe location. You'll only get one chance to absorb it properly."

Julia bowed slightly. "Thank you, Instructor Chavez."

After a few moments, as Julia kept the vial inside her new Storage Ring, she recalled something.

"Um… Instructor?" she asked, hesitating.

"Yes?"

Julia bit her lip, then spoke with quiet sincerity. "There's someone I'd like to reward. Van. He… he was instrumental in our win during the mission. He collected all the mission items—all of them. Without him, we wouldn't have made it to the top of the rankings."

Chavez gently nodded as she understood what Julia wanted to say.

"Van… You slave, huh…"

Julia nodded firmly. "Yes. I know he's just a servant, but I wouldn't feel right taking all the credit. He deserves something."

"I'm thinking of rewarding him, but I do not have anything with me right now. Ahem, I'm wondering if I can purchase something from you or anything I can get within this station. I will pay, of course."

The Instructor let out a short chuckle, not unkind, but tinged with amusement at Julia's sense of fairness.

"You truly are your father's daughter…" she murmured. "Always trying to lift those around you."

Then, to Julia's surprise, Chavez walked to a nearby cabinet and retrieved a small jade-green pill box.

She opened it to reveal a single ruby-colored pill that created a faint silver mist.

Thud…

Chavez quickly closed the box to ensure that the medicinal efficacy wouldn't be compromised.

"This is a Strong Heart Pill," Chavez said, handing it to Julia. "It's not meant for Magicians. It strengthens the spirit and soul—ideal for Aura Users."

Julia's eyes lit up. "So it will help Van?"

"It should increase his Aura output and enhance his mental resistance. He's still young, so his foundation will benefit from it." Instructor Chavez answered.