Zatiel and Ezequiel headed to the spot where most of the apprentices were gathering, the place under the huge screens on the walls.
One of these screens was showing the missions that were available at the moment and another was showing the courses that you could take and how much you have to pay to attend.
In these places were podiums from which you could get more detailed information about the mission, and with which you could accept them.
According to the rules of the tower, every new apprentice has to take a mission when they become part of it. After every mission, you have time to rest before doing the next one. The times vary depending on the difficulty of the mission.
For a mission with a difficulty that can be done safely for a Rank 1 Apprentice, you have a month of rest, for a difficulty corresponding to Rank 2 Apprentices, you have 3 months, for Rank 3 Apprentices difficulty you have 6 months of rest, and for pseudo-magus mission, you have a year of rest.
Zatiel arrived at the screen and headed straight for the podium, activating it
"A.I. Chip, search for the missions in which I can obtain the materials to start crafting runes, and have a difficulty level of pseudo-magus."
[Bip.. beginning search…]
'With our power, we can take a mission for pseudo-magus without a problem. I should pick one that allows me to gather materials to start crafting runes that can enhance mine, and little EZ abilities.
Although the ones I can craft are only basic runes at the moment, they should be enough for now, and I can also sell them to generate some income.'
It didn't take long for the chip to show a list of missions that fulfill Zatiel's requirements. After going through them, and deciding the mission they will take, he headed to the stall the other apprentices had pointed towards.
"Little EZ, pick something that suits you," said Zatiel as he started to look at the magical equipment that was put on display.
Ezequiel's previous weapon was destroyed before they arrived at the tower. This was pretty common. After all, normal weapons can't withstand spells going through them for a prolonged amount of time.
Most of what was shown was basic magical equipment with some minor enhancements or abilities, like a necklace with an improvement for spirit force of 1 point or night vision goggles.
Zatiel finally chooses a sword, it was a one-handed sword, Although it didn't have any magical enhancement, what mattered to him was that it was made from mitratium, a very durable, and conductive magical metal, letting him worry about changing his weapon because it could not withstand his power.
As for Ezequiel, he chose a short sword. It was pretty simple, but in its center, there was a green crystal. This sword could apply paralytic poison in his attacks that were strong enough to knock out a magical creature.
Neither Zatiel nor Ezequiel chose anything else, after all, their funds were very limited at the moment, and besides their attributes were already very overbearing, and for defense, they both have their spells, and as Neo-Demons their bodies were extremely durable.
Both swords cost Zatiel 120 magical crystals, plus the 30 that he gave to the apprentice named Richard, he now only has 73 crystals remaining.
'Wealth vanishes fast,' thought Zatiel without really caring for the amount of crystals, after all, he never thought that the amount was anything significant.
"Little EZ, I will transfer the information to you about the mission which we are going to do. We will be working separately this time and doing different missions."
Ezequiel nodded at the words of Zatiel. Although it will be the first time they separate from each other since they met, Ezequiel wasn't a child whose hand had to be held at every moment, he was more than capable to complete a mission alone.
The information about the mission appears in his mind immediately.
"Pseudo Magus level mission: Bring the brains of 5 Harpies. These magical creatures have the strength of Rank 3 Apprentices, with the ability to fly and able to use wind spells.
Some of the strongest harpies have the power equal to a Pseudo Magus and can use a spell that affects the consciousness of the opponent. Reward: 300 magical crystals and 10 merit points."
Together with the information was a map, and the most possible location of the harpies.
"The more brains you gather, the better, and I will need you to bring the claws of those creatures."
Ezequiel didn't ask why they were needed and just nodded. For him, if Zatiel needed something, there was a good reason for it.
Zatiel was already accustomed to the attitude of the boy, so he didn't say much about his lack of words.
"Remember little EZ, never overestimate your power or underestimate your opponent. The battlefield is always changing, and if you neglect your surroundings for a second, it could be fatal. If you find yourself in a dangerous situation escape immediately, that is an order," Zatiel says with seriousness in his face.
Ezequiel again didn't speak and nodded, but warmth could be seen in his eyes.
"Master, that person from before, I think he will take the opportunity to attack during our mission taking advantage of the fact that we are separated from each other, and are away from the tower."
According to the regulation of the tower, apprentices that were part of it were prohibited from killing each other, but as long there was no witness, and unless the person has an influential background, no one will investigate the 'disappearance' of an apprentice.
"They will definitely do it, but don't worry. If they act as I think they will, there won't be a problem. I was going to give you another spell to practice, but I can see that you are breaking the limits of the spell which I taught you, and improving it to make it perfect for yourself. So you should keep with it"
"Yes master, I also felt that the spell can become more powerful, and I can increase the ways I can apply it," Ezequiel was very satisfied with the spell so he didn't want to split his attention with another one.
Zatiel always thought that quality overcomes quantity, especially as a Neo-Demon. Thanks to the core, the spell can be improved constantly, and the body can increase the proficiency in that type of energy very quickly. He was only going to learn another battle spell to overcome his lack of long-range attacks. And with that, it will be enough for the time being.
"We should rest for today, tomorrow we will start with our corresponding mission," Zatiel spoke as he and Ezequiel headed to the portal to the second floor where the apprentices rested.
As they were about to use the portal, Zatiel looked at the statue with the form of a lion that was beside it.
'A golem with a power equal to a Rank 1 Magus, I have to be careful in this place or else if I catch too much attention, I could get into serious trouble.'
Without stopping, he goes into the portal, and vanishes from the first level.
After a couple of seconds, Zatiel and Ezequiel appear on the second level. Normally most apprentices will show some discomfort due to the teleportation, but thanks to their physique, neither of them felt different.
The second level was full of rectangular houses, one next to the other, made of the same material as the rest of the tower was made, with nothing else but the portal.
Zatiel and Ezequiel quickly found those houses corresponding to them. To enter them, you have to use the crystal in which the guidebook was present.
Zatiel entered the house. As he inspected the place, he saw that it was a two-floor house, with a bathroom, a place to sleep, and a kitchen on the first floor, and on the second floor there was a place that could be used for doing different experiments.
'Not bad, this place is truly comfortable, and has most of the necessary stuff.'
Zatiel leaves his stuff in a corner and heads to the shower. After a couple of minutes, he gets out with his magic robe on, and he heads to the second floor.
On the second floor, there was a place with all kinds of chemical and magical equipment, and there was a closed room with thick walls. The last one was used to practice spells, and on the ground was a carpet which had the ability to calm the mind.
Zatiel headed to the room and sat on the carpet as he was thinking about the new spell he was going to learn.
"My current Abyss Aura has reached the threshold of 10 points. From this point on, growing it will be difficult without consuming high concentrations of energy. With my current aura, I should be able to use that spell."
The spell that Zatiel was thinking of learning was known as Abyssal Chains and was one of the most powerful Rank 0 spells which he had. But it was also extremely difficult to control.
"A.I. Chip, show me the information about the spell Abyssal Chains, and circulate my Abyss Aura to activate the spell."
[Bip...
Abyssal Chain: Creates chains that appear from the air around the host, and can attack and bind the opponent. These chains are created from abyss energy making them apply fire and negative energy damage, and they are also extremely resistant. Every chain has to be controlled individually, putting great pressure on the host's consciousness.
Consumption: Abyss Aura- 2 every minute. Damage: every chain can make up to 10 degrees of damage, and also it can apply a corroding effect to the body of whoever is in contact with them unless this person can use abyss aura as well. Effective distance: 20 meters around the host.]
Zatiel started to focus on the spell and used his abyss aura to activate it.
After a couple of minutes, a chain that looks like it was made from burning metal with an arrow-like head in front of it materializes beside Zatiel. A minute later, a second shows up, then a third, and finally a fourth.
Zatiel opened his eyes as he started to assess the chains.
'I can control a maximum of 4 chains at the moment, and I will still be able to attack with my body.'
Every chain is like a new limb that he has to control, so every single one takes a toll in his mental capacities. Right now, he can control 4 chains, and still use his body normally.
As he grows stronger, his cognitive function and abilities will also improve, allowing him to increase the number of chains that he can control.
Focusing his eyes in a corner of the room, he commanded the chains to attack. With an amazing speed, the four chains crashed against the walls making marks on it.
With another command, the chains started to move through the room, sometimes moving as if they were crunching on something, or connecting with each other to make a wall before Zatiel.
'This spell is truly practical, let me see its maximum actual damage. A.I. Chip, record, and show me the information about my next attack.'
The chain started to intertwine with itself and thus, the 4 chains became one. This new single-chain crashed against the wall, making a hole in its surface, and the surroundings starting to melt.
[Bip... 19 degrees of damage, and 4 degrees of fire and negative energy every second.]
"Very good, this will be more than enough. I should rest now, tomorrow will be a long day."
