Three days had passed since Asher had arrived at the World Academy, and news about 'Zephyr' and the breach at Kalvas Gala had spread among all the people with the highest standing in Society.
"So you're telling me that the Vault, which was supposed to be the best creation of the Artisan's Association, was looted?" Nathan asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Yes, and we've informed all the Seat Holders about this and the words that were left behind by the intruders," the man on the hologram showed Nathan the image of the text 'Zephyr'.
Nathan had an amused look, imagining the reaction of an old friend who was one of the 11 SSS Rank Hunters now.
'That guy will be pissed,' Nathan knew this incident would make many people point fingers at the Artisan's Association.
"Thanks for your precious time," the man bowed through the screen as the connection was cut off.
"Inform Arthur about this as well," Nathan told the man standing slightly farther from him.
"As you wish, Guildmaster," the man replied, leaving the room.
"Zephyr, what kind of stupid group is that?" Nathan pondered about the text for a moment.
Being old, he knew about all the capable illegal organizations that existed in the world. He was sure none would be foolish enough to leave a name like that.
This certainty came from the fact that even if the old man of the Kalvas Gala ignored the disrespect and mocking that the intruders left, the maker of that Vault would certainly not sit idle.
Although the entire Artisan's Association was behind the creation of the Vault, the main contributor to its creation was the Chairman of the Artisan's Association.
Dexter Wright was the only person who had mastered Rune Crafting and reached SSS Rank while honing his talent in smithing. Even the sword that Nathan was carrying was made by Dexter Wright.
But right now, instead of being furious, Dexter Wright was surprised.
In a room filled with various mana crystals and many mana gems, a single man was concentrating on the Runic Formation he was creating.
He stood 6ft 8 tall, with broad shoulders, black hair, and hazel eyes.
"The Seven Heads are requesting a meeting," a man wearing a long coat spoke respectfully, stopping the man in the middle.
"Tell them I am busy," he replied with a raspy voice.
"As you wish," the man turned immediately, knowing how short-tempered Dexter Wright was.
"These fools, nagging me when they failed to protect that damn Vault themselves," Dexter muttered as he examined the runic formation before him.
It was the same runic formation he had sent one of his assistants to analyze and bring what it looked like.
He was informed about the heist the day it happened, and knowing that his creation was being mocked, he was extremely furious at first. But after looking at the runic formations before him, he could see that it had not been breached.
"Is Kamden Whiteheart lying?" He had his initial suspicions, but seeing that none of the major security runes were triggered made him realize that was not true.
"Then how," Dexter asked himself as he raised his hands, and various runes started floating in the air before him.
He was intrigued by the method those unknown intruders used. Normally, he would be working on his next project, but he stopped everything to study the method Asher had used.
But he was making a fatal mistake in his analysis, which was the fact that Asher already knew about the Unique Mana Pattern that only Kamden would have known about.
At the Ranker's Dorm on the Tenth Floor,
Asher was no longer sitting; he mimicked his battles and used the mana to push his body to its limits. But doing this required a high level of control over his mana. If Asher made even a single mistake in his mana circulation, his mana meridians could be damaged.
Such risks arose because Asher was using a lot more of his mana than required. But, slowly, his body was becoming attuned to his D+ Rank Mana Core, and he could feel that his Stamina and Endurance were nearing the 100 Stat Points.
The fourth day passed, and the fifth and Asher did not stop to drink or eat anything. His body was tired, but it didn't matter. Unlike his Mana Doping Method, this way of training didn't leave any permanent damage to the body, but he could only do this because his Mana Core was strong enough to supplement such energy.
Finally, the seventh day was over, and Asher stopped, looking at his body, which was red due to the constant emission and absorption of mana. In addition, his blood pressure and body temperature were high.
And he could feel pain all over his body because he was exerting more pressure than his body could handle.
"This should be enough," Asher thought as he clenched his fist.
Even without the System, he could feel that he was ready to reach C- Rank now. He could feel that the tension around his mana core had stabilized a lot, and he could finally expand it and form another ring of mana around it to reach C- Rank.
As he was about to leave the room to take a shower, he stopped when he saw a Black Snake Tattoo appear on his right arm.
[ System Calibration Done ]
He saw the text appear in front of him.
[ Beast Option Unlocked ]
Asher saw black smoke coming from his arm as he observed a shadow-like creature take the shape of a small serpent.
"What is this?" Asher questioned as he looked at the Snake that was only the size of his foot.
The Shadow opened its eyes, revealing two blood-hued irises, and looked at Asher.
Asher didn't know right now that the creature he was looking at was the true form of the System or was supposed to be the true form of the System.
Unlike normal snakes with scales, its whole body was covered with cloudy shadow energy.
[ Host has unlocked the Authority of Unlocking System's Sentient Form ]
"Sentient?" Asher asked as he looked at the text in front of him.
[ This is a shell of the System's True Powers which will grow with the Host ]
[ Although you were not supposed to have it until you reached Level 50 and weren't supposed to know about it until you reached Level 40 ]
The System truthfully informed Asher.
Asher was still confused as he looked at the Snake before him.
'Weird,' Asher thought.
[ For Unlocking the Authority so early, you will also receive a skill that is a part of your Bloodline Ability ]
As the System informed him, he could see the Shadow dissipate as it returned to his arm, and he could feel black cloud-like energy shielding his Mana Core.
[ Mana Conceal Gained ]
[ Mana Conceal: This is not a skill but an ability that allows the Host to mask and lower your True Mana Core Rank by 2 Major Rank ]
It was an ability with no rank, meaning that it was similar to a trait that a being possessed.
At the same time, Asher looked down at the floor.
The Snake materialized again before him, its eyes staring at Asher. But this time, the strange creature looked past Asher for a moment.
It was still formed from strange, shadow-like energy and was very different from any snake-type creature Asher had ever seen.
But before Asher could examine it more, the shadow energy disappeared.
[ It will take some time for the Beast to properly materialize before the Host ]
Putting the beast reward aside, for now, Asher looked at the Skill he had gained.
'This is interesting,' Asher thought in his mind.
***
At the same time, the System materialized on the same Floating Island inside a temple-like building.
Behind the big doors covered with strange runes, deep inside a place that no being of this world had ever reached, a figure opened its eyes.
"Did I sense that correctly?" A voice came out of that figure.
"It disappeared....."
The figure closed its eyes once again and fell into slumber.
