It was already evening by the time Lucian finished cultivating. The light outside his window had faded to a dull amber, and the streets of Havenford were quiet. He opened his system shop and navigated to the pills section.

He needed Core Condensation Pills.

Not for himself — not yet. His Transcendent Core quest had no clear conditions. But Rose and Clara were ready. Both had been sitting at Peak Neophyte for more than two months now, their bodies primed, their mana reserves sufficient. All they needed was the catalyst.

╔══════════════════════╗

║ ITEM: CORE CONDENSATION PILL ║

║ Grade: Sky Grade ║

║ Type: Breakthrough Catalyst ║

║ Compresses liquid mana in the dantian into a solid Mana Core. ║

║ Facilitates breakthrough from Peak Neophyte to Early Core Realm. ║

║ Price: 5,000 SC ║

╚══════════════════════╝

Five thousand. That will be ten thousand for two.

On Earth, pills were graded by quality —

Earth Grade,

Sky Grade,

Heaven Grade, and

King Grade. Earth Grade pills were the most common, produced by rank 1 alchemists and sold in bulk at hunter guilds and academies. Sky Grade pills were rarer, crafted only by rank 2 and rank 3 alchemists — professionals who spent decades mastering their craft. Heaven Grade pills were the domain of true masters, and King Grade pills were myths, spoken about in the same breath as SSS-Rank abilities and ancient bloodlines.

The Core Condensation Pill was a Sky Grade pill. On the open market, a single pill could fetch tens of thousands of Academy Points. The academy’s exchange occasionally stocked them — at 15,000 AP per pill — and they sold out within minutes. Most students at the European All-Star Academy would never see one in their entire enrollment.

Alchemists who could craft Sky Grade pills were rare. Rank 2 alchemists numbered in the hundreds worldwide. Rank 3 alchemists — capable of producing higher-quality Sky Grade pills and lower-tier Heaven Grade pills — numbered fewer than fifty. And rank 4 alchemists? There was only one. A single grandmaster alchemist whose identity was a closely guarded secret, rumored to be contracted exclusively by the World Government.

Lucian purchased two. 16,600 SC dropped to 6,600 SC.

Two golden pills materialized in his palm. They were warm, radiating a dense, compressed mana that made the air around them shimmer. The golden surface was smooth and flawless, marked with faint silver veins that pulsed in rhythm with some unseen heartbeat.

He left his room and knocked on Rose’s door.

"Rose. Come out."

The door opened. Rose stood there with Lumina on her shoulder — the tiny plant had grown slightly since the dungeon, its petals a deeper shade of white. Rose’s eyes went straight to the golden pills in Lucian’s hand.

"Is that..."

"Core Condensation Pill. One for you. One for Clara."

Rose’s mouth fell open. "Lucian, these are Sky Grade pills. Each one is worth—"

"I know what they’re worth. Are you ready to break through?"

Rose swallowed hard. Her hands were shaking again — the same trembling from when he’d given her the Spirit Tempering Pill. She nodded.

"At this point, I begin to suspect that you have a secret clan backing you cus it will even be very difficult for my family to get their hands on one. And this is a high quality one."

Lucian smiled, "Just take it. Clara should be in her room."

Rose took the pill carefully, cradling it like a newborn. She looked at Lucian with an expression that was equal parts gratitude and disbelief.

"I’ll pay you back for this someday," she said quietly.

"That’s fine."

Clara’s door opened before Lucian could knock. She stood in the doorway, her crimson eyes immediately locking onto the golden pill. Her vampire senses had detected the mana density from across the hall.

"Is that what I think it is?" Clara asked, her voice careful.

"Core Condensation Pill. Break through tonight. Both of you."

Clara took the pill. She turned it over in her fingers, examining the silver veins, feeling the compressed mana pulse against her skin. Then she looked up at Lucian with a half-smile.

"You keep giving us things. One day you’ll run out."

"I won’t."

"You’re impossible."

"So I’ve been told."

Clara leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.

Lucian returned to his room. He still had 6,600 SC. The system shop’s skill section had been calling to him for weeks. His physical combat relied on basic techniques — Earth Evasion, Basic Dagger Form, Iron Guard. They’d served him well, but against Core Realm opponents and beyond, basics wouldn’t cut it.

He opened the shop and began browsing.

╔══════════════════════╗

║ SKILLS — MARTIAL ARTS SECTION ║

║ ◀ TEMPEST BLADE ▶ ║

║ Rank: A ║

║ Type: Sword Art ║

║ An advanced sword form combining speed, precision, and mana channeling into seven lethal strikes. ║

║ Each strike builds momentum, making the next faster and harder than the last.║

║ At Master level, strikes create vacuum blades that extend range. ║

║ Price: 2,500 SC ║

║ ◀ CRUSHING PALM ▶ ║

║ Rank: B ║

║ Type: Striking Art ║

║ A devastating palm technique that channels mana into the palm, releasing it on impact as a concussive shockwave.

║ At Expert level, can shatter mana barriers.║

║ At Master level, can rupture internal organs without breaking skin. ║

║ Price: 1,500 SC ║

║ ◀ FLOWING WATER BLOCK ▶ ║

║ Rank: B ║

║ Type: Defensive Art ║

║ A fluid defensive technique that redirects kinetic force rather than absorbing it. Turns enemy strength against them.

║ At Expert level, can redirect spells. ║

║ Price: 1,000 SC ║

║ ◀ HEARTBEAT DETECTION ▶ ║

║ Rank: B ║

║ Type: Sensory Art ║

║ Heightened perception that allows the user to detect heartbeat patterns within 30 meters.║

║ Can distinguish between humans, beasts, and undead by heartbeat rhythm. ║

║ At Expert level, can detect lies by heartbeat spikes.║

║ Price: 1,000 SC ║

╚═════════════════════╝

Lucian purchased all four. 6,600 SC dropped to 600 SC.

Four new skill manuals materialized in his mind. Compressed knowledge packets that the system delivered directly to his consciousness. He could feel the techniques settling into his muscle memory, each movement, each stance, each breathing pattern catalogued and ready for practice.

Tempest Blade. Seven strikes, each building on the last. A complete sword art that would transform his Sword of Aikis from a tool into a weapon of death.

Crushing Palm. A close-range finishing technique. Concussive force through palm strikes. Perfect for situations where a blade wasn’t available.

Flowing Water Block. Defensive redirection. Useful against stronger opponents where blocking head-on would be suicidal.

Heartbeat Detection. A sensory skill that would complement his Blood Sense perfectly. Between the two, nothing within thirty meters could hide from him.

He had 600 SC remaining. Effectively broke. But the skills were worth every credit.

He checked the time. 11:00 PM. The academy’s midnight training grounds would be empty. He had three days before the class tournament. Every hour counted.

Lucian changed into his training gear and slipped out of the apartment into the cold night.

The academy’s midnight training grounds were a collection of open-air arenas, obstacle courses, and combat dummy fields located behind the Combat Department building. They were available 24/7, but most students avoided them after dark. The lighting was minimal, the temperature was cold, and the nearest infirmary was a ten-minute walk.

Lucian preferred it that way.