On the way up the stairs and to the third floor, Keir took this time to check the system as he didn't accept his quest rewards yet. While doing so, he realized that no one else could see the system screens like he could, so it was convenient that he could use it on the go.
<+50 Credits (Can be converted to physical currency)>
[Random Items Added to Inventory: 2]
Worn Gauntlets: Simple yet sturdy, these gauntlets are crafted from leather. They offer minimal protection but are reliable for novice adventurers and brawler-type fighters. They are lightweight and don't hinder movement speed.
Melee Damage Increase: +2
Tattered Cloak: A basic, worn-out piece of gear that provides minimal defense, a slight increase in movement speed, and a better chance in evading incoming close-ranged attacks.
Speed Increase: +2
Endurance Increase: +2
Keir was surprised that the system actually rewarded him by completing that quest. The gear wasn't anything too crazy, but it was better than anything he ever owned. He could've never afforded magical gear, but here the system was, giving him some for free. However, the system wasn't done yet.
[Level Up: 2]
<+5 Stat points>
A slight glow of blue surrounded his body, but it was so brief that Lucas didn't even notice as they ran up the stairs. Meanwhile, Keir felt like something magical passed right through his body before leaving, a power he never felt before. The notification was one Keir had seen thousands of times in the video games he layed. he really did…Level Up. He immediately knew what the stat points were for and didn't know which attribute to increase, but with the situation, Keir decided to dump them all into strength as he would need it.
[Strength: 10→15]
Keir didn't see or feel too much of a change right away, but he felt like he could most certainly punch something harder than before. There were a few things Keir wanted to do right now but couldn't as there was a goal up ahead. The duo arrived at the third floor and the combat class resided right in front of them. At the door stood one machine with a few slots on the side of it.
The machine was one that everyone would see when having to pay for certain classes, and in this case, the combat class was one of those paid courses. Lucas quickly went over to the machine and poured around fifty credits into it, which was all of the credits he had one him. After doing so, the metal door in front of him opened automatically after receiving the needed pay for entry.
Lucas glanced at Keir and asked, "Do you have enough credits to get it?" Meanwhile, Keir was surprised that the class cost fifty credits just for entry, but it made sense. While he was frozen for a second, he remembered what the system had said a few moments ago.
"Don't worry about me, Lucas. Go inside and head for you sister, I'll follow behind you, gimme a sec'." Keir said, and Lucas nodded his head and rushed into the room, wanting to get to his sister before the loaners did. The metal door slammed behind him, preventing others from barging in without paying.
With Lucas gone and no one in sight, Keir could freely use the system mechanic he learned about. He opened the system windows and scrolled down to his current credits, once that was done, he tapped the scale with his finger.
[Credits: 50]
How much would you like to convert into physical currency?
"All of it," Once Keir said that, the system seemed to pause and change to a spinning wheel, signalling that something was in process of happening. After a few seconds of loading, he heard a ding go through his mind.
[The credit conversion process is completed: +50 credits in physical currency]
A blue light formed in the palm of Keir's hand in a swirly pattern until it formed a simple leather pouch. Keir shook the pouch and could hear the credit coins jingling inside. "Wow! That actually worked!" He was amazed by everything from the system but knew he couldn't waste anymore time pondering about it.
Keir went over to the machine and poured his new found credits into one of the collecting compartments. The machine processed the credits and the metal opened up, allowing Keir to enter without problem. He took a few slow steps into the classroom as it was his first time even being in a combat class.
The classroom was extremely spacious and didn't even look like it belonged in a school, it looked more like a miniature training facility. There were various different machines around, some basic and familiar, some more advanced and unrecognizable. The place was packed with students who were either training their bodies, or training their abilities. There was also an open area leading to the back of the school, where there was a spacious dirt field with an obvious purpose.
While looking around in wonder, Keir failed to notice the instructor looking over in his direction with a curious expression on her face. She was a middle-aged woman but looked extremely youthful for her age, long and silky black hair, long eyelashes, clear skin, and a black dress to compliment it all.
After a few moments of eyeing the boy, she snapped her fingers and gestured Keir over with her hand, "Excuse me, young man." Her voice was soft, but it was clear she wanted his attention, so he came over and stood in front of her desk. "I haven't seen you in combat class before. Is this your first time purchasing the course?" Keir nodded his head in response to the question and looked around, trying to spot Lucas while speaking to the instructor.
"Yeah, It's my first time purchasing this course." The woman hummed and clicked a few keys on her keyboard, asking the basic questions on his student information. "Name, year, and ability?" She asked all at once, and Keir wasn't really surprised and just answered her questions.
"Keir Asa, first-year, and-" He suddenly paused though as a thought passed his mind; Was the system an ability? Even if it was, did he really want to say there was a game-like system in his head and look like some sort of psycho? Keir shook his head and spoke one last time, "No ability."
The woman seemed to pause and glance up from her monitor screen, her eyes narrowing with a strange expression on her face. She stared silently for about twenty seconds before typing in his information into her computer. The information on Keir appeared to be true as it was in the database.
"Alright. You're all set in stone. The usual lesson will begin in about twenty minutes. Usually around this time, students have the opportunity to use the equipment and other things in class to warm up. You can do the same, Keir." She informed Keir on everything he needed to know for his first month course, after that, she spoke again. "My name is Ashely Brooks, everyone in this class refers to me as Miss Brooks. I hope you enjoy your month course." Miss Brooks smiled, gesturing that Keir could move on.
"Thank you, Miss Brooks."
Keir quickly resumed his search for Lucas, however, the room was still as huge as before, and the amount of students around didn't help his search. But there was a rather isolated place Keir could check, and that was the open field he saw earlier. He made sure Lucas wasn't in the main area before running out to the spacious dirt field in the distance.
There were a few students hanging out in the shade nearby, but a particular group standing in the middle of the field caught his attention. The group consisted of five students who surrounded two other students, with one of the figures he could recognize.
It was Lucas standing next to a brown-haired girl, who he could assume was his sister. However, the other students surrounding him were obviously not here for a friendly chat either.
"This doesn't seem good..."