Jester was back in his mundane bedroom. He could still feel the cool weight of the Lightning Crystal settled into his inventory.
A frustrating sense of interrupted completion washed over him. He had spent his allotted time in Toonworld. Just now, as he was on the way back to Mr. Gorhammer, time was up.
The vibrant, cartoonish world of Toonworld had dissolved around him. The sounds of the bustling Toon Town had faded into the familiar reality of Sherra.
He flexed his fingers. The phantom sensation of the Lightning Crystal still lingering. And a mental command brought up his status panel.
The EXP he had gained from defeating Razor flickered across the screen. It was a decent haul. But the true prize was the [Weapon Upgrade Token]. And now, the [Lightning Crystal].
Mr. Gorhammer's smithy awaited. Tomorrow.
But now, it was time to sleep.
...
The next day dawned bright and clear. Saturday.
In Sherra, Saturdays weren't for sleeping in. They were for continued effort. For pushing boundaries.
Jester went through his meticulously crafted morning routine. A heavy physical exercise in his backyard. A thorough shower to wash away the grime and sweat. And a hearty breakfast of fried eggs and thick-cut bread.
Then, he was off to school. The first class was not for lessons in the traditional sense. It was the weekly gathering of the transcended students of the Oakhaven Academy.
The main hall of Oakhaven Academy was already buzzing with activity. Transcended students from all three grades mingled here. Grade 10, Jester's own class. And the older, more experienced Grades 11 and 12.
The students' faces were etched with a mix of anticipation and mild boredom. This was the Transcender Empowerment class. A session that, despite its name, rarely involved actual teaching.
Today, it was primarily an introduction for the newcomers. Followed by the usual activity. Two hours of meditation.
Presiding over the assembly was none other than Ms. Cyantrace, the school's headmaster. Her presence commanded a quiet respect.
"Alright! Older students should know what to do." Ms. Cyantrace said calmly. "Newcomers! This will be a meditation session. The Academy provided a weekly chance for you to meditate under the effect of Transcendent Orb. Use the chance well... Now, find the most comfortable position on your own."
The main event of the session was indeed a prolonged meditation. Students settled onto the polished wooden floor. Finding comfortable positions.
Ms. Cyantrace began a low, resonant chant. A massive, crystalline sphere suspended from the ceiling slowly began to glow.
The Transcendent Orb. Its milky luminescence expanded. Bathing the entire hall in a soft, ethereal light.
Jester felt it immediately. A subtle shift in the air. A gentle pressure on his mind. This was more than just a fancy light show. The Orb amplified the effects of meditation, more than tenfold.
He closed his eyes. Focusing on his breathing. On the subtle flow of energy within him. His system panel, ever vigilant, began to chime softly. A sound only he could hear.
EXP. A steady trickle. Far slower than the explosive gains from defeating opponents in Toonworld, but this one was consistent.
One EXP every ten seconds. The interface informed him. He had two hours. He ran a quick mental calculation. That was more than 700 EXP. Not a bad day's work. All things considered. Especially when Toonworld access was strictly time-limited.
As the Orb's glow subsided and the meditation concluded, a new sense of calm settled over Jester. He stood with the rest of the students. Stretching his limbs, stiffened from two hours of stillness.
Then came the Power Level Test.
One by one, students were called forward to step onto a raised, circular platform. The Transcendent Pedestal.
It was a simple, yet revealing, test. A series of lights would illuminate. Indicating the student's current power level. One light for Novice Transcenders. Signifying enhanced physique and the basic ability to unlock a Power Class. The starting point.
Two lights meant Initiate Transcenders. Ones who possessed enhanced mental power and the capacity to tap into a primary magical energy source.
Three lights marked Adept Transcenders. Those distinguished by their enhanced souls and their crucial ability to resist corruption. The prerequisite for venturing into this world's Mystical Dungeons.
Beyond three lights lay rarer, more potent tiers. Realms the transcenders usually achieved long after they graduated from the Academy.
The seniors shuffled forward. A parade of flickering lights. Most of them managed two lights. An evidence to their growth from continuous training.
A few grumbled as their pedestal showed only one light. While a handful of the more promising students proudly displayed three lights.
Then, it was the Grade 10 students' turn. Jester's classmates. One by one, they stepped onto the pedestal. Most were met with a single, solitary light. Quite normal, as they were just awakened last week.
Then came Vale. The only person in the academy who awakened perfect ten-star Soulheart Gear. He stepped onto the pedestal. And a moment later, two distinct lights flared to life. A murmur of impressed whispers followed.
Next, Daisy, another classmate of theirs that awakened nine-star Soulheart Gear like Jester. Two lights shone for her as well.
Finally, Jester's name was called. He walked to the pedestal. A nonchalant shrug was in his posture. Though internally, his mind was racing. Comparing his Toon System's levels and this world's tiers.
Were ten levels in Toon System equal to one tier in Sherra? If it was, then he should have reached second tier too.
He stepped onto the cool, smooth surface. Two lights ignited. Mirroring Vale and Daisy. He was right. He was already an Initiate Transcender.
A collective intake of breath swept through the hall. Three newly awakened transcenders with two lights. For students who had only awakened their Soulheart Gear a week ago. This wasn't normal.
The envy and awe directed at the trio were palpable. Ms. Cyantrace, however, merely offered a knowing smile.
She beckoned them forward. Her gaze was sharp.
"Come with me!" She instructed. Her voice carried a hint of something beyond mere academic authority.
They were led to a smaller, private room adjoining the main hall. On a velvet-draped table, many crystalline orbs pulsed with five distinct colors.
Jester recognized them instantly. The five magical energy sources. Each student, upon reaching the Initiate Transcender level, had to choose one to bind with. To gain another energy source other than the standard stamina.
"These are the conduits." Ms. Cyantrace explained. Gesturing to the crystals. "Each color resonates with a different form of energy. Your choice today will shape your path as a Transcender."
She began to describe each one...
The Dark Green Crystals... They pulsed with a calm, earthy glow. Representing Natural Energy. Also known as Force. It was formed in environments of profound harmony and balance. Bestowing resilience and a connection to the natural world.
The Deep Silver Crystals... They shimmered with a pure, unwavering light. Signifying Divine Energy, or Zeal. It was born from the unwavering accumulation of faith. Granting strength of conviction and the power to inspire.
The Bright Purple Crystals... They radiated an intense, inquisitive luminescence. Signifying Arcane Energy. More popularly known as Mana. This was the energy of knowledge. Accumulated through diligent study and intellectual pursuit. Fueling potent spells and intricate magical constructs.
The Light Blue Crystals... They vibrated with a controlled, steely resolve. They embodied Martial Energy, or Ki. They were forged through rigorous physical training. Amplifying the body's natural abilities to superhuman levels.
And finally, the Dark Red Crystals... They swirled with an unsettling, vibrant hue. Representing Eldritch Energy. Also known as Glitch. This was the energy born from contact with other realms. From the unpredictable and the unknown. A chaotic force with immense potential, but also inherent risks.
Vale, as expected, gravitated towards the Bright Purple Crystal. His affinity for arcane magic and his sharp intellect made it the obvious choice. His power class was a sorcerer after all.
Daisy, whose power class was the same, also chose the Bright Purple. Her path was likely leading her down a similar trajectory of spellcasting prowess.
Jester's gaze, however, was fixed on the Dark Red Crystal. The Glitch. It pulsed with a wild, untamed energy. One that resonated deeply with him. A clear echo of his daily excursions into Toonworld.
The raw, otherworldly nature of the energy within the crystal seemed perfect. To complement the bizarre, cartoonish powers he was beginning to harness.
His access to Toonworld would be a constant presence in his life. It was the deciding factor. This was his path.
With a confident nod, Jester reached out and took the Dark Red Crystal. It was warm to the touch. Humming with a barely contained power. A faint, almost imperceptible spark seemed to dance across its surface as his fingers closed around it.
"An interesting choice, Eventide." Ms. Cyantrace observed. Her eyes narrowed slightly. A flicker of curiosity in their depths. "The Eldritch Energy is potent, but volatile. It requires a strong will to control."
Jester merely grinned. "I've been dealing with volatile things for a while now, Headmaster." He replied. His voice was light. But with an underlying steel that belied his casual tone.
He could feel the crystal begin to integrate with his being. A new layer of energy unfurling within him. His system panel, in a small, unobtrusive corner, updated its notifications.
[ENERGY SOURCE SELECTED: Eldritch Energy]
[Passive Trait Unlocked: Otherworld Resonance]
[New Energy Unlocked: Glitch]
[Converting Glitch to Toon Magic...]
With their new energy sources chosen, Ms. Cyantrace dismissed them. Instructing them to report to their respective class instructors. So that they could further give guidance on integrating their chosen energy in their lesson.
As Jester stepped out of the room...
[Successful!]
[Magic was permanently increased by one star!]
[Magic: ✪✪]
[Effect: Incorporates the use of Glitch Energy to activate magic skills and active traits instead of regular Energy; increases the effect of all magic skills and active traits activated with Glitch Energy by 20%; reduces the consumption of Glitch Energy for all active traits by 50%.]
Jester felt a subtle shift. A new awareness of the world around him. It was as if a veil had been lifted. Revealing a layer of reality that had been hidden before.
The faint form of the a strange malleable energy in his body was now clearly perceptible. He couldn't wait to try using his Active Traits later.
And he could use Toon Magic Skills now. Should he buy some magic tome from Mr. Croaker later in the Toonworld?