The glowing prompt hovered in Max's vision like forbidden treasure.
Would you like to steal Magic Points?
A rush hit him not physical, but exhilarating. His bracelet pulsed, and text flickered across his vision.
+99 Magic Points awarded.
Max's grin stretched dangerously.
"So… stealing from teachers is the equivalent of looting a legendary chest. Noted."
The unconscious instructor lay harmlessly on the floor while Max crept deeper between rows of towering bookshelves. His steps were careful, quiet, and predatory.
He scanned shelf after shelf.
Combat magic.
Destruction sigils.
Fireball sequences that would probably kill him faster than protect him.
"Nope. Nope. Definitely nope. Last thing I need is to accidentally summon a flaming goat or something."
He pushed past the main section, wandering further into the dim aisles until something odd caught his eye.
A door wedged between two tall shelves almost invisible.
Dust coated the surface. A metal sign hung crookedly.
Staff Study — Do Not Enter
Max stared at it.
And opened the door.
The room beyond was dim, musty, and filled with forgotten things, scrolls stacked like abandoned lincoln logs, quills stuck in ink long dried to tar. In the far corner sat a heavy safe, buried under a thick coat of dust.
Max brushed the grime away.
Instantly, Scan flared.
[Locked Safe]
Protected by anti-magic seal.
Breaking spell impossible.
(But lucky you—this spell exists.)
Passcode: 3001
Max couldn't stop the laugh that escaped.
"This spell might be the best and most terrible decision I've ever made."
He punched in the code.
The lock disengaged with a metallic click followed by a soft hiss of ancient enchantments releasing.
Inside sat two items: A deep purple-and-gray book—and a ring.
Scan identified them in seconds.
Ring of Regen Increases Mana regeneration.
Stealing never felt so good, huh?
Max slid it onto his finger without hesitation.
The book was next. The moment he touched it, something shifted—like a gentle tug on the back of his mind.
Spell Book Identified: SHROUD
Tier: B
Effect: Bends light, perception, and air around the caster.
Used to vanish from sight or distort reality. Difficult to sustain. Cost increases with time.
Max's breath hitched.
"This… this is exactly what I need."
Then—
A new message appeared.
Scan secondary effect activated.
Secondary what?
Before he could question it, the book dissolved in a swirl of glowing gold and midnight-blue fragments absorbing straight into his mind.
Max staggered, gripping a shelf for stability.
Shroud has been absorbed. Would you like to instantly learn it in exchange for 40 Magic Points?
His pulse quickened.
Instant learning? No hours of training or deciphering?
"Absolutely—confirm."
Shroud learned.
Magic Points: 100 → 60
Max stared at the empty safe.
"So I don't even have to study spells anymore. I can just… consume them."
His bracelet pulsed again.
Recommendation: Allocate skill points.
Due to Scan's evolution, you now have access to features other students will never unlock. Enjoy your cheat codes.
Max blinked.
"…Cheat codes? I'm a walking exploit."
He checked his Skill Points he had three.
"Alright. Let's start simple. One point into mana."
Skill allocated.
Mana: 10 → 50.
The change was immediate.
His body hummed with power—like the world itself breathed into him. The air around him thrummed. The library felt different not just seen, but felt.
Max clenched and unclenched his fist, energy buzzing under his skin.
"Time to disappear." He activated the spell.
Shroud activation cost: 11 Mana
Remaining Mana: 39
The effect was instantaneous.
Limbs vanished first—fingers dissolving, arms fading, torso blurring—until nothing of him remained.
A whisper echoed in his vision.
Full Body Shroud Complete.
You are unseen.
Outside, footsteps and voices stormed closer.
"Search everywhere!"
"Spark wouldn't sound the alarm for nothing!"
"Check the library!"
Max didn't move.
Didn't breathe.
Only watched silent, invisible as professors burst inside.
And as they looked for him but
he walked right past them.
The Hunted had slipped by the hunters like a Ghost.