19 Apple of longevity

[ Quest: Escape the castle with the new summonee.

Reward: 2000 Exp.

SP- 15

AP- 20]

" Damn! I spoke too soon!"

" System is this quest compulsory?"

[No quest is ever compulsory. However, by not completing it you are losing out on rewards that will make you stronger. You will also decrease the rate at which you receive quests should you choose to decline one.]

" Mxm. So basically it's compulsory... System pull up my stats."

Lucas had to call for it for he had long since closed the stat screens. Also, his combat mode had deactivated when he teleported back to the castle.

[Name: Lucas Lightningstorm

Title: None

Level:14 (125/2900)

Class: Mage

Health points: 650/750

Mana points: 620/840 ( 20% increase due to blessing)

Mana recovery: 70 hourly (100% increase due to blessing)

Attributes:

Strength – 20

Dexterity – 26

Intelligence – 30

Wisdom – 20

Charisma – 4

Luck - 8

Skills: F Rank Fireball, F Rank Ice Chamber, F Rank Acarne Ray

Skill points: 4

Ability points: 46 ( 16 initial + 10 first time Arcane ray+ 3 Arcane Ray perfect execution + 3 AR perfect exc + 3 FB perfect exc + 3 IC perfect exc +5 First change in AR form + 3 AR perfect exc = 46)

Equipment: None (not equipped)

Bloodline: None

Blessings: High harmonization with mana (upgradable, active). High affinity to elemental magic (upgradable, active). Decrease in cast time, increases in hit rate (upgradable, active)

Passive Skills: Anti enslavement (non-upgradable, inactive): Currently under two spells.

System-level: 2 (14/15)]

Lucas saw his current stats and compared it to earlier today. The massive growth in power was evident. But he still wasn't confident about trying to escape from the Palace let alone with someone. This person would have just been summoned meaning they are weak and he would have to fend off attacks and defend the summonee?

" How can the System give me this mission. Yes, I have the combat system that has its enhanced zoom function. So I will be able to see targets from far but they can run faster than me how do I escape? How do I even get in the Throne room? It should be shut by now If they planning on resummoning."

Lucas kept thinking of a plan for the rewards of the quest was too appealing. The thought of having such rewards appear at a lesser frequency was not okay with Lucas. So he had to come up with a plan to escape with the summonee.

After 15 minutes. Lucas finished drawing up his escape plan, he also went to the ability shop to buy the necessary spells. He planned multiple contingency plans. The fact that he knew the layout of the capital was really good. Lucas was so grateful to the system. Honestly, if he chose to change his race it would have been the same as maiming himself. The system did not equal anything out rather it tipped the scale. But one could also argue that being a different race would mean you did not have to increase your strength as rapidly as Lucas needed to...

Lucas picked up his box as he wanted to equip his treasure. They would definitely aid him in his quest. When it struck him that he forgot to ask for the other half of the map.

" AAAAH! I forgot to ask for the other half of the map. I was so excited about the evolution pill and the treasure that I completely forgot about the map. I guess if I make it out alive. I will go back and get the map. Not happy to spend gold on something like this but it cannot be helped."

Lucas opened the treasure box and started taking all the treasures out. But when he did he found another item inside that he did not choose. Which did not surprise him. Of course, the goblins would try to hide certain treasure. They planned on hiding it inside the treasure box but they did not expect Lucas would take the treasure box with him too. Lucas knew that they did not show him everything but he did not want to tear down their entire settlement.

Lucas then put the Ring of Kunderoite on his right index finger. He put the silver bracelet on his right hand. This bracelet was called " Wind's Affection". He also put the Ring of invisibility on his right middle finger. He did not put the amulet of charm on because increasing his charm decreases the strength of the ring of invisibility.

After Lucas equipped all the equipment, Lucas asked: " System, how long do I have left before the soul migration array emits the white light from the sky?"

[ 40 minutes in total]

" How long does the apple of longevity trail by fire last? And will I be in a weak state afterwards?"

[ Average time is around 30 minutes and if the trial is successful due to all the expelled impurities, you should be feeling better than ever before.]

That was all Lucas needed to hear. So he took one apple out of the treasure box and held it in his hands. Despite all the golden flames around it. It did not burn his hands. Lucas resolved himself as he needed to, to ensure he does not get overwhelmed. After Lucas had the confidence he bit into the apple. It tasted like air, he was sure that either it would taste heavenly or ungodly. However, it had no taste at all. Lucas then bit into the apple again and again until he finished it. He even ate the core of the apple he did not want to waste anything.

After a while, Lucas felt his stomach giving off a warm feeling. It was very cosy. It felt like someone was giving his stomach a hug and caressing it. It was a heavenly experience.

" Maybe because of my blessing. Affinity to elements I have built up some type of resistance to fire as such it doesn't hurt as much..."

But of course, he spoke too soon. For as soon as he was finished speaking the temperature increased. It just kept rising and rising and rising. It did not look like it planned on stopping anytime soon. Lucas, however, was feeling the heat in his stomach and it was burning. His face was contorted as he tried to brave the pain. He could not scream as this would alert everyone.

The heat finally stopped increasing. Honestly, Lucas didn't know if the heat had stopped increasing or if there was no higher heat than the one he was currently facing. Even though the heat stopped increasing it was still felt like hell. To make matters worse the heat that originally was just in his stomach started spreading throughout his body. From the brain to the hands to the toes. To every nook and cranny until nothing was left out the fires touch.

The pain that he felt before had increased a hundredfold. He would be sweating so much if the heat of his body didn't immediately evaporate it. He continued to contort his face into shapes and expressions he did not even know was humanly possible. All to ensure he does not get overwhelmed by the fire and to keep his sanity.

After a while, his hard work paid off as the heat slowly decreased. Until his body temperature reverted back to normal.

" Wow! That was painful! They really undersell the level of resolve needed to not get overwhelmed by the pain... All things aside I feel amazing! My body feels lighter. My energy levels have never been higher. I can feel the power of muscles and the blood pumping through my body. My senses have increased too. I now see why it was called the apple of longevity. It does purify your body thus leading to a longer life. But it also increases your bodies abilities which in turn would prevent you from getting killed. Longevity... Because what's the point of being able to live a long life but then dying early due to external factors?"

" System, how long did this take?"

[ 35 minutes. You have 5 minutes left.]