Buying Things

Usually, the job was about three hours per day. Then, the Magus or Familiar would come back the next day and continue to empty the Pillars. Only when they finished the equivalent of three pillars would they receive their 33 Academy Credits. So, it was truly not a job worth doing since you would take two to three days to finish the task once!

However, less than one hour after Linfel started the task, all nine Pillars were completely empty. If you take the time Aelua took to demonstrate the process, Linfel hasn't been here for more than two hours yet. 

"Phew..." Linfel could see the very impure Yellow Magic Energy dissipating in the surroundings. That made him feel this was quite a waste. Unfortunately, he still couldn't integrate that Magic Energy into his core to increase his Level.

After finishing the job, he went to the back of the facility, where Aelua seemed busy working on some other equipment. One of the containers that stored the Semi-Transparent Yellow Magic Energy was also attached to them. "These numbers... they seemed quite easy to read... Has there been any further mutations to the Space around our planet?" Aelua murmured to herself.

"Aelua, I finished the job," Linfel called her attention.

Aelua immediately displayed a wide smile and came out of the room. "Great! Let's take a look!"

She went to every receptor and checked to see if the Pillars were really empty. Then she checked the containers and was even more satisfied. "I know I said some Magic Energy sensibility was necessary, but I didn't expect you to be this good. You were able to capture more of the Semi-Transparent Yellow Magic Energy than even myself."

Following that, she took out her MCOM and went through a few options. A moment later, she turned the screen to Linfel. "As promised, 100 Academy Credits! You can check your MCOM and go back to the Missions Hall. The terminals there will deposit the value directly into your account."

"I don't have an MCOM yet," Linfel answered. "But I'm going back there indeed. I'm happy to do business with you, Aelua. So, I can come back tomorrow, right?"

Aelua instantly nodded. "Absolutely!" She then remembered something. "Oh! By the way, there is no need to go to the Mission Hall anymore after today. I only posted this job there because I was looking for someone capable... and you are definitely many times better than just capable. Tomorrow, you can come here straight away after 1AM. As soon as you finish your job, I'll transfer another 100 Academy Credits into your account directly."

"That's even better!" Linfel was happy to hear that. "Anyway, I'm taking my leave then."

"Just one second," Aelua stopped him, though. "This little business of ours... try to not mention it outside, okay? I don't want people to have the wrong idea that I'm now paying 100 Academy Credits for this job. Don't worry; it's not that we are doing anything outside the rules. It's just that it would be annoying to convince others of the reasons." She also didn't want Linfel to be bothered since she might lose him. Especially since she would make more Academy Credits in return with Linfel's help.

Linfel didn't see a problem with that. "Very well." Finally, he left the building.

Aelua's smile increased as she collected all the containers. "Hahaha! This is great! Come with Mama, my babies. We have a lot of research to do..."

*Bang!*

*Snore...*

Or so she wanted. Too bad she was terrible at keeping a healthy schedule, so she collapsed to the ground and slept right there. It wouldn't be before the cleaners arrived that she would finally wake up again. Well, that was already routine there.

Linfel took the Academy's Public Transportation and went back to the Missions Hall. He accessed the Terminal and quickly found the Mission he had taken a few hours ago. It was now marked as concluded, and it also had a mention of a bonus added. 'Great! I finally have some Academy Credits!' He quickly accepted the reward, and it was added to his Academy Account.

In a great mood, Linfel exited the Mission Hall, already knowing exactly where he was going. 'Alvin and Felia will be down for a few more hours at least. In that case, time to go buy an MCOM for me.'

An academy of this size definitely had its own commercial district, this one located on the southeast side. Linfel took another 26 minutes to get there through public transportation. 'So bright...'

Even though it was late at night, the district was filled with lights as many Maguses and Familiars walked around. There were even a few teachers and Academy Employees in the mix. Linfel passed through the shops. He stopped by some helping terminals and made a through research of the place. A few hours later, he finally found what he was looking for.

-Ratax Magic Technology Store-

He entered it and was immediately attended by a Familiar. "Hey there, friend. How can I help you?"

"I'm a new Familiar and need an MCOM," Linfel went straight to the topic.

The Familiar nodded. "No problem. But be aware that as a new Familiar, you will need your Master's concentration to acquire an MCOM."

"I'm independent," Linfel added.

"Oh!" The Familiar was taken aback for a moment. Independent Familiar were already rare, let alone new ones. Well, that mattered not during the sales. "In that case, please follow me."

Linfel was shown many models of MCOMs specialized for Familiars. Because Familiars didn't use clothes, they didn't really have pockets and things like that. That said, the MCOMs made for them were actually tiny Magic Diagram Rune Chips.

"Will it not be affected if we battle or move abruptly?" Linfel asked, curious.

"Not at all!" The Familiar answered. "Look at my core."

Linfel paid attention. Suddenly, the Familiar's core changed a little as a small CHIP appeared on the surface. 

"Since we can change the shape of our Cores, we can mold them around the MCOM itself. Unless the Core itself is broken, the MCOM should be just fine," the attendant explained. "Easy, no?"

Linfel bitterly smiled. He... can't change the shape of his Core.