Find your Reward

Dylan told Max to meet each other again the next day to receive the group emblem, making him an official member. If you didn't have an emblem then you couldn't call yourself a member of any group.

After receiving the last bit of information Max walked away, leaving Dylan and Bryce to deal with Ernie. He went straight back to the dorm; the intention was to meet with Mark but after checking Max noticed that he wasn't back yet. He let out a sigh before leaving Mark's room, going into his own pacing towards the bed where he noticed a foreign item on the bed.

A book with a dark leather case was sitting nicely on the covers of the bed. There was no title to it but Max already had an idea of what it was. He quickly grabbed it before opening and reading the first page.

'Dive into a Soul Weapon' Max read the characters written on it. A smile appearing on his face instantly.

"I didn't think it would arrive so soon!" Max said to himself before reading the next pages, already feeding his curiosity with information.

***

The moon was already out, Max had read about one-quarter of the book before stopping. He was emersed into the book for all this time, disregarding how much he had read for.

'This is so helpful!' He thought, addressing Matt.

'There was a lot of information that I wasn't aware of before' Matt said, positively surprised about the amount of information the book possessed. It seemed like the book didn't only include the topics that Max wanted, the basic knowledge about spirit weapons and growth-ability information, but it also included ways for the spirit weapons to aid their contractor in absorbing magic particles, power amplification for abilities released by the contractor and even information about how to increase the power of the soul weapon.

This was all information that Max still had to read about. He knew what he was going to read about in the future because of the second page where a table of content was situated. Reading through it though Max was left speechless.

The first topic written in the book was about different types of soul weapons and how to differentiate them.

The soul weapons were split amongst four categories: Support, Defense, Attack, and Hybrid, depending on what the weapon was used for. The category of a soul weapon wasn't only selected because of their shape but also because of the abilities they present upon contracting.

With this bit of information Max determined that Matt was a Hybrid Type, he was shaped like a shield which meant a defensive shape while his ability, the black flames, was more of an offensive one.

Max learned that if he wanted to unlock other abilities, Matt had to evolve and for each evolution, at least an ability would be created, the corporeal form that Matt possessed would be strengthened while his abilities would become fiercer.

Max still had to read about this topic, only being able to read the beginning which also mentioned that there were only two ways of evolving a weapon.

Max closed the book; he was satisfied with the knowledge he gathered for today and closing his eyes, he swiftly fell asleep.

***

Max just entered his classroom alongside Mark. They walked to their usual seats in the front while chatting, not noticing the quietness that arose while doing so.

"Wait so you were invited to some group? Are you leaving me already?" Mark jokingly said after Max talked about being invited by Dylan.

"I will not be leaving you… yet." Max said in a teasing manner, he wouldn't do such things especially to good friends like Mark.

"That REALLY calms my nerves," Mark said while rolling his eyes and emphasizing his words.

"You just have to see that I won't then" Max shrugged before looking towards the door, an individual entering the classroom as soon as he did.

It was their practical teacher Alexander. His appearance erupting many questioning gazes that shot towards him, after all, they were expecting a new teacher this week for the practical hours.

"Am I not that welcomed?" He joked feeling the gazes on him. He arrived at the big desk in front of the class before sitting on it with his bottom, looking towards the class.

"As you are aware, I shouldn't normally be here." He stopped, looking around the classroom and at their agreeing looks. "But here I am. I wanted to talk a bit more with you guys but I think that talk will have to be handled later." He shuffled some papers in his hands before stopping and continuing.

"I already got the report of everyone's performance, it was handed to me because I was your first practical teacher. I want everyone except Max to follow me but first I want to congratulate him for doing a great job, you are a really talented person having the mind, body, and opportunity to become someone great, I recommend not to waste your future and continue working hard." Alexander praised and advised Max, he outdid himself giving such high praise but Max was one of the winners from the entire competition so who could blame him.

"Alright then, I'll be the first to leave" Getting up from the desk he was sitting before on he said, aiming for the door.

"Thanks for the praise, I will continue working hard!" Max promised before getting up and leaving, shooting Mark a thumbs up before swiftly going out the door.

"I can at least get some more reading in," He thought while going straight towards the dorms.

Mark looked at Max that just hurried out of the door.

'This guy…' He thought for a while before getting up as well alongside every other student in the classroom.

They were lead in front of the library where Alexander halted his steps right before entering, the students doing the same.

"You guys stay here, I'll come back soon enough," Alexander commanded before entering the library.

He didn't get too far inside, stopping to where the reception of the library was. He talked a bit with the man that was seating on the other side of the reception before nodding profusely and walking back to the children he previously left.

"You guys are granted access to the second floor of the library for no more than five minutes. There you are able to pick one book that you will bring with you back to the dorms, it is to be expected that no third-party member is able to see and read the contents of the book while you have it, third parties being either your family or friends." He spoke in a serious tone. Leaving them in such an area, even supervised, was quite nerve-racking.

Chatters were heard amongst the completely euphoric students, being allowed to be in new places, even though it was just the second floor of a library, was extremely exhilarating. They climbed the stairs, waiting for Alexander to give the signal. This method was thought by Alexander, they would all start at the same time and will be coming back at the same time, this made it easier to track them.

"The only things prohibited are manuals and items in the back, I should tell you that if you even touch any of those items or books you will either be killed by the defense system or survive and be kicked out the academy with a huge fine on your names" His serious tone was still present, each word pressing down on the excitement the young adults felt.

"Now that everyone has been warned I am obligated to start. Find your reward before the time's up!"