Opening Rewards

Night had fallen by the time Aurora and Alex engaged in conversation.

Feeling the pangs of hunger, Alex ventured out to the cafeteria for dinner.

As per the usual routine, the cafeteria remained sparsely populated.

Seated at a table, he scooped a spoonful of the offered dish onto his plate.

Aurora floated nearby, positioned right beside him.

"Say, Aurora, can you eat?" he inquired, curiosity tickling his thoughts.

"No, I can't interact with physical objects, let alone consume food."

Their conversation flowed as Aurora assumed an almost seated position in front of him.

However, what Alex failed to recognize was that due to the emptiness of the canteen, his words carried farther than intended.

Unbeknownst to him, his voice reached the ears of others.

Now, why was this significant? To those observing, it appeared as if he were conversing with thin air.

No one besides him could perceive or hear Aurora.

From their standpoint, he must have looked like a complete oddball.

Consequently, he abruptly ceased conversing with Aurora, much to her obliviousness.

Only when he discreetly pointed out the peculiar situation did she understand why.

With his meal concluded, he headed back to his dorm room, Aurora accompanying him with a sullen demeanor due to their silence.

They finally reached his room.

"Bad Alex, you ignored me. Humph!" Aurora pouted and harrumphed as I stopped talking to her.

"Sorry, but I can't talk to you in public. It would certainly make me stand out as an eccentric."

"Alright then, if you can't talk, just lend me your ear."

He forced a wry smile at her response.

They resolved to begin his magical training the following day, as much had transpired that evening.

"You should consume the Foundation Building Potion before you sleep."

Aurora gestured towards the potion.

Considering his weakened state and depleted mana, the potion could potentially assist him.

He had already planned on drinking it.

Without hesitation, he downed the potion, surprised by its pleasant aroma and sweet taste.

He had expected bitterness and a foul odor.

Minutes ticked by, but no immediate changes occurred.

With the potion consumed, his attention shifted to the remaining rewards that he had procrastinated exploring.

Among them was the sword, known in this world as a magic artifact or simply an artifact.

Monster threats posed a significant challenge to this world.

These creatures often wielded formidable power, proving especially disastrous for ordinary individuals devoid of magical abilities.

Artifacts, on the other hand, were potent pieces of equipment crafted from a blend of monster materials, rare minerals, and other valuable resources.

With an artifact in hand, even a child could wield considerable might.

Each artifact boasted distinct abilities and features, tailored to suit various needs.

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[Magic Artifact]

Name: Black Iron Sword

Grade: D

Type: Weapon (Sword)

Description:

- A simple longsword forged from black iron ore

- Increases user's attack power by 50%

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Alex clutched the sword in his hand, revealing an expensive-looking longsword with a sleek black sheen. It was longer and heavier than he expected, making it a challenge to hold due to his limited strength.

"Hahaha," Aurora couldn't help but chuckle as she watched him struggle with the sword.

Ignoring her amusement, he turned his attention to the two remaining rewards.

"System, use the two Random Skill Cards."

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[The host has acquired the F rank skill Gatherer]

Skill: Gatherer (Passive)

Rank: F

Description:

  - Gather plants at an accelerated pace

  - Possess deep understanding of herb properties and potential uses

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Upon acquiring the first skill, a wealth of botanical knowledge surged into Alex's mind at an accelerated pace.

The data encompassed comprehensive details about various plants, encompassing their gathering methods, distinguishing edible from poisonous varieties, and more.

The skill didn't seem very useful to Alex; it looked more like a waste.

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[The host has acquired the F rank skill Enhanced Senses]

Skill: Enhanced Senses (Passive)

Rank: F

Description:

  - Heighten perception of the surrounding environment

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Suddenly, all of Alex's senses surged to a heightened level.

He could perceive things with greater clarity, his vision sharpening as if a veil had been lifted.

Even the distant hum of insects outside became audibly distinct.

However, this sudden surge overwhelmed his brain, provoking an intense throbbing sensation.

He clutched his head in response, grappling with the unexpected onslaught of sensations.

"Alex, are you alright?" Aurora's voice carried concern as she floated nearby.

"Could you please speak slowly? It's a bit too much for me at the moment. My senses have been abruptly heightened."

Even Aurora's ordinary tone resonated in his head with a buzzing intensity.

He opted to rest, hoping that sleep would help his mind adjust to this sudden transformation.

Even his sense of touch seemed enhanced; the feel of fabric against his skin and the texture of his bed differed from what he was accustomed to.

Gradually, a sense of calm enveloped his mind, and he drifted into slumber.

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In the morning, Alex awoke drenched in sweat, his body feeling sticky and unpleasant.

"The potion was the purest one I ever saw, so this was to be expected," Aurora's voice startled him as she explained the cause of his slimy discomfort.

Not only was he sweating profusely, but even his clothes and bedsheets were soaked in the strange transparent liquid.

"Do you know what's going on?"

"Yes, and you should take a shower immediately. You're emitting quite the odor." Aurora remarked, scrunching her nose and miming shooing motions with her hands.

"Don't even think about peeking at me."

He declared firmly as he entered the bathroom.

"I'm no lowly pervert."

Aurora's voice echoed in the background, no doubt her commentary on his shower intentions.

It took a solid hour to rid himself of the sticky substance during his thorough cleansing session.

His attire and the bedsheets bore the brunt of the damage and had to be discarded, becoming unsalvageable.

Emerging from the shower, clad only in a towel, he relished the refreshed feeling.

'My wounds have completely healed.'

He mused while inspecting his body, momentarily interrupted by Aurora's shout.

"Don't come out naked, you rascal! Cover yourself!"

Aurora's voice held a hint of embarrassment as she shielded her eyes.

"If you're so shy, you can turn the other way." he suggested.

"Hmph."

He brushed off her response and shifted his focus to the mirror in his wardrobe.

His appearance had undergone a transformation—his hair had grown silkier, his skin appeared more radiant, and he even seemed to have gained some muscle definition.

'Did I also grow taller and become more robust?'

"Aurora, could the changes be due to the Foundation Building Potion?"

"Yes, and they would become even more pronounced with further physical training."