In the following days, I focused especially on cultivating my sea of consciousness.
Training took a back seat. All my attention was directed toward meditation.
I could feel myself gradually advancing, my inner space expanding, becoming more stable and dense.
On the fourth day of the week, I finally broke through to the second rank.
The sensation was familiar, yet still unpleasant—as if my mind was being compressed and stretched at the same time.
But this time, it passed faster and more smoothly.
Now I faced a new task—creating a second-rank spell.
With my new level, I could finally give earth spells more complex forms. That opened up many possibilities.
However, developing spells was not a quick process.
I understood that doing everything alone would take too long.
I would need a professor's help.
But that could wait.
Right now, it was more important to decide on a direction.
I wasn't planning to create dozens of spells. It was better to master a few versatile ones and refine them to perfection.
Time passed quickly.
Soon, the weekend arrived again.
Which meant—missions.
Early in the morning, I went to the mission board. This time, I headed straight for E-rank elimination tasks.
I didn't even consider anything else.
And this time, I got lucky.
Target:
Name: Caldrik Vane, 23 years old
Second-rank aura core
Weapons: dual blades
Elements: fire, wind
Description: lean build, sharp facial features. Curly blond hair, violet eyes. Around 175 cm tall.
Distinguishing feature: a deep scar on his left cheek
Reward: 200 credits
Crime: murdered a family of five civilians.
Two hundred?
I paused for a moment, staring at the reward.
That was rare for an E-rank mission.
Which meant the target wasn't weak.
But that didn't bother me.
With my second-rank mana—and the upcoming full moon…
My chances of losing were close to zero.
I accepted the mission and set out immediately.
According to the information, the target was on the run and would likely appear in a small village not far from his last known location.
Cities were off-limits for him.
So—a village.
Logical.
Besides, he would need time to recover.
Laying low in a quiet place was the best option.
After six hours of travel, I reached the village.
It was around three in the afternoon.
I was already disguised.
The village looked calm.
Spring had just begun, and most of the locals were busy with work—fields, planting, livestock.
There weren't many people around.
I headed straight to the local tavern.
Inside, it was quiet. A few people sat at tables, speaking in low voices.
I approached the counter and tossed a silver coin.
"Beef steak and a drink. And I have a question. Have there been any newcomers in the village? Anyone staying for a few days?"
The innkeeper was clearly surprised at the sight of silver, but quickly composed himself and nodded.
The other patrons pretended not to hear.
Smart.
Ten minutes later, my food arrived.
I ate calmly, without rushing, observing the surroundings.
Finally, the innkeeper spoke:
"There were three. One woman and two men."
"Describe the men."
I interrupted him without looking up from my plate.
He began.
One was a brunette, muscular, well-built.
The other…
That one caught my attention.
The description matched. Almost perfectly.
Except he hadn't mentioned the scar.
"Where is the blond staying?"
The innkeeper thought for a moment.
"Here. Rented a room… Why—"
"Is he here now?"
I cut him off again.
"No. He left. Probably coming back in the evening."
"Got it."
I tossed another silver coin.
"Bring snacks and beer."
He nodded.
I stayed and waited.
This was the only tavern in the village.
He would come back.
And I was right.
After some time, the door opened.
A man walked in.
He was wearing a cloak, just like me.
But his build… height… movements…
A match.
I didn't rush.
First, confirmation.
I took a few drinks, pretending to be drunk.
Then stood up, swaying slightly, and walked toward him.
Approached from the side.
"Hey… buddy…" I muttered with a fake hiccup. "Why are you hiding?"
I yanked down his hood.
The scar.
It was him.
The reaction was immediate.
He attacked.