Hal, contrary to his expectations, left the establishment happily.
Not only did the staff member not charge him, but he was also given a one-month trial period!
Merchants had been trying to swindle him since he arrived in Aeloria City, and he would've been cheated multiple times if he hadn't been a bit wise for his age, so the generosity of this so-called fitness center somewhat blew his mind, although the membership price did as well.
'Ten silver coins per month, huh?'
He couldn't help but wonder whether it was worth it.
Hal would have ten silvers on him after claiming his mission rewards, but it would be his entire, pitiful treasury.
'I guess some people are just born with a silver spoon, huh?'
Not everyone in the fitness center was a wizard, and yet, those mundane folks could still afford to pay the monthly membership fee.
Perhaps they had relatives or partners who were wizards or had high-paying mundane jobs...
'No matter... ten silvers is only expensive because I'm still incapable and unqualified to take on E-ranked quests…'
Nevertheless, Hal planned to give physical training a try tomorrow.
He believed he should at least be able to dodge a few attacks without using his limited [Mana Barrier] charges.
Arriving at the gates of the Grand Magic Academy, Hal headed straight to the Mission Hall to report the completion of his quest and claim his meager reward: 2 silver coins, 2 academy credits, and five contribution points.
He then returned to his dormitory room, washed up, and rested for a bit on his small bamboo cot.
Snapping his fingers to open the Joker System, Hal tapped on the [Quests] function.
==
Quest Title: An Arcanist's Humble Beginnings
Act 1: Novice Gatherer
Gather the following:
Garbird Prime Feather - 3/3
Arcroot Vine - 0/5 centimeters
F-ranked Arcane Core - 1/1
Reward: 5 Chaos Points
Act 2 - [Locked]
Act 3 - [Locked]
==
'Hmm?'
He was surprised to find that the F-ranked Arcane Core requirement had been fulfilled.
Hal had obtained the Reptilian's core, but he wouldn't believe it even if the Deputy Headmaster himself told him that the darned thing was an F-ranked monster.
That brute, which had effortlessly swatted away the pride of his current arsenal, the level four [Glacial Shard], was at the bottom of the food chain?
Impossible.
'Maybe higher-ranked arcane cores count?'
There was no use in speculating, and since he had to head out again soon anyway, Hal stood up after five more minutes, donning a fresh set of uniform and exiting his room.
Aeloria City never sleeps; he had lots of time to do what he needed to.
He first headed to the public library to satisfy his curiosity regarding the Reptilian, finding out that it was an E-ranked monster.
'Hoh, so I'm strong enough to at least contend against an E-ranked monster if I go all out, huh?' Hal mused, pleased with his prowess.
Once done, he headed to the seventh street, where there were lots of shops selling clothes.
'Hmph, I'll just be the strange one, then!'
Since he was planning to try out the fitness center early tomorrow morning, he needed to purchase appropriate training clothes—and by "appropriate," he meant what was appropriate for him.
Arriving at the street, he looked into the stores through what was apparently called glass walls, checking to see if they were selling the type of clothing he was looking for.
He then entered the fifth shop on the street, which was selling the same type of revealing clothing worn by the members of the fitness center.
Hal couldn't help but appreciate the lavish interior once more, especially the strange yet elegant group of mana-powered light bulbs suspended on the ceiling, shining a subtle but luxurious golden glow in the entire shop.
Hal approached a small station to check the prices…and swallowed.
'D-Damn…one whole silver for a set of training tops and trousers?'
He couldn't believe his eyes.
'And these are the cheapest…'
Hal continued browsing, his heart in utter disbelief and indignation, especially when he found one that cost 20 silvers.
'Outrageous!'
Fortunately, there was a set that cost only one silver and satisfied his requirements: a pair of short trousers that reached nearly to his knees, and a top that covered his entire torso, at the very least, though his arms were still exposed.
Hal purchased three for now, planning to train his body at least three times a week, two hours a day, as advised by the staff member for beginners.
He then returned to the academy and trained in a two-star mana meditation room for two hours before grabbing an expensive fifty-copper-coin dinner at the academy canteen, ordering arcane beast meat to nourish his body.
Only then did he return to his dormitory room and turn in for the night.
He looked forward to tomorrow morning...