Evolution:The Bloodthirsty Saga of the Magic Engineer-Chapter 49: Spiritual poison

While the pickaxe echoed its metallic sound against the walls of the mine, my thoughts were elsewhere. I reflected on everything I had learned since joining the Tower of Sun Mountain.

"A Level 1 Acolyte... someone with enough spiritual strength to move energy particles and store them within their body. It’s the beginning of mastery over magical power, yet still just the beginning. To cast complete spells, one must go beyond, reaching Level 2, where the creation of spiritual power begins to tangibly enhance physical and spiritual stats..."

These ideas started to connect as I pondered the information accumulated in the virtual lab. The creation of the first code within my heart seemed to have brought more clarity to these concepts.

"Spiritual laboratory, run an analysis!" I thought, while continuing to dig, my movements automatic, almost mechanical, from repeating the gesture so many times.

["Beep! Analysis complete."]

The voice of the lab sounded in my mind.

["The entire area surrounding the tower is contaminated with traces of spiritual energy. Just like you saw when you used the enchantment to view magical particles in your room. These particles don’t harm a Level 0 Acolyte, but... the highest concentrations of spiritual energy come from Mages and certain experimental materials. Excessive exposure to this energy in the body of a Level 0 Acolyte can be dangerous, causing slow and prolonged poisoning. This is a metaphysical illness that will overpower the weak without resistance."]

I swallowed hard, a chill running down my spine. My hands trembled, and I nearly let the pickaxe fall.

"What are you doing? Did you find something?" Charlotte’s voice pulled me back to reality. She was behind me, her face slightly curious.

I took a deep breath to collect myself before answering, "Unfortunately, I didn’t find anything. I’m just a little tired from this mining routine."

She shrugged, murmuring something about me being soft, before going back to mining without paying much attention to my response.

As she returned to work, I sighed, wiping the sweat from my forehead. "As I expected! There are no normal humans in this entire academy..."

My eyes scanned the rocky walls of the mine, but my mind was focused on other thoughts. "First, the location of this tower, so high it stands above the common blue sky. Second, the spiritual effects emitted by Mages and Acolytes. For an ordinary human, living here would be equivalent to breathing poison every day. They wouldn’t last more than a few years in this corrosive environment."

The face of Miguel came to mind, followed by Marcelina’s. "They are constantly immersed in spiritual energy. Their bodies endure it because they are already beyond the level of a common Acolyte. But for us, Level 0 Acolytes, it’s like living under a blade that cuts slowly."

I furrowed my brows as I made a connection. "According to the energy readings I received from the spiritual laboratory, a Mage is literally a mobile source of spiritual poison. Each one of them is like a generator of corrosive energy. So... could it be that they used controlled spiritual poison to advance? Is that what separates Mages from Acolytes?"

The idea was disturbing, yet not dismissible. I sighed, squinting as I pondered. "It doesn’t matter what it takes. I must hurry. Becoming a Level 1 Acolyte is no longer a goal; it’s a necessity. The longer I take, the greater the accumulated damage to my body."

With this thought, my resolve solidified. I swung the pickaxe harder.

.

.

.

.

The last few days were a blend of exhausting work, intense learning, and discreetly seized opportunities. Every day, I reported to Miguel’s lab for the grueling mining routine, spending hours breaking rocks and collecting fragments that, most of the time, didn’t even contain ore. Yet, even during this mechanical work, I kept my mind active, planning my next steps.

It was during this period that I met Mateo, Miguel’s genius apprentice. He was a peculiar figure: short, chubby, and almost entirely introverted. His dedication to engineering was evident, but his interaction with other Acolytes was minimal. "Maybe that’s what makes him so efficient," I thought. Mateo’s discipline and focus were something I admired.

However, my method was different: learning, teaching, and, whenever possible, profiting from it.

This content is taken from fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm.

After mornings in the mine, the rest of my time was spent attending the free public classes at the tower. It was there that I absorbed as much knowledge as possible. Even so, the instructors were... disappointing. They all seemed bitter, as if teaching was a burden to them.

"At least I have the virtual lab," I consoled myself more than once. The ability to record and review lessons at my leisure was my greatest asset. While other Acolytes struggled to keep up, I was already refining and emulating each concept in the comfort of my dorm.

One of these lessons, on "the basic principles of enchanted steam as an energy source," sparked complaints from William, a fellow freshman.

"Today’s topic was really hard! I hate having to understand all this stuff about heat, pressure, and how they convert into movement," he muttered, clearly frustrated.

I shrugged, keeping my tone casual: "There’s no choice. Engineering is a broad field, full of details. If we don’t learn the basics, we can’t move on to the more interesting parts."

He sighed but seemed to accept my response. William was someone I kept a friendly relationship with. He was enthusiastic but still someone I knew could be useful for my plans.

"How do you do it, Tyler?" he asked, half-jokingly. "You seem to have a machine in your head. Since I met you, I’ve felt like I’m way too slow compared to you."

"Oh, not at all," I replied, hiding my secret with a smile. "I just read a lot when I still lived with my parents. In my father’s homeland, reading was something I valued. Maybe that helped me memorize things easily."

He laughed and, without wasting time, made me an offer: "Could you teach me after class? I’ll pay you with a magic crystal!"

I smiled inwardly. "Of course. We can schedule an hour a day, right after dinner. That’s the only time I have left; the other slots are already taken by students I’m helping. How about a week of lessons?"

He agreed immediately, and that’s how I started my tutoring sessions with William.

After dinner, I went to William’s dorm, where we reviewed the engineering concepts covered in class. My approach was straightforward, explaining patiently and answering his questions. When we finished, he seemed satisfied, and I was even more so. The magic crystal he handed me felt light in my hand, but I knew the value it carried.

Then I returned to my room. Sitting on my bed, I toyed with the magic crystal between my fingers as I reflected. "Mary was the only woman who accepted my teachings. That’s why I had to use a different method with her. The others, like William, follow a more traditional approach, without physical contact."

I poured the contents of the pouch hanging from my waist onto the bed. Ten magic crystals rolled out, faintly glinting under the room’s light. A smile spread across my face. "In just half a month, I’ve already gathered ten crystals. It’s not much, but considering I’m new here, it’s a good start—and enough to buy the materials I need to make Pleasure Powder."

I carefully stored the magic crystals back in the pouch and tied it securely. Looking around my room, I took a deep breath and smiled. "Time to shine!" I said to myself before stepping out, walking firmly with an ambitious gleam in my eyes. My destination? The trading post.

When I arrived, the sight that greeted me was one of organized chaos. The trading post was enormous, occupying the entire area beside the mission zone. The glow of magical lamps and crystals hanging from improvised stalls lit up the space, creating a lively scene even in the early evening.

Acolytes of various levels and ages moved between the stalls, negotiating fervently. Some argued over prices, others enthusiastically displayed their wares, and some simply observed, silently calculating their next actions.

A nearby group caught my attention: "You’ve got to be kidding!" a tall, skinny Acolyte shouted, holding a small vial of greenish liquid. "Seven magic crystals for this potion? Do you think we’re idiots? This thing is worth five at most!"

The stall owner, a scar-faced Acolyte, let out a dry laugh. "Five crystals? Do you think I’m selling river water? This is a high-purity vigor potion, buddy. If you want something cheaper, go check that dirty stall in the corner!"

Another Acolyte, shorter and stockier, jumped in: "If it’s really high purity, then prove it! Take a sip and show us you’re not scamming us!"

The vendor narrowed his eyes. "Do you think I’m stupid? This potion is too potent to be taken like that. Besides, I don’t need to prove anything to you. Seven crystals or walk away!"

The skinny Acolyte scoffed and tossed the vial back onto the stall. "Forget it! I’ll find someone more reasonable." He stormed off, clearly frustrated, while the vendor crossed his arms, unbothered.

I kept walking through the market, observing every detail. Despite the chaos, one thing became clear: there were no Mages present. Everyone there was an Acolyte like me, struggling to survive and advance.

....

1572 Words