Mages Requiem

Liam's magical training hit a wall as he reached the limits of his 27 MP mana core. He quickly realized that while he could cast 4th-tier spells, his mana pool was insufficient for more advanced magic, and it hindered his growth. Determined to break past this limitation, Liam turned to a clever solution: leveraging his Sales Contract.

The magical district was filled with aging or declining mages, many of whom were willing to trade parts of their once-powerful mana cores for cash or gold. With the Sales Contract, Liam offered these mages lucrative deals in exchange for segments of their mana cores. For them, the choice was simple—gold was more useful than unused magic, especially as their own magical abilities waned.

Through a series of shrewd negotiations, Liam slowly began expanding his own mana core. Each deal, every contract made, brought him a portion of their mana, absorbed and incorporated into his being. His core began to swell, not only increasing his mana capacity but also providing additional benefits.

As Liam's mana core expanded from 27 MP to 114 MP, he sensed a transformation throughout his body. This growth elevated his magical reserves to A-Rank, while his contracts for others' life force bolstered his physical strength and longevity.

He experienced a surge of energy, enhanced endurance, and a significant increase in magical capacity. Consequently, spells that once depleted his reserves became simple and effortless to perform. No longer confined to 4th-tier spells, he could now effortlessly command the higher-tier magic that had previously challenged him.

Ding!

[Hidden Quest Complete: Sales Contract Upgrade]

[Objective: Achieve 100 transactions]

[Reward: Enhanced Sales Contract]

Enhanced Sales Contract:

You are no longer required to trade or utilize the items you've dealt. They can now be stored in your newly acquired dimensional pocket storage.

The upgraded Sales Contract added another layer of convenience and power. With the newly unlocked dimensional pocket storage, Liam could now store the items or mana segments he acquired without needing to immediately trade or use them. He could accumulate resources at his own pace, making it even easier to strike profitable deals and build his mana core strategically.

With 114 MP, Liam's newfound strength allowed him to tap into 7th-8th Tier spells, experiment with more complex incantations, and strengthen his overall magical abilities. It wasn't just about raw power anymore—he was smarter, more resourceful, and better equipped to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

This increase in his core's capacity also translated to an increase in his potential lifespan, as mana and vitality were closely linked in the magical world. Each increment in mana didn't just make him more powerful—it granted him more time to grow stronger, to learn, and to explore the depths of magic.

Liam now walked with newfound confidence, knowing that his mana core and magical strength had reached levels that would set him apart from his peers. He wasn't just a student learning magic—he was quickly becoming a mage who could stand toe-to-toe with seasoned mages.

Ding!

[Quest: This Is The Path I Walk. Not You Or Anyone Can Change That]

[Objective: Eliminate the individuals that killed your family]

[Reward: Super rare Gold-Tier Item]

The notification echoed in Liam's mind like a hammer striking an anvil. He froze, staring at the quest interface.

A cold, sinking feeling wrapped around his chest. He hadn't thought about his family in a long time—not since he woke up in this new life, memories of his previous existence still fresh and raw.

Those responsible for their deaths were people he swore to take revenge on. But the sudden emergence of the quest reminded him that the past wasn't as far behind him as he liked to believe. It was still waiting... like a festering wound, eager to bleed again.

Liam's fists clenched at the thoughts swirling in his mind. His original family had been good people—ordinary, hardworking, and kind. And then, out of greed and jealousy, they had been taken from him. Murdered. That pain, sharp and unforgiving, was etched into his soul, even through reincarnation.

In this new world, he thought he could leave it behind, bury himself in magical studies and power. But no. The system had dragged it back to the surface. Worse, it gave him a quest.

The quest was simple but brutal: find them. Eliminate them.

Liam exhaled slowly, calming the fire burning inside. This wasn't just a quest to earn a reward. This was his chance to end it. As the Merchant System had set this path before him, it didn't matter. No teacher, no mentor, no system would dictate how he did this—it was his path, and he would walk it alone.

With a sharp flick of his wrist, Liam dismissed the quest interface.

"I'll find you."

He whispered to the memory of the shadows that haunted him.

"And when I do, there won't be mercy."

Liam knew he couldn't attack the Noah family, as he would be the prime suspect in attacking his flesh and blood family. No, he needed to deal with the Klan members that the Noah's used to murder his adopted parents-the only ones that loved him. But he couldn't rush in unprepared. The Knights of the Klux Klan were still dangerous individuals, he needed to make a plan. 

Using his Origin: Index Records, Liam scrolled through all the information he had on the Klan in this timeframe, from his other life. Soon his Index Record gave him a few meeting spots the Klan used to meet up.

Liam's jaw tightened as he stared at the info his Origin Index Record presented—locations, names, and rituals tied to the Knights of the Klux Klan. His wand pulsed in his hand, humming with suppressed power.

He remembered every despicable act the Klan members had committed in his previous life, all orchestrated by people like the Noah family. Who had used the Klan to slaughter individuals, like his adopted parents.

These weren't ordinary people—they were cunning and dangerous. They acted in the shadows, shrouded by their influence and resources. If Liam moved too quickly or carelessly, not only would he expose himself as the prime suspect, but he would also invite their wrath, which could bring even more harm to those around him. He needed a plan.

Liam activated his storage trunk and pulled out the cloak of invisibility he had recently purchased. It would help him get closer, but only for short bursts—it wasn't designed for extended use.

A direct assault on the Klan would attract too much attention. Instead, Liam decided to isolate individual members one by one. They were strongest in numbers, but if he could pick them off outside of their meetings, they would crumble without realizing the danger until it was too late.

Stealth was Liam's primary weapon, yet he harbored no delusions about eluding combat altogether. The Klan's ruthlessness meant that if a confrontation was unavoidable, he had to be prepared. His enhanced mana core granted him the ability to cast spells up to the 8th tier.

However, he primarily possessed spells up to the 6th tier, as the textbooks from the Founders Academy only covered spells to that level. That's because the Council of Archmages strictly regulated access to higher-tier spells. Liam's repertoire of high-tier spells was limited to the few he had acquired from his forbidden tomes.

Liam's expression grew intense as he reviewed the closest rendezvous point noted in the Index Record—a secluded manor in the rural area, well away from inquisitive onlookers. It was an ideal location to start his surveillance. Slipping on the invisibility cloak, he sensed the magic stir to life, emanating a shiver of icy energy.

"First, I watch. Then, I'll act."

With a final glance at his wand, Liam tucked it away, knowing it would soon see more action than it had in a lifetime. The path ahead was dangerous, but it was his path, and no one—neither the Klan nor the Noah family—would stop him from walking it.

Revenge was a dish best served cold. And Liam intended to savor every moment.