Chapter 8: Generous Gift (Part I)
The drive that Jasmine didn't take long. Since the flying car had less traffic and was much faster, it would only need an hour to go around the planet once.
Landing outside the Academy port, I couldn't help but be amazed at the scenery. Brave Academy is made from an artificial island in the Pacific Ocean.
Before, we were allowed to enter fully. We had to talk to management. There was already a line for people that wanted to enter.
But before I could say something, luckily, a group of men escorted us in. Some people were pissed that we didn't have to wait in line.
Having connections for convenience was good. If I didn't, I would have to stand out for hours, which would be a pain.
The group of men must have been informed to wait for us. As soon as we arrived, they got to us immediately, how efficient they were.
Nene, Jasmine, and I talked about trivial things inside. It didn't take long before we reached a mansion.
"Am I going to live there?"
I found this place unnecessarily large. It is still unreal to believe I would live in a house like this. I lived in a small apartment a few days ago, but a few days later, poof.
The guards that led us to this mansion had now dispersed. They were quiet the whole time, like they weren't even here. How professional of them.
Going in was a sight to behold. Everything here looked hella expensive. The vases, paintings, floors, and everything looked so neat that it was freaky.
"Good morning, everyone!"
Hearing a familiar voice, Linsey, my small female boss, greeted us. I honestly didn't expect her to come.
"Linsey~!"
Nene ran to her and hugged her. Both of them were on the smaller end in terms of size, but Linsey, who was shorter, was having her life sucked out of it from Nene's chest.
"Nene, I think the boss is dying..."
I tried my best to intervene. Luckily Nene heard what I said and stopped. Jasmine couldn't help but sigh at this commotion.
"Thank you, comrade..."
Linsey playing it off as a joke meant that she was okay. Nene then did her best to apologize, and Linsey shook it off as a small matter.
"Follow me. I will take you to the living room."
My boss, who already knew the layout of this place, guided the three of us. Upon arriving at our room, Linsey sat on a chair with me on the other side.
"Your ability is interesting. All the misfortune you cast killed nine people. Only the man who bears the weakest curse is alive."
So ninety percent had already died. I had only used my ability once on them, so I couldn't tell what the results were for my ability.
"Most of them were gruesome death. The people sent to the healing ward were killed off as accidents."
"And the only one left alive was cowering in fear in his cell. He refuses to leave his cell. For a man who wanted freedom, he lost all that desire. Don't you think it's pathetic?"
"The only reason he was kept was his rewards from the ranking system."
I see. One percent of my curse of me was dangerous. There were many times that I could have died, and it was only one percent of my power.
"Enough of that. Now it's time for us to raise your rank."
"I'm feeling generous and added some additional rewards."
I now know why. Linsey said that we would get along very well. She was loaded. As long as I obey her, she will continue to reward me.
There was no problem with me acting like a dog. Everyone here likes those treats, the more, the better. It's a win-win for both of us.
"Thank you, boss!"
I saluted her in my mind. She could tell what I was doing from my expression alone and smiled.
"First, we'll upgrade six of your ranking traits—wealth, physique, skill, charm, combat power, and mana."
That was a tall order. Upgrading all six of them would take a while to do. But if you're rich, it would be easier to do.
"Take this pendant. This defensive artifact would block any hit three times a day."
Woah, that's hella good. My ranking in wealth had increased because of this artifact. Anything you own would be added to the wealth category. Since this pendant is mine, my rank has increased a lot.
A poor man like me was previously at the 17B rank. I had shot down to 50M just from that alone. My overall ranking, which was previously 1569, had gone down to 1490.
The results were lackluster. I had heard that the wealth department had the most negligible impact on the overall ranking.
"These two items are the reward that I had added. This is a body enhancement capsule and a mana enhancement capsule."
"Which one do I take first?"
"It doesn't matter, but I recommend you go to the shower and take it."
"Should I do it now?"
Linsey nodded her head, telling me to go. And without further ado, I went to get my spare clothes from my luggage and went to the bathroom.
Sitting down on my tube, I took the body enhancement capsule. Since it was my second time, the uncomfortable sensation I felt was now more bearable.
Unlike last time which took four hours, this time took two. With the process done, I went to take the mana enhancement capsule.
This time, I felt my insides racing. The force inside was multiplying, and the feeling felt heavenly.
Was this mana? This was the first time I had ever felt it. Fuck! Because of my parents, I had no talent in mana, which was embarrassing, but my mana ranking was at the 19B mark. It was my worst stat.
The mana enhancement didn't take long to finish. With my body sweaty, I went to take a shower and checked my rank in the process.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone