Gravity Mage with Level-Up System

"I hope the Super Tribe is gone," I muttered, launching myself towards my destination.

After hours of flying, I reached the outskirts, the final stop before the Lawless Country border. The area seemed safe, so I landed, cloaked and masked for protection.

I continued on foot. Soon, the border came into view. The dark, alien soil on the other side surprised me.

I scanned the fence, finding it unguarded. With ease, I crossed into the Lawless Country.

"Finally," I said, relieved. The journey from the academy had been arduous, with injuries along the way. But I had persevered.

My goal: to remain undetected for the next few months until the Wizard Heart Competition heat died down.

Pushing aside distractions, I continued forward. Soon, I reached a five-way intersection. Choosing a straight path, I ventured into the barren landscape, hoping to find the border town.

An hour later, buildings rose in the distance – a sign of civilization. Relief washed over me, and I quickened my pace.

Nearing the town, I noticed people on the road, their mana levels comparable to high-level wizards. I became cautious. People who could enter here freely weren\'t ordinary.

Minutes later, I reached the town gate. The guards announced the entry fee: 100 mid-grade mana stones. No ID checks – just money and adherence to the rules for permanent residence.

The queue cheered – mostly criminals seeking refuge. The Lawless Country\'s reputation as a haven was solidified.

Speechless, I waited in line. Why had I thought this place was safe?

One by one, people paid and entered the city. My turn came. I handed over the pouch containing the fee. The captain, wary of my mask, checked the contents and waved me through.

Entering the town, a repulsive blood smell assaulted me. The black ground was slick with gore.

Panic surged. This was worse than the forbidden forest. I hurried away, seeking an inn.

Modern buildings, slightly less impressive than those in Lizzen State\'s border town, lined the streets. The town itself was smaller and less prosperous.

After gathering some free information from the innkeeper, I took my key and headed to my room. The three-story inn was strangely empty.

Inside, I used my system to scan the room.

[Ding! Spying Gadget detected. Currently recording host\'s activity.]

A cold dread washed over me. This place reeked of danger. First, the blood ritual, and now a bugged room?

I stifled a reaction and lay down on the bed.

Outside:

The obese, middle-aged innkeeper watched the video feed. Relieved to see no reaction from the new guest (those who found gadgets were eliminated), he let out a chilling laugh. "Quota filled for this week\'s sacrifice!"

In other parts of town, similar scenes unfolded – building owners celebrating their dark quota fulfilled.

Meanwhile, I feigned sleep, my mind racing. With hidden gadgets everywhere, I had no choice but to adapt. Until I could learn more, I\'d have to lay low.

Night fell. Rising from bed, I left the bugged room and found an unused storage room filled with old furniture.

After confirming it was safe, I activated the Zero Puppet, equipping it with the mask and cloak.

"Gather intel," I instructed. "Return here when finished."

The Level-7 puppet, undetectable even by high-level wizards, vanished through the window.

I reappeared at Gregor Mansion.

Outside:

The Zero Puppet found the deserted back alleys a perfect route for intel gathering. Businesses thrived even at night, offering a ripe opportunity.

The puppet infiltrated another inn, finding the old woman owner dressed for a dark ritual. An unconscious body lay on the floor – someone from the new arrivals.

"My sacrifice to the Black Messenger," she muttered, her windfall from the influx of newcomers ensuring her wealth and the victim\'s demise.

Unbeknownst to her, the puppet recorded her every word. It then moved on to its next target.

The Zero Puppet, recognizing the wealth of information gleaned from this encounter, decided to follow the old woman.

The old woman packed the unconscious body onto a rack before exiting the room. She set off for her destination without bothering to check her surroundings. Years of performing this ritual had instilled a sense of false security in her and the townspeople. No one had ever faced repercussions.

Once she was a safe distance away, the Zero Puppet emerged and followed her trail. The old woman soon reached the edge of town, a desolate plain interrupted only by a large well. She approached it directly and dumped the rack inside.

A splash resonated through the night. The old woman sighed, relieved to have completed her task. The Black Messenger, she believed, would take care of the rest.

The Zero Puppet recorded everything from a safe distance. To gather more intel, it turned back and searched for another lead. As it passed a large mansion, a startled cry pierced the night.

The Zero Puppet wasted no time infiltrating the building. It swiftly scaled the walls and reached the second floor.

"Leave me alone!" a frantic voice shrieked. "This place is a nightmare! The whole town sacrifices visitors and steals their belongings!"

The Zero Puppet carefully stored this information. Inside, a vicious wizard dueled the building owner, spells erupting between them.

The building owner\'s injuries inexplicably vanished. The visiting wizard, sensing a conspiracy, grew wary. Heretic wizards rarely possessed healing abilities, unless they were bloodline wizards – an unlikely lineage for this elemental wizard.

Horror contorted the foreign wizard\'s face. With a crack, he shattered a window and bolted towards the town gate. Another figure, unseen, darted out after him in pursuit.

The Zero Puppet remained undetected throughout the night, systematically visiting every building that exhibited activity.

The next morning, the Zero Puppet returned to the storage room before dawn.

I materialized outside, drawn by the image in the control mirror. The puppet had returned. "What did you find?" I inquired.

"Master," the puppet began, "this border town is unlike any other."

My expression darkened as I listened further. My initial assessment was spot on. These people cling to archaic rituals.

A few minutes later,

The Puppet finished its explanation.

"Damn, these people are treating foreign wizards as sacrifices! They\'re a different breed of wicked altogether," I muttered to myself.

The first thought that came to mind was to leave immediately. There was no way I could survive here, let alone develop my skills.

I thanked the Zero Puppet before deactivating its core slot. Then, I stored it in the system space.

Before leaving, I decided to complete my daily meditation first.

Swoosh!

I materialized back in Gregor Mansion and began my meditation.

A few hours later,

I thought of the status panel.

[Ding! Level-Up System, 1.2 is ready.]

[Status Panel]

[Host\'s Name – Vincent Carey]

[Magic Power– Gravity]

>>Stage(3)

[Mage Level – Level 6 Limiter]

[Mental Method- Gravity Ark (Running)]

>>Grade- Earth

>> Rate of absorption – 82%

[Gravity Core status- lvl.6(100%) (Progressing)]

>> Sacred Core – Gravity core

[Mana Power - 700]

>> Mana Capacity - 700

[Talent – Top Bottom (Upgradeable)]

[Colour – Pale Orange]

[Strength –700]

[Speed –700]

[Stamina –700]

[Vitality –700]

[Intelligence – lvl.6(50)]

[Soul Power – lvl.6(50)]

[Mental Power - lvl.6(50)]

[Constitution – lvl.6(50)]

Physique:

>> Sacred Gravity Physique (lvl.91%))

Ability:

>>Passive Gravity Pressure (54%)

Rule:

>>Gravity Rule (12%)

Inheritance:

>>Late Gravity Ancestor(20%)

[Spell Models –9]

[Stage: 1st, 2nd and 3rd]

>> 1. Gravity Field (lvl.6)

>>2. Gravity Push (lvl.6)

>>3. Gravity Pull (lvl.6)

>>4. Gravity Blast (lvl.6)

>>5. Repulsive Force (lvl.6)

>>6. Zero Gravity (lvl.6)

>>7. Gravity Domain (lvl.6)

>>8. Zero Gravity Domain (lvl.6)

>>9. Star Rune Spell (lvl.6)

[Spell Slots Available - 9]

[Title: Lord of the Gregor Mansion.]

[Storage space items: Zero, the Puppet, Star Inheritance preliminary token, Silver Storage Bracelet, Sword, Dagger, Ancient map, The Gregor Mansion, Magic artifact, Herbs, potions, mana stones and spell books...etc..,]

The status panel materialized before me. I checked my attributes and saw no issues. Then, I went to take a bath.

A few minutes later,

After getting ready, I donned my Mask and Magic Cloak.

Swoosh!

I materialized outside and made my way downstairs. The entire building seemed deserted except for the fat, middle-aged man sitting behind the desk. An unusual mana fluctuation emanated from him.

"Hey, guest," the man boomed. "Where are you headed?"

My lips twitched in response. "I\'m just going to explore the town a bit," I replied.

The man\'s grin widened ominously.

Shaking my head, I exited the inn. A cold wind whipped against my face, prompting thoughts of the others.  I guessed not many had survived the previous night.

My eyes hardened. Escape would be simple, but I hadn\'t yet identified the dominant power in this town, particularly the enigmatic Black Messenger\'s strength. Should I investigate the well? The question gnawed at me.

Offending an unknown force could prove unwise. Then I looked around before started moving towards the entrance gate.

I don\'t know whether they will allow me to leave or not.