Chapter 27 – The Blades of Greed.

The grand Arcane Library of the Second Circle was a three-story building made of marble stone and blue stained glass, where high-ranking mages purchased and registered spell scrolls.

Diana walked through the corridors of the advanced scrolls section, accompanied by Rhea.

With Intelligence 18 and her new Commander of Arcane Greed class, Diana had realized that relying exclusively on Arcane Energy Arrow was a dangerous tactical limitation. If she faced enemies immune to pure arcane damage or monsters of extreme speed, she needed crowd-control and area-protection spells.

After reviewing the librarian's catalog for half an hour, Diana selected two high-tier magic tomes:

1. [Tome of Arcane Ice Lance]: Creates a piercing ice projectile that deals magic damage and slows target speed by 50% for 6 seconds. (Cost: 2 Silver Coins and 50 Bronze).

2. [Tome of Reinforced Mana Barrier]: Projects a hexagonal magic shield onto herself or a chosen ally within aura radius, absorbing up to 150 physical or magic damage. (Cost: 1 Silver Coin and 50 Bronze).

Diana paid four silver coins at the library counter.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

[MAGIC TOME PAYMENT]

- Ice Lance Tome + Mana Barrier Tome: -4 Silver Coins (400 Bronze).

[TEMPORARY POCKET BALANCE: 34 SILVER COINS AND 50 BRONZE COINS (3,450 Bronze)]

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Thanks to her Intelligence 18 and the learning speed granted by her Commander title, Diana mastered the structure of both spells in less than forty-eight hours of focused study.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Private Training Field at Ivory & Silk Residence

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

While Diana expanded her magic repertoire, the training of the new Arcane Greed Faction recruits officially began.

Kael and Lyra reported to the duplex suite at eight in the morning on the dot.

Before starting training, Diana took the two to the military supply shop and bought a full set of mid-quality gear for both:

- For Kael: A Wrought Iron Tower Shield (Defense +15, Physical Block +20%) and a reinforced light armor.

- For Lyra: A Silverwood Mana Staff (Magic Damage Increase +10%, MP Regen +5%) and reinforced clerical robes.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

[RECRUIT EQUIPMENT EXPENSES]

- Tower Shield + Kael's Armor: -2 Silver Coins.

- Silverwood Staff + Lyra's Robes: -1 Silver Coin and 50 Bronze Coins.

TOTAL SPENT: 3 Silver Coins and 50 Bronze Coins (350 Bronze).

[TEMPORARY POCKET BALANCE: 31 SILVER COINS (3,100 Bronze)]

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Kael grasped the new heavy iron shield and Lyra clutched the silverwood staff with tears of emotion in her eyes. They had never wielded such expensive, finely finished weapons in their entire lives.

"Thank you so much, Commander Diana!" Kael bowed his head deeply. "We will give our lives for this faction!"

"Spare your lives." Diana said in a calm tone, crossing her arms. "I bought this equipment so you survive and do the job right. Training starts now."

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

For seven straight days, the apartment's private training ground played host to a brutal, disciplined routine.

Diana activated her [Aura of Arcane Domain] during every single training session.

The passive effect of her anomaly—[Possessor's Aura]—kicked into action immediately. Being under Diana's direct leadership and within her aura radius, Kael and Lyra received an overwhelming bonus of +30% practical skill learning speed.

The week's results were striking:

- Kael's Training (Guardian): Rhea, using her Agility 31 and new [Phantom Step] skill, acted as Kael's sparring opponent. The rookie was forced to learn how to move his heavy shield at insane speeds to block Rhea's stealth attacks. Under Diana's stern guidance, Kael unlocked official class skills: [Unshakeable Stance - Level 1] and [Iron Taunt - Level 1].

- Lyra's Training (Priestess): Diana trained Lyra in mana management under time pressure. Lyra learned to place her barrier spells at the exact second Kael's shield took impact, minimizing MP waste. Lyra unlocked skills: [Minor Area Heal - Level 1] and [Blinding Light Orb - Level 1].

- Diana's Training (Commander): Diana perfected spell swapping in combat. She combined her new [Arcane Ice Lance] to freeze the ground and slow fast enemies, allowing Rhea to land retaliatory critical strikes, while using [Reinforced Mana Barrier] to cover Kael's shield from long range.

By the end of the seventh day of training, Kael and Lyra rose from Level 10 to Level 11, their stats and confidence quadrupled.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Arcane Greed Faction was no longer a duo of independent hunters.

It had become a Perfectly Balanced 4-Member Tactical Squad:

1. Diana (Level 13) -> Commander Magic Damage / Crowd Control / Strategist.

2. Rhea (Level 12) -> Phantom Blade / Extreme Speed Agility 31 / Stealth Executioner.

3. Kael (Level 11) -> Shield Guardian / Tank Vanguard / Damage Absorption.

4. Lyra (Level 11) -> Support Priestess / Area Healing / Protection Barrier.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

[FULL FINANCIAL AUDIT - END OF WEEK]

Previous Balance: 38 Silver Coins and 50 Bronze.

Magic Tome Purchase: -4 Silver Coins.

Recruit Equipment Purchase: -3 Silver Coins and 50 Bronze.

Subtotal: 31 Silver Coins.

AUTOMATED WEEKLY EARNINGS (Arcane Greed Workshop Sales + Guild Training Stipend):

- Sale of Pure Potions and Elixirs at Central Plaza Stall: +6 Silver Coins.

[NEW ABSOLUTE NET WORTH: 37 SILVER COINS (3,700 Bronze! / 3.7 Gold Coins!)]

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

Thirty-seven silver coins safely stowed in the faction vault.

Back on the balcony of the duplex suite in the late afternoon, Diana observed the three members of her squad chatting and laughing amicably while drinking tea in the living room.

Kael was adjusting the buckles of his new shield, Lyra was showing off her staff's light to Rhea, and Rhea was recounting hunting stories to the two enchanted rookies.

Diana took a sip of her iced juice, feeling a deep, clean, invincible satisfaction fill her chest.

—Look at them…

The System's voice teased softly in Diana's mind.

—An unshakeable tank, a dedicated priestess, a wolf with absurd agility, and a greedy Commander at the helm. You built a perfect squad in less than a month, Diana.

Diana looked at her squad and smiled. A sharp, confident, welcoming smile packed with ambition.

"Tomorrow we begin exploring Level 16 to 18 Dungeons." Diana said, her crisp voice echoing through the room, causing the three recruits to look at her with complete attention. "The Arcane Greed Faction is ready to take the Second Circle."

Final Notes:

Two new spells learned! Plus, the new recruits are getting along much better too!

Oh, and for anyone interested, we have a Patreon available! You get early access to 10 chapters! I know this is a bit of a drag, but... well, finances are tight, so we're trying everything we can here :/. Anyway, any help is appreciated!