Chapter 93: Level Up Gobbler!

The salesman raised his eyebrow, momentarily stunned by Kyle's request.

"Sixty mana cores, you said?" He blinked in disbelief, as if waiting for Kyle to laugh and say it was a joke.

Kyle met his gaze with a smirk. "That's right. Sixty."

The man's mouth hung slightly open for a beat, and then, as the realization settled in, a spark of excitement lit up his eyes.

He quickly composed himself, adopting a professional tone, though the eager gleam in his eyes betrayed how pleased he was.

"Sixty mana cores coming right up."

He turned back to his counter, grabbing a set of keys from his belt as he moved toward a glass case.

As he carefully unlocked it and began removing the cores one by one, Kyle could see the man trying—and failing—to hide his glee.

He couldn't help but smile to himself, recognizing how much his purchase was brightening up someone else day.

"Quite the busy day for you, huh?" Kyle said casually, glancing around the shop.

He caught sight of a few other customers walking about, some of them casting curious glances his way, perhaps overhearing the absurd number of cores he was purchasing.

The salesman chuckled nervously as he continued to pack the cores in a box.

"Indeed! It's not every day that someone buys this many mana cores in one go. First the young lady with her twenty... and now you." He gave Kyle a respectful nod.

"You've made this one of the best days I've had in a while, sir."

Kyle waved off the flattery, not feeling comfortable from being referred as 'sir'.

As the salesman continued to pack the cores, he glanced up at Kyle, clearly curious but too professional to ask any personal questions.

Instead, he simply said, "If you ever need more mana cores, please feel free to return. I'll always have stock ready for you."

Kyle smiled at the comment, appreciating the man's professionalism.

"I'll keep that in mind," he replied as he transferred the credits.

The salesman's hands moved with practiced care as he closed the box and slid it across the counter toward Kyle.

"Here you go, sir," he said with a flourish. "Sixty mana cores, packed delicately, just as requested."

Kyle took the box and gave the man a nod of thanks. "I appreciate it. I'll definitely be back."

"Anytime!" The salesman bowed slightly, clearly satisfied with the transaction.

"You have yourself a wonderful day."

Kyle turned, box in hand, and made his way out of the shop. As he stepped into the main passage of the mall, the chatter of students filled the air.

He allowed himself a brief moment to enjoy the bustle before Void's voice cut through the peaceful atmosphere.

[Sixty cores, huh? That's quite the feast you've lined up]

Kyle couldn't help but chuckle. He had been expecting Void to speak on on this topic sooner.

"Yeah, it's all for me. Don't get any ideas."

[All for you?] Void repeated, sounding hurt.

[Kyle, I'm wounded. I've6 been so good to you lately, giving you space and everything. Isn't it only fair that we share?]

Kyle laughed, shaking his head as he continued walking through the marketplace.

"Nice try. But you don't get to manipulate me that easily. Besides, if I let you have your way, I'd be lucky to keep even one core for myself."

[Oh, come on] Void whined. [Just a few. You don't need all sixty, right? Think of the benefits we'd both get if you just shared a little.]

Kyle grinned, loving how easy it was to rile Void up. "Nope. They're mine."

[Selfish] Void muttered. [You're becoming selfish, Kyle.]

Kyle rolled his eyes as they left the mall and headed back toward his dorm.

"I was wondering... You were unusually quiet when I talked to Lora, what happened?" Kyle asked as he walked. "Not like you to let me have so much peace."

[Quiet?] Void echoed. [I was merely giving you space to make your moves. You seemed so focused on apologizing to Lora. Didn't want to mess that up for you.]

Kyle couldn't help but snort. "You were giving me space? I'm not buying it."

[Okay, okay, maybe I was just enjoying the show a little,] Void admitted, sounding amused. [You humans are always so awkward about these things.]

Kyle laughed. "Yeah, well, thanks for not interrupting. I didn't need your commentary on that one."

They continued walking in comfortable silence until they reached the house.

Kyle made his way to his room the moment he got inside, setting the box of mana cores down on the desk.

"Alright," Kyle said, cracking his knuckles as he eyed the box. "Time to get to work."

He opened the box, revealing the neatly packed mana cores, each one glowing faintly with contained energy. He could already feel the faint pulse of power radiating from them.

But before he began Kyle had something to take care of first—Skill points were used for either upgrading or learning skills.

Kyle had obtained 5 skill points from the system on reaching the Finals—the bare minimum for upgrading a base skill to the next level.

Now he was presented with the opportunity to take mana cores. He couldn't waste this opportunity to try leveling up [Gobbler].

'Level up Gobbler,' He willed with the system, inwardly hoping for it to work.

[Gobbler: Lv 1 >> Lv 2]

[Gobbler(Lv 2): Gobble a Mana core to acquire 20% Mana]

"Nice!" Kyle muttered with a wide grin, not very encouraging but would do.

He picked up the first one, rolling it between his fingers for a moment before popping it into his mouth. Explore stories on m,v l-NovelFire.net

His teeth handled the core perfectly, allowing it to dissolve instantly, a burst of raw mana flooding his senses.

Kyle closed his eyes, focusing on the flow of energy as it coursed through his body. The system pinged almost immediately, notifying him of his gain.

[+20 EXP]

The notifications appeared with each core he consumed. One after another, the mana cores vanished as Kyle devoured them, his body absorbing the energy at a rapid pace.

The sensation of power building within him was intoxicating, and he could feel his mana reserves swelling with each core.

Void, at first, watched with eager anticipation. But as the pile of cores dwindled, his excitement began to wane. Searᴄh the NôvelFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"You're really going to eat them all, huh?" Void asked, his tone now more dejected.

Kyle smirked as he picked up another core. "Told you. All mine."

Void's frustration grew more apparent with each core that disappeared. "You can't be serious! Kyle, you don't need all of them!"

Kyle just grinned, tossing another core into his mouth. The system continued to ping with each bite, the notifications coming in quick succession.

[+20 EXP]

[+20 EXP]

...

Void's voice grew more desperate as the number of remaining cores dwindled. "You're killing me here! How can you be this heartless? Look at all that delicious mana—"

Kyle finally reached the last core, holding it between his fingers as Void watched. He was as broken already and tears were building in his eyes.

"Kyle, wait—"

Kyle ignored him and motioned to pop the core into his mouth, but in a swift reverse motion, he tossed the core into the air.

Time seemed to slow down for Void as he focused his eyes on the mana core in the air.

His eyes were widened in excitement and he didn't hesitate, before Kyle could blink, Void had leapt up at lightning speed, swallowing the core whole with a single chomp.

"Burp."

Kyle burst out laughing, watching Void float back down, clearly pleased with himself. "Well, you got one," Kyle said with a grin.

Void, however, turned his back on Kyle, clearly sulking.

[That was torture. You could have given me at least fifty, but no. You let me starve and then tossed me the crumbs.]

Kyle raised an eyebrow, amused. "Crumbs? That core was worth the same as the others."

[Doesn't matter] Void muttered. [I was still deprived.]

Kyle chuckled, watching Void pout as he floated toward the corner of the room, clearly intending to "cultivate" his anger away.

He was enjoying getting on Void's skin a bit, and he wasn't ready to stop just yet.

"Hey," Kyle called out after a moment. "Aren't you forgetting something?"

Void ignored him, continuing his slow drift to the corner, still radiating anger as he walked.

"Oh, I don't know... Maybe a little thank you for giving you that last core?"