Ascension of the Primalist [A Tamer Class, LitRPG]

Seth fell into step beside Professor Reat, wondering what the man had planned this time. As they walked leisurely through the academy's garden, where colorful blooms and trimmed hedges lined their path, Professor Reat broke the silence.

"You should consider getting a spell that boosts your punching power. I’m guessing that Undead spell of yours uses a lot of aether."

Seth nodded thoughtfully, brushing his fingers against a flowering shrub. The aether consumption wasn’t the only thing that made him refrain from using Phantom Punch carelessly. It had required Draerian blood to be learned. Each time he used it, he could attract the attention of someone that could connect the dots and link him to his father's country.

"Maybe Blazing Fists?" Seth suggested, recalling the spell the professor had demonstrated during their first lesson.

Professor Reat shook his head. "That requires a Fire affinity."

Seth tilted his head slightly, thinking for a moment. "Is there anything similar for Shadow Affinity?"

Professor Reat seemed to consider it for a moment, his gaze fixed ahead. "Not that I know of. But we can always check the outpost shop. The academy’s store likely won't have any fist spells."

"Why not?" Seth asked as they turned left, heading for the main gate.

"Because fighting with fists isn't exactly considered noble-ish," Professor Reat explained, glancing back at him. "Battlemancers, Elementalists who focus on physical-enhancement spells, are usually commoners."

The quiet calm of the academy faded as they stepped into Trogan’s bustling market, where merchants shouted over one another and townsfolk hurried past, weaving through the crowded street.

Passing between two clusters of people, Professor Reat continued, "The director told me about your request for Eldric’s book. Honestly, that’s a great idea. But getting it approved… that’s another matter. I’m not sure the others will agree to hand it over to you."

Seth frowned as he ducked beneath the low-hanging canvas of a nearby market stall. "Who exactly needs to approve it? Isn’t the director the head of House Ryehill?"

"Some of the other Twenty Great Houses who are sympathetic toward commoners," Reat answered. "The Surani, Vancaws, and Chester, specifically."

"Do you think they’ll say no?" Seth asked, eyes narrowing slightly.

Professor Reat shrugged. "They don't know you personally, so there's no real incentive for them to agree. They said yes for me and several other members of the Champions of Chaos. But we had to do many things in exchange."

Seth glanced at the man—he had no idea there were this many commoners who had accessed to the book. It’s easier to do so when you have earned a Last name like Reat and Silvermane.

As they neared the Adventurer Guild outpost, its banners fluttering lazily in the breeze against the towering seven-story building, Professor Reat slowed his steps. His gaze moved toward the Champions-of-Chaos headquarters next door before turning back to Seth. "I need to talk with the others. You go ahead and pick a spell that suits you." He then held Seth’s gaze for a moment. "And don’t cheap out. We’re heading into war. If there’s a Standard or Refined version available, buy it."

"Understood."

Seth nodded, parted ways with the professor, and pushed open the outpost’s heavy doors. A familiar hum greeted him. The place buzzed with life; adventurers huddled around worn wooden tables, trading stories between bouts of laughter.

As Seth entered, a nearby adventurer elbowed his neighbor and whispered something Seth barely caught a fragment of.

"Hey, look… It's Seth."

Soon, more heads turned Seth’s way. A few who were already nursing mugs of ale despite the early hour raised their drinks toward him in subtle salute.

Seth gave them a brief nod and walked over to the desk at the back. Instead of the familiar face of Celine, Francesca—the cheerful blonde employee—stood behind the counter. Seth smiled politely at her and turned left, heading directly up the wooden staircase to the adventurer shop on the third floor. Celine hadn’t yet found an upgrading-scroll for Dark Shocking Strike, so he would need to pick a new offensive spell and put aside the Lightning one. At least, for now.

Upstairs, past the buying counter, the layout was clean and well-organized with items sorted into Copper, Iron, Silver, and Gold sections. Seth quickly headed to the section for Iron Adventurers, where his gaze swept over various weapons, gear, and artifacts before settling on spell-scrolls.

Rows of scrolls lined the shelves, each sealed with the same gray wax and wrapped in a colorful ribbon that denoted the spells’ elemental affinity. Seth trailed his fingers lightly over several scrolls, pausing between the Primalist section and the non-class-specific shelves. It didn’t take long before his eyes landed on a fist-based spell.