Gravity Mage with Level-Up System

Capital:

An hour before dawn, the air was thick with tension as Stacie Sharpe stealthily moved through the shadows surrounding the conflict zone. Her heart pounded in her chest, yet her movements were precise, honed from years of experience in the art of espionage.

She had come to this desolate borderland on a crucial mission—to gather intel. Initially, her target had been Sand Rock Country's renowned wizards, but fate had led her elsewhere.

Instead of spying on them, she found herself at the encampment of Tolu Country, her instincts pulling her toward something far more significant.

With her hood drawn low, cloaked in the darkness that enveloped the camp, she crept closer to the heart of the enemy's gathering. High-ranking wizards were deep in conversation, their voices hushed yet grave. Read latest chapters at empire

Stacie positioned herself behind a weathered stone pillar, just within earshot, her breath barely audible.

The discussion among the wizards sent a ripple of shock through her. They spoke of an "unusual phenomenon" occurring in the barren region of their country—a vast, desolate land that served as a border with Sand Rock Country.

The barren region was typically quiet, an unremarkable no-man's land between the two powers, untouched by the conflict that simmered elsewhere. And yet, something was stirring there now.

The Tolu wizards were confused, their voices tinged with uncertainty and concern. Why would something be happening there of all places? No battles were currently waged at the border, no magical anomalies had been reported—until now. As they debated the possibilities, Stacie's mind raced. This was far from ordinary.

A chill settled over her. "Something was wrong". Deep in her gut, a sense of foreboding gnawed at her, something dark and twisted lurking beneath the surface. While the Tolu wizards fumbled for answers, Stacie's sharp mind was already putting the pieces together.

The Shadow Skull's intel unit, her trusted source of information, had been slow in reporting back to her, and that delay had pushed her patience to its limit. She could not wait any longer. Time was slipping through her fingers like sand.

Her mission, which had already stretched on far too long, demanded action. Waiting around in the enemy's camp was no longer a viable option. The barren region needed investigating, and fast.

But there was a danger in acting rashly. If she were caught by a Peak Level Wizard or, worse, a Magic Lord from Tolu Country, her mission—and her life—could be over in an instant. The risk was high, but the reward? Far higher.

Stacie made a decision. She would investigate the barren region herself. She already had a plan taking form, crystal clear in her mind.

There, she intended to capture a Sand Rock Country wizard—preferably someone from the prestigious Yellow River Academy, known for their elite warriors and scholars. Once captured, she would extract information, particularly about Vincent Carey, a key figure in her mission.

Without hesitation, she turned on her heel and slipped away from the camp, her steps silent as a shadow in the night. The barren region lay ahead, and with it, the next critical step in her mission.

...

From MC's Perspective:

I'm standing inside the vast, echoing halls of the Gregor Mansion, its eerie silence pressing down on me like a weight. The dim light filtering through the cracked windows casts long shadows across the room, but my focus is elsewhere.

I've been waiting here for half an hour, feeling the tension coil in my muscles as I anticipate the arrival of the Zero Puppet. It has been out on a crucial mission, and I'm eager to hear the results.

My pulse quickens as I spot movement through the dusty window. There it is—emerging from the treeline, the Zero Puppet, its metal frame gleaming faintly in the faint light.

It moves with precision, every step calculated and silent, as it makes its way toward me. I step outside, standing beneath the gnarled branches of an old tree, its roots tangled in the earth, waiting for the puppet to deliver its report.

When the Zero Puppet finally reaches me, it begins to explain in its monotone, mechanical voice. As I listen to its report, a bright smile spreads across my face. Success. The mission was a success.

The puppet had scouted the area and confirmed what I had hoped—there were no Peak Wizards anywhere in this vicinity. That meant I was free to leave, and with no high-level threats nearby, I could do so swiftly and without drawing attention.

Satisfied, I make the decision to use the aircraft to make my escape. But first, I need to take care of the Zero Puppet. Without wasting any time, I carefully remove the mana stones from its core, watching as the light in its eyes dims.

The puppet deactivates instantly, its limbs going limp as it becomes nothing more than an inanimate object. I lift the now lifeless puppet and store it within the system space, its mission complete for now.

With that task done, I pull out the special aircraft from my storage bracelet. A soft hum fills the air as the sleek, medium-sized craft materializes before me, its dark metal gleaming in the low light.

The sight of it makes my eyes gleam with satisfaction. I don't have time to waste here—there's no telling how long this calm will last, and I need to make my move before any unexpected danger arises.

I approach the aircraft, my hand reaching out to open the cockpit cover, but before I can fully lift it, something happens. The system in my mind flares to life, sending a jolt of alarm through me.

[Ding! Warning]

[A hostile wizard is nearby]

The mechanical voice resonates in my head, cold and emotionless, but the message sends a chill down my spine. I freeze for a split second, heart pounding in my chest.

"A hostile wizard?" Shock surges through me. This wasn't supposed to happen. The puppet had been thorough—hadn't it removed everyone? There wasn't supposed to be anyone nearby, especially not a hostile wizard.

Who could be coming at this moment, right when I'm about to leave? My mind races as I scan the surroundings, every sense on high alert. I had been confident just moments ago, but now the situation has shifted dangerously.

I'm not out of danger yet.

...

From MC's Perspective:

The next second, without hesitation, I swiftly return the aircraft to my storage bracelet. My mind races as I realize how quickly the situation has changed. I decide there's no time to waste—I need to leave, and fast.

My feet carry me toward the thick cover of the woods, the tall trees offering me a temporary refuge. But just as I plunge into the forest, a voice rings out from behind me.

"Vincent Carey, here you are!"

The voice is unmistakable, filled with a mixture of relief and triumph. My heart stops for a split second, and a wave of dread crashes over me.

I didn't recognize that voice —it's unknown wizard. Her tone carries a strange blend of happiness, as though she's stumbled upon a long-lost treasure. But for me, this encounter feels like a nightmare.

Instead of feeling victorious, my heart sinks. "Who could be?" the assassin from Tolu Country, is here—and not by accident. She had come to inspect this area, likely on a mission of her own.

But it was sheer coincidence, a cruel twist of fate, that brought her to him—her actual target. No wonder the others were blind to this location. They were all following false leads, but Stacie? She's standing right here.

My thoughts swirl in confusion and panic. An unknown relentless killer, and now she's set her sights on me. I have no idea what she's been told or what intel she's working off, but the look in her eyes makes it clear: she's not here to ask questions. She's here to complete her mission, and that mission involves ending my life.

She must be wondering what I'm doing out here, why I'm hiding in such an isolated place. But I don't have time to dwell on what she knows or doesn't know. I need to escape. I can feel her eyes on me, the weight of her gaze heavy as I disappear deeper into the woods.

A cold smile spreads across her face, and then—laughter. Soft at first, but growing louder, echoing through the forest like a predator savoring the chase.

On the other hand, I'm in complete disarray. My mind is racing, trying to make sense of this sudden, unexpected encounter. "Who is this unknown wizard?" I didn't plan for this. My entire strategy was built on avoiding confrontation, and now here I am, with one of the most dangerous enemies on my trail.

I can't risk hiding in the Gregor Mansion. It's too exposed, too risky—especially with Stacie so close. There's no telling how far she'll go to track me down, and using the mansion would only buy me a little time. I need something better, something faster.

Without slowing down, I call on the System. I need to know exactly who I'm dealing with. In moments like this, information is more valuable than anything else. I focus, and the System responds, scanning the unknown wizard for her strength and abilities. The tension gnaws at me as I await the results, hoping for some advantage, some opening that will allow me to survive this encounter.