Gravity Mage with Level-Up System

She ignored the stares and reached for her communication device, contacting Vincent Carey, the person she’d been sent to retrieve.

The orders had come directly from the council elders, something that had both surprised and intrigued her.

After all, Vincent Carey is a newcomer, a recent enrollee at the True Elements Society. Typically, the upper echelons didn’t concern themselves with new recruits, especially not to the point of sending someone like her, an elder on a personal errand.

“Who is this kid?” she thought, her mind briefly wandering as she considered his potential connections. Maybe he came from an influential background. It wouldn’t be the first time someone had used family ties to get ahead.

Yet even with connections, the True Elements Society was ruthless. Only talent survived there.

The connection established, she didn’t waste time with pleasantries.

“Get down here. I’m waiting at the entrance,” she said, her tone firm and clipped.

She ended the call before Vincent had a chance to respond, her gaze shifting to the people around her. Curious glances were being cast her way, drawn by her commanding presence and striking appearance.

Some whispered to one another, no doubt wondering who she was and what she was doing in their quiet city. But the young woman ignored them, standing motionless at the entrance, her mind focused on the task at hand.

Whatever this Vincent Carey’s story was, she would soon find out.

…

From MC’s Perspective:

On the other hand, I jolted awake as the call abruptly ended. The words echoed in my mind, someone was already waiting outside.

Shaking off the lingering drowsiness, I hurriedly checked my belongings and made sure everything was in order before heading downstairs. The weight of the situation was beginning to settle in; I had no idea who was picking me up or what kind of reception awaited me.

After checking out of the hotel, I stepped through the lobby doors and walked toward the entrance. My eyes scanned the area, trying to spot anyone who might be there for me.

Almost immediately, I noticed a young woman standing at the entrance, her posture sharp and poised. She looked to be around my age, dressed in a sleek black military-style uniform that contrasted starkly with the casual flow of city pedestrians.

For a moment, I hesitated, my gaze drifting past her as I scanned the crowd again. Could she really be the one sent to pick me up? She seemed so young, almost too young for the important task of escorting me to the True Elements Society. I kept expecting someone else, someone more old, perhaps.

But as I drew closer, it became clear, there was no one else waiting for me except her. No other officials, no guards, no staff. Just this lone figure standing in front of the hotel.

For a second, confusion flickered in my mind. The voice on the phone had been female, but somehow, I hadn’t expected someone like her. Her presence was imposing, but she seemed barely older than me.

“Could she be my senior?” I muttered under my breath, considering the possibility. It wasn’t uncommon for senior students to handle certain tasks for the Society. If that was the case, she must be a highly skilled one. There was no other explanation for why they would send her alone.

Realizing I might have been underestimating her, I quickly increased my pace toward the entrance. My mind raced with questions, but one thing was clear: I was about to meet someone important, and I needed to be ready.

When I reached the entrance, I immediately noticed her gaze fixated on me, sharp and unwavering. Her dark eyes seemed to assess me in an instant, as if she were sizing me up.

I quickened my pace, closing the distance between us, and greeted her with a polite smile, trying to mask the slight unease I felt.

Just as I was about to introduce myself, a sudden ding echoed in my mind.

[Ding! Warning]

[Magic Artifact is being used.]

A mechanical voice filled my head, and for a split second, my heart skipped a beat. My muscles tensed involuntarily, but I forced myself to remain calm. The alert was a shock, but I knew better than to react visibly. Whoever this woman was, she was using magic to check me out.

“Hi, I’m Vincent Carey,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady and casual, even though my mind raced with questions. Why was she scanning me? What was she looking for?

The woman didn’t miss a beat. “I’m Darcie Lynch, one of the elders in the True Elements Society,” she replied, her voice firm and direct. “Now follow me, it’s getting late.”

An elder? My eyes widened for a split second. Despite her youthful appearance, Darcie held a high-ranking position in the Society. I hadn’t expected someone with such authority to come in person, and it made me wonder just how serious this meeting was. Discover exclusive content at empire

Meanwhile, Darcie’s mind was already on another matter. Before arriving, she had reviewed his profile—name, photo, and basic information, all provided by the Society’s database. She’d seen his face before, but she wasn’t one to take chances.

A moment ago, without any visible movement, she had silently activated a magic artifact, a subtle tool designed to detect illusion or disguise magic.

It was a precaution. The True Elements Society had enemies, and they could never be too careful. But the results were clean, there was no magic concealing my true identity.

Satisfied that I wasn’t hiding anything, she seemed to relax slightly, though her expression remained stern.

As we stood there, I couldn’t help but feel that I was being tested in ways I didn’t fully understand yet. She’d confirmed who I was, but there was still an air of suspicion around her.

“Right,” I nodded, quickly falling into step behind her. My mind churned with thoughts. What exactly was she expecting from me? And why had they sent someone of her caliber just to pick me up?