A Mind-Bending Way to Level Up

The week-long vacation passed in the blink of an eye.

When the morning light of the eighth day pierced Silver Oak City's somewhat gray sky, Xia Lin and the others were already standing in the Commercial District north of the city, preparing their final supplies before departure. The chill of late autumn had arrived earlier than expected.

The oak leaves lining both sides of the street had turned a mix of gold and dark red. Whenever the morning wind blew, great swaths of fallen leaves spiraled down, carpeting the stone road.

The vendors had all wrapped themselves in thick wool coats, their breath condensing into white mist in the air.

Standing at the entrance of the small building, Xia Lin yawned as he watched Kade place the last supply pack into the Space Bag.

"Let's confirm it one more time." Kade took out a list. "Rations, water skins, rope, flint, medical kits..."

"My spell materials and scrolls have all been replenished." Leaning against the doorframe, Sera held a thick tome in her arms. Her familiar, Little Shadow, was crouched by her feet, curiously poking a small pouch full of alchemical powder with the tip of its tail. "Also, I bought some desiccant, in case some idiot gets the map wet again."

Pretending not to hear the latter half, Xia Lin walked over to the supplies and began taking inventory.

Besides the usual food, fresh water, arrows, and healing potions, they had also bought an extra batch of winter supplies.

Wool undershirts, leather gloves, thick traveling boots, windproof cloaks... everyone had acquired a full set of winter gear. Celia had also insisted on buying each of them a scarf, on the grounds that "the neck catches cold most easily."

"These should be enough." After checking the last bag of charcoal, Xia