Hal inhaled deeply and slowly, then exhaled in the same measured manner a moment later.
He had already repeated this simple action countless times over the past few hours, and his mana had grown by three full points, now sitting at 14/14.
Hal knew that this kind of progress would've been considered very slow for a regular wizard.
However, with the help of the Joker System, that increase of three Chaos Karma was equivalent to three more [Sparkblasts].
It was anything but meager progress for Hal.
Even so, his brain was throbbing, and he needed to rest for a few minutes before continuing his meditation.
He decided to use the break to resume his thoughts about Chaos Points.
From what he could discern based on his past two experiences earning them, there was one common thread: a chaotic situation.
But that was all Hal could come up with, despite squeezing his brain dry trying to figure it out.
'So…basically, I have to cause chaos to earn Chaos Points?'
That made sense…
However, what didn't make sense was why would he earn 5 points for saving someone.
Wasn't it the suicidal young woman who was causing chaos?
'Aaaargh…so confused…'
Hal lay down on the wooden floor of the meditation room, planning to rest and take a nap.
It was then that inspiration struck hard.
'Oh? Maybe I just have to somehow get involved in chaotic situations?" he wondered. "But what exactly would earn me points?'
Hal couldn't really think of the exact answer, but he at least knew where to start.
'I'll do some rounds in the academy whenever possible…'
He had to be proactive if he wanted to earn more Chaos Points, and walking around the vast academy campus would at least give him a chance to encounter situations where he could earn them.
And so, after another hour of training that increased his maximum Chaos Karma by one more point, Hal left the Mana Meditation Hall and took a nice, chill walk around the Grand Magic Academy's campus.
He hadn't really had the chance to tour the vast grounds before, so it was also an opportunity for an inexperienced young man like him to expand his horizons.
As he walked, Hal couldn't help but admire the wide red-brick pathways lined with flowers and trees, appreciating the walkway until his attention was captured by the next few buildings he passed.
Most of them were merely offices and wizard training facilities for low-tier students like him.
Yet they were as colossal as mountains, and the white spires reaching toward the sky gave the buildings a mystical vibe—one that seemed to connect mere mortals to the arcane and the divine.
Unfortunately, Hal's timing couldn't have been worse, and he also realized it.
Classes were ongoing, so very few students could be seen walking around the campus.
Nothing was really happening.
Despite his reputation as a low-mana trash who pulled a home-decoration artifact, that notoriety was mostly limited to students from his own batch, so most others he passed by didn't really recognize him.
Arriving near the center of the academy grounds, where the buildings were even more majestic, Hal decided to turn back.
There was no point in wasting time like this.
Besides, he was getting hungry.
Hal decided to head to the academy canteen for now, which was just a few minutes from where he currently was, to grab something to eat.
As expected, it was vast, and there was a huge selection of food to choose from.
The problem was that most of the delicious-looking dishes cost real money.
Only a few options, like the bland porridge, hard bread, and water, were free of charge.
Hal was no stranger to commoner food, though.
The free set meal he ordered wasn't too hard for him to swallow.
However, as he dined at one of the free tables, Hal pondered about his future meals.
It sucked that his mother would have to make do with the same old sweet potato, commonroot tea, and the occasional eggs for a while, but Hal was determined to change her living conditions little by little.
At least now, he had a chance.
But to make that happen, he had to prioritize his own meals.
Apparently, consuming the meat of arcane beasts and certain herbs nourished the body, improving physical performance while also providing a slight boost to arcane studies and mana development.
Hal had to secure such meals if he wanted to eventually earn enough to support a city life for his mother.
Basically, if he wanted to become a powerful wizard, he had to eat like one.
Though, of course, the Joker System would play a much larger role than nutrition would.
That said, he couldn't neglect it either.
The problem was money.
He had to find a way to earn funds on his own because clearly, the academy wasn't about to nurture a low-mana trash like him, at least not until he proved himself.
'No rush…' he mused.
After eating, Hal decided to check the Mission Hall out.
Perhaps that was a good start to earn some academy credits and some much-needed money.
'Hmm… earn Chaos Points, earn money, and find a way to prove myself to the academy…' Hal pondered as he left his tray at the appropriate station and headed toward the vast canteen's exit.
However, before he could leave, students began pouring in.
It was lunchtime.
Since he couldn't pass through, Hal had to wait for the entering wave to run out.
It was then that somebody recognized him.
"Oh? Look, it's the one-percent affinity, Clown Box student! Hahahaha! I'm impressed that you still dare to show your face in public, brother. You have my respect. I'm Agon Burner, nice to meet you." a red-haired young man with rather average facial features and three stars on his academy uniform suddenly exclaimed, offering a handshake to Hal and capturing the attention of a sizable crowd.
From appearance and disposition alone, Agon couldn't be farther from the word bright.
He was clearly a showoff who didn't think about the consequences of his actions much before acting.
Hal only narrowed his eyes at the bastard in response, ultimately deciding to ignore the idiot.
Violence wasn't allowed in the academy anyway, and engaging in verbal warfare wouldn't really favor a one-star student like him.
He simply passed Agon by and headed toward the exit.
As a result, the red-haired youngster was left hanging, looking slightly stupid in the eyes of the public.
Embarrassed, the three-star student's smile froze.
He grabbed Hal's shoulder and forced him to turn around.
The idiot's friends then stepped in, cornering Hal to prevent him from leaving.
"Yo… bit rude, aren't we?"