Chapter 114: Chaos Cube - Skipping Ranks

Chapter 114: Chaos Cube - Skipping Ranks

What terrified him even more was that when he tried focusing his attention, some stars seemed to sense his awareness and began slowly drifting toward him.

For a fleeting moment, Luo En thought he saw the eyes of some colossal creature staring at him from the depths of the cosmos.

"Damn!" He violently snapped out of his meditation state, his shirt already soaked with cold sweat.

His breath came in ragged gasps, his heart pounding like war drums. He felt as though he'd just awoken from a nightmare.

"Is this...spirit corruption already at this level?" Trembling, he grabbed his pocket watch and rechecked his status.

Sure enough, accumulated spirit pollution had reached medium levels - a dangerous threshold.

According to the research he'd done recently, medium spirit pollution could cause hallucinations, disrupt sleep quality, and even impair daily judgment. If left unchecked until reaching severe levels, madness and mutations wouldn't be far behind.

Luo En immediately activated the "Reset" function on his pocket watch. A cooling sensation spread from the contact point through his entire body, gradually purging the corruption embedded deep within his spirit.

[Successfully Reset Negative Status: Medium Spirit Pollution, Mana Cost - 6]

Six mana points...this was the most mana he'd ever spent using his pocket watch.

A heavy feeling settled in Luo En's chest, accompanied by instinctive unease.

Logically speaking, this level of spirit pollution should only be an issue for High Apprentices. One major reason High Apprentices volunteered as course assistants was specifically to obtain "Boons" for purifying their spirit pollution.

"Is this happening because I'm cultivating too quickly?" Luo En pondered. "Or could it be lingering effects from those two 'Special Inspirations'?"

A more terrifying possibility surfaced in his mind, but the thought was so horrifying he dared not dwell on it.

"No matter what, I must find a better solution", Luo En muttered, staring at his pocket watch with renewed determination to upgrade it.

While his current pocket watch was powerful, its mana capacity was limited. If spirit pollution continued accumulating at this rate, it would eventually exceed the device's cleansing capabilities.

"Once Andie and I ascend to Bloodline Knight status, combining various spell enhancements should make us capable of challenging even High Apprentices. Then I'll definitely return to explore Lizard Alley."

Luo En silently resolved: "Perhaps through that Goblin-Half-Beast mercenary squad, or even the mysterious crone's faction, I might uncover clues about the pocket watch's origins."

After steadying his emotions, Luo En began preparing for today's weekly assessment.

This was both his promise to Ai Li Ke and Li Ya, and a crucial step toward advancing his ascension course rank.

He quickly freshened up, donned a clean, neatly-pressed robe, and secured his mana shard fragment pouch at his waist to ensure he looked sharp and spirited.

Before leaving, he cast one last glance at his notes titled The Murmuring of the Star Devourer on the workbench, his expression flickering with complex emotions.

Though this meditation technique had brought numerous troubles, it undeniably accelerated his spiritual energy growth.

This contradiction left him torn, but passing today's weekly assessment remained his immediate priority.

"Ai Lan, I'm heading to the weekly assessment. The workshop's in your hands."

He addressed the tree spirit who was organizing herbs in the corner.

Ai Lan's leaves rustled gently, forming characters in midair: "Wishing you luck, Master."

Nodding with a faint smile, Luo En stepped out of the workshop toward the Academic District.

The early morning air in Black Mist Jungle was damp yet refreshing. He inhaled deeply, calming his thoughts.

Today was important - he needed to give his all, refusing to let spirit pollution's shadow affect his performance.

Passing through a shadowy forested area, the Academic District's silhouette gradually emerged.

The ancient stone tower stood solemn in the morning light, where countless mages had begun their extraordinary journeys, and where just as many had fallen, never reaching their destinations.

The district's grand hall bustled with apprentices of various ranks, scrolls and books in hand, rushing about.

Following the signs, Luo En located the third-floor classroom designated for the weekly assessment.

Pushing open the door, he found Ai Li Ke already waiting inside, organizing some documents on the desk.

Several other apprentices were present too, apparently also here for the assessment.

"Oh, Luo En." Ai Li Ke looked up and greeted him with a smile. "You arrived early. Seems you're taking this test seriously."

"Of course, Lord Eric." Luo En respectfully replied. "This is an important step toward advancing my studies. I've prepared thoroughly."

Ai Li Ke nodded, gesturing for him to take a seat in the front row.

Luo En scanned the room, recognizing several classmates from previous lessons. Some looked confident while others appeared visibly nervous.

"Today's weekly assessment will cover both 'Mana Circuit Optimization' and 'Spiritual Energy Stability Techniques'."

When the designated time arrived, Ai Li Ke began announcing the exam rules:

"As foundational courses for apprentices that interconnect conceptually, we've combined them into a single-day assessment to save everyone travel time."

He continued explaining: "First will be the theoretical test, followed by practical application. Each section accounts for half the total score. Both must be passed to advance."

Li Ya entered through the side door carrying a stack of scrolls.

She nodded to the assembled apprentices before distributing the papers. "Please remain silent and answer carefully. You have one hour."

Luo En accepted his scroll and quickly skimmed through it.

The content covered basic mana circuit theory, core spiritual energy stabilization techniques, and analytical questions connecting both subjects.

For ordinary apprentices, these questions would undoubtedly pose significant challenges. But for Luo En, who had already mastered both skills to proficient level, they seemed relatively straightforward.

He picked up his writing brush and began answering, the tip gliding smoothly across the paper without hesitation.

Concepts that once required careful thought had now become instinctive understanding woven into his thinking patterns.

The final theoretical question proved particularly complex, requiring analysis of maintaining mana circuit stability in high-pressure environments.

This required integrating the core knowledge from two courses while incorporating personal practical insights.

Luo En pondered briefly before picking up his pen and writing:

"Mana Circuits tend to destabilize under high-pressure Environments, primarily due to spirit waves causing uncontrolled mana loss. The solution involves creating a 'buffer ring'—forming a secondary mana flow around the main circuit..."

He detailed several techniques he'd discovered during spell construction practice—insights absent from conventional textbooks, refined through his own experimentation.

Half an hour later, Luo En had completed all questions, becoming the first student to submit his exam.

Li Ya accepted his paper, flipped through several pages, and briefly showed surprise before regaining her composure.

After the theoretical test came the practical session.

Students were led to a special laboratory filled with various testing apparatuses.

"The practical test has three components", Ai Li Ke announced.

"Mana Circuit construction, spiritual energy stabilization, and comprehensive application of both. Each student will test sequentially—please wait in the designated area until called."

When Luo En's turn arrived, he approached the testing platform facing a complex crystal apparatus—the instrument specifically designed to evaluate mana circuit construction.

"Attempt to construct a triple-layered ring-shaped mana circuit within this crystal and maintain stability for at least thirty seconds", Ai Li Ke instructed.

For most students, this was an extremely challenging task.

The triple-ring structure required precise control of three distinct mana frequencies—any misstep could collapse the entire formation.

But Luo En had already mastered far more complex configurations during morning practice.

He extended both hands effortlessly, channeling spiritual energy into the crystal.

With the "Stable State" trait enhancing his abilities, his mana control had become sharper than ever.

Three perfect mana rings quickly formed within the crystal, intersecting at precise angles to create a harmonious whole.

Mana flowed smoothly through the rings with almost no fluctuations.

Ai Li Ke and Li Ya exchanged glances, clearly surprised by Luo En's performance.

Thirty seconds passed, and Luo En's formation remained rock-solid without any sign of decay.

"Excellent work", Ai Li Ke signaled him to stop. "Next is the spiritual energy stabilization test."

Li Ya placed a black cube before him.

"This alchemy item—the Chaos Cube—will continuously emit interference waves to disrupt your spiritual energy. Under this disturbance, you must guide this small sphere along a designated trajectory."

She pointed to a floating metal ball. "The path is already marked. You have thirty seconds."

Luo En nodded, focusing his attention.

As the test began, the black cube emitted chaotic energy fluctuations—like a thousand whispers in his mind attempting to distract him.

In the past, such interference might have thrown his spiritual energy control into disarray.

But now, with his trait-enhanced abilities, his mastery over spirit fields within specific ranges had reached new heights.

Rather than resisting the disturbances, he now wove them into his spiritual flow, precisely filtering out the chaotic mana to retain only what was useful.

The sphere began moving along the predetermined path—smooth and precise.

Even under the strongest interference waves, its trajectory never wavered.

Thirty seconds later, the test concluded.

Li Ya deactivated the Chaos Cube, her surprise evident.

"Truly impressive, Luo En. Your spiritual energy control has essentially reached Intermediate Apprentice level. Many Enforcement Team Intermediate Apprentices might not match you."

"The final test", Ai Li Ke continued.

"Comprehensive application—construct a mana circuit while performing a basic elemental operation, all while resisting external disturbances."

This was the most challenging segment, requiring simultaneous application of all learned techniques.

Luo En inhaled deeply, beginning to form internal mana circuits.

Meanwhile, the Chaos Cube reactivated, bombarding him with even stronger interference waves.

Under this pressure, he remained calm.

His internal mana circuits operated like precision gears, while an external spirit barrier deflected most disturbances.

When preparations completed, Luo En raised his hand, his fingertips glowing with light.

A simple light element application—but under these complex conditions, it tested the caster's comprehensive abilities.

The glow remained steady and bright without flickering, proving his near-perfect mana control.

After the test, Ai Li Ke and Li Ya exchanged glances before pulling Luo En aside.

"Your performance exceeded our expectations", Ai Li Ke said quietly.

"To be honest, your current level qualifies you to skip Phase Two entirely and proceed directly to Phase Three."

Li Ya nodded. "Indeed. Your spiritual energy control and mana circuit construction have reached levels matching many Intermediate Apprentices. Continuing foundational courses would be a waste of your potential."

Luo En showed mild surprise. "This... does it comply with School regulations?"

"Normally, we recommend completing each phase sequentially", Ai Li Ke explained.

"But for exceptional cases, we have authority to make exceptions."

He smiled. "Also, you've noticed our special guidance sessions recently? We've been evaluating your potential. Now we see our judgment was correct."

Li Ya added, "After Phase Three, outstanding students gain opportunities to study advanced techniques under Full Mage-level Mentors. With your innate talent and progress rate, this would be an excellent opportunity."

Luo En felt delighted—direct advancement meant faster access to higher knowledge, exactly what he desired.

"Thank you both for your guidance and trust", he said sincerely. "I'll cherish this opportunity and won't disappoint your expectations."

"Don't mention it", Ai Li Ke patted his shoulder.

"Students like you who demonstrate innate talent across multiple fields are extremely rare. We look forward to your future achievements."

As Luo En left the testing room, his heart felt unusually light.

"Skipping to Phase Three, then studying under a Full Mage..."

He mused inwardly, eyes gleaming with determination. "One step closer to true power."

Sunlight filtered through the sparse canopy of the Black Mist Jungle, casting dappled patterns on the ground.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end