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Chapter 36: Qualification Confirmation & Recommendation Letter
Chapter 36: Qualification Confirmation & Recommendation Letter
Luo En blinked in mild surprise. "How did you know—"
"Hehe... I've been stationed at this marketplace for many years", Madame Ellen interrupted, her tone laced with quiet amusement. "I'm thoroughly familiar with the School's procedures."
As she spoke, she retrieved a crystal vial from a locked drawer and handed it over.
Luo En accepted the vial, immediately recognizing it as the same one Holt had gifted him—containing Artificial Star Dew.
"Do you remember?" Madame Ellen's stern expression softened slightly, her emerald eyes showing something rare: a flicker of warmth. "I promised to temporarily hold onto this for you until you passed your apprentice qualification test. Now that you've achieved a breakthrough, it rightfully belongs to you again."
"I almost forgot about this agreement", Luo En admitted honestly. "Thank you for safeguarding it, madam."
"There's more." Madame Ellen pushed a sealed letter toward him, stamped with an ancient-looking seal. "Take this recommendation letter. Present it to the duty officer when applying for your initial resource allocation."
Luo En took the letter, studying the aged seal. "May I ask—"
"As an elementary apprentice", Madame Ellen explained patiently, "you're entitled to request one allocation of cultivation resources from the School. Normally, the quality and quantity depend on your potential rating."
Her eyes turned serious. "Judging by your initial aptitude assessment and the timing of your breakthrough, your rating might not be particularly high. This letter should help elevate your access level by one tier."
Warmth spread through Luo En's chest. He hadn't anticipated such consideration. "Madam... I truly don't know how to thank you."
"You sentimental brat", Madame Ellen snapped, her usual sharpness returning as she waved dismissively, "I just find you less insufferable than those arrogant know-it-alls. I'd hate to see you get trampled over in the School's bureaucracy."
Pocketing both the letter and the vial, Luo En hesitated, caught between words that felt inadequate. He was about to launch into a heartfelt speech when—
"Enough sentimentality! Get going before I change my mind", Madame Ellen barked, though her green eyes twinkled faintly. "And don't forget to show up for work tomorrow as scheduled!"
...
The School's Central Hall loomed on the outskirts of the Black Mist Jungle, an ancient yet majestic structure. Its towering spires glittered with embedded luminescent stones, casting soft illumination even on the darkest nights.
Approaching the entrance, Luo En felt a subtle tension coil in his gut. Though he'd confirmed his spiritual energy met the elementary apprentice standard, this would be his first official qualification test.
"Please don't end up like Luo Ke", he muttered, recalling the spectacle of his fellow candidate apprentice's assessment. Back then, nearly half the Dormitory Area had gathered to gawk at Luo Ke's spiritual energy display in the hall's central chamber.
Such attention had been uncomfortable enough, but in the Black Mist Jungle's dangerous environment, drawing crowds meant inviting risks. Ever cautious—especially after his clash with Ma Kusi—Luo En preferred remaining inconspicuous.
Today, however, the hall was relatively quiet. Most apprentices were preoccupied with experiments or external missions.
Relaxing slightly, Luo En made his way toward the secluded duty station in one corner. Several apprentices in gray-and-white uniforms handled paperwork there. After brief observation, he approached a woman who appeared both available and approachable.
"Good day, I'm here for my elementary apprentice qualification confirmation." His tone was politely neutral.
The woman—an intermediate apprentice marked by her light blue badge—glanced up. Her face showed signs of fatigue, but her voice remained professional. "Name?"
"Luo En·Lalf."
"Residence area?"
"Candidate Apprentice Dormitory Area, East Wing." Luo En kept his answers concise, avoiding unnecessary attention.
She nodded, flipping through a thick register. "Your name isn't on the School's predicted breakthrough list."
"I achieved my breakthrough in the Solitary Confinement Room", Luo En clarified.
Her pen paused mid-stroke. "That isolation chamber? It lacks any cultivation-enhancing conditions."
"Precisely why it helped me", Luo En replied vaguely. "The complete separation from external distractions allowed deeper meditation focus."
She studied him for a few seconds, then consulted her records again. Her interest visibly grew. "Luo En·Lalf... Here it is. Your initial spiritual aptitude test showed a Sixth Class Star, correct?"
Luo En's muscles tensed, though his expression remained calm. "That's accurate, ma'am."
"Sixth Class Star... arrived at Black Mist Jungle just nine months ago..." The woman's voice carried growing astonishment. "Achieving a breakthrough within the time limit with that aptitude is truly remarkable."
Closing the register, she stood. "Follow me. We'll conduct the formal spiritual energy assessment now."
Luo En exhaled quietly. At least he wouldn't be tested in front of a crowd this time.
She led him through a corridor to a small door marked with ancient runes. Inside, a chamber containing a smaller but familiar-looking crystal orb sat at the center, surrounded by intricate rune carvings.
"Place your hand on the orb and channel your spiritual energy", the duty officer instructed, her curiosity barely concealed beneath professional calm.
Luo En obeyed, gently resting his right hand on the orb. Closing his eyes, he began circulating his spiritual energy using his refined meditation technique.
The orb brightened, glowing with a soft radiance as crimson mist swirled within, forming a clear, stable symbol. Unlike the faint, unstable markings during his initial arrival, this symbol radiated steady intensity.
The duty officer's pupils contracted slightly. "Hardly any impurities in your spiritual energy fluctuations... Stability far beyond an average elementary apprentice. How did you manage this?"
(End of Chapter)
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