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Chapter 86: Circuits and Stabilization Techniques
Chapter 86: Circuits and Stabilization Techniques
By afternoon, Luo En arrived punctually at the seventh classroom on the eastern side of the third floor.
Pushing the door open, he found over a dozen apprentices already seated inside. Most wore the gray robes of Elementary Apprentices, though a few sported the deep blue uniforms of Intermediate Apprentices.
He chose a rear seat and scanned the room, noting the varied expressions around him—some tense, others expectant, and a few utterly blank. A hushed conversation rippled through the front rows, discussing the course’s difficulty and past pass rates.
"I heard the evaluations are brutal", whispered a long-haired apprentice. "Only about thirty percent make it through each session."
"That’s actually high", replied his neighbor. "I failed last session’s Spiritual Energy Stabilization Technique course. Had to re-enroll and burn another twenty-five Mana Shard Fragments."
Suddenly, the front door swung open, silencing all chatter.
The figure entering wasn’t the Full Mage Luo En had anticipated, but a young man in his twenties, clad in the deep gray robes with purple trim distinctive of a High Apprentice.
Stepping to the podium, the young man swept the room with his gaze. "I’m Eric, Mentor Viktor’s assistant and your instructor for this Mana Circuit Optimization course."
Luo En’s brow twitched. He hadn’t expected a Paid Course to be taught by a High Apprentice. Yet the room showed no surprise—this seemed normal to them.
As if sensing his skepticism, Eric’s lips curled into a faint smirk. "Perhaps some newcomers misunderstand our system. Rest assured, my rank as High Apprentice is more than sufficient to teach most of you—many of whom haven’t even reached Intermediate Apprentice."
His condescension prickled Luo En, but the surrounding apprentices accepted it with weary indifference, as if such arrogance was routine.
"The course spans three sessions, each one month", Eric continued. "Each ends with an evaluation. Pass, and you advance to the next phase. Complete all three, and you earn entry to Mentor Viktor’s advanced class. Alternatively, you may pay Mana Shard Fragments for direct mentorship."
Luo En mentally noted the details. He’d assumed his tuition guaranteed Full Mage instruction. Now, it seemed he’d merely bought a chance to approach one.
"Worth mentioning", Eric added, "weekly tests allow top performers to skip sessions, accelerating their progress. And each day’s lesson includes thirty minutes of foundational theory, followed by thirty minutes of advanced practice. Exceptional apprentices may also receive post-class consultation privileges."
This stirred Luo En. The School’s system clearly favored talent—excellence meant faster advancement and more guidance. Mediocrity, however, meant repeated fees and stagnation in basics.
"No more preamble. Let’s begin."
Eric raised his hands. The mana crystal lamps dimmed, leaving only the podium’s light to cast his silhouette onto the wall—a giant shadow looming over the room.
"Mana circuits are the foundation of spellcraft, akin to human blood vessels", he started. "All are born with closed or semi-closed circuits. The Basic Meditation Manual opens them, but optimizing their flow efficiency is today’s focus."
With a flick of his fingers, a three-dimensional human silhouette materialized, laced with blue energy lines forming a complex network.
"This", he pointed to junctions where the lines intersected, "shows key nodes—critical for mana flow, and where blockages most commonly occur."
Luo En scribbled notes, impressed. Eric’s explanations, while foundational, were remarkably lucid—far clearer than his own self-study.
Midway, the advanced section began. Eric demonstrated a breathing technique to enhance mana circulation, inviting a few apprentices to practice.
"I need a volunteer." His gaze swept the room, settling on Luo En. "You, the gray-robed one at the back. Try it."
Surprised but composed, Luo En stepped forward.
"Follow my method", Eric instructed, his tone sharpening at Luo En’s unfamiliar face. "Focus on sensing your mana flow. If you fail, step down quickly—time isn’t infinite."
Closing his eyes, Luo En adjusted his breath. Thanks to his Intermediate Apprentice spiritual energy and multiple profession buffs, he quickly sensed the mana channels—streams converging and diverging within his meridians.
He detected sluggishness at certain nodes—the "blockages" Eric mentioned. Concentrating, he visualized mana as rushing water breaking through dams.
Seconds later, the obstruction eased, and mana flowed freely.
【Spell Construction (Entry-Level) Experience Points +1】
"Excellent", Eric interrupted, his tone laced with surprise. "Your reaction and grasp speed are impressive for a first attempt."
Returning to his seat, Luo En noticed shifting glances from peers—shock, envy, and veiled jealousy.
The remaining lesson covered basic optimization techniques, all of which Luo En recorded meticulously. By class’s end, his Spell Construction skill had gained several experience points—an efficiency far surpassing solo practice.
"Paid Courses are worth every shard", he mused. "I must seize this chance to accelerate my growth."
As he rose for his next class, Eric motioned him to stay.
"Lao apprentice?" The High Apprentice’s tone softened. "Your performance today was outstanding—your mana perception exceeds typical Elementary Apprentices."
"Thank you, Lord Eric", Luo En replied humbly. "I simply have a keen interest in Mana Circuit Optimization."
Eric nodded. "Maintain this pace, and I’ll consider letting you skip to Phase Two via next week’s special test. Pass, and you bypass Phase One entirely."
Luo En bowed eagerly.
"By the way", Eric added thoughtfully, "I once taught a fellow from Falu Ke Kingdom—Cui Xi. Her progress was remarkable, mastering the entire Phase One content in half a session to earn Mentor Viktor’s recognition."
"Cui Xi…" Luo En feigned recollection. "Ah, yes! I’ve heard of her. I believe she’s now apprenticed to Kelinnamage."
"Correct", Eric’s eyes glimmered. "One of my most gifted students—surpassing even Holt in talent."
He paused. "Holt too was extraordinary. He completed all of Mentor Viktor’s trials in under two years. Yet even his achievements paled beside Cui Xi’s."
Luo En felt an odd pressure. Learning that both Holt and Cui Xi—acquaintances he admired—had once been his "seniors" here, each blazing their own trails.
After parting ways with Eric, Luo En headed to the Northern Side’s Third Classroom on the Fifth Floor.
Exiting, he noticed several apprentices lingering in the hallway, their robes scorched and faces weary—evidence of recent peril.
"Karl took another Edge Forest contract?" a female apprentice murmured. "That’s his third. Last time, he nearly died."
"No choice", another replied. "Rent’s due in two weeks for the Tower District. Without contracts, we’d be sleeping on the streets."
The woman glanced at Luo En’s retreating figure, her expression a mix of admiration and wry resignation.
"Another rising star", she sighed, her voice tinged with envy. "Like Holt back then… like Cui Xi last year. Smooth sailing all the way."
Her companion exhaled. "Focus on next week’s mission. Those Dead Forest vipers won’t spare you pity, no matter how bitter you feel."
(End of Chapter)
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