naaapseattle Chapter 776 - 730: Elemental Course Assessment (Part 2)
Chapter 776 - 730: Elemental Course Assessment (Part 2)
Duke needs to choose a safe direction.
Earth Element.
In the Black Sail registration information, he is an Earth Element Mage.
Even if he performs slightly better, it would be reasonable and wouldn’t arouse too much suspicion.
As for the magic model...
He raised his eyes to look at the center of the stone platform, where a palm-sized crystal ball was placed, sealed within it a flickering light, which was the assessment magic model prepared by Aetherlyn.
Duke reached out to touch the crystal ball.
In an instant, a stream of information surged into his mind.
Magic name: Elemental Prism Shield
Spell level: Level 1
Attribute: No fixed attribute (can be converted to a corresponding attribute shield based on the caster’s choice of elemental energy)
Description: This is a very special magic model. Its core structure does not rely on any specific element but constructs an empty energy framework, a polyhedral structure like a prism. During the construction process, the caster needs to continuously inject their chosen elemental energy into the framework, eventually solidifying it into an elemental shield with corresponding attribute characteristics.
Duke naturally chose to use Earth Attribute energy.
He opened his eyes and began to act.
First, he picked up a blank crystal stone from the stone platform, holding it in the palm of his left hand.
Then he began to sketch the initial energy circuits in the sea of consciousness based on the model in his memory.
Meanwhile, his spiritual power extended outward, capturing the wandering Earth Element particles in the surrounding environment.
The characteristics of the Earth Element are weighty, stable, and slow.
Unlike fire, which is active, or wind, which is light, or light, which is swift.
They are just there, deep in the earth, within the rocks, present in every grain of dust, quietly waiting to be summoned.
The moment Duke’s spiritual power touched those particles, he felt an almost congenial resonance.
This ability was brought to him by his High-Level Earth Element Affinity Talent.
Those earth-colored particles began to converge towards him, continuously pouring into the crystal stone he held under the guidance of his spiritual power.
The light inside the crystal stone began to change.
From initial transparency, it gradually dyed with a faint earthy yellow, becoming more and more intense, luminous.
A quarter of an hour later, the bottom of the crystal stone had accumulated a layer of visible earthy yellow halo.
Duke opened his eyes and glanced at the state of the crystal stone.
Only less than a tenth has been absorbed.
This crystal stone’s capacity is much larger than he imagined.
But it doesn’t matter, he still has three hours.
Duke continued.
Time ticked by.
The grassland was extremely quiet, only the sound of the breeze rustling against the blades of grass.
Occasionally, a deep hum came from afar, perhaps from some examinee constructing a magic model.
Half an hour later, the first crystal stone was nearly saturated.
The earthy yellow light seemed almost ready to overflow from within the crystal stone, making it look like a solidified amber, warm and weighty.
Duke placed it in the tray marked with the earth symbol, and then casually took the second blank crystal stone.
The moment he held the second crystal stone in his left hand, he began to try absorbing while genuinely starting to construct the magic model.
Duke meticulously sketched those circuits in his sea of consciousness and maintained the absorption with his left hand.
By the time the second crystal stone was half absorbed, he finally completed the first layer of the magic model construction, which is the foundation of the entire magic and the most challenging part.
Third crystal stone, fourth crystal stone...
When the fifth crystal stone was holding in his hand, the magic model in his mind was already two-thirds complete.
This process might be somewhat burdensome for other wizards, but for Duke, it was as easy as drinking water; his actions remained steady.
He glanced at the time, only two hours had passed.
One hour left.
He decided to absorb two more stones.
Sixth crystal stone.
Seventh crystal stone.
When the seventh crystal stone was approaching saturation, the magic model in his mind was finally fully formed.
...
Three hours passed faster than expected, focused as he was.
When the invisible chimes sounded over the grassland, Duke had just placed the seventh crystal stone into the tray.
He raised his head, witnessing the vast starlit sky slowly rotating, with a gentle light descending, landing on the stone platform before him.
That was the signal for the end of the assessment.
Duke stood up, stretched his slightly stiff neck, took one last look at the seven crystal stones emitting a warm earthy yellow glow, and turned towards the exit.
As he pushed open the door, he returned to the circular great hall.
The surrounding walls, those numbered doors were gradually opening, and the examinees were coming out one by one.
Some had relaxed expressions, some had furrowed brows, some looked pale as if they had experienced a severe illness, while others walked swiftly with heads down and without a word.
Duke followed the crowd through the main entrance of the hall, heading to a small adiacent hall.
It was an annex building close to the great hall, probably used usually for rest or waiting.
At this moment, it had been arranged as a temporary gathering point, with several rows of long benches around, and a small podium at the front, behind which hung a large Alchemy Wall, still blank.
Students entered in groups, casually finding seats.
The small hall gradually became lively.
"How many did you absorb?" someone asked in a low voice.
"One... almost got saturated, barely caught up during the last moments." The respondent had a tone of relief after surviving.
"One is pretty good. The person next to me didn’t even fill one, their face was green when they came out."
"What about the magic model? Did it work?"
"It worked, almost collapsed... my hand was shaking during those last seconds."
Similar conversations echoed around.
Duke found a seat near the edge, his gaze calmly sweeping across the room.
The people from the Golden Continent were still gathered together, occupying the best rows in the center of the small hall.
Those from Blood Rose were huddled together whispering, with the familiar, confident smiles on their faces.
Cecilia sat among the Star Tower crowd, holding an unknown booklet, quietly flipping through pages.
Duke saw Vera sitting by the window, her white magic robe scattering gentle hues in the afternoon sun, her face revealing no emotion.
Edmond sat beside her, leaning over to talk, Vera only nodded slightly, without a word.
Further in the corner, Morris sat alone, half of his body hid in shadow, as if separated from the entire space by an invisible membrane.
Lis was there too, sitting at the edge of the West Coast group, some distance from Vera and others, fiddling quietly with her badge, occasionally looking up.
Duke withdrew his gaze and sat quietly.
"Did you hear?" Nearby, a young man in a Star Tower robe whispered with a companion, "Someone absorbed four stones over there."
"Four stones?" the companion gasped, "Who?"
"Not sure, I’ve heard it too. Seems to be someone from the East Coast."
"Four stones... and constructing a magic model at the same time... Is that even human?"
As their conversation ended, another voice joined.
"What’s four stones?" a young warlock in Blood Rose uniform appeared nearby, with that characteristic superior smile, "If Lord Audric were here, it would be at least five stones."
The two from Star Tower’s expressions changed slightly but they didn’t respond.
The Blood Rose warlock seemed satisfied with the effect, patted his robe, and swaggered away.
Duke witnessed this scene without speaking.
Similar conversations were occurring all over the hall.
People were boasting, probing, inquiring about other people’s results, and worrying about their performances.
Suddenly, a small commotion came from the entrance.
Adrian walked in.
His red and sea-blue intertwined magic robe was particularly striking in the crowd.
With composed strides, his customary, faint smile appeared on his face, as if the three-hour assessment was merely a leisurely stroll for him.