Eluard was unable to sleep that day. The dilemma of his mana not being so different from an archmage made him anxious.
'If this goes on, my mind will waver, and I won't be able to progress smoothly. Damn it…'
'System, can't you help me understand more of my magic root?'
[ Host, please do your best in unraveling the mysteries about your magic root. ]
'…'
After tossing around for a while, a sudden realization struck him.
[ Divine Nebular Magic Root (Divine) ]
[ A magic root that shares the mysteriousness and freshness of nebulas found in the universe. It is still in its infancy stage and requires tremendous effort to cultivate and develop over time. ]
[ Additional Effect (under Infancy Stage): Magical Nebular Transmutation ]
[ You can alter elemental natures to any other element without restriction ]
[ Formed Planets: 1 (Incomplete) ]
[ Formed Satellites: 0 ]
[ Augmented Magical Elements: Fire (Imbalance) ]
[ Heavenly Star Level: 1 (Infancy) ]
There was additional information displayed on his magic root.
'If mana is somewhat like water, then diluting it, or in this case, altering the mana's elemental nature would prove incredibly challenging to an archmage. But if it's me… Ahhh! It is useless to overthink things.'
He scratched his head, tossed a few times, forcibly closed his eyes, and miraculously put himself to sleep.
In the next few days, Eluard put all his focus into studying and reviewing the information he had received over the past weeks. Chief Lumina was very accommodating and direct, resulting in Eluard quickly finishing her customary lessons for the so-called 'wandering geniuses'.
He wondered why she didn't get practical with him, nor talk anything about his admission to a magic academy, 'Maybe it's Elder Flock who has the last call for that. I'll ask him later.'
Just as he left, he noticed Magister Urrell entering Chief Lumina's office again. Eluard wondered what his purpose was this time.
"Tomorrow is the day we will set off, but before that…"
Eluard opened his system panel and initiated a new task for his students who were at the academy. He did not feel the need to ask the system since it would just vaguely answer his inquiries.
[ Special Task: Ascension to the Tower ]
[ Your academy master has tasked you to enter the Tower of Ascension and complete as many levels until the tenth. Be wary as the Tower will exploit your weaknesses to an extent. ]
[ Time Limit: Until the academy master returns. ]
[ Reward: 10 Blue magic crystals per level completed ]
[ Note: As the saying goes, whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. ]
Jinmu read the special task while scribbling something on the paryus paper. It was a magic rune filled with bluish mana floating around it.
The magic pen was his reward for finishing the Special Task: Cold North a few weeks ago. By utilizing the 100 blue magic crystals, he was able to conduct various experiments about magic array formations and runic formations for his future use.
"A new task from the academy master? It's been a long while."
"Writing runic inscriptions has become a tedious matter. My current level in the domain mana synthesis is still in the beginning stage. I can only utilize it to an extent of shaping basic magic spells and some low-level activities. But it's not for naught. The amount of mental energy it requires for me to put all my focus in writing the runes has greatly expanded my capacity and further understanding about how to utilize mana around my surroundings."
"If this goes on, I might be able to increase my level in the domain mana synthesis, increasing the range that my magic will can reach mana upon, and the dynamicity of the shapes of magic spells and my magic control as well."
He closed the system panel and laid back on the comfortable chair, "I should still prepare, though. That previous special task was something far from our reach. To only act as a spectator on the sides isn't too good of a feeling coming from a student in this academy."
"It's just that this time limit is too vague.", Jinmu narrowed his eyes and was feeling a little weirded out. What did the system mean by when the academy master returns?
What if he returns now and they all failed? That shouldn't be the case, right?
[ … ], the system was speechless about Eluard's time limit duration as well. Who knew if he was plotting against his students?
Jinmu tidied everything up and went back to his room. The rest of the students also received the new special task, except for Solordo, and were preparing for their 'ascension' later.
"Alright, this should keep them busy while I'm out here.", Eluard said while also preparing for his trip tomorrow to the Morning Star Academy, "I wonder how good the students in the Morning Star Academy are. Their facilities, their staff, and other things, I should look out for it too."
Tomorrow came and Eluard went downstairs and met with Magister Urrell early in the morning. There was barely anyone in the Tower then, giving the entire party a breath of space.
Otherwise, seeing a magister in action would undoubtedly attract everyone's attention.
Eluard was astonished that at least 30 people were on this trip alone, 'Wasn't this just a visit? Shouldn't half of them be enough?'
Someone tapped him on his shoulder, waking him out of his daze.
"Kai, what are you spacing about in there so early in the morning?", Magister Urrell called out, "Come, follow me into the horse carriage."
"There's no briefing?", Eluard was confused.
"Everyone is already briefed about this assessment schedule.", Magister Urrell entered a large wooden horse carriage. He held the door and stared at Eluard, "As for you, follow behind me and observe everything."
Four horses shared the trouble of pushing it, making Eluard wonder how heavy this carriage was.
Everyone got on board and departed to the city proper.
…
Eluard frowned while slightly massaging his temples, 'This is too bumpy! Why can't they pave the roads just like how the elves did it?!'
For some reason, the road from the Tower of Supraxo Merrio, and eastward to the city proper of the Morning Star City was underdeveloped.
Eluard could not fathom finding a reasonable explanation for this peculiar situation, but he didn't dare question the League, or rather, the Tower Master assigned in this area about that matter.
Magister Urrell had long realized his discomfort, but he didn't say anything about it, 'If you want to blame someone, blame auntie.'
He kept his attention on the small book he was reading.
Eluard became uninterested and started looking out the window to slightly relieve himself.
Looking at the vast clusters of concrete buildings standing far, he couldn't help but recall the megacities on Earth. What these buildings lacked was the neck-breaking heights exhibited by those skyscrapers and such.
In the northeast direction stood a huge castle under a small mountain. Its unusual grand display interested Eluard, 'Must be where the royalty of this empire resides.'
The carriage continued its way and went past the gate and security check.
The inner part of the city was no different from Eluard's past world. Countless people roamed the streets either in high or low spirits.
Eluard's discomfort from earlier rapidly vanished as they finally rolled over the smooth bricked streets which could fit three carriages at once.
He quickly covered the window with a blue curtain, hiding his identity from the people whose attention was focused on their caravan.
Eluard's senses were suddenly alerted. He used his Eye of Veracity to see who dared to harbor evil intentions upon this caravan.
At the same time, Magister Urrell closed his book and glanced at the window beside him with an enigmatic smile, "The rats have come out.", muttering to himself.
Everything returned to normal, and after an hour, the caravan made its way to the eastern part of the Morning Star City where the academy was located.
"Remember to follow behind me and observe only.", Magister Urrell reminded as they went out of the carriage.
Eluard got out and saw an arch with the words, 'Morning Star Academy', placed evenly on it. The walls on the sides were 2.5 meters high and made of concrete mixed with magic array formations for further strengthening.
An entourage of twelve people welcomed their arrival. The person in the lead was none other than Emilia herself. She glared at Eluard and quickly returned to her normal expression, greeting Magister Urrell and the rest of the assessing party.
"Emilia welcomes Magister Urrell to the Morning Star Academy. I hope that you would be satisfied with your stay here."
Magister Urrell waved his hands and beckoned everyone to go inside.
"Magister Urrell, to where should we start with your assessment?", Emilia asked.
"We'll simultaneously start with your equipment and facilities, lessons and activities, and the student performances.", Magister Urrell replied.
"Understood.", Emilia bowed and started introducing the leading personnel in the academy, "Professor Brine and his colleagues here will lead us to the equipment and facilities. There were some recent changes to the faculties and staff here, so they may have to introduce themselves once again."
She pointed to a pensive middle-aged man whose eyebrows were creased. His somewhat old hands saluted Magister Urrell, revealing the tanned skin hidden by the dark-purplish magic robe.
Professor Brine bowed and introduced himself, "Good day, Magister Urrell. I'm Professor Brine and oversee the logistical affairs at the Morning Star Academy."
The rest of the personnel followed after Professor Brine.
After the short interlude, Magister Urrell divided the assessing party into many groups. His main group was tasked in looking out the latest research development in the Morning Star Academy.
Eluard followed them into the deeper parts of the academy while observing his surroundings. The area of the Morning Star Academy looked boundless. He guessed that it was larger than some prestigious universities back on Earth.
On the sides were flower beds and trees for the students to gather and rest. Several gardeners tended to the flowers' and plants' well-being, making the spacious area livelier.
The ground was paved with seamless concrete blocks and were pleasing to the eyes. The concrete paths led to various buildings, small and large, that populated the academy.
The facilities ranged from simple magic classrooms where lectures were done, to some training rooms for different types of magic and scale of battle, storage rooms for equipment and materials, canteens that provided meals and snacks for students, and other areas that were useful for the daily operations of the academy.
Eluard noted them all down on his 'system notes'. After a while, he realized that he didn't lack any of these facilities in the Heavenly Magic Academy. Rather, what he lacked were people who would handle them.
'I need to find suitable people to handle these things soon. It won't be good if I keep on playing around by myself.', he muttered to himself while Magister Urrell and the group finally reached the research area at the southeastern part of the academy.
"Magister Urrell, this is our new magic analyzer equipment which can both identify and analyze the magic talent and power of any magic cultivator. Even grandmaster wizards can use this if they want to examine their magic abilities.", Emilia introduced a somewhat podium object with an elliptical stone standing in front of it encircled by a dense manifestation of transparent mana.
There were various lines engraved on the stone and at the top of it was an embedded purple magic crystal that emitted mysterious energy from within.
Just in front of it were two stone handles that resembled steel railings which floated harmonically as mana linearly surged from the magic analyzer towards it, before returning to the base of the magic analyzer.
[ Magic Analyzer – Version 2 ]
[ A newer version of the magic analyzer derived from the previous magic analyzer version 1. It includes new features such as transcribing the user's magic talent and magic root, albeit unable to fully give out the details. Furthermore, due to the utilization of the purple magic crystal supported by various magic array formations, this magic analyzer can handle users up to the Grandmaster Wizard level, unlike the previous version which could only take upon adept wizards or lower. ]
[ Usage: The user grabs the two handles and tightly grips it as mana from the purple magic crystal will surge unto the user. With the presence of various complex magic array formations, the mana will quickly and sequentially examine the structure of the user's magic root. It is best used on environments where there is no unusual surge of external mana, or not in the presence of nearby demonic aura. ]
[ Note: The purple magic crystal must be artificially created by a Grandmaster Wizard or is harvested from commander-level magical beasts. Purple magic crystals from commander-level demonic beasts may result in energy fluctuations and cause unpredictable behavior. Purified magic crystals has mitigated effects and may not necessarily produce the intended results. ]
[ Warning: There is a small trace of demonic aura present from this purple magic crystal. ]
The last system prompt jolted Eluard awake, 'Demonic aura!', leaving him tranced for a second before activating his Eye of Veracity.
Scarlet demonic aura permeated from the purple magic crystal. Although the trace was minimal, Eluard couldn't afford to underestimate the implication of this sudden twist.
He glanced around the room and saw that some of the wizards also had a trace of demonic aura emanating from them. The only exceptions were Magister Urrell and Academy Master Emilia.
'Don't give me this! I haven't uncovered the mystery behind their attack in the northern glacial continent and now this?!'
A new system task prompt was displayed in front of him but he completely ignored it. Leaving this magic analyzer alone would deal a lot of complications later if people were to use it wantonly.
However, him speaking nonsense in front of these people would earn their ire and possibly even attract the demonic creatures' attention.
He verified the identities of each personnel again and found no demonic creature impostor among them.
'I just hope this is all a coincidence but if it is not...', he turned off his Eye of Veracity and chose to observe in the shadows for now.
Meanwhile, Emilia's words surprised Magister Urrell.
"I presume this is just a testing version?", Magister Urrell asked.
Emilia shook her head, "This is a stable version of the equipment, Magister Urrell. We haven't announced its existence yet as we are still considering its potential and value to the public. But due to the recent changes, we opted to introduce this under your assessment schedule instead."
"Oh, is that so?", his interest was piqued, "What about the purple magic crystal?"
"This is derived from a grandmaster wizard's creation ability. Of course, we tried using those from commander-level demonic beasts but things didn't go too well. As for the magic beasts, it's almost impossible to get it from them.", Emilia explained.
Magister Urrell didn't bother asking why they didn't use the purified magic crystals of the demonic beasts. The purification process was tedious and the efforts were inefficient for the time being.
"And its testing results?", Magister Urrell added.
"We mainly used grandmaster wizards as our testing subjects for this magic analyzer. There was no need to test it on the weaker ones."
Magister Urrell shook his head at her explanation, "That's not how research works, Academy Master Emilia. You may have based this version on the previous one, but that doesn't make it certain that it will work all the same."
Emilia gritted her teeth and spoke before he could add additional words, "Magister, how about this? We'll demonstrate the capabilities of this new magic analyzer in the combat grounds right now. The graduating class of the Morning Star Academy is also conducting their preparatory combat class there. We can use this opportunity to showcase the talent of our top students and assess their performance at the same time.", she suggested.
Eluard heard her words and formulated a plan on how to deal with the magic analyzer and the demonic aura all at once, 'I might have to let Magister Urrell know about my secret identity.'
Magister Urrell waved his right hand and ordered two people to carry the magic analyzer into the combat grounds. It was located at the center of the Morning Star Academy, duly made so that it would have a large area to occupy and that everyone from anywhere could access it almost equidistantly.
Magister Urrell slowly approached Eluard and patted his head, "Kai, you will demonstrate your magic talent later. Some of the students may even challenge you."
"Do I have to worry about anything?", Eluard was concerned.
"Nothing, just do your best if the students seek for your guidance.", Magister Urrell walked away and followed after Emilia.
"Seek for my guidance?", Eluard acted confused, though he inwardly nodded and went with the flow.
Emilia noticed their discussion and asked, "Magister Urrell, Do you intend to make him fight against those prodigies?"
"I just want a good show, Academy Master Emilia. I hope that your students are very capable indeed.", Magister Urrell smiled, leaving Emilia wondering about his thoughts.
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