Earth's Greatest Magus

After leaving Hall 120, Shinta's steps were light, her mood buoyant. She had achieved her objective, and it left her feeling rather pleased with herself.

It wasn't a lie; she genuinely found Emery's movement technique intriguing. Her own [Slithering Cloud Steps] emphasized unpredictable directions, while Emery's [Dao Steps] focused on unpredictable accelerations. The thought of combining both techniques sparked her curiosity and imagination.

Yet, beneath her fascination with the technique lay her true motive: spending more time with 'him'. As a bonus, witnessing the genuine surprise of that 'woman' had added a delightful twist to her day.

"I will gradually free you from her... with my charm, of course I can!" she mused to herself, a mischievous glint in her eye.

Descending the hillside, she made her way to the river, where the flying beast was stationed. With practiced ease, she mounted one of the water cranes and soared into the sky, heading high toward the towering mountain.

Rather than returning to her hall, she directed the towards the crater that provided access to the Academy's inner hall facilities.

Once there, she landed the bird at the designated area, where an academy staff member awaited her arrival. With a nod of acknowledgment, she left the crane and ventured into the inner halls, eager to explore the special facilities hidden within.

She couldn't help but notice the curious glances from other acolytes lingering on her white top hall uniform. Some regarded her with envy, while others eyed her with a hint of challenge, perhaps recognizing her status as a member of the prestigious top hall.

Undeterred by the attention, Shinta made her way through the bustling corridors of the inner hall, where various specialized facilities catered to the needs of ambitious acolytes. Artifacts, techniques, and essential supplies adorned the shelves of numerous stores, each promising to aid in the journey of self-improvement.

Among the attractions was the elite combat puppets arena, where skilled acolytes honed their martial prowess against formidable opponents. Another establishment offered specialized treatments for both external and internal enhancement, attracting those seeking to optimize their physical and spiritual capabilities.

However, her true destination lay within the most sought-after halls--the 'origin stone' rooms. There were ten of them in total, each representing ten different elements. These facilities were known to attract the largest crowds of acolytes seeking to harness the elemental energies within.

As she approached, a senior staff member intercepted her, requesting her identity and information. Shinta obliged, and the details were swiftly verified through the crystal stone.

[Shura Ouroboros]

[Availability: 32 hours]

[Contribution points: 10,000]

The 32-hour time allotment was automatically granted to her as a top hall acolyte every week. As for the contribution points, she had received them casually from the assistant instructor when she visited her hall yesterday.

Observing her eligibility to use the room the senior staff allowed her to pass. As she walked through the expansive corridor to select one of the ten halls, another figure approached her.

"You are Sister Shura, aren't you?" The voice belonged to Nimbus, the legendary cat half-blood acolyte whose stature was smaller than Shinta's.

Recognizing her, Shinta nodded, prompting Nimbus to draw nearer. "Sister, which room are you planning to enter?"

Shinta couldn't help but be amused by the girl's bright and friendly personality, but she was smart enough not to dismiss her sincerity just yet. However, reminded of the advice she had received earlier that morning, Shinta decided to make an effort to get along.

"You can just call me Shura, we are the same age after all," she said with a friendly smile.

Upon hearing Shinta's response, Nimbus's reaction was unexpected. She suddenly grabbed Shinta's arm, her expression becoming visibly emotional. Shinta was taken aback as she observed Nimbus's eyes widen with happiness, their sparkle reflecting her genuine joy.

"Sister... you are so nice..." Nimbus's voice trembled with emotion.

Shinta's simple gesture of friendliness had elicited an overwhelming response from Nimbus. Her happiness was palpable, and she insisted on addressing Shinta as "sister," a testament to the depth of her appreciation. Nimbus's excitement soared as she realized that they were not only of the same age but had also chosen the same Origin stone room.

[Plant Origin Stone Room]

As they stepped into the hall, Shinta and Nimbus were greeted by a vast expanse of space, dominated by an ancient stone positioned at the far end of the room. Its weathered surface hinted at centuries of existence, radiating an aura of mystery and power.

The hall stretched out before them, about 1000 steps away, a distance that separated them from the coveted source of elemental energy.

Within the hall, around 50 other acolytes sat in various positions, their focused gazes directed towards the stone. Most were situated closer to the stone, with distances ranging from 800 to 700 steps away. Some were positioned at the halfway mark, while a select few were noticeably closer, having achieved distances of 300 steps or less. Shinta's keen observation allowed her to discern that these individuals were likely third-year acolytes, their mastery of the elements granting them greater proximity to the stone.

Shinta was well aware of the invisible force exerted by the stone--a manifestation of the elemental energies it harbored. The more adept an acolyte was with the elements, the less resistance they encountered as they approached, thereby enabling them to derive greater benefits from the stone's power. This realization piqued Shinta's curiosity, igniting a desire to test her own capabilities and see how far she could progress.

"Alright, good luck," Shinta murmured to Nimbus, offering a supportive nod before she walked toward the stone.

She smiled as she effortlessly passed the initial 300 steps, gracefully overtaking the first group of acolytes. However, her expression shifted as she felt the invisible force exerting pressure upon her with increasing intensity.

Sensing the resistance building, Shinta paused momentarily, her brow furrowed in concentration. Drawing upon her inner reserves of spirit energy, she channeled it into her body, fortifying herself against the opposing force. With determination fueling her movements, she pressed onward.

400 steps.

500 steps.

Shinta persevered, steadily advancing through the hall, her progress outpacing that of the majority of acolytes within the room. Even some of the senior acolytes, found themselves eclipsed by Shinta's determined stride. Their initial surprise at her advancement quickly gave way to a resigned acknowledgment, tempered by the familiarity of her white chamber uniform.

"Another genius came to show off," remarked one of the acolytes, a hint of sarcasm lacing their words.

Shinta paid little heed to the comment, her focus consumed by the challenge before her. However, as she continued to push forward, the mounting pressure began to take its toll. Despite her efforts, she found herself increasingly overwhelmed by the relentless force, her pace slowing until she eventually came to a halt at the 600-step mark.

The sneer from the previous acolyte echoed in the hall, punctuating the air with disdain. "Huh... not impressive enough,".

Despite having surpassed the vast majority of acolytes in the hall, with only ten others positioned between her and the stone, Shinta remained composed. She understood the nature of the Origin stone—its tests were not merely physical but also mental and spiritual. With this awareness, she steeled herself for the challenge ahead.

Drawing upon her inner reservoirs of resilience, Shinta immersed herself in the rich energy of the plant elements, allowing its essence to suffuse her being. Two hours passed as she acclimated herself to the relentless pressure, her determination unyielding.

When she felt sufficiently prepared, Shinta stood up and resumed her advance.

650 steps.

700 steps.

750 steps.

At last, she came to a halt just a few steps shy of claiming the number one spot. The sudden cessation of movement drew the attention of the other acolytes, their eyes widening in astonishment.

"She is new isn't she?... a first year!" someone exclaimed, their voice tinged with disbelief.

Some among them harbored hopes that Shinta would continue her ascent, potentially securing the top position. However, Shinta remained indifferent to the allure of such superficial competition. Her sole motivation was to reap the benefits of proximity to the stone, and she knew her limits well enough to discern when to stop.

Shinta settled into her position, content to bask in the energy of the stone and cultivate her inner strength. With her eyes closed, she focused her spirit energy, seeking to establish a deeper connection with the ancient stone. Gradually, the ancient stone emitted a faint green light, accompanied by whispered words that resonated within her mind.

"The plant is life. It grows, emerges, and breathes life into its surroundings," the rock intoned, its voice reverberating through Shinta's consciousness.

As she immersed herself in contemplation, Shinta felt herself being gradually enveloped by the stone's essence. Maintaining her composure, she concentrated her thoughts, allowing herself to become receptive to the sensations unfolding within her.

[Spirit force has increased]

[Spirit force has increased]

Indeed, the hall's amenities proved to be invaluable, offering her the opportunity to deepen her understanding of the elements. Determined to make the most of this opportunity, Shinta remained steadfast in her training, devoting hours to honing her core.

Twenty-four hours later, Shinta accomplished a breakthrough.

[You have advanced your foundation in plant elements]

[Plant Spirit - High foundation]

[Congratulations! You are now a rank 8 acolyte]

With a sense of accomplishment, Shinta emerged from her trance-like state. However, instead of leaving, she was spurred by her newfound comprehension of the plant element. With renewed vigor, she pressed forward, her steps carrying her to a new distance of 900 steps from the stone.

Shinta had a clear strategy in mind: she intended to utilize every available hour within the rooms to maximize the privileges bestowed upon her as a top chamber member. By immersing herself in the amenities offered within the inner halls, she could seize every opportunity for growth while effectively avoiding unnecessary time spent in her own hall. She remained cautious, remembering the warning to keep her real identity concealed.

Utilizing the remaining hours at her disposal, Shinta continued to refine her core, her name beginning to circulate among the elite acolytes within the hall.