201. Five Years Later
Five years later – Teleportation Ground, Lunares Magi School, Main Branch
Clay is alone standing beneath an oak as he watched a stream of Elven students walking in and out from the Teleportation Ground of Lunares Magi School. He wanted to stand close to Elstre but as a human, he is treated like an unwanted guest he had to carefully time his arrival and approach Elstre at an exact moment.
There is currently around ten minutes before the Master’s Trial opens and Clay felt like the past five minutes is longer than the five year period he had been patiently waiting for the Trial’s opening.
Five years ago, he was on a quest to search about Elemental Laws and somehow on his journey, he discovered another pressing matter. Just like Gar Wahger and AU Planet, the planet he is currently at does not have a native Aether Vein and he must travel to another planet on a distant galaxy if he needed to further pursue cultivation.
He knew that at some point he will exit this planet and thought that he would first need to reached 9TH Circle but upon learning that the privilege to access the Galactic Teleportation Array is limited 5TH Circle mages, he had no choice but change his plans.
And the other reason he must attend the Master’s Trial is to further confirm if this universe has an active consciousness.
During his past life, he had to participate on a similar trial to escape AU planet which later led him to meeting Kolas and his crew. Should he have the same experience during this lifetime, then the future will be much more clearer.
Five years quickly passed but he did not idle and used his time breaking the three consecutive bottlenecks. There were a few challenges growing herbs and aging them within a subspace but with the knowledge he gained from Bellvid Shrine, he figured out alternative solutions and he even got formulas to concoct potions which he later used to propel his cultivation to 5TH Circle. He could have broken through to 7TH Circle if not because of the Masters Trials requirements.
Back when he was 2ND Circle, it took him a few minutes to cast Tier 7 Spells but his elevated body constitution along with his improved cultivation, he can now cast Tier 8 Spells within less than a second and with external help, he believes he can instantly cast even Tier 9 Spells.
Clay is not really concerned about his casting ability as he knew these are superficial and comes naturally to anyone as they progress. Similar to his previous life, comprehension of Elementals Laws will be the real measurement of strength.
From the information he read from the Shrine, a mage must continuously train the abilities that came along with their Beast Essences and through time, they will step into the world of Elementals Laws but this takes excruciating amount of dedication.
Having cheated his way to power in his past life, Clay knew he does not have that level of patience and like everybody else who wants to take the easy way, there is actually known method. And that is to integrate with the Beast Essences from monsters similar to Caudal Xenomorphs and these monsters are only available via the Master’s Trial.
The only problem with this method is that it comes with a huge price when a mage fails to properly integrate with the Essence. Similar to what happened with Tarihk, they will end up being crippled.
“I’ll worry about that later.” Clay muttered to himself then let a long sigh. His priority right now is to get to the Galactic Teleportation Array.
After a few more minutes, Clay looked at his pocket watch and decided to look for Elstre however, he suddenly felt a strong sharp and invisible pressure surrounded his body.
He wanted to erect a barrier to protect himself but assessing the strength of the approaching figure, he guessed this person is a 9TH Circle Mage so he stopped his tracks.
Clay’s eyes squinted.
“When I heard our junior will be accompanied by a human, I thought it was prank cooked up by newer generations.” Seconds later, an old Elf landed behind Clay.
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“It’s an honor to be in presence of this senior. I am Clay, a mage from the far east.” Clay wanted to turn around and kneel but a suffocating pressure prevented him from moving.
“Every race has their respective version of Master’s Trial they must undergo and if someone partakes on a trial different from his race, that person has to use a different portal and I have yet to hear someone successfully reaching that location.”
“I don’t know what senior has heard but I made commitment to ensure a candidate’s safety and have her return with her body intact.” Clay did not know how to answer the old man’s question but still respectfully responded hoping to buy time and determine if the old man is a friend or foe.
Seeing that Clay is unfazed by his aura, the old Elf retracted his powers.
The first time he has heard about Clay was a year ago when one of their inner core disciples went to issue a challenge. Rumor has it that Clay was badly injured but in truth, it was their disciple who could not even put up a fight. Now that he had met Clay, he finally understands the human before him is not ordinary.
He had been waiting for Clay to enter the Teleportation grounds so he could talk to him but since Clay is purposely staying outside, he decided to approach him directly.
“Someone who had been scrutinizing records pertaining to the organization behind the Master’s Trials doesn’t need to hide his objective.”
“If this senior has any objections, then I will gladly withdraw.”
“I was planning to but you don’t seem to be the type of person to back down.” The old Elf completely hid his power. “The ten planetary colonies we belong to do not have any good reputation and if we continue sending untalented people, then those Masters may bar us from participating again.”
Clay calmly assessed his situation. One wrong answer he might ruin his plans. He is confident he can fight head on but today is not a good time to test his strength.
“I don’t know what I needed to do to show that I’m capable but if this senior has…”
“Not you. I’m referring to Elstre. Don’t bring her along.” The old Elf interrupted. “I would rather have you leave her on that forsaken place and you can even sacrifice her if you want but just don’t bring her along, do you understand?”
Clay was confused. He was just thinking of reasoning his way out yet this old Elf seem to not only have had approved of him and he even want him to abandon the person he is supposed to guard.
“Here” The old Elf threw a spatial ring towards Clay. “If you ever are successful, immediately use the potion I’ve prepared and awaken your Spirit Essence. I don’t know what awaits you but it’s the least I can do to help. As well, inside are identities of a few predecessors who managed to successfully pass the Trial. I don’t know if they are alive but they may be of help to you. I only ask you don’t forget your origins.”
Clay has questions but before he could utter a word, he felt the old man levitated so turned around and slightly bowed.
“Good luck, human.”
“I will not disappoint this senior.”
Clay silently chuckled. For moment he thought he will be engaged with a life and death battle as that old Elf’s aura was an inch of becoming lethal and it was good thing he made the right call and restrained himself and pass that old man’s assessment.
One of the reasons he did not want to immediately enter the teleportation ground is to avoid being spotted by powerful figures yet it looks like he has a knack of attracting troubles.
Similar to how he had been avoiding troubles for the past five years that he had purposely secluded and hid himself yet one time, a naïve young Elven claiming to be some personal disciple of some big shot challenged him and if not because of the guardian of Bellvid Shrine instructing him to confront that youngster, then he would have had chosen to escape.
Exhale!
Clay took a deep breath and cleared his mind then started walking.
As for why that old Elf approved of him or wanted him to abandon Elstre, that is the least of his worries.
As Clay walked towards the Teleportation Ground, he checked the items inside the spatial ring given to him. Judging from the quality of potion given to him, he could tell the old Elf had to fork out a huge amount of resources to concoct it.
In truth, he did not need the potion as he was one step ahead and had long prepared one for himself using herbs aged more a than a thousand years. If only the Master’s Trials did not have strict requirements, he would have consumed it long ago.
Clay timed his pace and as soon he passed by the entrance, he saw Elstre waiting for him.
“You’re late!” Like woman who had ran out of patience waiting for a drunken husband to come, wrinkles formed on Elstre’s forehead making her look like an old lady.
“An Elder of this school had something to discuss.” Clay nonchalantly responded. He rarely had contact with Elstre the past five years yet every time they meet, part of him just want to grab her head and flush it into the toilet.
Elstre is definitely attractive and Clay knew this woman is not ill-mannered but something about her pompous tone of voice annoys him. It sounds like cats trying to mate in the middle of the night disrupting everyone’s nice sleep.
(Skip the chit chat and move over here.)
Clay’s thought were distracted when he heard sound transmittal.
(Unlike everyone, the two of you will be transported to a completely different location and don’t expect to encounter any fellow participants. You can only rely on yourselves. If you find a suitable Beast Essence, one must stay guard or else it will be your graveyard.)
Clay followed the voice then took out the medallion given to him and imbued it with his mana.
Any minute now, they will be sent to a nearby Terraformed planet and undergo the trial. As Clay walked towards the Teleportation Array, he heard another voice causing his eyes brows to squint.
(If she doesn’t return, I’ll hunt down anyone close to you.)