Chapter 115: Chaos Cube, Skipping Grade Arrangement

What shocked him even more was that when he tried to focus his attention on listening, some stars seemed to notice his attention and began to move slowly toward him.

For a moment, Luo En vaguely saw the eyes of some huge creature, staring at him from the depths of the universe.

"Damn it!" He broke free from the meditation state violently, cold sweat already soaking his clothes.

His breathing was rapid, his heartbeat like a drum, and his whole person felt as if he had just woken up from a nightmare.

"Spiritual pollution... has it reached this level?" He grabbed the pocket watch placed on the side tremblingly and re-checked his status.

Sure enough, the accumulated spiritual pollution was close to the moderate level, which was already a dangerous signal.

According to the materials he checked some time ago, moderate spiritual pollution would lead to hallucinations, affect sleep quality, and even interfere with daily judgment.

If left unchecked, once the pollution reached a severe level, it would not be far from madness and distortion.

Luo En immediately activated the "Reset" function of the pocket watch, and a cool feeling flowed through his whole body from the contact point, clearing away the pollution hidden in the depths of his spirit bit by bit.

【Successfully reset negative status: Moderate spiritual pollution, energy -6】

Six points of energy value... this was the largest consumption since he used the pocket watch.

Luo En's heart sank, feeling an instinctive uneasiness.

Logically speaking, spiritual pollution of this degree should be a problem faced by high-level apprentices.

The reason why those high-level apprentices would actively serve as course assistants was largely to obtain "Grace" to purify their own spiritual pollution.

"Is it because I practiced too fast?" Luo En pondered: "Or is it the aftereffect left by those two 'special inspirations'?"

A more terrifying possibility emerged slowly in his heart, but this thought was too shocking, and he dared not continue to think about it.

"Regardless, I must find a better solution." Luo En looked at the pocket watch, his desire to advance it even stronger.

The current pocket watch, although powerful, had limited energy; if spiritual pollution continued to accumulate at this speed, one day it would exceed the pocket watch's purification ability.

"Wait until Andre and I are both promoted to bloodline Knights, plus various spell assists, even high-level apprentices will have a battle; by then, I must explore Lizard Alley again."

Luo En decided secretly in his heart: "Perhaps I can find clues to the origin of the pocket watch through that goblin, half-orc mercenary squad, or even the forces behind that mysterious old woman."

After tidying up his emotions, Luo En began to prepare for today's weekly test.

This was what he promised Eric and Liah, and also the key to his promotion of course level.

He washed up simply, changed into a clean and tidy robe, tucked the leather bag containing magic stone fragments at his waist, and ensured he looked energetic.

Before going out, he looked back at the notes of "The Whisper of the Star Eater" on the workbench, a flash of complex emotion in his eyes.

Although this meditation method brought him many troubles, it was undeniable that it had indeed significantly increased his spiritual power growth speed.

This contradictory feeling made him somewhat in a dilemma, but the top priority was to pass the weekly test and step onto a higher step.

"Ailan, I'm going to participate in the weekly test; the workshop is left to you to look after."

Luo En said to the Treant who was organizing medicinal herbs in the corner.

Ailan's leaves swayed gently, generating characters:

"Good luck, Master."

Luo En nodded with a smile and walked out of the workshop, walking toward the teaching area.

The air in the Black Mist Jungle in the morning was humid and fresh, and Luo En took a deep breath, letting his thoughts gradually calm down.

Today is an important day; he must go all out and cannot let the shadow of spiritual pollution interfere with his performance.

Passing through a dark forest, the outline of the teaching area gradually became clear.

That ancient and solemn stone tower looked particularly solemn in the morning light; countless wizards started their extraordinary path here, and countless people fell here, never reaching the end.

The hall in the teaching area was crowded with people, and apprentices of various levels were rushing back and forth with scrolls or books.

Luo En found the weekly test venue according to the sign—a spacious classroom on the third floor.

When he pushed the door open, he saw Eric waiting inside, organizing some documents on the table.

"Oh, Luo En." Eric looked up and saw him, greeting him with a smile: "Came very early, it seems you attach great importance to this test."

"Of course, Lord Eric." Luo En responded respectfully: "This is an important step for me to enter the next stage of learning, and I have made full preparations."

Eric nodded and signaled him to find a seat in the front row.

Luo En looked around and recognized several classmates he had seen in class before; some looked confident, while others looked nervous.

"Today's weekly test covers the content of two courses: 'Magic Circuit Optimization' and 'Spiritual Power Stabilization Techniques'."

After the specified time, Eric immediately began to announce the test rules:

"As basic courses for apprentices, the content of these two courses is interrelated, so we arranged them to be tested on

He continued to explain: "First is the theoretical test, followed by the practical operation. The two parts each account for half of the total score, and you need to pass both to advance."

Li Ya entered the classroom from the side door, holding a stack of papers.

She nodded to everyone in greeting, then began distributing the test papers: "Please remain quiet and answer carefully. The test time is one hour."

Luo En took the test paper and quickly browsed through it.

The content covered the basic theory of magic circuits, core techniques for spiritual power stability, and an analysis of the correlation between the two.

For the average apprentice, these questions were undoubtedly quite challenging, but for Luo En, who had already raised both skills to the proficient layer, they seemed relatively simple.

He picked up his pen and began to answer, the tip moving fluently across the paper without the slightest hesitation.

Those concepts that once required repeated thought had now integrated into his way of thinking, becoming an instinctive understanding.

The last question of the theoretical part was exceptionally complex, requiring students to analyze how to maintain the stability of magic circuits in a high-pressure environment.

This required a comprehensive application of the core knowledge from both courses, while also incorporating personal practical experience.

Luo En thought for a moment and wrote down:

"Magic circuits are prone to disorder in high-pressure environments, mainly because spiritual fluctuations lead to a loss of control over energy flow. The solution lies in constructing a 'buffer ring,' which forms a secondary energy flow on the periphery of the main circuit..."

He described in detail some techniques he had discovered while practicing spell construction; these were contents not mentioned in regular textbooks, insights he had groped for through practice.

Half an hour later, Luo En had completed all the questions, becoming the first student to hand in the paper.

Li Ya took his test paper and flipped through a few pages slightly; a trace of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she quickly returned to calm.

After the theoretical test ended, it was the practical operation segment.

The students were taken to a special laboratory, where various testing devices were placed.

"The practical test is divided into three parts," Eric announced:

"Magic circuit construction, spiritual power stability maintenance, and the comprehensive application of both. Each student will be tested in turn; please wait for your number in the waiting area."

When it was Luo En's turn, he walked to the test bench, facing a complex crystal device—this was an instrument specifically used to test magic circuit construction ability.

"Please try to construct a triple-ring magic circuit in the crystal and maintain stability for at least thirty seconds," Eric instructed.

For many students, this was an extremely challenging task.

The triple-ring structure required precise control of three energy flows at different frequencies; the slightest carelessness would cause the entire structure to collapse.

But Luo En had already completed a more complex construction during his morning practice.

He stretched out his hands easily and introduced his spiritual power into the crystal.

Under the blessing of the "stable state" trait, his magic control was more precise than in the past.

Three perfect energy rings soon appeared inside the crystal, intersecting at specific angles to form a harmonious and unified whole.

Energy flowed steadily within the rings, with almost no fluctuations.

Eric and Li Ya exchanged a look, clearly surprised by Luo En's performance.

Thirty seconds passed, and Luo En's construction remained as stable as before, without the slightest sign of decay.

"That's enough, very outstanding," Eric signaled for Luo En to stop: "Next is the spiritual power stability test."

Li Ya took out a black cube and placed it in front of Luo En:

"This is an alchemical item—the 'Chaos Cube'; it will continuously release interference waves, attempting to disrupt your spiritual power. You need to control that small ball to move along a specific track under this interference."

She pointed to a small metal ball suspended in the air: "The track has already been marked, and the duration is also thirty seconds."

Luo En nodded and concentrated his attention.

As the test began, the black cube started to emit irregular energy fluctuations, like a thousand people whispering in his mind at the same time, trying to distract him.

In the past, this kind of interference might have made his spiritual power control chaotic.

But now, with the trait blessing, his control over the spiritual field within a specific range had risen to a new layer.

He no longer tried to resist those interferences, but instead integrated them into his own spiritual flow, then precisely filtered out those disordered energies, keeping only the useful parts.

The small ball began to move along the predetermined track, its movements fluent and precise.

Even under the most intense interference waves, the trajectory did not deviate in the slightest.

Thirty seconds later, the test ended.

Li Ya turned off the Chaos Cube, her face unable to hide her surprise:

"Truly impressive, Luo En. Your spiritual power control ability has basically reached the level of an intermediate apprentice, and perhaps even many intermediate apprentices in the enforcement team are not as good as you."

"The last test."

Eric said: "Comprehensive application; please construct a magic circuit and perform a simple elemental operation at the same time, while maintaining resistance to external interference."

This was the most challenging part of the entire test, requiring students to apply all the techniques from both courses simultaneously.

Luo En took a deep breath and began to construct the internal magic circuit.

At the same time, the Chaos Cube was activated again, firing more intense interference waves at him.

Under such pressure, he remained calm.

The internal magic circuit operated stably like precise gears, while externally, he constructed a spiritual barrier, blocking most of the interference outside.

When everything was ready, Luo En lifted his hand gently, and a faint light lit up at his fingertips.

This was a simple light element application, but casting it in a complex environment tested the caster's comprehensive ability.

The light was stable and bright, without any flickering or fluctuation, proving that his magic control had reached an almost perfect degree.

After the test ended, Eric and Li Ya exchanged a look, then took Luo En aside.

"Luo En, your performance greatly exceeded our expectations."

Eric said in a low voice: "Honestly, at your current level, you are fully capable of skipping the second phase of the course and entering the third phase directly."

Li Ya nodded: "Indeed. Your spiritual power control ability and magic circuit construction skills have already reached the level of many intermediate apprentices. Continuing to waste time on basic courses is meaningless for you."

Luo En was slightly surprised: "Does this... does this comply with the school's regulations?"

"Under normal circumstances, the school does indeed suggest that students complete each phase of the course step by step."

Eric explained: "But for those students who perform particularly well, we have the right to make special arrangements."

He revealed a smile: "And, you should have noticed the extra help we occasionally gave you during this time, right? That was us evaluating your potential, and now it seems our judgment was correct."

Li Ya added: "After the third phase of the course ends, outstanding students have the opportunity to directly follow formal wizard-level mentors to learn advanced content. With your talent and speed of progress, this should be a very good opportunity."

Luo En felt a burst of surprise; skipping grades meant he could access deeper knowledge faster, which was exactly what he craved.

"Thank you very much for your guidance and trust," he said sincerely: "I will cherish this opportunity and not live up to your expectations."

"No need for thanks," Eric patted his shoulder:

"In fact, students like you who can display talent in multiple fields simultaneously are very rare; we look forward to seeing your future achievements."

When leaving the test room, Luo En's mood was exceptionally light.

"Skipping directly to the third phase, and then guidance from a formal wizard..."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 107 =====

Sunlight passed through the sparse canopy of the Black Fog Jungle, casting mottled light and shadows on the ground.

(End of chapter)