The destructive embers deep within the Ashen Forest had yet to fade, but Lin En had already returned safely to his simple dwelling.
The wooden door closed softly, shutting out the outside world.
Without a moment’s pause, he sat cross-legged on the hard bed, letting his consciousness sink into the Sea of Consciousness.
That grain-sized, steadily spinning Crystal Core was now radiating a light more brilliant and restless than ever before.
Twelve invisible Energy Channels ran at overload, torrents of nearly boiling spiritual power surging through them.
The structure of the Crystal Core itself—that perfect Face-Centered Cubic Lattice—after continuously driving Cloudburst·Modified and finally the Thermobaric Art, every Node emitted a faint yet clear hum.
The lattice framework bore immense pressure, like a balloon stretched to its limit.
“Energy saturation… Structural stress approaching the critical point…”
Lin En’s consciousness was like the most precise scanner, instantly analyzing the state of the Crystal Core.
Continuous high-intensity and high-precision battles, especially the final manipulation of molecular-level oxygen concentration and thermobaric detonation, pushed the Crystal Core’s load far beyond expectations.
Expansion was inevitable!
Lin En did not hesitate.
His spiritual power instantly condensed, forming an even finer spiritual scalpel than before.
This time, he was no longer constructing from nothing in the midst of chaos, but expanding precisely on the existing foundation of the Crystal Core.
With the experience of that first time—treading on thin ice, pain piercing the soul—Lin En was completely composed.
Lattice theory, spatial configurations, methods of connecting Energy Nodes… All of it had been simulated countless times in the mind of a physicist.
“Dual Core, shared face-centered Node structure.”
Lin En willed.
Within the Sea of Consciousness, boundless spiritual power began to condense and shape naturally.
New units of spiritual power were precisely drawn and positioned.
Vertices, edges, face-centers…
The prototype of a second Face-Centered Cubic Lattice formed around shared Nodes, like stars orbiting a gravitational core, constructed rapidly and stably.
The entire process flowed so smoothly it was breathtaking—no turbulence, no trembling instability.
Bzzz.
Before long, a deep and pleasant resonance rippled through the Sea of Consciousness.
The Second Crystal Core lit up steadily, perfectly connected to the first through shared Nodes—like twin stars in mutual orbit across the cosmos!
Twelve new Energy Channels instantly extended outward, running parallel to the original twelve, forming an even larger, denser, and more efficient energy network!
The once-saturated energy torrents now found a broader realm, flowing with even greater might and smoothness.
Capacity increased by 150%!
Total number of Energy Channels: twenty-four!
Activation speed and stability surged again, as if by natural progression!
Dual Core Structure—complete!
Lin En opened his eyes.
Deep in his pupils, lattice light flickered and vanished.
His aura, withdrawn, now felt even more profound and vast.
The corners of his mouth lifted, savoring the surging power within his Sea of Consciousness.
At that moment…
A gentle, vast mental fluctuation—like the boundless night sky—brushed softly against the door.
Vice Principal Morton!
Lin En could sense no malice from this spiritual wave—only a notification of presence, like someone pressing a doorbell.
He rose and opened the wooden door.
Outside, the gaunt Morton stood in a dignified deep blue mage’s robe, his cloudy gaze falling upon Lin En.
In the instant their eyes met, a flash of unmistakable astonishment swept across Morton’s ancient, unfathomable pupils!
His powerful spiritual sense told him with utter clarity: the youth before him—compared to the duel in the Arena yesterday, even compared to the moment he unleashed that terrifying explosion in the forest—had undergone a leap in both the quality and quantity of his spiritual power!
His aura was harmonious and unfathomably deep.
The faint sense of control radiating from him made even Morton’s heart tighten.
This was no mere recovery or enlightenment, but a… fundamental transformation!
“Vice Principal Morton?”
Lin En nodded slightly, his tone calm—bearing the proper respect a student should show to authority, but without a trace of fear.
“Lin En, Apprentice…”
Morton’s voice was dry and hoarse.
He paused.
“Perhaps… calling you an Apprentice is no longer appropriate.”
Lin En smiled faintly.
“In front of you, I will always be that Apprentice. You are my Magic Enlightenment Teacher.”
Morton was momentarily taken aback, a flicker of warmth in his eyes.
Slowly, he spoke.
“Not going to invite me in to sit?”
Lin En stepped aside.
“Please come in, Vice Principal.”
Morton entered the humble room.
His gaze swept the furnishings, finally settling on Lin En.
He did not glance at the notes on the table.
“Sit. No need for formality.”
He sat casually on the edge of the hard bed, gesturing for Lin En to do the same.
Lin En complied, waiting quietly.
Morton looked at him directly.
“Things were noisy in the Ashen Forest.”
He said plainly.
“The Academy doesn’t forbid students from settling personal grudges, but… making too much of a mess is never a good look.”
Lin En’s expression did not change.
“Vice Principal, your wisdom is clear.”
He replied.
“Someone trailed and ambushed me—I was forced to defend myself. As for the disturbance… the methods were extreme, but it was a matter of survival.”
Morton’s cloudy eyes flashed with a barely perceptible light.
Lin En’s composure and watertight reply exceeded the mentality of an ordinary Apprentice.
“Self-defense… heh.”
Morton gave a dry laugh, emotion unreadable.
“Your methods were indeed… unique. Ice Wall to dissipate force, Wind of Stagnation, Instant Multi-Fireball… and finally, that all-consuming Blazing White—never seen or heard before.”
He looked pointedly.
“Especially that last strike—erasing even the shadow, a fine trick.”
Lin En remained silent, neither admitting nor denying, simply meeting Morton’s gaze.
The Crystal Core ran quietly, analyzing every minute expression and energy fluctuation.
Morton did not press further, instead shifting topics.
“The path of Magic is vast and endless. Even after a thousand years, the Academy’s heritage has barely scratched the surface.”
He looked distant.
“Everyone has their own road… or their own Dao, as some say.”
His gaze grew nostalgic.
“I’ve lived a long time, seen countless geniuses—some followed the rules, others broke them. But to take basic Elemental Manipulation and twist it into such strange forms, to even faintly touch the very reconstruction of energy’s essence… you’re the first.”
He paused, voice growing low.
“Power itself is neither good nor evil. But possessing treasure can be a crime.”
“The Academy is not a sanctuary. Sometimes, being too conspicuous is a curse, not a blessing.”
This was a warning as much as advice.
Lin En bowed slightly.
“Thank you for the guidance, Vice Principal. I will remember it.”
Morton looked at Lin En’s steady, unruffled face and inwardly marveled at the youth’s composure.
He smiled faintly.
“Originally, I came to check on you—and perhaps offer a few Magic Books and my youthful cultivation notes as a token of welcome.”
Lin En was stunned for a moment, looking at Morton in surprise.
Morton continued.
“Your growth is too rapid—far beyond anyone’s expectations. It seems what I prepared is already redundant.”
Lin En smiled.
“I will continue to work hard, striving to improve myself. I hope you will offer more guidance in the future, Vice Principal.”
Lin En was no novice in human affairs.
In his previous life, not only did he possess top-tier scientific achievement, but he also mastered interpersonal skills—knowing that to reach the peak in anything, one could never avoid dealing with others.
Morton laughed softly, seeing Lin En’s flawless response, and changed the subject.
His voice took on the weight of history.
“Lin En, did you know that Humanity was not the natural ruler of this continent?”
Lin En’s eyes flickered.
His previous self had come from a humble family—his parents running a small Bread Shop in a town near Academy City, spending all they had for him to enter Fran Magic Martial Academy.
As a commoner, there was no way Lin En could know such hidden histories.
Lin En shook his head.
“I do not know, Vice Principal. Please enlighten me.”
“In the distant past—an era called the Era of Darkness…”
Morton’s cloudy gaze seemed to pierce time itself.
“Humanity was as weak as ants. Dragons breathed fire to raze cities from the sky. Titans walked the earth, shattering mountains and rivers. Forests teemed with Fierce Beasts of overwhelming magic, and the deep sea held Unnamable Horrors beyond imagination.”
“We were little more than livestock—food to be raised or dust to be crushed, living on the edge between terror and despair.”
The room grew heavy.
Lin En listened quietly, mind racing to absorb secrets he’d never heard before.
“Until… one day.”
Morton’s voice held a complex mix of awe, gratitude—and perhaps deep-seated doubt.
“A Divine Miracle descended.”
“Divine Miracle?”
Lin En caught the term instantly, leaning forward.
“Yes. Divine Miracle.”
Morton nodded, voice low.
“According to the oldest epics, it was an unimaginable event—the radiance of the Divine tore through the endless darkness that enshrouded Humanity.”
“They pitied our weakness… or perhaps acted from motives beyond our understanding.”
“In any case, they bestowed upon the Sages among Humans the methods of cultivating Magic and Combat Aura.”
“Bestowed?”
Lin En probed further, his tone calm but curious.
“Vice Principal, what are the Divine? Where do They come from? Why grant Humanity power? Is that power a gift… or a shackle?”
His rapid-fire questions struck straight to the core.
Morton’s clouded eyes suddenly contracted.
He hadn’t expected Lin En to react so directly—so… blasphemously.
Instinctively, he glanced around, as if invisible watchers might be lurking.
His voice dropped, grave and tinged with warning.
“Lin En! Mind your words! Matters of the Divine are not for mortals to question! They are supreme—our source of faith! To doubt the Divine is to doubt the foundation of Humanity’s power!”
He took a deep breath, steadying his shaken emotions.
“The Holy Light Church’s Holy Scripture states: The Divine dwell beyond the stars in the Supreme Divine Kingdom, mercifully bestowing Divine Grace upon all. This is the unassailable, orthodox truth.”
He emphasized ‘Holy Light Church’ and ‘unassailable’ with special care.
Lin En sharply noted the subtle rigidity and forced emphasis in Morton’s words.
He silently recorded key terms: Gift of the Divine, Era of Darkness, Holy Light Church, unassailable.
He chose not to press further about the Divine, and instead asked,
“Then, the Holy Light Church…?”
“Holy Light Church…”
Morton interrupted him.
His tone returned to calm, though a hint of wariness lingered in his eyes.
“It is the supreme temple that serves the Divine, spreads Divine Grace, and upholds Humanity’s faith and order. Its authority spans all nations. Its will—cannot be defied.”
He left it at that, clearly unwilling to discuss the topic further.
Silence fell.
The oil lamp’s flame flickered, casting their shadows long and unsteady on the wall.
Lin En’s fingers unconsciously traced the rough edge of the wooden table, the Crystal Core quietly running as he reviewed and connected the terms ‘Gift of the Divine,’ ‘Era of Darkness,’ ‘Holy Light Church,’ and ‘unassailable’ over and over.
He looked up, meeting Morton’s deep and murky gaze, and asked the key question.
“Vice Principal, you hold great authority and wisdom. Why tell such ancient, nearly forbidden secrets to a newly enrolled Apprentice whose magic affinity is near zero? It seems to have no direct link to the Ashen Forest incident.”
Morton’s withered face showed no surprise, as if he had expected this question.
He was silent for a while, his skeletal fingers gently stroking the hem of his robe.
His cloudy gaze swept Lin En with complex emotion.
“Because… you are too special.”
Morton spoke slowly, each word clear and heavy.
“Special beyond the limits of common sense. With negligible magic affinity, yet spiritual power so refined it’s nearly tangible. Yesterday, in the Arena, as an Apprentice, you toyed with a drugged-up Brook—whose power rivaled high-rank Iron-tier Warriors—before finishing him in a single strike.”
“Today, in the Ashen Forest…”
Morton’s gaze sharpened, as if piercing Lin En’s very skin.
“Two Bronze-tier ambushers! One left dying, one reduced to nothing—their existence erased. Such power is no ordinary Magic! That’s the reconstruction of magical essence—a subversion!”
He drew a deep breath, his voice lowering further.
“And just now, when I entered, the aura from your body had already undergone an earth-shaking transformation compared to yesterday. The foundation is extremely solid; the spiritual depth is bottomless. This is no ordinary cultivation—this is a kind of leap.”
Morton’s eyes locked on Lin En.
Within those clouded depths, waves of shock surged.
“I’ve lived for over a hundred years—never have I seen, or even heard of, anyone like you. Your very existence mocks the millennia-old magical system, and the logic bestowed by the Divine.”
He paused for a long time.
The air in the small room felt as if it had frozen.
At last, he seemed to make up his mind, his voice trembling with uncertainty as he spoke a world-shattering speculation.
“I am not a believer of the Holy Light Church, but I know that in their ancient Holy Scripture, the Kimir Record, there exists a… nearly forgotten Prophecy Fragment.”
“It describes that on the eve of a Great Calamity so vast it could destroy all Humanity, the Supreme Divine will, with unfathomable power, quietly sow the seeds of the Scion of the Divine into the mortal world.”
“Those seeds may be insignificant at first, but will inevitably rise at a speed beyond mortal comprehension, displaying the power to overturn all laws… To lead Humanity when final darkness descends.”
Morton’s gaze settled on Lin En, heavy with inquiry.
“Your magic affinity is negligible, yet your strange power and quantum leaps in growth… Everything that’s happened to you fits too closely with that vague description of the Scion of the Divine in the prophecy.”
He shook his head slowly, looking lost.
“I… cannot be certain. It is too absurd—too blasphemous. The Scion is legend and taboo—never substantiated, and the Church’s upper echelons avoid the topic. Yet…”
Morton’s voice grew solemn, laden with fatalistic gravity.
“But Lin En, conversely—if the prophecy holds even a shred of truth, then the arrival of the Scion itself is the greatest warning!”
“It means that the Great Calamity foretold—capable of annihilating Humanity—may not be far away.”
A deathly silence filled the room.
The lamp flame, too, seemed to flicker weaker under the suffocating weight.
He looked at Lin En—the terrifyingly calm youth—and spoke quietly.
“So, I told you all this as a reminder… and as a kind of verification that I myself cannot be sure of.”
“Is your existence a light of hope… or the herald of doom?”
“Blessing or curse? None can say.”
“But in any case, Lin En… your path will never be ordinary.”
“The storm may already be gathering around you. Take care.”
He finished speaking, as if all his strength had been drained.
Morton pulled out an ancient leather scroll, placing it gently on the table.
“This… may aid your exploration of the essence.”
“I know your hunger for magical power. Consider it an old man’s investment in the unknown… and a token of goodwill.”
He said no more, turning with weary steps toward the door.
The figure clad in resplendent robes looked especially lonely and heavy in the dim light.
A soft click as the wooden door closed, sealing off the outside world.
Within the humble room, only Lin En remained.
He sat there still, fingers tapping unconsciously on the table.
In the Sea of Consciousness, the Crystal Core spun rapidly, his cold logic dissecting every word, every expression, every energy fluctuation from Morton.
“…… 77x…”
Lin En’s gaze rested on the ancient scroll atop the table, then drifted to the window.
In the distance, the Holy Light Church’s pristine white bell tower still shone with gentle yet undeniable radiance in the twilight.
“Scion of the Divine?”
Lin En’s lips curled into a cold, rational arc.
“To attribute unknown power to the Divine and prophecy… It’s a common comfort for sentient beings when faced with the incomprehensible.”
He stared into the depths of the night sky, as if piercing the ceiling.
“Then… what are the Divine in this world?”
He whispered to himself.
A tiny but intensely focused wind vortex formed at his fingertip, then vanished.
“My power comes from science, from analyzing and reconstructing the laws of the universe—from this Crystal Core.”
“Divine? Great Calamity? If true disaster comes…”
He stood, moving to the window to gaze at the Academy filled with students bustling with dreams and confusion.
“…Then I’ll use these hands and this mind to crush it.”
“Scion of the Divine? Heh.”
A faint, absolutely confident laugh faded into the deepening twilight.