Chapter 201: Combat Hall Training

After navigating the myriad corridors of the registration office, Thorian was led by David to his new dorm room.

“You didn’t bring any luggage?” David inquired, his voice echoing slightly in the stairwell.

Thorian shook his head. “I travel light as an adventurer. I buy what I need when I need it.”

“A nomadic lifestyle, huh?” David chuckled. “But you’ll need to stock up now that you’re staying here.”

“Do I need to buy this white suit too?” Thorian asked, nodding toward David’s attire.

“The court provides it,” David replied with a smile, adjusting his collar. “Yours will be brown since you’re a junior apprentice.”

After a brief inspection of Thorian’s room, they proceeded to the combat hall. As they walked, David outlined the structure of the mage court: four towers representing the elemental forces, each overseen by a tower master and a vice-master, supported by a council of high-ranking mages and numerous apprentices. Learning was self-directed, achieved through practice or study in the tower libraries.

“What about the exam?” Thorian steered the conversation toward more pressing matters.

“You’re referring to the graduation exam?” David scratched his chin. “It’s scheduled for next week. Juniors who pass can advance to senior apprenticeship, gaining access to more restricted materials. Exceptional ones might even be taken on as disciples by the tower masters.”

That’s my window to impress, Thorian mused, already devising his strategy for the upcoming challenge.

“Interested in participating?” David’s grin broadened, his gaze appraising Thorian.

“Would there be any issue if I did?” Thorian countered.

“There’s no rule against it,” David shrugged. “Even if you fail, it’s a valuable learning opportunity. Constant challenge is the best teacher afterall.”

Expecting me to fail, are you? Thorian’s smile widened slightly at the thought.

“But let’s discuss that later,” David said as they approached a glass dome. “First, I want to see your abilities in a real combat situation.”

“I won’t disappoint,” Thorian assured him, stretching his muscles as they crossed into the dome.

Passing through the barrier felt like walking through an invisible film. Inside, an expansive green plain unfolded, dotted with goblins and mages in brown suits engaged in battle.

“Is this space magic?” Thorian asked, struck by the sheer vastness of the interior.

David paused, a look of surprise on his face. “Yes, it is. The dome’s interior is a hundred times larger than it appears from the outside.”

“Impressive,” Thorian breathed, his eyes wide with wonder.

David nodded. “This marvel was created by Mavis the First, the greatest mage in our history. No current mage could replicate this feat.”

“Mavis…” Thorian repeated softly. “Is that a title or a name?”

“Both,” David answered. “Each generation’s greatest mage selects a successor who adopts the name Mavis, along with their ordinal number. The current Mavis is the sixteenth.”

David observed Thorian, awaiting a response. When none came, he prodded, “Aren't you curious about the current Mavis’s strength?”

“Not really, but I’m sure you’ll enlighten me,” Thorian replied with a slight sigh.

“Don’t be like that. It’s only natural to be intrigued by the pinnacle of magic,” David chuckled heartily. Lowering his voice for emphasis, he added, “The grand Mavis’s full powers are shrouded in mystery. From what I’ve gathered, he has mastered all basic elements to the emperor realm, with fire as his strongest. His expertise even extends to secondary elements, although his weakest—sand—is at the king realm.”

“And you, David?” Thorian shifted the topic away from Mavis, whose name seemed to echo endlessly. “What realms have you reached?”

“That’s the spirit! Curiosity is the hallmark of a true mage,” David grinned. “I’ve attained the saint realm in fire, earth, and wind. My water skills, however, lag at the advanced realm. As for secondary elements, I’m still in the intermediate realm; I've just started exploring them.”

“So, do you have an affinity to three elements, or perhaps all four?” Thorian asked, eyebrows raised.

“No, not at all,” David shook his head. “My affinities are strong with fire and earth. For wind and water, I’ve had to train twice as hard to achieve my current level.”

“I see,” Thorian nodded, keeping his thoughts to himself. I assumed elemental magic was restricted to one’s affinity, but that’s not the case. Best not ask about my supposed dual affinity; it would only lead to another lengthy discourse.

Surveying the area, Thorian noted the absence of goblins or junior apprentices in battle. In the distance, a few white-suited mages sparred with ogres, but they were sparse.

“There aren’t many monsters here,” Thorian observed. “Is there a spot teeming with monsters but fewer mages?”

David pondered, his face contorting into a grimace. “There is one, but it’s repulsive: the giant ant hill.”

“Then that’s where we’ll go,” Thorian declared, his expression unreadable. “It’s ideal for continuous spell training.”

David seemed taken aback by Thorian’s decision but finally exhaled deeply, “As you wish. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Together, they descended a hill and followed a cliffside for ten minutes, eventually arriving at a gaping crack in the earth resembling a portal to the abyss.

“Welcome to the giant ant hill, home to horrors beyond your darkest nightmares,” David announced, striking a dramatic pose.

“It seems more like an underground cavern than a hill,” Thorian commented dryly. “Regardless, let’s proceed.”

As they descended into the depths of the underground cavern, dozens of giant ants, each spanning a meter in length, surged towards them. Their mandibles clicked and clanked menacingly, eager to sink into Thorian's flesh.

“See, told you,” David remarked in a tone tinged with haughtiness, though his expression betrayed a mixture of disgust and discomfort.

Without a word, Thorian raised his staff, summoning a Greater Fireball. The spell erupted into flames, incinerating five of the oncoming ants in a fiery blast. Yet, as more of the creatures advanced, Thorian unleashed another fireball, and then another, each cast with seamless precision until the entire swarm was reduced to ashes.

“Your conjuration speed is phenomenal,” David observed, his voice laced with a hint of awe. “You must have practiced that spell extensively.”

“It’s nothing much,” Thorian replied nonchalantly, shaking his head. “Let’s keep moving.”

  *

David Silverwater’s POV

As David had greeted "Alan Smith" at the court's entrance, he simply assumed the newcomer was a gifted recruit. However, observing Alan's effortless ability to simultaneously conjure two elements, David recognized a prodigy, perhaps even more gifted than himself. Intent on nurturing this relationship from the start—both for camaraderie and the potential to later recruit Alan into the Silverwater house—he took it upon himself to be Alan's guide.

Yet, as they navigated the depths of the giant ant hill, David’s initial perceptions of Alan were dismantled, one astonishing display at a time. First, it was the rapid succession of giant fireballs—an ability that spoke of immense dedication or unprecedented natural talent. But then, Alan began to effortlessly cast advanced spells from all four elemental categories, maintaining the same swift pace he used with the fireballs.

David was forced to a startling conclusion: Alan doesn’t just have a double affinity; he possesses a rare quadruple affinity.

“David, can you please keep these matters confidential for now?” Alan’s voice broke the contemplative silence. “I’d prefer not to attract undue attention too soon.”

“Of course, don’t worry about it,” David responded, his voice even, though his mind reeled from the implications.

Could it be? Other than the grand Mavis and a few elite disciples, who else harbors such a powerful affinity? Have I inadvertently befriended someone who could be chosen as a disciple by the greatest mage himself?

As these thoughts marinated, David’s lips curled into a grin. The grand Mavis and his chosen disciples were entities of immense respect, only answering to the emperor himself—a circle now potentially open to Alan.

Time continued its march, and with each passing hour, David’s astonishment deepened: How long has it been? How many spells has he cast? Does his mana well ever deplete?

“This should be enough for today.”

At last, the words David had scarcely hoped to hear emerged from Alan's lips. Heaving a sigh of relief, David surveyed the litter of carcasses that blanketed their surroundings.

“I thought I’d seen it all, but you, you’re something else entirely. The term prodigy doesn’t even begin to cover it,” David chuckled, clearing a path through the debris with a casual blast. “Make sure to rest well back at your room. Your mana will replenish in no time.”

  *

Thorian’s POV

After parting ways with David at the entrance of the combat hall, Thorian retreated to his room. As David had mentioned, he could feel his mana regeneration accelerate the moment he crossed the threshold.

It feels akin to a slightly diluted Ether Line Nexus, Thorian mused, comparing the effect of this room to that of the territory attribute of Wolvendale.

Settling onto his bed, he took a moment to relax and then proceeded to review the progress he had made with the skills he practiced throughout the day.

Greater Fireball

Description: This skill allows the user to conjure a large ball of fire and hurl towards a swarm of enemies, burning them all with its flames.

Proficiency: 100%

Wind Blast 

Description: This skill permits the wielder to channel the raw force of the gales, creating a concentrated blast of wind aimed at their opponents. The Wind Blast not only inflicts great cutting damage but also has a high chance to knock back and disorient enemies, disrupting their formations.

Proficiency: 96.3%

Greater Water Ball 

Description: This skills allows the user to summons a massive orb of swirling, turbulent water, which can be hurled at enemies. Upon impact, the water ball explodes, causing significant water damage and soaking enemies, potentially slowing their movements.

Proficiency: 43.5%

Earth Wall

Description: When this skill is invoked, the earth trembles as the caster raises a formidable wall of rock and soil from the ground. This barrier can be used for defense, blocking enemy attacks or creating a temporary shield for allies. The wall crumbles over time or when subjected to heavy damage.

Proficiency: 47.1%

That's solid progress. In a day or two, I should be able to master all of them and then start combining them to form secondary element skills.

He was pleased with the rate of his advancement. If he continued at this pace, not only would he master these skills and enhance his Elemental Synergy, but he would also have ample time to refine his secondary advancement skills.

Who would have thought the greatest reward this floor would offer isn't the coins or the experience points, but the time to truly hone our abilities.