A month later. 𝑶𝑣xt.𝕔𝒪𝑚
Tower of Arcana, Elemental World:
“Another element down,” Maximus exclaimed.
Maximus had now mastered four elemental soul paths.
“Tintin, did the graduation of the kids start?” Maximus inquired.
“Not yet, host. There are still a few hours before the test begins,” came the response.
“Fortunately, I’m not late.”
Without any delay, Maximus left the Elemental World and returned to his manor.
—
Maximus’s Manor:
“Dad, you’re finally here!” Lyla said excitedly.
“Of course, how can I miss the big day of my kids?”
“How are you? Are you ready for your final test?” Maximus asked.
“We’re ready, Dad!” Max said.
“Yes, don’t forget the reward you promised us, Daddy,” Sam reminded.
“Of course, how can I forget it” Maximus smiled encouragingly.
“By the way, how is your training with Hina?” Maximus asked his wives.
“It’s progressing well. Just a few more months, and we can master the method,” Isabella answered excitedly.
“Then I look forward to it.”
Soon, Maximus, and his family got into the special car that would take them to the test site.
—
Lumina Crysalis Guild, Test Site:
“Welcome to Lumina Crysalis Guild,” a steward greeted them.
“Hmm,” Maximus responded.
As Maximus and his family entered, they saw various children playing around with their parents.
This test site for kids doubled as a large playground.
“Max, you’re here!” Ella ran toward them with her Auntie, Denice.
“E-Ella,” Max greeted nervously.
“How are your preparations for the test? Are you prepared to be beaten by me?” Ella said arrogantly.
“Hmph, childish,” Max retorted, recalling what he had learned from his sister Lily.
If you can’t beat them, scold them.
“What did you say?!”
“Uh-”
“Come here and let me love you,” Ella said with a grin, ready to beat him.
“No, my poor body can’t handle it anymore,” Max said pitifully, hoping Ella would spare him.
“Hehe,” Ella didn’t respond as she moved closer to him.
“At least don’t embarrass me in front of my family…”
“Oh,” Ella then noticed that all the adults were looking at them.
“Don’t mind the child’s antics,” Denice said.
“Sure, Max is quite durable.” Maximus agreed, not minding Max being teased.
Anyway, it seemed they were just playing.
Seeing that she had permission, Ella clenched her fist, ready to beat Max.
“Dad, help me!” Max cried out.
Maximus didn’t seem to hear Max as he continued to talk to his wives and Denice.
“No!” Realizing no one was going to help him and that Ella was getting closer and closer, Max ran to escape.
“You can’t run,” Ella smiled wickedly.
“Hey, the kids can really play,” Erica said.
“It’s alright, there’s still time before the test; they should relax a little,” Maximus said.
“I heard you became a core student, congratulations,” Denice said with envy.
If Denice had known that Maximus had the potential to be a core student.
Denice would have done her best to recruit this man to her guild.
Unfortunately, it’s too late now.
Denice also heard that Maximus had already set up his own guild, so there was nothing she could do.
“Thank you.”
“How about cooperating with our guild?”
“What kind of cooperation? Our guild has just been established, we’re only newbies.”
“Compared to a senior Sister rank 9 guild, we’re just a pebble on the side of the road and don’t deserve cooperation.”
“I’m interested in the potential of your guild, not the current situation.”
“Furthermore, I think there is a chance that your guild will also reach rank 9.”
“Can I think this through?” Maximus hesitated.
If he can get a cooperation with the Lorekeeper Guild, his guild’s development will be accelerated.
“Sure, you can just tell me after you’ve decided,” Denice smiled wildly.
—
Soon, all the participants arrived one after another.
Now the place was filled with children and adults.
“Ahem, Children! Parents!” a voice spoke, capturing everyone’s attention.
“It’s Teacher Elara!” Cyra muttered.
“Is that your teacher?” Maximus asked.
“Yes, Teacher Elara was very gentle, like a mother,” Cyra said softly.
“Elara Fondshade, one of the vice presidents of the Crystals Guild,” Denice added.
“Do you know her?”
“More than knowing…” Denice didn’t explain, but there was a fierce light hidden in her eyes.
“For our test this year, we will begin with grade one students.”
“Please come to the stage,” Elara explained.
“Daddy, it’s our turn first,” Serene said.
“Daddy, watch us carefully,” Cyra added.
“Then be careful,” Maximus said, patting their heads.
“And you boys, good luck!”
“Don’t worry, Daddy, just watch us crush this test,” Luke said arrogantly.
“Hmph, this test is easy,” Sam added.
“Just don’t overdo it.”
“Come on, Neo, we’ll be late!” Luke dragged the lazy Neo onto his shoulder.
Seeing that others were also coming to the stage the five kids hurried.
Maximus also came back to their private spot, where you can see the whole place.
Thanks to his core student status, they were able to secure a good spot.
—
Soon, all the grade one students assembled.
“For the grade one students, the test will be an escape challenge,” Elara announced.
The whole place suddenly began to morph.
The parent seats detached from the floor and floated up.
The stage where the grade one students stood also changed.
It was like a complex parkour course with different heights and terrain.
Below is a bottomless drop, that made the course seem like floating.
“Grade 1 students, you need to survive 60 minutes as the whole course collapses.”
“If you fall within the time limit, you’re out!”
“Begin!”
…
Soon, the place began to collapse as the children found their way to a safe spot.
“Sisters, come here, we’ll protect you!” Luke said, looking at the collapsing area.
“Hmm.”
Although they were confident in their capabilities, Serene and Cyra were still obedient and came near their two brothers.
“Neo! Wake up!” Luke urged Neo on his shoulder.
“Is the test finished?” Neo said, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
“No, but we need your help,” Luke said, looking at Sam.
“What help-”
Before Neo could finish speaking, Luke and Sam threw him into the air.
“What kind of crazy thing did my big brothers think of again…” Neo sighed.
But Neo knew his brothers’ purpose.
As he began to fall, his brain quickly analyzed the most vulnerable place, possible scenarios, and picked the most favorable spot for them.
“How is it?” Sam asked, catching Neo.
“It’s there,” Neo pointed at a location.
“Nice one, brother!” Luke gave a thumbs up.
“Be careful; there are a few vulnerable places on the way,” Neo said as he continued to lie in his brother’s arms.
The quick analysis earlier drained his negligible energy, and now he only wanted to sleep.
“Don’t worry; leave it to us,” Luke said.
Knowing their goal, the brothers and sisters sprinted at a fast speed.
…
With Neo’s guidance from time to time.
They arrived at the chosen location without encountering any dangers.
“We’re here!” Sam exclaimed excitedly.
The place chosen by Neo was a high place with a peculiar structure.
“The structure here can resist more damage,”
“Based on my deduction, this course followed a certain logic to when a place collapses,” Neo explained.
“Oh, I see!” Luke nodded.
“What do we do now? Do we wait?” Cyra asked.
“Of course not. The course will shrink sooner or later, we need to prepare.” Luke said with a grin, looking at the pile of materials lying around.
“You mean reinforce the place?” Cyra asked.
“You indeed have the same mind as me, sister,” Luke said, rubbing her hair.
“Not possible,” Cyra said, rolling her eyes.
“Anyway, let’s begin the work!” Sam said.
“Then you go. I’ll rest for a while.” Without waiting for them, Neo found a place and lay down.
“Lazy brother,” Serene said, pinching Neo’s cheeks.
Seeing no response, the four began to reinforce the place.
…
50 minutes later, less than ten minutes before the end of the trial.
By now, the place had crumbled to pieces, with only a few fragmented areas still standing.
“Neo wake up! The course is about to collapse!” Luke urged.
“Huh?” Neo slowly woke up and looked at the surroundings.
“Oh, it’s the test…”
“We’ve already reinforced the place. What do you think we should do?” Sam asked Neo.
Although Neo was the laziest among them, he was also the smartest.
“Just don’t let people come within a 10-meter radius of us,” Neo instructed.
“Roger that!” The four quickly worked out, watching if someone came near them.
Woosh*
“Warning shot, please don’t cross the line!” Luke fired a fortified torrent upon seeing someone approaching.
“It’s you, Luke!” A student from the same class as them recognized him.
“Why can’t I cross this line?!” The student angrily said.
“Heh, for safety reasons,” Luke didn’t bother to comment.
“Hmph! Unlucky!” The student muttered as he looked for another spot.
Since he had been running all the time, he didn’t have any decent weapons.
Seeing that Luke and the group already fortified the place, he retreated quickly.