When WINI caught Oscherin’s attack, his speed was unreal… and then he used his awakened soul like a veteran. Did his understanding grow that much while meditating, or is his Void Soul just too different from other souls?
“Wini,” Gonad asked, “is your awakened soul related to physical enhancement in any way? Just curious.”
“No, it’s not,” WINI replied. “My understanding is that it’s related to spatial energy. You get what I mean, right? Like the space outside Blue Star—the one we see in those space exploration telecasts…”
Gonad understood the words, but had no idea how to picture a soul with “space” inside it.
“Oh. That sounds really cool,” he said anyway. “But that last attack you used on the boss inside the Trial… what was it? It was so powerful. Was it some high?rank skill you learned from someone?”
“No,” WINI said. “It’s still not complete. For some reason, I’m not able to execute it properly. I’m missing something… but I don’t know what yet.”
“You’re saying that skill was incomplete?” Gonad groaned. “If anyone hears that, they’ll die of jealousy. I’ve seen lots of high?rank skills from my family. When I saw yours, it felt at least A?rank. Maybe because of our low cultivation it didn’t reach what you expected?”
WINI shook his head. “No, that’s not it. There’s something missing in my understanding of the Void.”
“Void?” Gonad repeated.
“Forget it for now,” WINI said. “Let’s focus on the main thing. I feel like I can break through to the Communication Realm—the first stage of the true path toward Ascension.”
“Of course,” Gonad said. “I’m also at peak level, so I can break through.”
“Then let’s go to the practice room inside the dorms and proceed with the breakthrough.”
“Yeah, let’s go.”
Like these two, almost everyone was preparing for their breakthrough. The mid?grade spirit stone required for an easier step into the second realm could be obtained from the school—either as a merit reward so far, or by paying with low?grade spirit stones.
At the same time, inside the central tower located near the dorms in the middle of the School of Infinite, Rainor stood facing the dorm blocks, hands folded behind his back.
Robert arrived a moment later, boots echoing lightly on stone. “What are you doing here, standing still right after the Trials ended, Rainor?”
“It’s nothing, Sir Robert,” Rainor said. “As always, I’m just curious how many students will truly step onto the cultivation path this year.”
Robert chuckled. “Haha, don’t worry too much. But I still wonder—why do you keep that school rule? Saying unless they get a good ranking in the Trial Grounds, they won’t get a mid?grade spirit stone for an easy breakthrough… and then, right after the Trial, you personally send a mid?grade stone to every student. Can’t you just tell them directly?”
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Rainor laughed quietly. “You already know why, Sir Robert, yet you still ask. It’s not something unfamiliar to you, either.”
He looked back at the glowing dorm windows.
“Even though everyone can awaken their soul around eighteen,” Rainor said, “many awakened people stay stuck in the Awakener Realm forever—because of lack of understanding, effort, and talent. If I say openly that I’ll provide mid?grade stones for free, some students will still take it seriously—but others will relax inside the Trials. They’ll forget what’s really needed to break through to the second realm.”
He continued, “Getting a mid?grade spirit stone isn’t too hard with some effort, but without real pressure and work, their chances of succeeding actually drop. That’s why it’s always recommended to attempt the Communication Realm breakthrough after the Trial Grounds in all schools. You know the records—the success rate has improved a lot over the last thousand years.”
A small smile touched his lips.
“And the more individuals who enter the true cultivation path, the better for us as well.”
Robert laughed. “Haha, that last part I fully agree with.”
Kaigal walked into the tower. “Looks like I missed something big, Sir Robert?”
“Just some old friends talking,” Robert said. “Haha.”
“If you say so,” Kaigal replied, chuckling.
Evan stepped in next. “I thought I’d be the first one to come. Seems I’m not.”
Ramyas came last, shaking her head. “Looks like I’m the last to arrive. Even Kaigal came before me.”
Kaigal smirked. “Are you still feeling proud because so many students chose your academy?”
“Of course,” Ramyas laughed.
“Don’t forget,” Kaigal said, “the actual selections start now.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know,” she replied. “I’m just joking. You’re no fun, Kaigal.”
They chatted for a while.
Every year, the top fifty students from the Trial were selected immediately because of their performance and effort. They received more privileged admissions:
- First rank from the Trials received elite?rank admission.
- Other top students received advanced?rank admissions.
But that wasn’t all. Each prestigious academy accepted about 1,200 students per year from across the continent. There would be chances for other students as well—based on their next step in cultivation. Only the instructors and the head of the School of Infinite knew how this actually worked.
Robert leaned on the railing, looking out into the night. “What do you think, Rainor? Out of those nine hundred awakened students this year, how many do you think can succeed in breaking through tonight?”
Rainor thought for a moment. “Some students take one or two days to reach the second realm. But if we’re only talking about this night, I’m not sure, Sir Robert. Until now, the highest number of students who broke through in a single night after the Trial is 233. That record is from the last thousand years and is written in the school archives.”
Robert grinned. “Haha, that’s a good number. Let’s see what happens this time.”
Rainor turned slightly and called, “Miss Mirai.”
A teacher stepped forward. “Yes, Headmaster?”
“Is the choice?entry message and list?recording device ready?”
“Yes, Headmaster,” Mirai said. “Everything is ready. Once the esteemed guests give the names of the students they want admitted into their academies, I’ll record those names and send out the choice entries.”
Robert waved a hand. “Don’t worry so much. Everyone who succeeds in breaking through is qualified to enter all five academies. Just list their names and send the messages to their personal devices. I think we’ll get replies immediately. Students are always eager… haha, I miss my student life.”
The instructors laughed softly, remembering their own school days—but they all knew how harsh Robert’s student years had been, so they held back from teasing.
Kaigal glanced at Rainor. “Rainor, you’re responsible for Infinite Academy’s admissions this year too?”
“Yes, Kaigal,” Rainor said. “I’m still an instructor of Infinite Academy. Being a headmaster here doesn’t give me any special privilege.”
“Well, that’s true,” Kaigal chuckled. “All the best, then.”
“Thanks. Same to all of you,” Rainor replied.
Ramyas smiled. “You already have the first?rank student heading to your side. Of course you’ll have fewer worries.”
Rainor laughed lightly. “We’ll see. All the best to you too, Ramyas.”
The instructors turned their gazes back toward the dorms, where lights were flaring one after another and spirit stones were beginning to glow.
All of them waited, quietly excited, to see how many of this year’s awakeners would successfully step into the Communication Realm before dawn.
The Trial is over, but the real journey begins now. From the Communication Realm onward, talent alone won’t be enough—choices, understanding, and consequences will shape everything.