AFTER 4 MONTHS
"Fiery Fist: Nine Halls!" Nishant casted, a group of 8 servant class monsters burnt to death. The area was now clear with no monsters alive. Nishant peeked in his soul container and licked his lips.
"49 soul essences, should I do that?" Nishant asked himself and then smiled mischievously.
"Fuck it." Nishant strengthened his Fire Nebula Stars.
"This should increase my chances of expanding Fire Nebula into Fire Galaxy. I'm almost ready. But my Space Element is still at Tier-2." Nishant reminded himself. It wouldn't be surprising if he failed his breakthrough and even worse he might fail his awakening.
"Fiery Fist: Nine Dragons!" Nishant resumed the massacre by attacking the new wave of monsters. The thin stream of soul remnants is very motivating for him.
"Great Fire Burst!" Nishant casted and killed 2 servants with one Novice Tier spell.
"This is the highest yield so far." Nishant earned 3 soul essences from the hunting.
AFTER 1 MONTH
"Space Element is at Tier-3 now." Nishant was descending from the Dimension Altar with light steps. He felt like if he jumped a little harder he might reach Ozone Layer.
"I wish Semester exams would come every month. Well in the 5th semester I will be getting 3 days in Altar every month. I need to get into contact with the seniors and juniors of Fire School. Fire Altar will guarantee my success." Nishant nodded to himself and went to fire school.
AFTER FEW DAYS
Nishant is currently on the outskirts of Jaipur. He came here for a very special purpose. He had accumulated a staggering amount of soul remnants of 10,000. According to his source of information, there is an Undead Mage with the highest soul remnant fusing efficiency.
"Crush!!!" Nishant killed several crimson scorpions ruthlessly. He was angry, very angry.
"Highest efficiency my foot! 450 soul remnants for 1 soul essence like hell!" Nishant spat at the efficiency.
"Fiery Fist: Nine Dragons!" Nishant hurled his fist in anger. The dragons chased after the running monsters, it wasn't any illusion. Nishant's control over Fire Element has really reached that level.
"*Pant* *pant*... there is no point in fusing those soul remnants, the price will be the same." Nishant decided.
Suddenly an intense red light shot upwards in the sky.
"Heh!" Nishant looked at the light in slight confusion. He wasn't very knowledgeable about the signals. But his gut feeling was telling him to go to the source. As they remind him of the crimson alert of Bo city.
"Scatter!" Nishant rushed towards the origin of the signal.
"Fiery Fist: Exploding Heavens!"
"Thunder Bolt: Exploding Apex!"
"Fire Burst: Rupture!"
"Fiery Fist: Exploding Heavens!"
"Lightning Strike: Wrath Shock!"
Nishant arrived at the location and found a mage surrounded by Blood Sucking Monkeys.
"Should I pity him or be impressed by his bad luck?" Nishant was at a loss. Blood Sucking Monkeys were mainly found in mountain areas although they are also found in plains but to actually stumble into such a big group was still amazing. It would require all the nests in the area of 400 Km2 to come together to match the numbers of monkeys he stumbled on in Himachal Pradesh.
"Fiery Fist: Nine Dragons!" Nishant casted and killed more than 20 monsters at once.
"What?!" The mage in crisis was taken back by the strength of the spell. He was dazed for a few moments but regained his focus and continued fighting.
"Fiery Fist: Nine Dragons!" Nishant again attacked the monsters where their density was high for maximum output.
"Fiery Fist: Nine Halls!" the mage casted.
"Thunderbolt: Madness Dance!" the mage started competing with Nishant. Nishant grinned.
"Fiery Fist Nine Dragons!" Nishant wasn't to be belittle either.
The duo quickly takes care of the monsters.
"*Pant* *pant*... thanks for your help" the mage thanked as if he was doing some favour on Nishant. Nishant simply nodded at him.
After resting for a while two of them went to Udaipur the nearest safe zone.
AFTER 2 MONTHS
Nishant is cultivating in the Fire Altar. He had a calm expression on his face but internally a storm was raging.
Nishant nervously pulled out the galaxy vein. He has his Nebula Tier Magic Tool and Fire Element Tool.
'If all this can't help me ascend the Advance tier then I don't know how I will ascend to the Super tier.' Nishant thought.
Then he started meditating. He focused on his fire nebula. It sometimes shows distortion then regains its original form.
'Come on please turn into a galaxy. Everyone grows up and becomes big and strong. Don't you want to become stronger. Look at your little brother Space nebula it's already become big almost on par with you while you were born years before him. Would you like it when your little brother becomes stronger and bigger than you. Don't you have any pride, any self esteem, at least think about your reputation, fire element is considered to be one of the best.' Nishant tried to provoke Fire Nebula and it responded.
"I'm the best... I'M THE BEST!" Nishant should loudly in the Fire Altar. He has expanded his Fire Nebula into the Fire Galaxy.
Nishant didn't waste any time and went straight for awakening in the Delhi Magic Association.
"So what element do you want to awaken young man?" awakening guide asked.
"Lightning!" Nishant said with certainty.
"I see, this is your second awakening, right?" awakening guide asked though he was 100% sure that was the case.
"No, this will be my third awakening." Nishan replied.
"Are you saying you are an Advance Tier mage?" awakening guide said in amusement.
Stolen story; please report.
"Yes" Nishant said in a serious tone. He knows people will not take him seriously due to his age but he doesn't care.
"I see, but if you're lying I warn you the guiding stone will cost around 40 crores. You will be wasting your money." awakening guide warned.
"Here is the money, just start already." Nishant gave him the Silver Card of Hunter Union. Awakening guide deducted the money and led Nishant into the awakening chamber.
Nishant placed his hands on the awakening stone and closed his eyes. He found himself floating in the endless space with his Fire Galaxy and Space Nebula. After a few moments, a purple stardust appeared in his spiritual world.
"You came to the right place young man. My guiding materials are the best around here. Next time... I mean if you have friends planning for awakening you can send them to me." awakening guide boasted and saw off Nishant.
AFTER 2 MONTHS
DING~
"Sky Scrapping Snake... I should go." Nishant decided. He did plan to not interfere with the plot until Ancient Capital's calamity but the scales of Totem Snake were too charming for someone like him who has no defensive equipment.
NEXT DAY
Nishant is in China more specifically in Hangzhou.
'So, am I supposed to wait until the Totem Snake shed its skin?' Nishant asked himself. He thought for a while.
'That would be the best course of action.' Nishant replied to himself. Nishant behaved like a normal tourist and spent his time in a hotel.
AFTER FEW DAYS
The news of the second appearance of Sky Scrapping Snake spread like wild fire and Nishant went to the lake.
'Damn! what a fearsome beast?' Nishant looked at Sky Scrapping Snake in awe. He couldn't help but imagine if Totem Snake went berserk, Hangzhou would be wiped out in a single day. Not to mention its Poison Domain which can easily kill all humans including Advance Tier mages.
Suddenly the Chinese population started shouting something in mandarin. By their expression it could be said they were angry and their anger was directed towards the Totem Snake.
AFTER SEVERAL HOURS
'Yawn~ just how long?' Nishant got bored by waiting.
NEXT DAY
'Finally!' Nishant saw the 'Lightning Punishment Formation' disappearing and the Totem Snake started shedding its skin.
After some time, Totem Snake was done with its shedding and left with Mo Fan and Ling Ling.
Nishant dived into the lake and went to find the scales. Nishant reached the scales and touched it and closed his eyes.
'Nope... Nope nope... Yes' Nishant touched the scales and tried to find the rare scales, usually it is close to impossible to get rare loot from a single beast but Totem Snake wasn't any beast and its size was enormous with countless scales.
'This makes it 4th.' Nishant collected 4 scales and left the lake.
Nishant took a train to Shanghai as flights were cancelled in Hangzhou for some time due to the attack of Sky Silver Ruler.
Nishant returned to India the same day, he was feeling like a smuggler. He was afraid someone might come to his hotel room and demand those scales.
NEXT DAY
Nishant went to a reputed forge master in Delhi. Fortunately, he is also a professor in IIM otherwise he would have to wait for a month or even more just to meet him.
Nishant is now waiting in the hallway to meet the forge master.
"Mr. Nishant it is your turn." a peon informed.
Nishant entered the office and found a bald old man with white moustache.
"Good afternoon sir." Nishant greeted politely.
"If it isn't the famous Mid Tier Space Mage of our institute. What brings you here?" old man asked. Nishant just gave a polite smile.
"You see sir, I was in China a few days ago to get a chance to see the Sky Scrapping Snake. It turned out it was the snake's ecdysis period. By luck I got the chance to get some rare scales from its old skin. I was hoping you could forge armour for me." Nishant explained and showed the scales.
"Wonderful! scales of the Sky Scrapping Snake. It's been a while since I worked on such a project but the defenses will only be comparable to that of a standard commander as they are from shedded skin instead of the real skin. But that should already be plenty for you. You can leave the scales with my assistant." old man said and pointed towards the window through which a door is visible in hallway leading to the forge.
"And when do I come to fetch it." Nishant asked. Although he wasn't short on time. He still wants it as soon as possible.
"Hmm... You can come after a month." old man said and lit up a cigar.
Nishant entered the forge and found a man who appeared to be in his late 20s. He was busy with some 'rock'.
"Hello, Professor Malhotra sent me here." Nishant said.
"Who else could? Place your material in one of the boxes near the door and don't forget to write your name and number. Come back after 10 months." Man said without giving a Nishant a single look.
"Professor said that I can get it in 1 month." Nishant said in his casual blunt tone. (which sounds quite rude, if you have met a core Haryanvi Guy, you will know.) Assistant felt his eye twitching and glared at Nishant.
"And who are you?" Assistant asked in the same tone and looked at Nishant from head to toe.
"I'm Nishant from IIM." Nishant gave a short introduction. He wanted to add Advance Tier but held back.
"I see. I will talk with the Professor. I think he hasn't seen the updated project list. You may leave. I will inform you if there are changes in schedule." Assistant said in a polite casual tone. Nishant gave him a nod and left.
"I will now take my leave professor." Nishant said and the professor nodded in response.
AFTER FEW DAYS
Naveen decided to go to Hellish Maze before going to attempt to ascend to Advance Tier for better chances to expand his Space Nebula into Space Galaxy. He easily reached the place he got beaten up last time.
"Here it comes." Naveen said when the rock wall closed his escape. Golem also made its entry.
~Golem is invincible, break the wall on the right side to clear Level-3~ the high pitched sound was now understandable because Naveen's Mental Strength was at Peak Level-3 now.
"Invincible my ass, if I was allowed to use Advance Tier spells, I will show it true invincibility." Nishant was upset. Until yesterday he was dreaming of destroying the acursed golem in a single spell.
"Void Burst!" Naveen broke the wall and entered the hidden passage behind it. Golem didn't follow him.
[Void Burst- It is Scatter Spell in form of a ball which came into effect after making contact with a surface.]
"So this is Level-4." Naveen entered the last level of the maze. If he can cross it he will achieve Level-4 mental strength.
"Similar to the last but the effect of that scent and sound must be higher." Naveen guessed.
"As I thought it is indeed the case." Naveen said while nodding his head as he found his assumption true. Even with his peak Level-3 mental strength he was feeling discomfort.
After walking some distance an entire pack of rock golems appeared. They were blocking the path completely.
"They better not be invincible like the last one." Naveen said nervously. If they were what's even the point of the challenge. One of them was enough.
"Space Rhythm: Delay!" Naveen slowed down the golems.
"Ki Kick! Die!... thank goodness they are actually beatable otherwise their numbers are frightening." Naveen said in relief and started bashing golems.
"Scatter!" Nishant weaved through the surrounding golems and targeted their weaker parts with Ki Punch.
"Ki Kick... wait a minute do I really need to call attack names like that." Nishant asked himself.
"Fiery First: Nine Halls!" Nishant punched the ground and nine fire pillars destroyed a group of 3 golems. He was especially requested by the keeper to not use spells stronger than Mid Tier.
"*pant* *pant*... this place... safe zone? so this place is divided in parts. I should recover my energy first." Nishant talked to himself. He has been fighting for quite a few hours.
After resting for a while Nishant continued on his way to complete the Level-4.
.
.
.
"Good grief, it's the 3rd safe zone already just how many of them there are." Naveen said in exhaustion and fell down on the ground to rest. Each safe zone was 500 metres apart and the path was filled with tens of golems.
4th level's design works similarly to the weight training done by wearing body weights, ankle and similar things. When you normalise yourself with those weights and remove them you will feel stronger and with regular weight training you will be stronger.
Similarly, at 4th level the dizzy effect of scent and irritation of high pitched sound is being normalised to the mage who is fighting monsters. The scent and sound are steadily increasing as he moves further in the maze along with the strength of the monsters. And most importantly the mana consumption rate is also increasing.
.
.
"It's already two days, I should be quickly done with this one." Nishant said and left the safe zone.
"Come on Nishant just a few metres more." Nishant said to himself as he already covered more than half of the 4th part. There is a sign in midway marking the halfway of 4th level to encourage students. But most students might get discouraged by it.
"Fuck my luck Ki Shield" Nishant cursed as he encountered a giant golem at the end of 4th part with several normal golems surrounding it.
*Bam* Golem punched Nishant but Naveen blocked the hit by crossing his Ki covered hands before his chest. The hit sent back Nishant several metres but he was still on his feet.
'Strong' the thought appeared as soon as the Nishant came into contact with the punch.
*Bam* *Bam* the surrounding golems also started hitting Nishant but he was covered in Ki armour. The ground below Nishant started sinking.
"Damn it, why the hell do I get in such situations?" Nishant cursed.
*Stomp* *Stomp* Giant Golem starts moving towards Nishant.
"Space Rhythm: Delay!" Nishant casted somehow and escaped the death trap.
"Space Rhythm: Compressed Point!" the spell destroyed all the Golems with their main body in its path.
"Space Rhythm: Fissure Ring!" Nishant casted, the spell cut almost all of the golems in its way into half except the big one. Giant Golem has Earth magic protecting it.
"Space Rhythm: Fissure Helix!" a continuous series of small fissures stricken Giant Golem at the same spot. The attack pierced through Golem and made a small hole. But it doesn't mean much as the Golem regenerated.
Nishant fought for an hour and then succumbed to his exhaustion and pain.
AFTER 1 MONTH
4th semester ended and Nishant got chance to cultivate in Dimensional Altar for 1 week which he used to attempt breakthrough.
"That leaves my Lightning Element which is still stuck at Mid Tier. But not for long especially, once I get transferred to the Lightning School." Nishant was doubtful. There is a possibility that authorities not only transfer him but also force him into graduation and he might lose his chance to compete National Team Selection Tournament.
NEXT DAY
Nishant went to retrieve his armour from the forge.
"50 Crores (90 million RMB) huh?" Nishant used his card for the payment. He took the armour and left. After exiting the forge he placed his right hand on his heart.
"Now now, don't be depressed. I promise we will make lots of money." Nishant consoled himself.
...
'To think they would take such a long time. But I have to say they have really made an art piece.' Nishant looked at himself in the mirror. Unlike Mo Fan's light body armour, Nishant's armour is heavy with guards on his shoulders, elbow, forearms, thighs, knees and shin. The helmet is a closed type which resembles a snake.
'Now that I think I look like a Power Ranger. Haha...' Nishant looked at the armour for quite a long time.
AFTER FEW DAYS
Nishant sent an email to the Dean requesting transfer to Lightning School.
NEXT DAY
Nishant is summoned by Dean to his office the very next day. Now Nishant is waiting in reception hall.
"Mr. Nishant, Dean has summoned you." reception informed. Nishant went to the office.
Knock knock~
"Come in!" a gentle voice came from the office.
"Goodafternoon sir." Nishant greeted. Dean just nodded in response and signalled Nishant to sit down. Nishant sat down on the middle chair opposite of the Dean. Nishant looked straight into Dean's eyes.
"I read your email. It says you want to be transferred into Lightning School." Dean said.
"Yes sir." Nishant confirmed.
"If my memory serves me right, in beginning you were in Fire School, then in Dimensional School and now Lightning School. Is that correct?" Dean asked.
"Yes sir." Nishant confirmed.
"So either you have innate talent of awakening 2 elements or you have reached Advance Tier. Which one?" Dean asked.
"Advance Tier sir." Nishant replied.
"Hahaha... please excuse my sudden laughter. But it is really a great achievement. Why do you want to waste your time here when you can get an early graduation. I can recommend you to any National Agency you want." Dean offered.
"Thank you for your kind offer sir. But I want to continue my education here." Nishant refused politely.
"And your reasoning." Dean said in curiosity.
"World College Tournament." Nishant said.
"I see... But why not the commonwealth tournament?" Dean asked. If anything, mages from commonwealth tournaments live the most accomplished life in India. Every participating team has made a name for themselves. Any talented young mage would die to become a member of the Commonwealth Team. While in WCT, India's performance always remained poor. So, the team selected for the world college tournament is always inferior to the commonwealth team.
"India has made its name in Commonwealth Games several time but in WCT it is always miserable. I want to participate in it so that I can try to do better." Nishant gave a vague reply.
"You think you alone can make a change." Dean said in amusement.
"No but I want to try and see how far I can go against the best of the world." Nishant said.
"*Smile* now you are being true to yourself. You just want to satisfy your ego. You think you are one of the best young mages in the world and want to prove it to everyone. I'm letting you transfer into the Lightning School but you're not allowed to use Advance Tier Spells and Space Element." Dean said and signed a document and gave it to Nishant.
