Chapter 15: The Breaking Barrier

Light sat cross-legged in his dimly lit room, the air filled with the subtle hum of energy. His focus was absolute, as it had been for the last month, tirelessly pushing the limits of his cultivation. He was at the cusp, the critical stage where Stardust would either transform into the Star Nebula. Many magicians reached the third level of cultivation, but breaking the barrier to expand Stardust into the Star Nebula was where the real challenge lay. Countless magicians remained stuck at this stage for years, even decades. This barrier wasn't easy to breach, and only those who managed to break through truly began their journey toward the pinnacle of magic.

Light was determined not to be one of those who would stagnate. He had to push through.

His sister, Su Hongxiu, had recently reached level 3 as well, and her success served as both motivation and pressure. If she could do it, so could he.

For the past 1 month, Light had been strengthening his 3rd level cultivation, making it more stable and refined. It was essential to build a strong foundation before attempting the breakthrough, something his step mother, Hera, had emphasized countless times. The pressure to succeed had mounted, but Light found solace in his carefully crafted routine. He had made a few adjustments to his meditation schedule once again, knowing that his future depended on it.

He now dedicated 7 hours daily to cultivating his Space Element, the one he had the most affinity with, but he understood the importance of balance. Thus, he allocated 10 hours to focus on growing his Undead and Chaos Elements. These elements, still at their 1st levels, needed careful attention. He couldn't afford to neglect them.

For next 5 months, Light had stuck to this grueling schedule, pouring every ounce of his energy into it.

Then, after 5 months of steady cultivation and with the constant nourishment from the Little Loach Pendant, Light felt a shift within him. It was subtle at first, a tingling sensation that grew with each meditation session. His Space Element Stardust, which had seemed like an immovable object, began to respond to his relentless willpower. Finally, one night, the barrier gave way. The energy flowed freely, and his Stardust expanded into the vastness of a Star Nebula. The feeling was unlike anything he had ever experienced—a rush of power, clarity, and connection to the universe.

He had done it.

Light stood, his body buzzing with the newfound energy of the Star Nebula. It wasn't just a victory for him but a significant milestone in his cultivation journey. He could hardly wait to share the news with his sisters, who had recently returned home for the holidays from Imperial College and the Pearl Institute.

As Light and his sisters gathered in the family hall, the air was filled with excitement. Su Hongxiu, the youngest among his elder sisters, had reached the 3rd level as well, and the two exchanged knowing glances. They understood the struggle it took to get there.

The conversation quickly turned to their cultivation progress, and Athena, the eldest, was the first to share. "I've reached the 3rd level in the Intermediate Stage of my Lightning-Fire Element," she announced, her voice calm but filled with pride. "My Light Element is still in the 2nd level, but I'm focusing on pushing both further."

Athena's accomplishments were impressive, but it was her next statement that truly caught everyone's attention. "I've already saturated my Star Nebula for the Lightning-Fire Element," she continued, "and I'm preparing for a breakthrough to the Advanced Stage. Mother has invited me to the Parthenon Temple for my advancement. She says it's the perfect place to make the leap."

Light nodded, impressed but not surprised. Athena had always been the family's prodigy, and her growth was nothing short of remarkable. "What about the resources?" Light asked.

"I've already spoken to the Zhao family," Athena replied, her eyes gleaming. "They're arranging the necessary resources for the breakthrough."

Next, it was Su Xuanhua's turn. "I've reached the second level in the Intermediate Stage of my Lightning Element, and my Shadow Element is at the third level of the Primary Stage."

Su Hongxiu smiled, sharing her progress last. "I've reached the third level of the Primary Stage with my Fire Element. It's been tough, but I'm getting there."

Light, in turn, shared his own growth. "I've finally reached the Intermediate Stage in the Space Element," he said, eliciting gasps of surprise from his sisters. "But my Undead and Chaos Elements are still at the first level."

His sisters exchanged approving nods, but Athena, always the strategist, quickly asked the next logical question. "When are you going to have your second awakening? And where?"

Light smiled. "I'm planning to awaken at the Apex Spire Towe again. I want to focus on awakening an elemental magic type next, either Lightning or Fire. But I'm giving myself 6 more months, until my birthday so that I can cultivate Undead and Chaos Element properly."

The room buzzed with approval. Light's logic was sound, and his sisters agreed that focusing on his Undead and Chaos Elements first was a smart move. They knew how important balance was in cultivation, and sidelining those elements could hurt him in the long run.

---

After the breakthrough to the Intermediate Stage, Light knew the effects of meditation would increase by a staggering 100% for Stardust. His cultivation efficiency had essentially doubled. It was a game-changer, and with that in mind, he once again made minor adjustments to his meditation schedule. Now, he planned to cultivate Space Magic for 5 hours daily, allocate 8 hours to the Undead Element, and 5 hours to the Chaos Element. Thanks to the enhanced meditation effects and the constant nourishment from the Little Loach Pendant, it would be equivalent to cultivating the Undead Element for 16 hours and the Chaos Element for 8 hours a day, along with little loach pendant nourishment.

Light planned to follow this new regimen for another 6 months, just until his fifteenth birthday, which fell on March 31st. The date held special significance, as it marked the transition between school sessions, and Light's birthday was always a holiday.

6 months passed in the blink of an eye, and by his birthday, Light had made incredible progress. He had mastered the first level of Intermediate Space Magic, while both his Undead and Chaos Elements had reached the second level of the Primary Stage. His sisters were equally pleased with their own progress, and after months of dedicated cultivation, they felt ready for the next challenge.

The siblings had long discussed the idea of venturing outside the Safe Zones for some real-world training. Now that they had grown stronger, it was time to put their skills to the test. Initially, their parents had opposed the idea, but their children's determination was unshakable. Eventually, their parents relented, but with a strict condition: they would stay close to the Safe Zone and not venture too deep into dangerous territory.

After celebrating Light's fifteenth birthday, the siblings packed their gear and set out for the Safe Zone in a fast-moving Titanium Jeep. It was the first time Light and Su Hongxiu had stepped outside the protection of the Safe Zone. Su Xuanhua and Athena, however, had already experienced the dangers of the outside world during their college practical exams.

Su Xuanhua had recently completed her practical examination, and the confidence she exuded was palpable. But it was Athena who radiated the most assurance, having just broken through to the Advanced Stage. She had already used Light's Magic Accelerator to help her draw her Star Constellation, though she was still refining her technique.

"I'm confident I can take down even the strongest Warrior-Class Demon Creature," Athena said, her eyes blazing with determination.

---

The day outside the Safe Zone was thrilling and intense. The group encountered a nest of Minion-Level Demon Creatures, and they didn't hesitate to engage. Athena, true to her word, handled the creatures with ease, while Su Xuanhua demonstrated her growing prowess by felling several enemies with lightning precision.

Light, eager to prove himself, single-handedly killed 10 Minion-Level Demon Creatures, while Su Hongxiu managed to take down 4 on her own. It was a triumphant moment for all of them, and by the time they returned to the Safe Zone in their Titanium Jeep, they were buzzing with excitement. They had celebrated their first successful hunt, and the thrill of it left them hungry for more.

Time flew by, and soon enough, the date for the magic exams was fast approaching. For anyone aspiring to become a Mage, this marked the first significant milestone in their journey. Being admitted into Magic High School was a rite of passage, and with it came the Magic Awakening—an event that every high school magic student eagerly anticipated.

The school officially started on April 11th, and this date held great importance for all magic students across the continent. The opening day wasn't just about formal introductions or settling into new routines. Instead, it was the day students would determine what kind of Elemental Magician they would become. Awakening, as the name suggested, was the process of unlocking the dormant powers hidden within each student, a monumental step that would chart their magical path for the rest of their lives.

For Light, however, the ritual of registration and awakening had already been completed. His name was already inscribed within the annals of the Asia Magic Association as a full-fledged mage. This wasn't common knowledge, and it wasn't something he broadcast to the world.

One afternoon, as Light returned from the Bo City Magic Association, he neared the entrance of his home, and a familiar figure suddenly bounded toward him, full of energy and mischief.

"Light!" shouted Zhang Xiao Hou, his face lit up with joy as he sprung out like a monkey ready for play. Zhang Xiao Hou had been a part of Light's life for as long as he could remember. One could say they grew up together in this block, and in time, he had become Light's best friend.

"Xiao Hou," Light responded, smiling as he acknowledged his friend.

Zhang Xiao Hou, barely able to contain his excitement, started bombarding him with questions. "So, Light! Are you planning to skip Magic High School too, just like you skipped Magic Primary School?"

Light chuckled, shaking his head. "No, I'm not skipping this time. Actually, I've planned to be specially recruited by Tian Lan Magic High."

Zhang Xiao Hou's eyes widened, full of astonishment. "Special recruitment? You? Wow! You've really become that capable, haven't you?" His voice brimmed with admiration, though laced with a hint of jealousy. Special recruitment into a prestigious magic school like Tian Lan was not something an average student could hope for.

Xiao Hou's curiosity got the better of him, and he continued his inquiry. "So, what element are you planning to awaken?" His excitement was palpable.

Light paused for a moment, thinking about how to handle the conversation. He hadn't told anyone about his actual awakening—not even Xiao Hou. After all, there was no need to, not yet. Light smiled a bit mischievously, deciding to tease his friend. "Actually... I've already awakened my element just a few days ago."

"What?" Xiao Hou was astonished. "You've already awakened?"

"Yep," Light replied casually, though he knew this would only fuel his friend's curiosity further.

"Well, what is it?" Zhang Xiao Hou demanded, bouncing in place like an impatient child.

Light suppressed a grin and gave the answer as if it was no big deal. "Space Element. Dimensional Magic."

Zhang Xiao Hou's face went blank for a second, as if he couldn't quite process the words he'd just heard. "Wait... what? Space Element?" His voice grew louder as the shock took hold. "Dimensional Magic? That's... that's impossible! No way!"

Light chuckled, enjoying his friend's reaction. "It's rare, I know. But I had a Guided Awakening. That increased my chances significantly."

Zhang Xiao Hou's surprise morphed into realization. "Ah, a Guided Awakening! That makes sense now. Still, Space Element is insane!"

Most people in the magic world had to wait until they turned 15 to receive their first magical awakening, which mostly bestowed elemental magics.

Light's sisters had all awakened early—at 14—for a head start, something that had made them prodigies in their own right. But awakening a rare element like Space Magic, especially under such controlled circumstances, put Light in an entirely different league.

"Man, you really are something else," Zhang Xiao Hou admitted, rubbing the back of his head in disbelief. "I mean, I always knew you'd be strong, but this is on a whole new level."

Light smiled, saying nothing more. He didn't feel the need to elaborate on his secret cultivation or the powerful elements he had yet to disclose. For now, Space Magic was all Xiao Hou needed to know.

As the conversation waned, Light couldn't help but think about what the future held. The journey ahead would be filled with trials, challenges, and even greater discoveries. His sisters, already powerful in their own right, had awakened elements that had solidified their place among the elite. Athena had even broken through into the Advance Stage with her first element, Lightning-Fire, and Su Xuanhua was progressing steadily in both her Lightning and Shadow Elements.

And now, here he was—equipped with Space, Chaos, and Undead Elements, waiting for his second awakening in few days, when he planned to awaken an Elemental Magic.

For now, though, Light would keep things under wraps. The time for grandeur and power displays would come soon enough. Until then, he would continue to strengthen his skills and prepare for whatever awaited him next.