Celestial Selection

The lot got back to the academy safely. They were treated with a handsome load of Arcane Crystals after the administration heard of what happened to them. They were also given an academic break to not only compensate them for what happened but also give them time to train for the Celestial Selection. Z took this time to leave for the mountains with the help of Lumen.

"Alas, traveling again," Z sighed.

(This was your decision. You need the vast Arcane at the top of the mountain to help you absorb that Black Arcane Crystal I spent so much effort to get.) Lumen said.

Z put his hand inside his coat before pulling the Black Arcane Crystal the size of a bus out of nowhere.

(Madam Anne's Spatial Crest's quality is really high.)

"Indeed," Z said while staring at the Black AC with a satisfied expression. "The travel is worth it. I will be able to enhance my Shadow Law."

(Is that what you learned from Miss Silvers? I am still mesmerized that you learned all six of your master's teachings.)

The days quickly passed by until Z finally reached the mountain where he was raised. A sense of nostalgia filled his eyes even though he had only been away for a month. Without any hesitation, he meditated in front of the Black AC and bathed under the Laws within it.

'I already reached the necessary comprehension for Shadow Law, I am just waiting for the Gift of the Laws. Thankfully, I found this rare piece. This will greatly help me in the upcoming Celestial Welcome; after all, Lumen is only fantastic against Abyssals,' Z thought.

After a while, the Black AC cracked and revealed a series of intricate Runes with colors that reverberated the world. They seemed to be one with the universe as they enveloped Z. Soon, the field around him was occupied with more Runes that slowly merged into him.

Z bathed under this radiance for an entire month, soaking all of the power within the Laws inside the Black AC. This process demands an enormous amount of Arcane for a person to sustain such a long merging with the Laws, but Z had a bus-sized Black Arcane Crystal in front of him supported by the Arcane from the mountain peak, so he was able to soldier through.

After he rose, he looked like a brand new person, still glowing with the radiance of the Laws, but as he proceeded through his days of training, the glow disappeared. He proceeded to spend the majority of the remaining month mastering his newly acquired power.

He already grasped the core of the Law, so it was not difficult for him to put it into practice, but still, it took three long weeks of continuous training for him to utilize it.

(See? Fascinating. Your constitution of being able to contain opposing Laws is not unique, but your utilization of it is at its peak.) Lumen commented.

"It is all thanks to my masters," Z said while looking at the distance before sighing.

(I know how you feel. I miss Master Feng as well.) Lumen sighed.

The two chatted for a while before finally departing. Z could not help but sigh once more as he was once again traveling. 'I need to learn Space Law next,' he thought.

When he arrived at the dorm, he found no one inside but the butlers and maids who came rushing toward him. "Sir Z, thank the Laws we found you. They are about to depart, come!" the butler said in a panic as he dragged Z out.

"You, rascal! You almost missed the Celestial Selection!" Noel said while intently staring at him.

"I am early," Z said.

"Early? The Celestial Selection is going to happen in three days and we still need to cross half the distance of The Explored World. We almost got late waiting for you," Anshth reprimanded.

Z did not care for their scolding and instead looked around. He sighed in disappointment after not seeing Gale around. 'This system of status is ridiculous,' he thought.

"Why are there only five of us?" Z whispered to Lea.

"There are only five slots available for our academy due to our low standing. The professors decided on the five of us since we have the most prospect. Yndrei, Ashe, and Henry had not entered the Celestial Land yet, so here we are," Ashe explained while they hopped on the Diamond Eagle of Anshth. The Diamond Eagle flew as fast as it could which was significantly faster than their previous ride, causing Lea to hold on to the diamond feathers of the eagle.

"The headquarters is a sacred place, so exercise your best behavior. It is home to the best and brightest prodigies of the world, housing the talents of The Stellar 12. If you offend one of them, there is nothing we can do for you," Anshth reminded.

"This is specifically true for you, Z. Take your insults out of your system. The individuals in the headquarters have onion skins. They are extremely sensitive," Noel added.

'My masters warned me about this as well. However, Lady Emilia gave me something in case that happens. Still, I need to exercise caution,' Z thought.

"Your response?" Noel asked.

"I will see what I can do."

"Behave yourself!" Anshth ordered. "We do not need unnecessary problems for our branch. Learn to swallow your pride."

"If it is only a matter of pride, I can swallow it. However, my principles will never be swayed, for a man with no principles is but a lump of dirt enveloped with Arcane," Z solemnly stated which caused Henry to shiver a little.

Their flight went smoothly which led them to arrive at the headquarters of The Celestial Academy just in time for the event. They all stood still at the front gate of the academy, completely mesmerized by the spectacle.

'How majestic. It is as if the cosmos is one with the academy. The Laws and Arcane here are immaculate,' Z thought in awe. 'I wonder what kind of Celestial Constant I will get. I am pumped!'