"Yes, techniques are the building blocks for spiriters." Eleanor replied again.
"For a spirit, imagine the innate spirit being the core, the abilities being the foundation, and then the techniques being the building." Eleanor continued.
Cole listened attentively to those words while simultaneously trying to assimilate them.
"Since innate spirits have similarities, there are techniques that they can be utilized in to bring out the full strength of their abilities."
"They aren't usually available to the general public, so it is quite rare to see rogue spiriters using techniques," a smug smile tugging her lips.
"Where can I get one then?" Cole asked curiously.
"You can get one in the library using academic points," Eleanor replied nonchalantly.
Then a thought suddenly popped into Cole's mind as he remembered his first day in the academy.
"How did I defeat that senior then? Doesn't he have techniques?" Cole asked while looking towards Eleanor.
"He was forbidden from using any technique in that battle. Do you really think you would have defeated him at full strength?" Eleanor asked with a raised eyebrow.
"The Spiriters Academy doesn't raise trash that weak," she said with a cool voice.
Cole's horizon was broadened even further as he contemplated the information he was just provided.
"I am still really weak, uhh," Cole muttered as he curled his hand tightly, his nails almost digging into his palm.
The expression vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced with burning determination.
"I will crawl my way towards you, Thomas," Cole thought.
"That's quite the burning gaze," Eleanor thought while watching Cole's face.
"I hope he doesn't burn himself."
She breathed a sigh of relief while staring at Cole; she had finally fulfilled what was asked of her.
"You can leave now, kid; training has officially ended," Eleanor said to Cole.
Her words brought Cole back to the moment as he raised his head to look at her.
"Just like that?" Cole asked reluctantly.
"What more do you want? I am not your mother," Eleanor retorted.
Cole was quite taken aback by her response, but he remained quiet and moved towards a corner to change out of the combat suit.
The moment he was done, he bade farewell to Eleanor before proceeding to leave the Combat Hall.
"Be as prepared as possible; the next few days won't be so nice," Eleanor shouted from behind him.
Cole's heart skipped a beat as Bryan's earlier warning resurfaced in his mind.
He turned around to look towards Eleanor and nodded sharply with a serious gaze and then continued his journey back to his hostel.
When Cole was completely out of sight, Eleanor turned to look at the dark corner.
"I have fulfilled my side of the bargain; you could see the obvious growth, right?" She said towards the corner.
Isaac's body materialized from the corner, with a sly smile plastered on his face.
"Yes I can, the kid is quite talented" Isaac responded.
Eleanor didn't reply, though her body language displayed her acceptance.
"Thanks for doing this; your name shall go down in the history book," Isaac said with a weirdly sincere smile.
"What is the boy to you? Why are you going out of your way for him? That's highly unlike you," Eleanor asked.
Isaac didn't respond, though, just replying with a smile.
Beep! Beep!
They both heard from the watch wrapped around their wrist.
"It is almost time. Uhh, see you in the meeting hall," Isaac said while slowly vanishing into the shadows.
Eleanor looked at the spot where he was previously standing for a while before deciding to leave too while still wearing her combat suit.
****Meeting Hall****
Compared to the other parts of the academy, the meeting hall could be said to be ordinary.
There wasn't anything special about it, just a bunch of chairs on the ground and another bunch of chairs on an elevated platform.
Though the hall was ordinary, the same couldn't be said for the people there.
On the elevated platform, old men with heavy and palpable auras sat there. Their auras merged to form an even more oppressive force.
Beneath them various academy teachers like Eleanor, Emily, Isaac, and the rest . could be seen seated.
Something was very similar between all of them; they all wore a serious expression. Even the usually flippant Isaac couldn't afford to.
On the platform, there was someone that Cole would recognize at a glance. It was the old man.
The old man stood to his feet, followed by everyone else in the hall, as they all looked towards a specific seat.
On the seat was an even older man, who seemed completely out of place.
Unlike the others here, there wasn't a single shred of aura emanating from him, but that was what made it even more terrifying.
Any normal old man that stepped into this hall would instantly die without a doubt.
"Greetings, Headmaster," they all echoed.
"The old man suddenly snapped away from his slumber as he vigilantly looked around the room.
He quickly calmed down, though, as he saw those around him and immediately tried to compose himself.
"You may sit," the headmaster said.
"This meeting concerns tomorrow's Freshman Placement Test "
"We all know the danger that is attached to this test." He paused slightly.
"This time it will be even more dangerous," the headmaster continued.
"We have reasons to believe that Quinox will be getting involved."
The moment those words left the man's mouth, an uproar erupted in the hall.
"Quinox, that's bad news; we should cancel the test," someone said from his seat.
Others seemed to agree with him as they kept nodding; a selected few remained quiet, though, as they were already privy to this knowledge before.
"The test shall proceed," the headmaster ordered.
The teachers tried to retort, but seeing the man's eyes, they sank deeper into their seats.
"This is a chance for us to get them, and that is what we shall do," the headmaster continued.
"All fresh students are to participate and they shall be ranked and guided based on their performance." The headmaster said before standing to leave.
The meeting hall erupted upon his exit as all teachers began discussing among themselves.
"Won't this be too dangerous?" a teacher asked.
"I just hope the kids end up fine," another teacher responded.
****The Dark part of the Academy****
"Tomorrow is the day; we shall let the Academy know of our power," a hooded figure said towards the crowd.
"The test is our opportunity to make our stand; they won't know what hit them." The man continued riling the crowd further.
The man then turned to the person beside him and asked gently.
"Is it ready?"
"Yes, it is," the person beside him responded while looking behind him.
Behind him a dark crystal like substance floated violently, drawing what seemed to be life's negative energy itself.
The crystal presence seemed to warp space around it, resulting in a cracking sound resonating everywhere.
"Hahahahahahaha, perfect, perfect." The hooded figure said with a sinister smile.
"Innate spirits shall become a thing of the past soon, and we will begin little by little."
****Cole's room****
Though slightly aware of the impending danger, Cole was almost ignorant of the actual magnitude.
He sat in a lotus position on his bed while cultivating using his mantra.
Cole wanted to get as much strength as possible just so he could do his best in the coming battle but he couldn't concentrate at all.
The Empty Codex Kept pulsating violently, as if warning him for what's to come
After attempting to cultivate for a while more, Cole decided to sleep early to wake up in a perfect state.
The next morning.
Beep! Beep!
Cole and Bryan shot awake as they heard a strange alarm sound coming from their Academy watch.
A red screen kept flashing on the screen, as if to accentuate the magnitude of the matter.
Cole anxiously read the text flashing on the screen of his watch.
"ALERT: All fresh students should head for the Academic Hall as soon as possible."
"ALERT: All fresh students should head for the Academic Hall as soon as possible."
"Failure to comply will result in immediate expulsion."
Cole and Bryan immediately turned towards each other, the same thought flashing through their minds.
"It has begun."