Elder Ren didn't hold back any longer. "How did you create the Intermediate Runes in such a way? They should explode when you are too forceful."
William realized he might have done something unreal. He had used a method he learned when the System showed him how to create Advanced Runes.
He didn't want to disappoint the Elder as he clearly had good intentions, so he spoke truthfully. "I just combined the particles directly so they wouldn't become unstable."
"Combine the particles directly..." Elder Ren was lost in thought. William had become a Level 5 Array Member, a feat that normal members of the Array Hall wouldn't achieve for ten years. Even he, Level 6 in Arrays, took 8 years to reach Level 5!
William didn't understand what the Elder was thinking, "Did I pass?"
Elder Ren was awakened from his reverie, "Ah, Yes. You pass."
William was delighted. "Great! What's the next test?"
"Huh?" Elder Ren was dumbfounded.
"Huh??" the spectators were stunned.
"Huh???" William joined in for fun.
Elder Ren spoke first. "You've already reached Level 5, but Level 6 is a different story. Are you sure you want to take the test now, or do you want some time to prepare?"
The Level 6 test was much more difficult because most needed to have a Magic Affinity. It was a standard requirement for successful Array Masters, as some Runes could not be formed without the appropriate Affinity. Elder Ren liked William and didn't want to see him fail.
William wasn't sure why the Elder was so concerned, but it didn't matter. "I'll just try it out. If it is too much, I will naturally try again at a later date."
Elder Ren understood that William couldn't be persuaded. He sighed and replaced William's scroll with another. "The 6th Level is all about Magic Affinity. No matter how successful you are in Arrays, some still require the assistance of Mana. This time you will not be given a guide. Create an Intermediate Array that forms a ball in the center with any Element."
William felt this test was much easier than Elder Ren described. He decided to use the Lightning Element and wrote out his plan on the scroll. He then formed two Intermediate Runes of Lightning, an Intermediate Rune of Condensing, and finished off with an Intermediate Rune of Sphere.
The Array was condensed, and Lightning particles were pulled from the surroundings to form a ball of pure lightning. Despite its destructive nature, the Lightning ball was calm, with few movements as the particles obediently remained in a sphere.
At this point, Elder Ren didn't even know what to say. Why is the world so unfair?!? He's also a Manamatus, what can't this kid do?
The spectators were also stunned. Some of the young men who compared themselves to William before could do so no longer. William had already reached Level 6, which was on par with Elder Ren who was overseeing the test. Not only this, but William wasn't a Cultivator, meaning his future Magic Affinity would at least reach B Rank.
Some of the spectators became jealous of William's talent. If he earned more attention from the Array Hall, they might end up receiving much less resources while the Head Array Master gave William all the good stuff. They spoke amongst themselves while Elder Ren evaluated William's work.
"You've passed this test; however, I can no longer administer your next tests as I am not qualified. Do you still wish to continue?"
"Yes please, I don't want to stop until I fail." William replied earnestly.
"I understand, please give me a few minutes." Elder Ren spoke respectfully as William was now on the same Level. He left the room and dialed on a communicator.
A hoarse voice came from the other end, "What is it? Is someone trying to take the Array Master test?"
"Yes Sir."
"I'm not available today, which old fogey is it this time?"
"It's a young man, probably around 20 years old. He just joined the Array Hall today."
"What?!? I'm coming over with the Head Array Master. Please wait for us."
The Head is coming as well? Elder Ren didn't realize this event was so extraordinary.
"Yes Sir, I will wait for you." he hung up and returned to the main Hall.
Less than five minutes passed before a large, burly man with a staggering height of two meters walked through the doorway. Behind him were two old men with long white beards walking side by side. One of the old men was the Head Array Master, signified by his pure white robe and the insignia of the Array Hall with a star, and the other was wearing a red and white robe.
The bodyguard stood to the side, while the Head Array Master spoke, "Take us there, I assume you have already gathered the necessary materials?"
"Yes Sir, everything is prepared." Elder Ren led the two men into the testing room.
When they entered, all the spectators and Elder Ren bowed deeply. William followed suit to not appear rude, which received a nod of acknowledgement from Elder Ren.
The Head Array Master spoke, "Elder Ren has done a good job so far in overseeing your tests. I don't normally participate, but you've piqued my interest. I will be administering your next test. Are you prepared?" he looked at William with a sharp eye. The Head Array Master's initial inspection said that William had a talent for multiple Elements, maybe three or four.
"Yes Sir, I am ready." William hoped the strength of his Mana Repel technique was good enough to fool the Head Array Master.
"Alright, I only have one thing to ask of you for the Level 7 test. You have an hour to form an Advanced Rune of any type. You may begin now."
Many spectators didn't even know about Advanced Arrays. They had only just grasped Intermediate Runes, so an Advanced Array was well out of their reach. Some watched William's next moves with increased interest, while others hoped he would fail in front of the Head.
William focused his thoughts. He decided on the easiest Advanced Rune. He held out his hands, forming four Basic Strength Runes instantaneously, then disassembled them into Rune Particles.
The spectators thought William had already failed and started laughing, but the Head Array Master was very serious. William's method was a bit unusual, but he couldn't deny it achieved the end goal more efficiently.
William combined the Rune Particles together, only accepting the best ones, then continued feeding it Mana to let the Rune grow in strength and size. An Advanced Rune was formed, emitting a dazzling blue light. It spun in the air, pressuring some of the weaker spectators.
-Formed your first Advanced Rune: +25 Potential Points
It was at this moment that Array Master Fowley entered the spectator room. He had just finished unlocking William's Space Ring, only to hear that the kid was applying to the Array Hall. No one could have prepared Fowley to see William effortlessly weaving together an Advanced Rune on his first day.
He is actually an Array Master? Was he messing with me this entire time? Fowley revisited his earlier conversation with William, remembering the way he touched the cracked space and how he marveled at the Guardian Statues. No, he wasn't an Array Master, he's just that talented! Fowley became nervous, since the Head Array Master was also present in the room.