Oasis sat on the bed, feeling the aftershocks of his newfound abilities.
"That is Zane's aura," he thought, sensing his friend's presence.
"Oh, he is at the Fourth Layer of the Foetal Stage. And most of the guards here are at the peak of the Tabula-Rasa Stage." Oasis continued in his thoughts.
" And there are normal people... I think there are maids,"
After a few minutes, the wooden sliding doors to his room opened, and Conri Bluemoon entered.
"So, you are awake," Conri said, his voice carrying a mixture of relief and curiosity.
Oasis quickly stood up and bowed slightly. "Oh, greetings, Master Bluemoon," he said respectfully.
"My senses did not pick up his presence. It means he is stronger or he can hide his level," Oasis thought, feeling both awe and unease.
"This kid can use Divine Peak. It means he is already at the Newborn Stage. Amazing," Conri thought, impressed.
"You are at the Bluemoon manor in the inner city," Conri explained, recounting what had happened after the exams.
Duncan, who had entered the room with Conri, was equally amazed.
"What is this kid? His body was really burning, but now it's like nothing happened. He is fine, but his mana is very low," Duncan thought.
"Kid, here, take these and process them. This is the Spirit Nourishing Pill and the Mana Replenishing Pill," Duncan said, handing the pills to Oasis.
Conri called Zane over, and as he arrived in the room, his face lit up with excitement.
"You are well, Oasis! That's great," Zane said, his voice full of relief.
"Sir Elias went to Mossy Hollow to take your sister. Don't worry, Lancelot and a few others went with him."
Zane and Oasis caught up, exchanging smiles and laughter.
"You owe me one. I was the one bathing you and taking care of you while you were not awake," Zane teased.
"And say, Oasis, how is that python of yours so big?" he added, glancing at Oasis's pants. "Share the secret with me."
Oasis chuckled, shaking his head.
"Some things are better left a mystery, Zane. Besides, it's probably not something you can just replicate," he replied with a playful wink.
"Replenish and process the pills, Oasis. After you're done, come downstairs so you can eat something," Zane instructed.
"And here," he handed Oasis a wooden box, "this is for completing the exams. It came early in the morning."
Oasis sat back down and began processing the pills. He swallowed the Spirit Nourishing Pill first, feeling a gentle warmth spread in conscious realm.
Next, he took the Mana Replenishing Pill, focusing on circulating the energy through his mana heart.
He closed his eyes, entering a cultivation state. The pills dissolved, releasing their potent energy into his system.
His body absorbed the energy hungrily, revitalizing his depleted reserves.
"I've regained most of my strength, but I feel like I can store more energy. Is this due to the mana heart?" Oasis wondered, feeling a newfound capacity within him.
Oasis opened the wooden box he received for completing the exams. Inside, he found a silver pass token engraved with the word "Elite," a scroll, and a storage bracelet.
He picked up the scroll and read it for some time.
"Oh, these are the rules and instructions," Oasis said after reading. "Now, what's inside here?" he wondered, taking the bracelet.
As he examined the bracelet, he discovered another scroll inside it, this time a golden scroll, along with some high-grade mana stones and a jade token inscribed with "Verdantial Academy."
He tried to open the golden scroll, but it wouldn't budge. He channeled his mana into it, and the scroll started to shine.
"Oh, this is not just a simple scroll; it's an artifact," Oasis realized.
Oasis spent a few minutes refining the scroll. He focused his energy on it, feeling the scroll's resistance gradually give way.
As he refined it, the scroll began to merge with his consciousness, its knowledge and power seeping into him.
Once the process was complete, the scroll vanished, leaving Oasis with a strange sensation.
"What happened? I don't know what the scroll was for. I don't feel different," he thought, puzzled. "I will figure it out at some point."
Oasis made his way downstairs, directed by a maid to the dining hall.
As he entered, he found a feast prepared.
The table was laden with roasted meats, fresh bread, vibrant vegetables, and an array of fruits. The delicious aroma made his stomach grumble loudly.
"Dammit, I've been waiting for you for some time. I'm starving," Zane said, sitting alone at the table. "Sit down, let's eat."
"Is it only us?" Oasis asked, surprised.
"Stop talking and eat," Zane replied, already digging into the food.
The two friends began eating, the atmosphere filled with the clinking of cutlery and the occasional laughter.
They talked about the recent events, their training, and their plans for the future.
"This food is amazing," Oasis said between bites, savoring the flavors.
"You know, Oasis, the kingdom is very big," Zane said thoughtfully. "Soon, we will be entering the academy in a few months."
Oasis nodded, listening intently.
"I'm sure you're asking yourself why Sir Elias went to take your sister instead of you and him going back to Mossy Hollow" Zane continued.
"The thing is, you are a special , Oasis. Other nobles and great families are looking at you some in praise, some in envy, and some with ill intentions."
Oasis remained silent, his eyes fixed on Zane.
"Sir Elias realized this and asked my father before he left to ensure that until you go to the academy, the Bluemoon family would protect you," Zane explained.
"But even if Sir Elias didn't say it, I was going to ask my father, and I think my father was already considering it," Zane added with a reassuring smile.
"Even among the great families, not all are friends."
"Some are enemies, and we cannot just fight because it would ruin the balance of power, not just in this kingdom but in the entire realm. That's what Father said,"
Zane explained further, his expression serious.
As he spoke, Zane took a knife and sliced his palm. Oasis's eyes widened in surprise, but he sensed the gravity of the moment.
"Oasis, I want us to be sworn brothers," Zane declared before Oasis could respond.
Decisive and without hesitation, Oasis did the same, slicing his palm.
They clasped their bloody hands together in a firm handshake.
A mana circle sparkled around their joined hands, signifying the seriousness of their pact.