Thump... thump... thump...
"Pathetic, pathetic, pathetic," Agni muttered, his voice laced with frustration.
Each punch landed heavily against the tree, his fire aura scorching the bark with every blow.
The once sturdy tree began to blacken and char under the relentless assault, smoke curling up from the burnt wood.
"Dammit, I'm such a loser," he spat, his breaths coming in ragged gasps.
Agni had always considered himself among the best of the best, a prodigy of his generation.
But the harsh lesson taught by Oasis had shattered that belief, leaving him feeling weak and humiliated for the first time in his life.
The memory of the encounter replayed in his mind, stoking the flames of his anger and frustration.
The tree bore the brunt of his emotions, the fiery aura intensifying with each punch.
Sparks flew, and the air around him grew hot and oppressive. His body remembered the feeling of being overpowered, fueling his rage.
As he continued to hit the tree, his aura and energy suddenly grew stronger and fiercer.
His punches became more powerful, each strike sending shockwaves through the air.
!!!
After a few breaths, his energy surged, bursting outwards and uprooting the tree. Flames spread, burning the surrounding area.
"Dammit, that embarrassing encounter made me break through," Agni said to himself, panting heavily.
He stood in the midst of the scorched earth, his fiery aura now a raging inferno.
The humiliation he had felt was now replaced with a sense of triumph.
Despite the pain and frustration, the encounter with Oasis had pushed him beyond his limits, forcing him to grow stronger.
A determined look settled on Agni's face as the morning sun began to rise, casting a golden hue over the academy grounds.
In the exam hall, about 80 students were seated, ready to take their exams.
The hall was built primarily with traditional materials, featuring sturdy wooden beams and intricate carvings.
The atmosphere was filled with nervous energy, a mix of anticipation and anxiety.
"Let's get this over with already. I need to train more," Oasis thought, tapping his fingers impatiently on the desk.
"Damn, I couldn't open my master's bracelet yet. I'm so anxious," he muttered to himself.
Other students noticed Oasis, the youngest among them, and began whispering.
Their hushed conversations were filled with skepticism and criticism, doubting his abilities and predicting his failure.
"He's so full of himself," one student muttered.
"Yeah, he's setting himself up for failure," another agreed.
Instructors entered the hall, each carrying a stack of exams tailored to the majors the students had chosen.
They handed out the papers methodically, and the room quickly filled with the sound of shuffling papers and ink and feathers.
Some students immediately began writing, their brows furrowed in concentration, while others stared at their papers, scratching their heads in confusion.
Oasis remained calm and composed, his ink feather gliding smoothly across the paper as he tackled each question with ease.
After several hours, the exam concluded. The instructors collected the papers, and the students slowly filed out of the hall.
"The exam is over, and your results will be available in two days' time. Come to the main hall then to see your results," announced a large, imposing instructor, his voice echoing through the hall.
"Finally, done. Not bad," Oasis thought, feeling a sense of accomplishment.
He began making his way back to his place, eager to continue his training.
"I have a year to myself before the practicals start. I have to make some improvements," he said to himself, determination gleaming in his eyes.
back in the main hall, Seraphina observed the students leaving, her gaze settling on Oasis.
"That cocky brat didn't even look tense. At least I only have a few exams to mark."
"I'll start with his when I arrive at my office," she thought, a mix of curiosity and anticipation in her expression.
Verdantial Academy was vast, accommodating students from various age groups.
The true core of its curriculum lay in the practicals that followed the theory exams.
This phase was where students truly honed their skills and talents under the guidance of appointed instructors.
These instructors acted almost as masters, personally teaching students martial arts or magic based on their chosen paths.
The students received detailed manuals for martial arts techniques or magic spells, tailored to their abilities and affinities.
Unlike the theory part, where instructors handled students individually, the practicals grouped students, ten per instructor.
Elite students, however, were grouped three per instructor, ensuring more personalized and focused training.
After some time, Oasis arrived at his place near the lake...
The training field still bore the scorch marks from Agni's fire and the deep footprints from his cultivation.
Stripping down to his undergarments, he began wrapping bandages around his forearms and hands.
"I need to cultivate a bit. I must focus on control. With full control, I'm not supposed to leave my footprint on the ground," he thought with determination.
Oasis started his Phoenix's Heart cultivation second level, focusing precisely on controlling his energy.
The surrounding heat intensified, and his training became rigorous as his clothes soaked with sweat.
"This time is less painful."
"It's as if the first time my body was being reconstructed to suit this cultivation technique," he thought calmly as he moved with precision.
His footprints were less visible compared to the prior session.
"Not bad. It's getting there," he said with a smile.
A few hours passed, and Oasis threw a food cube into his mouth. Heading to his study area, he retrieved a manual from his bracelet ring.
"Dancing Phoenix Technique, huh? Azura said it is a footwork technique."
"So far, I had relied on Wind Swift to close my distance, but it uses a lot of mana."
"Maybe this one will be more effective," Oasis thought as he read the manual.
"Damn, it is difficult to grasp," he muttered, grabbing his head in frustration.
Despite the challenge, he continued studying and concentrating on the manual.
Hours passed, and night had fallen by the time he was ready to try it out.
"It's time to try it out and understand the concept now," Oasis said, determination evident in his voice.