Hearing Alan's words, Hivrael's face turned as dark as the bottom of a scorched pot!
As a mentor, he had never been so humiliated!
Just as he was about to act in anger, he suddenly remembered that Alan was currently inside the Light Array. Suppressing the fury in his heart, he stopped himself.
According to the rules left by the first headmaster, no one was allowed to interfere when someone was challenging the Light Array. Violators would face death without mercy!
These rules were established to ensure that true geniuses could demonstrate their full potential without any concerns.
So, even though veins bulged visibly on his forehead, Hivrael refrained from storming into the Light Array to strike at Alan.
Meanwhile, Alan, standing within the Light Array, was entirely focused on the surrounding Elemental Spirits.
After launching their respective attacks, these spirits were now motionless, their magical essence completely withdrawn and calm.
It was as if their magic had been entirely drained.
"These Elemental Spirits are out of elemental power… Does that mean I've passed the trial?" Alan murmured, somewhat unsure, not fully understanding the situation.
"Passed the trial? You call this passing the trial? Clearly, you cheated! This Light Array wasn't broken by your own strength!"
Hivrael was fuming, glaring at Alan as he spoke.
Alan, unfazed, sneered, "Cheating? Using methods beyond your understanding counts as cheating?"
Hivrael retorted coldly, "A Tier-Iron Lv10 mage defeating those Elemental Spirits and breaking the Light Array? And you claim you didn't cheat?"
"If you dare argue further, I'll rip that mouth of yours apart!"
Alan clicked his tongue and sighed, "According to the academy's rules, passing the Light Array counts as passing the trial. But in your eyes, apparently, passing doesn't count as passing. No wonder no one has succeeded in so long. Turns out that even when someone does, it still 'doesn't count' in your book."
As murmurs of discussion began to spread around them, Hivrael's teeth clenched in rage.
Among the onlookers, many Lioncrest Academy students started to voice their doubts:
"A Tier-Iron mage managing to break through the first headmaster's Light Array? That's ridiculous!"
"Exactly. We've studied this Light Array thoroughly. Even if we teamed up, we couldn't break it!"
"Even the senior students have given up hope of passing the Light Array. How could he succeed so easily? There must be something fishy going on!"
The students of Lioncrest Academy unanimously believed that Alan must have cheated. His level was too low, and his success seemed far too easy.
Even Alan began to feel a little unsure, silently questioning the black-robed woman in his mind,
"Did Hellscape's Thought really help me dissolve this magic array?"
The black-robed woman's voice echoed in Alan's mind:
"This Light Array is far less daunting in the eyes of a Magus. The key lies in your unique Hellscape Thought. Standard elemental attacks weaker than your Mind Power waves cannot harm you."
"Moreover, your soul has been repeatedly tempered by the Infernal Grindstone, and you've comprehended the profoundness of the Insightful Heart. This magic array wasn't designed to harm but to test talent."
"Your talent is exceptional, even among Magi. That's why the magic array recognized your potential—it's only natural you passed the trial."
Hearing this, Alan finally understood.
For others, entering the magic array meant enduring its attacks due to their inferior talent. But for Alan, it was different. As a rare Magus with Insightful Heart and formidable Mind Power, he may have already passed the trial the moment he stepped into the Light Array!
At this moment, a burly man with a thick beard shot up from the depths of Lioncrest Academy and descended at incredible speed.
When his towering figure landed, everyone present immediately stood upright, their expressions respectful, and greeted him in unison:
"Greetings, Chief!"
Even Hivrael, who had been preparing to speak again, dared not act arrogant. His face turned humble.
This burly man was none other than Krom, the Chief of the Battle Department at Lioncrest Academy.
Not only did he hold a position second only to the Headmaster and Vice Headmaster, but his strength was also terrifying.
Compared to him, Hivrael, a mere recruitment mentor, was insignificant.
Alan quickly noticed the commotion on the Lioncrest Academy side and turned his attention to Krom.
The sight of Krom caused Alan's expression to turn exceptionally serious.
From Krom, he could sense no magical fluctuations, but an oppressive force as heavy as a mountain weighed down on him.
Clearly, this was a top-tier academy powerhouse whose strength far exceeded Hivrael's!
It seemed that Alan's success in breaking through the Fourfold Elemental Array had drawn significant attention.
Otherwise, a matter as routine as student recruitment wouldn't have alarmed someone of Krom's status.
After arriving, Krom quickly surveyed the scene, then turned a cold gaze toward Hivrael.
"I've heard about today's events. Handling recruitment with personal bias violates academy rules. From now on, you're no longer in charge of recruitment. Go manage the spellbeasts instead."
Hearing this, Hivrael's heart sank. Managing spellbeasts was menial work—nothing like the lucrative opportunities recruitment provided.
"Chief, I was only following protocol. He hasn't even reached Tier-Bronze yet. Why am I being demoted—"
Before Hivrael could finish, Krom interrupted sharply:
"Silence! Recruitment is critical to the academy's future. Your selfish motives and personal vendettas are unacceptable!"
Denied yet again by Krom, Hivrael felt his prospects dim. Climbing back to his position as a recruitment mentor would now require immense effort.
But Krom's authority was unchallengeable, leaving Hivrael to stew in silent resentment, glaring daggers at Alan as if wishing to tear him apart.
Krom, meanwhile, turned to Alan and offered a hearty smile.
"Though I'm not sure how you managed to overcome the Fourfold Elemental Array, your magic essence is solid, and your Mind Power is impressive. You're a promising talent, and the academy gladly welcomes you!"
As he spoke, Krom scrutinized Alan closely, nodding in approval of his well-honed physique.
However, when his gaze landed on Alan's abdomen, his expression suddenly changed.
"How is this possible? Why don't you have a Mana Stone?!"
?!
Everyone around was stunned, their eyes shifting to Alan in shock.
For a mage, the Mana Core was the most vital organ—a mage's very source of mana!
If the mana core is shattered, not only is cultivation impossible, but the mana within the body will gradually dissipate due to the lack of supply.
Alan was about to explain, but suddenly, the voice of the black-robed woman echoed in his mind.
"Your situation is unique. Until you have significant strength, it's best not to reveal anything."
Alan nodded at her words, sensing that both the infernal powers and the black-robed woman were highly unusual. If Lioncrest Academy were to uncover any hints, it could spell disaster for him in his current state.
So, he nodded and said, "My mana stone was shattered during an ambush."
Hearing this, Hivrael couldn't hold back a burst of laughter.
"No mana stone? What are you doing here? You're nothing but a cripple!"
Alan ignored Hivrael, keeping his gaze as calm as possible as he looked at Krom.
Krom sighed in disappointment. "A shattered mana core cannot regenerate. You'll never become a powerful mage again. Though you have a solid foundation, it's ultimately useless. What a waste."
"However, considering that you broke through the Light Array, I can offer you a position as a helper at the academy."
A helper?
Alan frowned deeply. If he were to take on such a role, he would be nothing more than a laborer for the academy, receiving no respect or opportunities.
He immediately prepared to reveal his identity as a Magus—after all, Magi didn't rely on mana cores!
But before he could speak, Harris suddenly rushed over from a distance with Isabella in his arms, his face filled with worry.
"Alan! Your sister's condition is worsening!"
Alan had already noticed Isabella, who was occasionally letting out painful groans in Harris's arms.
Isabella's chronic condition was flaring up again!
One glance at her, and Alan's heart sank.
He immediately dashed to her side, full of concern, and held her in his arms.
At this moment, Isabella's head was emitting chaotic Mind Power fluctuations, so wild and uncontrollable that even Alan, with his formidable mental strength, felt his mind twisting under the pressure.
However, he had no suitable mental remedies left on him.
He had no choice but to place all his hopes on Krom. He urgently pleaded,
"Chief, my sister has been afflicted with a chronic illness since childhood. Every episode brings her unbearable pain. I beg you to have the academy's apothecary treat her. I would be forever grateful!"
Krom shook his head and flatly refused.
"The academy's high-level apothecaries are all busy."
Apothecaries were a rare and highly sought-after class among mages.
Whether it was potions with unique effects or treatments for injuries and illnesses, their skills were invaluable.
Apothecaries capable of treating rare conditions were even rarer and more precious—often impossible to hire, even with gold coins!
To Krom, a cripple with a shattered mana core like Alan simply wasn't worth such a favor.
After Krom's refusal, Alan felt Isabella's increasingly cold presence and grew even more anxious.
Her fading life force seemed to signal that she might not wake up again.
In desperation, Alan swore fervently,
"Chief! Please save my sister. If she recovers, I will do anything for Lioncrest Academy without hesitation!"
But Krom only shook his head again, his voice icy as he said,
"Get lost. You're worthless. The academy has no need for someone like you."
Just as Alan was about to continue pleading, Isabella weakly opened her eyes. Seeing her brother humbly begging on her behalf, her heart felt as though it were bleeding.
"Brother, let's go home. Let's go back," she whispered.
Only she knew how proud her brother had always been.
Now, for her sake, he was lowering himself so desperately to beg others.
And only she understood how extraordinary her brother truly was.
Yet, this remarkable person was forced to bow and scrape because of her.