The Ancient Eye's third ability—Creation— was something Victor didn't plan to use anytime soon, but plans cannot keep up with changes.
[... Can you tell me more about the third ability of the Ancient Eye?]
Victor could hear Mirage's fascinated voice echo in his mind. He thought for a moment before answering.
Compared to Mirage's mysterious explanation from back then, he got a better explanation of its capabilities after inheriting the eye.
Instead of something like a "genie" or "wand" that can manifest anything to reality, the actual ability was more grounded than that.
The Ancient Eye appraises the idea, then calculates the plausibility and possible outcomes, and finally synthesizes the information into a reality—making it an extremely powerful creation tool!
After some thought, Victor shook his head and replied to Mirage in the latter's own cryptic tone:
"You wouldn't understand."
Saying this, a thought suddenly crossed his mind.
'Perhaps the previous successors of the Ancient Gate didn't explain because it was too bothersome.'
It was definitely possible.
Even if they did explain, it was likely that they dumbed it down to something simple that gave others an idea of its abilities or kept some of the information a secret.
'Well, for a more modern explanation, the Ancient Eye is like the most advanced supercomputer possible with a God AI that can perform the most complex calculations.'
Victor mused, thinking that even that was too complicated. Regardless, It was essentially an overpowered ability that can help the user create what they desire, as long as it fits the underlying rules of reality.
'But there's a limit.'
This comes to a full circle on why he didn't want to use it anytime soon.
The Ancient Eye's Creation ability can only be used twice a month, and it can only create things that were logically possible.
A cultivation manual was definitely possible.
'But I need more data… The library.'
Victor nodded and planned his next steps. He slowed down his visualization, but remained in his position.
Anastasia turned to look at him and frowned, feeling as if something was wrong. But thinking it was just her prejudice against him, she shook her head.
"Focus. Don't get distracted."
Her words pulled some of the students who lost focus back to their cultivation.
***
Victor and the rest remained seated until the end of the class, exactly two hours of pure cultivation.
He felt like he was attending a spiritual yoga class, rather than a class about beast taming.
He had wanted to go to the library since a while ago, but Professor Anastasia prohibited everyone who hadn't awakened their cores from joining the others.
As for the others…
Anastasia already dismissed most students an hour ago, leaving behind only those who had yet to make any breakthroughs in their cultivation.
Seeing that some students were still not able to awaken their cores, she extended her class to assist them.
'She's a great teacher.'
Musing internally, Victor could only blame himself for not being able to awaken his core.
In the meantime, he was conversing with Mirage about the previous successors and what they were like for the last hour.
He wasn't particularly interested in the previous successors, but knowing more about them gave him an idea of his future.
At that moment, a sudden voice made everyone's heart skip.
"Alyssa, Calvin, Klein, Elvis… All of you stand up and open your eyes. Class is over!"
Professor Anastasia's cold voice called out to every student, except Victor. The students mentioned opened their eyes with grim and downed expressions.
"Should I commend you for your amazing incompetency or despise you for your absolute mediocrity?"
Anastasia's words were like a blade that cut deeply into their hearts. This was the first time they saw their professor get so angry at them.
"After thorough guidance and assistance, not a single one of you have awakened your cores! If you're truly serious about your life, then forget about a future in beast taming! You lack the talent, hard work, and mind for it!"
"Pathetic bunch! Dedicate your lives to somewhere you can be more meaningful, as for where that is, it certainly isn't a career in beast taming!"
Hearing her merciless cold tone, these students' expressions turned ugly with a mix of embarrassment.
"If you have anything to say, keep it to yourself. I don't want to hear any rubbish excuses for your historical incompetence. I'd like each of you to prove me wrong by being able to participate in the Annual Beast Colosseum two days from now. But…"
Anastasia trailed off, looking at each student coldly.
"... If you haven't stepped into One Core cultivation until then, I have the authority to expel you from the academy. Remember that."
Hearing her last few words, everyone's heart chilled. Victor raised his brows, but otherwise didn't show much of a reaction.
He was just surprised that professors had the authority to expel students from the academy.
Anyway, he hoped he could escape this place without a special verbal beating… but that seemed very unlikely.
"... As for you, great Skylar Scholar, Victor Cruz."
Anastasia's cold eyes turned to Victor, turning red. Seeing his calm and unserious attitude, her anger reached new heights!
While she was speaking, the air around the field suddenly shook. The wind was shaking from the sheer aura she let out.
Victor frowned, but didn't do anything. He saw Anastasia's pissed off expression, and could only passively listen.
"You're certainly the worst student I met in my four-year tenure of teaching in this academy. That deserves some praise and recognition. Effort, hard work, talent, and determination… you possess none of those. Even these ragtag of idiots have shown more effort than you have."
"The Skylar Scholarship is wasted on the likes of you. I regret that I cannot expel you from the academy with my own hands, only the board can. But that will come soon, after they see their horrendous mistake of giving you a scholarship."
"Luck will only take you so far in life, Victor. I hope to never see you in my class ever again."
Victor remained silent. She lacked the full context of his situation, and he had no interest in explaining.
In truth, he admired Professor Anastasia. From what he observed of her, she genuinely cared about her students and enjoyed teaching.
But he could understand why the woman hated him… well, he was always hated by women in his previous life.
To quote them, he was like a dead fish.
Seeing Victor's emotionless appearance, Anastasia forced herself to remain calm.
"..."
Anastasia took a deep breath, turning the room back to normal. Everyone except Victor was scared shitless.
"Dismiss. Let's meet again two days from now."
Watching her back slowly fade away, the students didn't even have the mind to mock Victor.
As the field emptied, only Victor was left. He was thinking back to Anastasia's words and couldn't help but sigh.
[... Your emotions are fluctuating slightly, interesting. This is a first, did that woman hit a mark on you?]
Victor closed his eyes, a certain individual flashed in his mind. He smiled deprecatingly.
"Not quite. Just reminded me of someone."
Sensing it was a sensitive topic, Mirage dropped it. He moved on skillfully. [... I have to say, don't you find it a bit unpleasant seeing everyone hate you, Master? If I was at your place, I would've killed them all in a second.]
"You're old and you still care about that? Don't worry, I'm used to it."
Victor found it a bit funny and smiled. He understood why Mirage thought so, but he rarely let others' opinions affect him.
"Let's get to work. Even if I can't qualify for the Skylar Scholarship requirements, I have to reach One Core cultivation…"
Victor shook his head, his eyes gleaming.
"First of all, I need a Perfect Cultivation Manual…"