I, a cultivator, have ended up in the wizarding world.

Chapter 286 Mission and Project Completion (Combined)

Time flies, and a year and a half later, Noren Academy No. 147 welcomed another round of new student recruitment.

Jemin remained seated behind his deserted alchemy school recruitment desk, and the result was as expected—zero admissions.

He has become calm about this, and has even begun to feel that this "leisure" may be the biggest hidden benefit of his role as a mentor.

Five years later, as Jemin was engrossed in a deduction about the stability of an energy transmission network and its compatibility with the laws of the planes, the unique fluctuations of the encrypted communicator interrupted his thoughts.

The light screen unfolded, revealing Dean Avery Knight's dignified and composed face.

“Jeming,” the dean said, getting straight to the point without any pleasantries, “get ready. The academy’s first graduation trial for apprentices will be held in six months, and your participation is needed in the preparations.”

"A graduation trial?" Jemin was slightly surprised. "Our new academy is going to have this too?"

As far as Jemin knew, Norren Academy under Norren Workshop did not have graduation trials in the past. Wizard apprentices who completed ten years of study at the academy were usually sent directly to the front lines of the planar battlefield, and as long as they survived, they were considered to have graduated.

In his year, there was a graduation trial because there was a selection process.

He immediately thought of something deeper: "After the trial, will those who pass also have to participate in the 'elite selection' of the Norn Workshop, just like other Norn academies?"

“Of course,” Dean Avery affirmed. “The process and proportions are the same as usual. Only one in ten outstanding individuals will be eligible to participate in the subsequent selection.”

Over the years, the various academies under the Norren Workshop have developed a mature and efficient set of rules for the content of graduation trials.

First, select a small plane with a low energy level and controllable danger, and eliminate any high-level threats that may exist within it that are beyond the apprentice's ability to handle.

Then the apprentices are sent into it to participate in a simplified version of "plane war," which serves as the final test and practical rehearsal for their academic career.

"Regarding the trial site," Dean Avery continued, "I will select a suitable trial site from my private collection of planes. I will try to find some small planes with sufficiently low energy levels and not too harsh environments, and then deploy some well-tamed servant races whose strength matches those little guys as 'opponents'."

Hearing this, Jemin nodded in agreement; this process was indeed efficient.

Dean Avery Knight did this much more cost-effectively than temporarily searching for and conquering a naturally low-energy plane in the void.

Moreover, Dean Avery Knight's private dimension has a well-developed infrastructure, making spatial delivery and monitoring more convenient.

Otherwise, they would end up like Jemin's class, consuming a lot of extra energy and resources just to complete a graduation trial.

But then Jemin realized a crucial problem and looked troubled: "Dean, the safety measures for the trial... When I participated in the trial at Noren 13, high-level alchemists mass-produced life-saving rings containing spatial teleportation magic. With my current alchemical skills, I'm afraid I can't complete such a large-scale and high-level refining process independently."

After all, Jemin is only a level two wizard now. Although he has mastered some spatial knowledge, it is definitely impossible for him to achieve the same situation as during the trial back then.

Dean Avery seemed to have anticipated this: "No problem. These standardized life-saving items can be purchased in bulk directly from the workshop's internal channels. After all, it's been a long time since your class, and the workshop has already established a complete sales system."

"Your primary responsibility is to ensure the stable operation of the trial broadcast and monitoring system. We need to clearly and in real time observe the performance of each apprentice in the trial, as this is crucial for assessing their achievements and responding to emergencies."

Upon hearing this, Jemin breathed a sigh of relief.

Such broadcasting systems typically consist of complex probe spheres, information flow transmission hubs, and large developing arrays.

If it's just about maintaining and ensuring the broadcast system functions properly, that's entirely within his capabilities.

He immediately assured with full confidence, "Please rest assured, Dean, the broadcasting system is in my hands, there will be absolutely no problem!"

Having finalized the main tasks, Jemin's thoughts drifted further afield.

He recalled the reason why all the academies under Norren Workshop suddenly underwent a unified reform and added graduation trials—that was the shrouded rumor about the Star Ring Federation possibly taking action.

"Dean," Jemin couldn't help but ask, "about that 'rumor' that prompted us to add the graduation trial... there doesn't seem to be much follow-up news? As for the Star Ring Federation..."

Dean Avery glanced at Jemin with his deep gaze, not denying it, but responding calmly, "For a talented and promising wizard like you, if that matter were to happen, it might not necessarily be a bad thing; it could even be an opportunity. As for why there haven't been any developments yet..."

He paused, then, with the detached perspective of a high-ranking wizard who had traversed vast stretches of time, explained:

"You need to understand that, from the perspective of high-level wizards, especially decision-makers who can influence the course of civilization, unless it involves an immediate crisis of life and death, a major strategy that may have far-reaching effects can be considered 'swift and decisive' if it can be gradually implemented and show results over thousands of years."

“On the contrary,” the dean changed the subject, his tone carrying a hint of warning, “if such events develop rapidly and advance quickly in a short period of time, it often means that the wizarding civilization is facing an unimaginable and enormous threat, forcing us to respond hastily.”

"The fact that this is being done gradually through gentle and long-term methods like modifying the education system suggests that this is more likely a forward-looking plan made by some eighth-order or even ninth-order wizards based on their glimpse into the future. We still have plenty of time to prepare and grow."

Hearing this, Jemin felt somewhat relieved, but another question immediately arose: "Then, Dean, where will our students from Elosia Academy who have passed the graduation trial and subsequent elite selection ultimately go?"

After all, the academy in the Erosian plane was built on the foundation of the outstanding wizards who passed the selection process back then.

He continued, based on his knowledge: "As far as I know, over the years, wizards graduating from various academies and passing the selection process have continued to pour into the Erosian plane..."

This is also a major reason why the transformation and construction of the Elosia dimension is so rapid.

Otherwise, not to mention the large number of people needed to modify the plane and the large number of tutors needed to establish the academy, the number of wizard lords needed to maintain such a vast territory would be astronomical.

Even so, compared to other academies, the Norren Academy in the Erosian plane still appears too immature.

The number of high-ranking wizards to low-ranking wizards in the wizarding civilization is not in the traditional pyramid shape, but more like a pear shape.

The largest number of wizards are undoubtedly level one and level two, but the number of level three wizards is smaller than that of level four and level five wizards.

This is because once wizards reach level four, ordinary interdimensional wars are no longer enough to endanger them. Over the years, the total number of level four and five wizards has actually exceeded that of level three wizards.

Wizards of this caliber are the backbone of wizarding civilization.

For example, at Norren 13 Academy, where Jemin once stayed, most of the instructors were wizards of this level.

The number of wizards will only decrease again when they reach the sixth level due to the difficulty of advancement.

Within the plane of Elosia, the vast majority of wizards are still at the first or second level, including many mentors.

Dean Avery nodded slightly, revealing the answer: "The workshop's leadership has made a decision. The framework of the Erosian Plane Cluster has been basically completed, and Noren Academy 147 is also on track."

"Therefore, the new blood who pass the talent trial will be mainly sent to new, undeveloped dimensional clusters to be responsible for developing and building the next Norren Academy."

Jemin was taken aback: "Could it be..."

Dean Avery Knight summarized, "That's right. In short, our Norren Workshop has now entered a phase of rapid expansion. We are constantly establishing new talent training bases, attracting and incubating more fresh blood to support the continued growth of our civilization's territory and influence."

Jemin finally understood.

It's like a never-ending pioneering wave; successful graduates will become new sparks, scattered to more distant and unknown lands, igniting one beacon of knowledge after another belonging to the wizarding civilization.

And Eloscia, where he was, was merely a single, already formed wave in this grand tide.

“I understand, Dean. I will do my best to ensure the success of the graduation trial,” Jemin replied solemnly.

……

……

With Jemin's ability and caution, the tasks related to the graduation trial assigned by Dean Avery Knight were completed without any unexpected incidents or oversights.

The broadcasting system operated stably, clearly presenting the apprentices' every move in that carefully arranged low-energy plane to their mentors.

However, the final trial results left most of the instructors, including Jemin, shaking their heads in dismay. The performance of this year's apprentices was far from satisfactory.

Whether it's on-the-spot adaptability, tactical cooperation, or the application and development of their own abilities, they all appear immature and lack highlights.

This is understandable, as the human civilization in the Erosian plane has only been transforming for a short time.

These earliest promising talents, in terms of both natural abilities and upbringing, are quite different from the apprentices carefully cultivated within the traditional sphere of influence of the Norren Workshop.

Moreover, the mentors present were all geniuses who participated in and passed the elite trials back then. Which one of them wasn't selected from countless geniuses through fierce competition?

Their eye for talent is naturally sharp.

Let alone these immature students, even many real geniuses are commonplace in their eyes.

Only Dean Avery Knight remained calm throughout, as if he had expected this, and showed no sign of disappointment.

After the trial ended, he personally led the top ten selected graduates to the headquarters of the Norren Workshop to participate in the "Elite Trial" that would determine their future fate, in accordance with the regulations.

With this matter settled, Jemin's life returned to its familiar rhythm.

Apart from the routine apprentice recruitment he had to participate in every five years and the regular maintenance of the graduation trial broadcasting system that was hardly ever used, he had large stretches of free time without any interruptions.

Of course, more importantly, after all these years, Jemin still hasn't been able to recruit any apprentices willing to learn alchemy.

It wasn't that no apprentices came to inquire, but after Jemin explained the situation truthfully, many of them backed down on the spot.

However, with no students needing guidance, he was actually quite happy to have some free time.

This means he doesn't have to worry about teaching and can devote himself entirely to his endless research projects.

Analyzing samples, optimizing talismans and magical artifacts, deducing cultivation techniques, and modifying cannon fodder...

Time slipped away quietly amidst the laboratory lights and various energy fluctuations.

Spring goes and autumn comes, and forty years have passed like flowing water.

On this day, as Jemin was intently analyzing a sample called "Void Jellyfish" brought back from the spatial dimension, the encrypted communicator placed in the corner of the experimental table once again emitted a gentle yet persistent fluctuation.

Jemin frowned slightly, temporarily withdrawing from the complex data stream, and connected the communication.

A middle-aged wizard with a calm face and profound aura appeared on the light screen.

Seeing the somewhat unfamiliar face, Jemin was slightly taken aback, then retrieved relevant information about the other party from his memory—it was the captain of the plane modification engineering team that he had hired through the official channels of Norren Workshop at great expense back then, a senior level six wizard.

Upon hearing that the other party had suddenly contacted him, a long-awaited thought flashed through his mind like lightning, and his expression was instantly replaced by immense excitement!

As expected, without any pleasantries, the other party directly and bluntly informed: "Lord Jeming, the second and third phases of the comprehensive renovation project of the Purgatory Sulfur Plane that you commissioned have been completed and passed the preliminary quality inspection. It is now officially handed over for your acceptance."

"Finally... we've waited for this!" Jemin's expression seemed calm, but there was still some barely concealed excitement in his voice.

He immediately set off, crossing the teleportation array to reach the coordinates provided by the other party.

Following the captain and the core members of the engineering team, a comprehensive and meticulous final inspection was conducted on the Purgatory Sulfur Plane.

The plane, which was originally barren and severely depleted of energy, has now been completely transformed.

Beneath the earth, crisscrossing energy conduits, like the meridians of the human body, efficiently gather the fire elemental plane projection energy that was originally scattered in various places.

In the sky, an invisible energy-gathering array, like a giant funnel, collects even more distant and subtle energy fluctuations.

Several key energy hub nodes emit stable and powerful fluctuations, together forming a highly efficient energy network covering the entire plane.

Because the energy was completely channeled, even the environment of the Purgatory Sulfur Plane seems to be developing in a better direction.

Jemin glanced through it quickly and nodded in satisfaction.

Overall, the third phase of the energy gathering and scheduling system has perfectly achieved its design goals!

After seeing off the engineering team that had successfully completed their mission, Jieming stood alone in the somewhat empty core area of ​​the plane, rubbing his hands together vigorously, his face beaming with the pure joy of a researcher seeing the experimental conditions they had longed for finally come to fruition.

He almost couldn't wait and hurried to the huge black giant hatching pool.

The scene inside the pool was still somewhat "desolate".

Apart from his two old companions who had fought alongside him through countless battles and were covered in wounds, and the two new black giants that were barely hatched during a period of energy scarcity, there were no other figures.

Moreover, due to insufficient energy, these two new black giants were only at the first level from the start.

Energy shortage has always been the biggest bottleneck restricting the growth of his core fighting force.

But now, everything is different!

With burning eyes, Jemin took out several of the highest quality Black Giant Core Chaos Crystals that he had prepared beforehand from his specially designed storage space.

These crystals are a mix of red and white, with a dull luster flowing across their surface.

He carefully placed the cores into the nutrient- and energy-rich liquid in the incubation pool.

Immediately afterwards, Jemin took a deep breath, went to the control panel next to him, and connected his mind with the core of the magic array of the entire plane.

"Activate - Global Energy Mobilization!"

hum...

The entire Sulfur Plane of Purgatory seemed to tremble slightly!
The energy-gathering arrays scattered throughout the plane simultaneously lit up faintly, and the sulfurous smell permeating the air seemed to have faded somewhat.

The visible crimson energy flow, like rivers flowing into the sea, converges from all directions and continuously pours into the complex energy conversion and supply array at the bottom of the incubation pool through the pre-set energy channels.

The liquid in the incubation pool instantly began to boil and churn, emitting astonishing heat and light.

The few black giant cores that had just been deployed began to expand and soften at a visible rate.

Countless fine energy tentacles extend from its surface, greedily absorbing the surging energy, rapidly forming embryonic tissue that envelops it, and beginning to grow into the predetermined giant humanoid shape!
Jemin closely monitored the energy input and data feedback, quickly estimating in his mind: "At this rate and stability of energy infusion... it will take about one year to mature a complete Black Giant!"

This speed is a world of difference compared to the previous predicament where success might not even be achieved in decades or centuries.

"Great!" Jemin couldn't help but pump his fist.

Leaving two black giants behind to guard the incubation process, Jemin, filled with barely suppressed excitement, turned and transformed into a streak of light, rushing back to his core laboratory.

Abundant and controllable energy is an accelerator for research and a cornerstone for turning ideas into reality!
The various experimental ideas, technical optimization schemes, and design blueprints for new types of cannon fodder that had been accumulating in his mind for decades or even centuries... were now as if they had been unshackled and were ready to be put into action.

"Finally, we can... really get going!"

As Jemin gazed at the dazzling array of instruments and materials in the laboratory, his eyes burned with a burning thirst for knowledge and a desire to create.

(That's all for today. I'm experiencing some writer's block and struggling with the plot.)
(End of this chapter)