Chapter 96 - Failing Advancement

Every Saturday, the S-Class section went into the shooting field to practice their marksmanship and every Sunday, they practice their martial arts. They did not even took a day off and practiced crazily for more than a month.

Their insane training did not go unnoticed. The professors and the other students of the academy saw them practice with a little time to rest. Some students followed suit, while others continued their usual training schedules.

Levi Stoklasa, the best student of the A-Class section, led his classmates' practice. He followed their professor's instructions and practiced like a deranged man. He did not disobey or perhaps, he wanted to compete with the S-Class section's top geniuses. He also did not want to get left behind only the see the dust of S-Class section's top students.

Because of the fierce rivalry between the two sections, the Earth Alliance Academy became much more lively for the whole month. 

"The first exam is only three weeks away from now. Professor Santharus said that there will be three exams; Written Exam, Shooting Exam and Martial Arts Exam. With our practice during the whole month, I am very confident that everyone of us will get the top scores." Roan spoke with a smug smile while glancing teasingly at Levi Stoklasa, his roommate. 

Veins popped out of Levi's head as he glared at the self satisfied face of Roan. He pointed his finger at him and he spoke in an exasperated tone of voice.

"You....Just you wait Roan. After the exam's results are out, I will remove that pleased look on your goddamn face! Hmph!" Levi harrumphed in annoyance and wrapped himself with his blanket.

"Hey buddy, don't sleep yet. We will still talk about the progress of our S-Class section on our shooting practice. Come on." Roan chuckled lightly. 

Ryuu and fatty Zhou didn't know whether to laugh or to cry during the whole conversation between the two. They were already numbed to the seemingly endless exchange of words between Roan and Levi.  They both knew that both young men were simply just teasing each other. 

"I should be able to get a good score during the exam as well. But as for going into the top one hundred in overall grades, I don't really know." Ryuu shrugged his shoulders with a nonchalant expression.

"I would already be happy if I get a passing score during the exam. As for being one of the top one hundred in the whole of academy..." Fatty Zhou sighed and lied down on his bed.

* * *

- Ding!

- Mission Success!

- Loading Reward!

- Your received x1 Major Origin Essence Bundle!

Although it was already the second time that Cale received this kind of reward, he could still not help but smile in excitement. He was already at the peak of Divine-Class level and with the Major Origin Essence Bundle, he was hoping that he will be able advance to the next realm. 

During the whole month, he did not stop his training inside the Virtual Training Environment of 'The Black Market'. He barely took a rest, but he still did not feel any progress in his origin essence. Yes he felt the increase in his physical abilities, but as for the increase in his origin essence, he did not sense an ounce of growth at all. 

He took out the floating golden light in his storage space and consumed it without hesitation.

A cooling sensation spread all over his body after consuming the tiny ball of golden light. His unmoving origin essence started to run amok as it rose to a terrifying level. But Cale felt the increasing amount of his origin essence to suddenly stop at some point as if it had crashed onto a thick metal door.

He sensed that there was this barrier that stopped him from advancing towards the Saint-Class level. This barrier was what stopped him from advancing towards the. next realm. It might have appeared like a thin wall, but after feeling sturdiness of that wall, he knew that advancing today will not gonna happen.

Although the Major Origin Essence Bundle was able to give a small push on his cultivation, it was still not enough to promote him towards the Saint-Class level. 

"Just why is it so hard to breakthrough towards the Saint-Class level? I should ask Zarinvienne on how was she able to reach that level before she was sealed on a Saint-Class level sealing sword." Cale sighed and shook his head. He thought that with the help of the Major Origin Essence Bundle, he would have no problem in breaking through. Now he realized that it was not that easy. 

"I don't believe that I will be stuck at the peak of Divine-Class level forever. Perhaps after three or five more missions, I will be able to advance in level." 

"Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock!" 

The knocking of the door attracted Cale's attention. He then remembered that he had told Demetrio to come on this time of day a few days ago.

"Come inside."

He took a stack of papers from the table inside his room. This was the reports given by the professors of the academy. This was delivered to him a week ago. He then sat back down, his expression calm and devoid of any ripple.

The door opened and an aggressive-looking middle aged man came inside.

"My lord, I have arrived." Demetrio spoke while bowing his head lightly.

"How are the preparations for the students' exam?" Cale asked Demetrio who was bowing reverently in front of him.

The latter replied in a calm voice while glancing at Cale.

"My lord, everything is already in place. We are only waiting for the day of the exam to come. And ahh...will you really give that thing as a reward for the top scorer my lord? Don't you think it's still a bit too early for that?" Demetrio spoke carefully. He was a bit against on giving the top scorer the item that Cale wanted to give.

"No, it's fine and don't worry about it. I already know who will get the top score on the first Exam anyway." Cale smiled widely while looking at the stack of papers in his hands. The abovemost paper had a picture of a young man. He had a bright smile on his face, the clear picture of a youth's innocence and playfulness.

"I wonder if it will really be you...."