"It's not lake water!"
Ian stared at the lake before him, dumbfounded.
Under Radiance Vision, the lake shimmered with rippling light—not reflected sunlight, but liquefied elements.
"The elements are so concentrated they've liquefied. The surrounding mist, too."
Ian took a deep breath, feeling both his mind and body grow considerably more invigorated.
It was as though his entire body had been wrapped in soft feathers.
It felt wonderful.
He had not yet fully entered the core area. Only after coming in had he discovered a faint membrane of light around the lake's perimeter.
Yet the concentration of elements here was already enough to astonish him.
It was more than ten times the normal level.
Besides that,
there was a small wooden cabin off to one side.
Outside the cabin, an elderly wizard lay asleep in a lounge chair, his eyes closed.
"And you are?"
The wizard opened his eyes. Seeing a wizard who was not wearing Academy robes, he gave Ian a puzzled look.
"Sir, I'm here on Lord Isaac's..."
Ian hurriedly spoke, taking out the badge again!
"Isaac, eh? All right!"
The old wizard nodded and took the badge, then told Ian, "You can go in now, but a word of warning: apprentices can only withstand so much of the Elemental Pool. Once you feel you can't hold on any longer, touch the badge with your spiritual power. The array will automatically teleport you out."
"Understood."
Ian nodded.
"Go on in."
The wizard waved a hand. A person-height opening gradually split through the membrane of light before Ian, and wisps of dense mana seeped out.
Ian took a deep breath.
He stepped inside.
The membrane behind him swiftly closed, its color gradually turning grayish-white and blocking the view from outside.
"It even has this feature."
Ian turned around, a