Locke left the Elemental Pool. At once, the hidden passage at the bottom opened, and a large amount of magic-energy-infused pool water rapidly drained away, returning to the Elemental Fission Well within the White Dragon Tower.
Locke changed into a fresh white wizard robe, briefly tidied his clothes and hair, then took a Red Crystal Matrix from his Astral Ring to test his current Mana.
Two numbers appeared on the Red Crystal Matrix. "6000, 7000."
"My Mana has reached 6000, while Abyssal Energy still only amounts to 1000 Magic Pressure. Good. This means I've kept the ratio between Abyssal Energy and my normal Magic Pressure under control."
Locke pondered.
After becoming a First-Ring Wizard in the Liquefaction Stage, potions made from Powder of Mammon could no longer have any effect on him.
Therefore, Locke needed to find new potions to accelerate the process of solidifying his Mana.
Fortunately, he could currently draw upon the energy within the White Dragon Tower's Elemental Pool whenever he wished. Even without potion assistance, the rate at which his Mana grew through daily meditation was not slow.
"I'm currently twenty-one. As long as I reach the Liquefaction Stage before I turn fifty, I can officially submit my application to the Truth Institute. I have one more option now," Locke thought.
"Given my current situation, it will take around eight more years to solidify my liquid Mana into crystalline Mana."
That was already an extremely fast pace, faster even than the advancement speed of ordinary Children of the Element.
After all, Formal Wizards had long lifespans. Advancing in only ten years was practically no time at all.
Locke said, "If I use this Elemental Pool, I'm confident I can become a First-Ring Wizard in the Crystallization Stage within six years."
"But if I can obtain better