"The Holy Sword Ranking..."
Lancelot scrutinized the names inscribed on the stone pillar before him, his eyes narrowing slightly. His gaze lingered for a moment on the positions of Milton (first place) and Lujin (sixth place), and he muttered to himself, "Fourth year, breaking into the top ten of the Holy Sword Ranking. According to the academy's data, those above 900 steps correspond to Upper Tier Nine combat power. No wonder he was the champion of the 533rd Joint Entrance Examination. To achieve such a feat in just six years is truly remarkable. He's a formidable opponent."
Lujin Hancock, the champion of the 533rd Alliance Joint Entrance Examination, the class before Lancelot's, possesses a powerful Ability Energy with SS+ potential, nicknamed Sailor, and has extremely strong talent.
Especially in developing his own Ability Energy, Lujin possesses an extremely keen sense of smell, and has completed multiple tasks on the Mission Directorate's [Achievement Ranking].
Before Lancelot joined the Holy Sword Academy, he was hailed as the number one genius of the Holy Sword, enjoying unparalleled fame.
Of course, even now, a considerable number of people still believe that Lujin is the greatest genius.
After all, the Innovation School is full of surprises and uncertainties; you never know when it might end.
"I have class tomorrow, so I can't waste too much time. I'll just use an hour and see how many steps I can get to." With that thought, Lancelot stepped forward, went to the Holy Sword Stairway, and climbed up.
The scene shifted, and amidst the surrounding crimson-gold clouds, Lancelot appeared in an unfamiliar space approximately 300 meters in length and width.
A hundred meters away, the golden clouds writhed and transformed into a little girl about 1.6 meters tall, exquisitely beautiful, even adorable, though her eyes lacked a certain liveliness.
"An energy projection?" Lancelot wondered to himself.
The Holy Sword Stairway automatically records the various abilities of Transcendent individuals and projects them out, using them as gatekeepers and randomly assigning them to different levels.
Here, you might encounter projections of anyone in the academy, including Dean Urta, Department Head Steel Tiger, or even academy predecessors from hundreds of years ago.
The first tier corresponds to a combat power of around Tier Three.
As soon as the little girl's projection appeared, she launched an attack, extending her hands in a folded manner, palms facing Lancelot, glowing with a crimson light.
The next moment, a rapidly spinning fireball shot out from his palm.
Lancelot's eyes twitched slightly. He extended his right hand and gently waved it, sending the fireball flying.
Seeing this, a look of anger appeared on the little girl's fair face, and she even let out a cold shout. She pushed out her hands one after another, and balls of fire shot towards Lancelot.
However, her strength was only at the Tier Three. Facing Lancelot, whose combat power was at the upper-middle level of the Tier Five, she was like an ant trying to shake a tree, posing no threat whatsoever.
After a brief test, Lancelot pointed his finger, and lightning crackled from his fingertip, piercing the little girl's neck with lightning speed.
After suffering a fatal injury, the projection collapsed on its own.
A message entered Lancelot's mind, asking whether he wanted to continue the challenge, quit, or take a break before attempting it again.
The Holy Sword Stairway are meant to provide rest periods; the higher the stairs, the longer the rest period.
Lancelot, of course, didn't need to rest; defeating the little girl's projection was effortless.
An hour later, Lancelot emerged from the Holy Sword Stairway.
"143 steps, more than expected, but the further we go, the more time it will take. After 200 steps, we'll face opponents at the Tier Five."
"I can probably only make it to between 260 and 270 steps if I go all out, no more than 300. Without that, I won't get any credits, so it's pointless."
"If you're just looking to hone your combat skills, this is indeed a good place. But for me, the academic credits are the most important thing."
"Hmm... let's wait a bit. There are still two years left. If we don't need any credits, we can try again in the last month of the fourth semester and get a lot of credits in one go."
A year at the Holy Sword Academy requires two years of study, with each year divided into two semesters.
In other words, a grade level requires four semesters of study.
Lancelot has only just entered the Holy Sword; he has plenty of time and there's no rush.
"I also need to keep an eye on the Achievement Ranking at the mission center. I wonder how many I'll be able to complete before graduation..."
With many thoughts in mind, Lancelot left the Holy Sword Stairway and headed to other secret locations.
However, compared to the Domain of Spirit Thought, the Totem World, and the Holy Sword Stairway, Lancelot only glanced at the other secret realms before leaving.
Because these secret locations are of no use to him.
Take, for example, the Magical Energy Vortex.
This secret place is primarily used to enhance meditation techniques and to absorb Elemental Magical Energy more quickly.
Generally speaking, only spellcasters enter, and for Lancelot to go in would just be a waste of his credits.
However, after observing multiple secret locations, Lancelot gained a deeper understanding of the terrifying strength of the Holy Sword Academy.
Putting everything else aside, any one of these secret realms is no less valuable than a six-star level piece of equipment.
The fundamental rule of the Astral Realm: treasures belong to those with the strength.
Therefore, it is conceivable how powerful the academy is; this thing is definitely not something that Dean Urta could protect.
On his way back to the Sea Lake Villa District after leaving the secluded training ground, Lancelot planned his subsequent training.
For the first two weeks, I focused on the dozens of courses I had enrolled in, trying to make an impression on the teachers. Otherwise, it would be too impolite.
Two weeks later, he focused on spiritual practice.
First, use the "Holy Sword Gene Training Method" in conjunction with the Virtual Universe and Sword Marrow to quickly raise its level.
Secondly, the development of the [Electrified Cells] and [Body of Steel] Ability Energy cannot be stopped, but there is no need to rush. After the gene chain stabilizes, go to the Totem World, take the [Regenerative Bone Marrow] bloodline potion, and awaken the third Ability Energy.
Third, invest more time and energy in genetic engineering to prepare for future self-created Innovation Skill, and gradually reveal this talent to the outside world, creating the image of a research genius.
With Logo around, there's absolutely no need to worry about this.
It's important to understand that genetic engineering is merely a sub-branch of Alchemical Bloodline Studies.
Moreover, they also have the help of the Higher-Dimensional Information Space of the Aslant Civilization. Although this advanced Astral Realm civilization does not primarily focus on genetic research, its expertise in this area can easily crush the Crimson Alliance.
"Hmm... there's a fourth point: I need to manage my private credit exchange business well. Although I have over four thousand credits, if I use them freely, it won't last long..."
There were many things to do, but after sorting them out, the chaos disappeared, leaving only a surge of energy. Lancelot returned to the villa, ate a hearty late-night snack, and then lay down on the bed to drift off to sleep.