"Chrisome, why are you looking so nervous?" Rufus asked his friend after noticing him being silent.

They are all walking upstairs as only official residents can use the lift.

​​

At this time, they were only qualified to be permanent Arcanists and haven't been officially promoted yet.

They still have to hear the details of it and an oath-taking to do after.

"I think they have made mistake… Look, I'm not even in the top 10 performers but I was qualified for this? Isn't that suspicious?" Chrisome voiced out his worry.

"Don't think too much. I think that they were looking for a talented crafter like you. Even though you had an average performance in the other evaluations, your magic item seems to have given you enough reputation." Rufus encouraged his friend.

In truth, he was also baffled at first but after recalling his friend's Carriage Wheel… He felt that the judges have realized how effective it was…

It may be a simple creation but it may greatly change the effectiveness of transportation within the kingdom.

Needless to say, better transportation means a lot.

After all, it enables communication, trade, and other forms of exchange between people, which in turn establishes civilizations. Who would then belittle his creation to improve transportation even by a small step?

This may be the reason why Chrisome was selected and might be tasked to continue more on this research.

"That's true… Just be confident. That Flame Cloud Generator that you have was also quite interesting… Even if you lost to me that time, you had a great performance…"

Lexi added after hearing their conversation… Chrisome smiled at this after realizing that the top 1 girl in his heart has already spoken.

"We're here…"

The five outstanding 4th Class Arcanists arrived at the highest habitable floor.

That's right, this floor is not truly the highest. The top floor itself has an environment where none of them could last for a minute…

After all, that is where the protective array capable of covering the whole Cardelle City is located. It is not a place where anyone could enter without any preparations…

They were guided by gray-robed personnel to wait in a room. This personnel wasn't necessarily an Arcanist but servants working for a resident within the Tower.

The room was quite huge with several statues of known heroes and kings within the kingdom. At the center of the room is a shallow pond that doesn't seem to have a purpose since it doesn't have a fish or even plants on it.

At the side were comfortable seats and tables meant for guests like them…

"Please wait for our esteemed Second-Class Arcanists in this room."

The large man in a gray robe said in a low voice. He doesn't seem like an Arcanist but his face and hands filled with scar shows that he's capable of combat…

"May I know what we will be discussing with them?" Chrisome who was still a little nervous asked the man.

"They will be here to inform you of some important things you need to know before being a permanent resident here. If you agreed with the terms, you can take an oath in front of the Tower Administrator in that room ahead… Did you bring your Arcana or Magic Weapons with you?"

The man replied as he pointed at the door in front of them across the small pond.

After seeing the door, the five nodded at him saying that they understood and that they brought their weapons with them.

"Right, they might also discuss some things about the Magic Item you've made." The man added.

"I see… Thanks for letting us know…"

The gray-robed man then bowed at them before he left them within the room.

***

Sven and Kael already noticed the five entering the floor but they didn't immediately show themselves…

"Which of them will notice it first?" Sven asked.

"Ned specializes in Arcane Magic related to illusions and terrain... So he might notice it faster than the others…" Kael answered.

"Is that so? I think Lexi has better senses… However, that kid named Rufus might be the one to spot it first… If he's truly the one who caused that Spiritual Pressure… He must have a level of understanding about how it works." Sven replied as he sat comfortably on his chair.

"Mhmm… I thought that he used a sacrificial item for that?" Kael inquired.

The sacrificial item he was referring to was also a magic item but they tend to get destroyed or become unusable after being used once. A one-time use Magic Item in other words.

"We can't really say for now… He might be surprised and attempt to use it again. But this time, be sure not to miss it…"

"Hoho~ What a crafty old man…" Kael teased him even though he's also a crafty one.

It seems that being invited to this floor doesn't mean that you'll get interviewed by the Second-Class Arcanists but instead be tested again!

It just shows how they really like to gauge the abilities of their Arcanists…

***

'Stay cautious… This room doesn't seem right…'

'Master?' Rufus was a bit surprised after hearing this.

'Something weird is happening within this floor…' Reiji warned again after sensing some strange fluctuation of Spiritual Energy or not...

The fluctuation was very subtle that he thought that it was just the protective array acting within the room.

However, he realized that it wasn't as simple as that after realizing that they are slowly being exposed to some kind of wierd energy…

Reiji couldn't say whether this is good or bad yet so he only reminded him to be cautious.

As Rufus couldn't sense anything wrong, he stood up from his seat and looked around…

The other four noticed him but they thought that he was just curious about the pond or statues and couldn't stay seated. It was quite normal to have an interest with them since there are no decorations like these on the lower floors.

'Master, what kind of weird thing is happening? Is this another test we are not aware of?'

'Another test? Mhmm… You might be right. We are on such a high floor and there shouldn't be enemies here… If that's the case, this must be one of their doings…' Reiji suddenly relaxed after being reminded. If this is just a test, then as long as they stay prepare themselves for any situation, it should be enough.

Finally, after the energy stayed long enough within the room, Reiji realized what it was…

'Mystical Energy!'

Reiji blurted out. He couldn't properly identify it before but now that the presence was abundant, he immediately realized what it was.

He was unsure whether they have to defend against it or just let it be...

Compared to the Mystical Energy that he felt inside the Mind Collection's Mansion at the port city, he could say that it is very weak but very invasive…

It must be due to the fact that the Blessed Arcana were the ones who arranged those Energy before and this time was not…

He only knows a little about this energy… However, he's sure that it is not that harmful to sentient Arcana…

As a matter of fact, it should be something that an Arcana should be capable of wielding…

"This… Is it Spiritual Pressure?"

"What's going on?"

"This Energy… It feels so weird… What's happening?"

"Rufus… What are you doing?"

The other four finally realized what going on. They could feel something that is trying to invade their Spiritual Energy.

Of course, Rufus had also felt that sudden change in the atmosphere in the room.

He could say that the energy was weaker than his Spiritual Pressure but it does feel like corrupting their Spiritual Energy as they have difficulty moving…

'Master, what should I do?'

Reiji heard his student but he remained silent. He focused his senses in one area within the room and after surveying each statue and object within, he finally found something…

'Tap me on that water…' Reiji instructed the young man…

'You mean… the water at the pond?'

He was at a loss by the sudden command. Of course, even though he asked that question, Rufus still moved and gently hold the shinai in his hands.

As soon as Reiji confirmed he's correct, the young man tapped the shinai on the clear water inside the pond. It created ripples but nothing happened…

However, they suddenly noticed that the corruption lessened a lot after a few moments…

On the other hand, Reiji received a notification.

[ You have earned a Skill. ]

[ Mystical Energy Manipulation Lv 1 ]

[ An ability to sense and control Mystical Energy that is stronger than the Arcanist's Spiritual Energy.

Mystical Energy Unit: 25/25 ]

[ This Energy can only be acquired by an Arcana. ]

[ Unable to level up using Skill Points. ]

Rejii didn't expect that he would gain a skill after touching the pond's water…

'How mysterious... Haa~ So I can still learn a skill even without purchasing it from the Guide? Wait… but I can't level it up as well… Mhmm… Maybe this is why I need Odette's help. It seems that she knows how to properly use this energy…'