Chapter 233: A 10% Increase in Energy Particle Concentration
The Morning Star Assessment is a new evaluation system that was introduced thirty years ago.
All Second Level Wizard Apprentices under the age of thirty can register to participate. As long as they pass the assessment, they can become a Morning Star Student.
Not only do they receive a monthly subsidy, but they also have the opportunity to become a disciple of a Wizard Mentor.
A true disciple!
Since the introduction of this assessment system, the title "Morning Star Student" has become synonymous with exceptional talent among students.
Over the past thirty years, more than three-quarters of those who advanced to Level Three Wizard Apprentice have been Morning Star Students. This statistic underscores the value of being a Morning Star Student.
After hearing Ke Yi's words, Haylin replied, "Grandfather, I plan to wait a bit longer before applying for the Morning Star Assessment. With my current strength, my chances of passing aren’t very high."
"That's fine; you're only sixteen years old and still quite young," Ke Yi said, nodding with a reassuring smile.
Back when Sheman became a Second Level Wizard Apprentice, he was also only sixteen or seventeen years old. It is said that Sheman is currently constructing a Talent Crystal Model. If all goes well, becoming a Wizard is almost a certainty for him.
"During this time, you should also consider which Mentor you would like to choose. I can help you make connections in advance," Ke Yi encouraged with a smile.
The selection of Morning Star Students and Wizard Mentors is mutual. At the end of each assessment, Wizards have the option to extend an invitation to Morning Star Students they find suitable.
If a student is favored by multiple Wizards, they can choose one to be their Teacher. However, if a student receives no offers, the Council will assign a Wizard to serve as their Teacher.
This latter scenario is quite rare.
After all, Wizards need disciples to serve as experimental assistants or handle various tasks. Instead of selecting from ordinary students, they prefer to choose from outstanding Morning Star Students.
Thus, it’s uncommon for a Wizard to refuse a Morning Star Student.
Of course, Morning Star Students can also seek guidance from their Teachers, creating a mutually beneficial relationship.
Mentioning this, Haylin hesitated for a moment before asking, "Grandfather, could I possibly ask Granduncle to be my teacher?"
Ke Yi was momentarily stunned, then after a brief hesitation, he shook his head. "Su Nan has been very busy these past few years and hasn’t taken on any new disciples since those three from Sheman. I can ask him for you, but you shouldn’t get your hopes up too high."
Haylin’s face lit up with excitement as he quickly responded, "Thank you, Grandfather!"
Long Lin, Starlight Wizard Tower.
Tagana strode briskly down the corridor, and most of the wizard apprentices she encountered stopped to greet her warmly. Tagana responded with a slight nod, maintaining her ever-aloof expression. The apprentices didn’t mind; they seemed accustomed to her demeanor.
Only after Tagana had passed did the apprentices begin to quietly inquire among themselves.
"Was that girl really the legendary sole Dark Elf student at the Academy?"
"Who else could it be?"
"Then why is everyone being so solicitous toward her? Isn’t she just a Dark Elf wizard apprentice? Is it simply because she’s rare?"
"You really don't know, do you? Tagana wasn't just handpicked by Master Su Nan to enter the Academy; she’s also a disciple of Lord Rose. With those two titles, who would dare to look down on her?"
"Ah, how could Lord Rose take a Dark Elf as a disciple?"
"Don’t underestimate her just because she’s a Dark Elf. It’s said that Tagana's talent is even superior to that of senior students Sheman and Coley. She entered the school later, but she’s already achieved Level Three Wizard Apprentice status, and I heard she’s constructing the final Star Ring."
"No way, a Dark Elf can cultivate using our human meditation method so effectively?"
"That’s why her talent is so exceptional. How could someone chosen by Master Su Nan to attend the Academy be an ordinary Dark Elf?"
Tagana remained oblivious to the whispers about her in the corridor. She walked quickly until she reached the door at the end, where she paused and gently knocked.
"Come in," a familiar, pleasant voice called from behind the door.
Tagana pushed open the door and stepped inside. The room's furnishings were extremely simple, containing only a desk, a chair, and two bookshelves—nothing more.
Artier seemed to be reviewing documents. When she heard the door open, she looked up and, upon seeing Tagana, a smile spread across her face.
"You're here, Gana."
'Gana' was Artier's affectionate nickname for Tagana, simpler and more intimate than her full name. In the entire Starlight Academy, apart from Teacher and Rose, only Artier used it.
A faint smile appeared on Tagana's face as she approached the desk and placed a document in front of Artier.
"These are the Wizard Apprentice criminals captured over the past year—twelve in total. They have all been imprisoned. How should we handle them?"
"Just like before. Imprison them in Base 2's Confinement Area and have them work to atone for their crimes in the Workshop. The first batch from the Small Sub Magic Stone Mine is almost ready, and Starfall Lord has asked me to prepare a batch of Clay Golems beforehand, so let them refine Clay Golems."
Artier replied as she took the documents and signed her approval.
Watching her friend's capable demeanor, Tagana couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. The job of the Star Alliance Controller's assistant was indeed character-building. After several decades, although Artier's kindness remained, she had gained significant capability and authority.
Putting down her feather pen, Artier sighed. “I don’t know what’s happening, but in recent years, we’ve seen an increasing number of Wizard Apprentices emerging from all corners. The number of criminals has risen, and the Star Alliance has recruited many more Wizard Apprentices recently.”
Tagana, seemingly recalling something, said, "I heard from the Fairy of the Plantation that the growth of Magic Plants has improved as well. Could there be a connection between the two?"
Artier pondered for a moment before shaking her head. “I’m not sure. But it’s not something we should worry about. We just need to focus on our jobs.”
“Oh, right! Didn't you mention wanting to enhance your Magical Pet with Dragon Blood the other day?”
With a flip of her wrist, Artier revealed a small bottle filled with the blood of one of the Three Points, shaking it gently in her hand.
“This is Hidden Dragon Lord's blood. I obtained it from Amy the other day. It's for you.”
Saying this, he tossed the small bottle to Tagana.
The Dark Elf girl quickly caught it, her face lighting up with pleasant surprise.
Her Magical Pet was a Storm Dragon Beast, currently at a critical stage of breaking through to Fourth Circle Legend. That was why she sought to exchange for a bottle of Dragon Blood to enhance her Bloodline concentration and improve her chances of success.
On the Star Alliance exchange list, there were many types of Dragon Blood said to be extracted from the sub-dragon blood of Master Sunan. However, among all these types, the most precious was the blood of the Hidden Dragon Lord.
As Master Sunan's Magical Pet, the Hidden Dragon Lord possessed combat power that made even the Deans of the Academy pale in comparison. It was said that not long ago, Vice Dean Fakado faced the Hidden Dragon Lord and was defeated without surprise.
Her teacher, Rose, had mentioned that the Hidden Dragon Lord's true power had already reached the level of a Level One Liquid Warlock. In the entire Star Alliance, aside from Master Sunan, no other Wizard could match it.
Because of this, the blood of the Hidden Dragon Lord was incredibly valuable, and its exchange price was shockingly high.
Tagana never expected that Artier would actually find a bottle of Hidden Dragon Lord's Dragon Blood!
"Thank you!"
The Dark Elf girl wasn’t one for excessive sentiment; she skipped the polite pretenses and accepted the gift immediately, secretly noting Artier's kindness in her heart.
With the Dragon Blood in hand, Tagana was eager to return and strengthen her Magical Pet, so after a few brief words, she left.
Artier organized her documents and also exited the room, teleporting to the eleventh level.
Upon arriving in the Study, she found it empty and asked the Water Sprite responsible for cleaning. She learned that Starfall Lord had gone to the control room of Star Eye.
Artier had participated in the advancement of the Star Eye Project, understanding the Star Eye Network more deeply than most.
To better utilize its functions, the core of the entire Monitoring Network—Star Core—had been specially placed at the very center of the world. This location served as the heart of the entire Monitoring Network, allowing it to radiate across the continent, including the Underworld and Rainbow Sea.
Given its significance, Starfall Lord had stationed a Small Golem Legion there, along with more than ten Tentacle Puppets and Secret Puppets to safeguard it, ensuring impenetrable defense.
Although the core of the Monitoring Network is not housed within the Wizard Tower, the Tower contains duplicate cores of the Star Eye, which allows for real-time monitoring of the entire situation.
Artier hadn’t even knocked when she arrived at the control room; a voice called out from within.
"Enter."
Artier pushed open the door and stepped inside, bowing slightly toward the figure standing beside the giant eye-shaped crystal ball.
"Starfall Lord."
Lize turned her gaze from the crystal ball and looked at Artier, her voice soft.
"What is it?"
"My Lady, these are the important documents from the past two months that require your review."
As the Controller's assistant, Artier held the authority to make decisions on less critical matters, but major events still needed Lize's personal attention.
"Place them on the table; I’ll review them later."
Artier complied, setting the documents down before noticing that Lize had returned her focus to the crystal ball.
Not wanting to disturb her, Artier bowed and prepared to leave.
However, as she reached the door, Lize’s voice called out from behind.
"Summon Carolina and Red Widow."
"Yes, My Lady."
Artier did not question the order; she respectfully acknowledged it and exited the control room.
Before long, Carolina and Red Widow arrived in succession.
"My Lady, what are your instructions for us?"
Both bowed respectfully, their expressions deferential.
Over the years, Lize's capable methods had won their allegiance, extinguishing any thoughts of rivaling her.
More importantly, they had inadvertently discovered that Su Nan had an agreement with Lize to assist her in Reshaping the Body.
In other words, Lize would regain the power of a Wizard in the future.
Upon realizing this, their desire for power instantly evaporated.
They understood all too well that they could never compare to a Wizard, especially one with knowledge deeper than that of any dean at Starlight Academy.
After that, they abandoned their scheming and focused solely on executing Lize's orders.
"Bring me the detailed collection records for all resource points of the Star Alliance from the past three years."
“In addition, re-dispatch exploration teams to search for resource points throughout the continent.”
Carolina and Red Widow were both taken aback.
The first order was understandable, but the second puzzled them.
Carolina hesitated for a moment before speaking. “My Lord, we just invested a significant amount of manpower and resources twenty years ago to conduct a large-scale exploration of the entire continent. All resource points have already been surveyed and documented. Is it too soon to do it again?”
In just twenty years, how many more resource points could Starlight Continent possibly have?
It should be noted that every resource point that meets the Star Alliance standard, aside from those created by the Star Alliance itself, takes centuries to form naturally.
Especially for metal mines, the formation time is at least several hundred years, and sometimes tens of thousands of years.
In a mere twenty years, the number of resource points surely wouldn't have changed much.
Initiating another large-scale exploration now would simply waste manpower and resources.
“It doesn't matter,” Lize said calmly. “Just do as I say.”
Seeing that Lize had made up her mind, Carolina and Red Widow, though still puzzled, obeyed her orders and withdrew.
Only after the two had left did Lize turn her gaze back to the crystal ball, a glint flashing in her eyes.
The Star Eye Network had two functions.
First, it could sense energy particle fluctuations.
Second, within its radiation range, it could establish a one-way connection with targets holding the medium, enabling long-distance communication.
Both functions were derived from the Star Core, improved and developed based on the capabilities it already possessed.
The ability to sense energy particle fluctuations, in addition to the core ability to record and lock onto these fluctuations, could also track the concentration of energy particles in Starlight Continent.
From Lize's observations, over the past thirty years, the concentration of energy particles in various regions of Starlight Continent had changed, but overall, it had been increasing.
Although the increase was modest, only about 10%, this was undoubtedly a significant signal.
The reason she asked Carolina and Red Widow to initiate the resource point exploration was to verify this.
If the concentration of energy particles in Starlight Continent had truly increased, then there should be a corresponding rise in resource points.
"Don't be misled by the mere 10% increase; when applied to the entire Starlight Continent, it signifies an enormous change.
The continent will likely gain a substantial number of Resource points, and the existing output of Resource points will also rise.
Once this is confirmed, it will demonstrate that the repair of the Starlight Continent's Dimensional Barrier is gradually accelerating.
In as little as two or three hundred years, or as many as four or five hundred years, the Dimensional Barrier will be fully restored.
At that time, the removal of the Plane blockade surrounding the Starlight Continent will undoubtedly bring about drastic changes.
Whether it be the invasion of foreign creatures or the connection with other realms, it will be a tremendous shock to the Starlight Continent.
To effectively address this situation, we must prepare as soon as possible.
"I need to inform Su Nan of this news."
After a moment of contemplation, Lize turned and exited the control room."
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