He adjusted the details of the crystal, while casually chatting with Rod.
Although they had never met, he knew many things about Rod and even praised the genius idea about the Spiritual Energy elevator that Rod mentioned last night before the exercise with Molly.
"...This is a novel train of thought I’ve never seen before, maybe we can find even more excellent methods of using Spiritual Energy, a spark of inspiration that only a genius can ignite."
Rod, embarrassed by the praise, could only throw out many ideas about the use of electricity while Amides talked about the related topic of electricity.
As they talked, he realized that both had stopped working and were staring straight at him.
"Uh? What’s the matter?"
Mina asked crossly, "Whose great scholarly work is this? Or did you find some ancient notes in Star Town?"
"No, this is my own..."
"Bullshit, do you take me for a fool? This systematized knowledge has been specifically studied and organized. We know all the scholars of Royal City, and their research is fragmented. You definitely hid some ancient notes, didn’t you?"
After thinking it over, Rod could only admit.
"Ah right, right, right, but those notes turned to ash after I read them, only the knowledge is recorded in my mind."
Mina immediately looked at her teacher.
Amides thoughtfully said, "It sounds like some kind of one-time record of spirituality, little Rod, can you recite them?"
Mina demanded angrily, "Write it all down without missing a single word."
Rod hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Is there a point in developing electricity when we have more efficient and stronger Spiritual Energy?"
"Of course it’s useful! Spiritual Energy is extremely precious! It’s not even enough to ward off the darkness!"
Amides said gently, "The more mature energy usage methods we have at our disposal, even if they have only a slight effect, will benefit Trolian. In such harsh conditions, no help is superfluous."
Rod’s heart stirred, could this also garner Divinity?
"Alright, I will transcribe all the notes and give them to you."
Mina immediately turned her annoyance into joy, "That’s great, just as expected from you."
Amides smiled and said, "Little Rod, come visit the Jinwoosi Academy when you’re free. We old folks are quite intrigued by your wisdom. A young person’s inspiration could possibly open new doors for our rigid brains."
Rod answered hurriedly, "Definitely, definitely!"
Amides’s expression turned serious.
"Let’s begin, the high-level Spiritual Energy upgrade ritual has some risks, so we must concentrate fully."
He took his place at the head, the Sun Crystal emitting a blinding light, and the ritual began promptly.
Bright light flooded the Spiritual Power Laboratory.
It wasn’t until morning that the ritual ended, and the moment the bright light fell, all the Spiritual Energy work crystals shattered, scattering fragments everywhere, and the Sun Crystal evaporated entirely.
Mina and Amides were extremely exhausted, but they couldn’t hide the joy in their expressions.
On the stone platform, Rod sat up.
He felt different, yet he didn’t know what exactly had changed. He clenched his fists, feeling muscles with smooth lines filled with explosive strength.
He jumped off the stone platform, the lines of his abs clearly visible, his body seemingly transformed alongside the evolution of his soul into something more symmetrical and robust.
Rod stood in front of the mirror and saw a body that was tall, well-proportioned, robust, and masculine.
The muscles were flexible, full of strength, and each line on the smooth abs was filled with male charm.
Mina was so stunned that she didn’t even notice saliva dripping down her chin onto her prominent chest.
Amides smiled and said, "The harmony of Spirit and flesh, you’re close to the State of the perfected. One more step, and you’ll cross the chasm to become a non-human entity, officially joining the ranks of the Strong."
Rod knew that "non-human" was the title for Second Level Combatants, implying they had shed human constraints, becoming non-human Strong beings.
In other words, humans have limits, so I’m no longer human!
"Non-human" one level up is "Transcendent," the title for the strongest in Trolian by conventional standards.
Miss Qingyu belongs to this class.
Although the gap was still significant, Rod was a little closer, and he happily asked, "What level of Spiritual Energy am I now?"
Rod was immediately extremely disappointed, "I only jumped three levels?"
Mina was instantly enraged, "This is a high-ranking level skip, aside from absolute geniuses, I’ve never seen a normal person do this!"
Rod pushed her hand away.
"Speak without touching."
"Tch, who wants to touch you? I’m checking for hidden issues in your soul!"
"What level of Spiritual Energy is a ’non-human’ normally?"
"Don’t dream, the minimum for a non-human is Eleventh Level Spiritual Energy. The teacher was just encouraging you, you’re still far off."
Rod pouted, "It’s just three levels? I can just skip up again."
Mina’s face almost contorted with anger.
"Stop dreaming! Do you know how much Spiritual Energy those three levels require?"
"Heh, how do you know I can’t do it."
"I don’t care, you can’t means you can’t!"
Amidst their arguing, Amides left the Spiritual Power Laboratory with a chuckle, leaving the space to the young man and woman.
His thoughts had shifted to the fascinating use of electrical energy. From Rod’s simple description, he seemed to glimpse a vast system; if it could be harnessed, it might add a powerful supplement to Trolian’s scarce forces.