A Latch That Fixed The End

The next day after waking up, Ian looked at the pile of books that were delivered to him by an assistant.

He smiled happily, sat on a chair, and began reading them one by one. They are all books about Mind Practitioners and other mandatory subjects like "Rune Language" and "History of the Central Realm," etc.

Ian didn't even open other books because he already knew the most crucial components of the central realm's history. Instead, he opened the books on mind practitioners and began reading them with delight.

Even when he was writing his novel, he only included the major events and plot, with little information about Mind practitioners' techniques.

And because it's been 6 years since he wrote the novel...Ian only remembered the most crucial details.

Ian looked out the window after finishing a few books, his eyes glowing with curiosity and satisfaction.

'I did the right thing...' Ian was pleased with the knowledge he gained from these books. It would be impossible for him to obtain this information elsewhere if he did not attend this university... In that case, his only option would be to join the Outer Realms Factions.

The information about Mind Cultivation in the book is simple, but it is difficult to apply in practice...

The mind is present in all parts of the body. In some ways, the mind can be considered as the body's hidden part. It exists but cannot be seen, and this mind... is also known as the center of consciousness for all living beings.

Nobody knows why, but this Mind constantly emits a unique type of power.

The Mind practitioners call it Mind Power, and normally all of the 'Mind power' emitted by the Mind would be immediately dispersed from the body. However, after a few coincidences, some people discovered that they could retain the power within themselves.

The first step in retaining the dispersing Mind power is to create a mental space... which some people refer to as the 'Sea Of Consciousness.'

Rather than creating the Mental Space, the apt word to describe it would be awakening.

The mind power is stored within the mental space by forcibly guiding it with meditation techniques developed after years of research and hard work.

Mind practitioners increase the quantity and quality of mind power within their Mental Space using meditation techniques, which increases their level of strength.

In the path of the Mind practitioners, the first stage is called the 'Mortal Stage'.

It is divided into 6 grades and every 3 grades can be considered a 'state'.

There should also be a hidden grade based on Ian's memories, but it wasn't mentioned in any of these books.

Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, and Purple are the six grades mentioned respectively.

And a normal human or... a person who has yet to begin cultivating their mind is said to be in the 'Innate State' or 'Normal Stage.'

According to Ian's current understanding, the path taken by Mind practitioners in the central realm can be summarized in two ways.

Either they are profligate sons who spend treasures to increase the Mind power within their mental spaces, or they are steady and tolerant people who would spend years just increasing Mind cultivation by a single grade.

"Hmm... I need to locate 'those' locations on a map then" muttered Ian. Fortunately, he knew of a few locations where he could find enough treasures to increase his strength.

'For now... let's wait until the Opening Ceremony.' Ian pondered for a moment before starting to plan on how to get into 'that' place... It's close to his current location and the easiest place to enter.

________

While walking towards the auditorium where the opening ceremony will take place, Ian looked around and was bewildered.

"Wow!... Even though I half-expected it, this is beyond anything I could have imagined!" Ian muttered as he approached the auditorium.

From the outside, nothing stands out except for a dome, but...the moment he stepped inside...he was dumbfounded. In the exact center of the auditorium, there is a single floating stage.

'Wait...this auditorium is spherical !?' Ian was confused for a moment, but while thinking, he noticed something else...

'Why is it even bigger than what was seen from outside!!?' He was perplexed for a while before he recalled a power.

'Wait, is this... Spatial Expansion?!' Ian realized what was wrong with this auditorium.

It's a spatial ability!

Someone used a space-related power to alter the Spatial structure inside the dome!!

' Is it... a treasure?' If there is one thing Ian knows about Mind practitioners, it is their expertise.

A mind practitioner cannot have powers related to the four elements, such as fire, water, air, and earth, let alone powers related to spacetime.

'Then this must be a treasure!' Ian was certain of his conjecture.

He felt dizzy as he looked at the seats that covered almost every inch of the spherical dome.

This place is so strange that a normal human's mind cannot comprehend it!

Ian approached a staircase on the left side of the entrance that said 'Privileged Sector.'

He was dressed in his university uniform, which included a cloak, black T-shirt, black pants, and boots.

Of course, Ian went a step further by donning a black mask and gloves. he was completely covered in black clothes.

This is not strange considering that there were a dozen of people among the thousands who also use a full face mask to cover their faces.

Anyone who wears these masks either has an exceptional background or an incomprehensible talent.

This is to indirectly protect talented people.

It's because if their identity as a prodigy was revealed, There will be assassins sent after them.

And because those with distinguished backgrounds also wear those masks...most assassins gave up on assassinating those masked individuals... What if they unintentionally killed someone with a high background? won't that be digging their own grave?

Ian was inspecting the auditorium when the lights went out abruptly. The spotlights were directed at the floating stage.

Ian noticed a tiny figure in the air walking towards the stage. He was taken aback after scrutinizing his gaze.

The tiny figure from Ian's vision landed on the floating stage and looked around the auditorium at all of the students.

"Hello there, students. I am the Founder and Principal of the University of Novaetas...Osiris Griffin"

Even though Osiris did not use a microphone and there were no speakers in the auditorium, his voice could be heard in every corner of the auditorium.

Ian listened to the speech until he became bored with it. With curiosity, he looked around the auditorium.

When ian was inspecting the auditorium he was alerted by something.

He just closed his eyes in reflex but the moment he opened them he found himself in the center of the spotlight.

'Ugh...what happened?' In front of thousands of students, Ian turned his head and looked at Osiris.

He was perplexed.

He had no idea why he had appeared on stage.

"This...is a descendant of the Griffin family, Von Griffin, and my great-grandson," Osiris said, staring at Ian.

'What am I? A member of the griffin family!? Are you sure you got that right?!?... Wait...

That's it !!'

Ian was perplexed for a moment but when he noticed the malicious gazes of people in the Guest Seats, he finally saw through Osiris's intentions.

Those who can sit on the Guest Seats must be either a member of Secrecy Clans or exceptional graduates from this university in other words... Those hostile to Osiris.

Ian glanced at Osiris with dissatisfaction and sorrow.

'Did he intend to use me as a pawn from the start?' When Ian considered it carefully, he felt like a fool.

Since he was just a pawn what need is there for talent? Isn't being directly related to Osiris...The opposer of their ideals enough to mobilize all of the spies planted by Secrecy Clans?

'This isn't looking good...' Ian had no idea how to get out of this situation...