Astral Convergence

After the first day of classes, I wasted no time in seeking out Professor Valerie. The urgency of my situation pressed on me, and I knew that if I wanted to keep pace with people like Lucifer and Jack, I needed to accelerate my integration process.

I needed to tap into a method that was dangerous, but effective—Astral Convergence.

Astral energy, the refined and potent evolution of mana, was the domain of Ascendant-rankers and beyond. Unlike aura or magic below 7-circle, astral energy compressed mana to its most concentrated form, giving rise to abilities that were truly beyond mortal comprehension. It was the power of legends, wielded by those who had transcended the limits of the human body.

But the method I had in mind was no easy task.

An Ascendant-ranker could infuse astral energy into the mana core of a White-ranker, speeding up their integration process by a substantial margin. However, this method was risky—immensely painful, and it required near-perfect control over one's mana to prevent the core from destabilizing.

More importantly, although Ascendant-rankers could perform this process, having an Immortal-ranker—someone whose mastery over astral energy was beyond comparison—was much more reliable. Their superior precision meant fewer risks, and, in turn, a better chance at success. 

Unfortunately, the challenge didn't end there. It wasn't just about finding an Immortal-ranker willing to assist. The person undergoing the process needed to possess an extraordinary level of control over their own mana to accept the infusion without risking catastrophic failure. The sheer agony it brought was enough to break even the strongest of minds.

But I had an advantage. 

Lucent Harmony—the very thing that had carried me through my battles so far—would be my shield. Its ability to bring balance to my mana flow would allow me to handle the foreign energy without losing myself in the process. Still, it wouldn't be easy.

That's why I had to go to Professor Valerie. She was one of the few Immortal-rankers I knew of, and more importantly, someone I trusted. Nero was the only other Immortal-ranker present at Mythos Academy but I trusted Valerie more than him.

As I walked through the corridors toward Professor Valerie's office, I mentally prepared myself for what was to come. The pain, the strain, and the risk were all worth it if it meant closing the gap between Lucifer and me. I couldn't afford to fall behind—not when the stakes were this high.

When I arrived at her office, I knocked firmly, but I didn't have to wait long as she answered almost immediately, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity as she saw me standing there.

"Arthur," she greeted. "Is something wrong?"

I took a deep breath. "Professor, I need your help. There's a method I want to use to accelerate my integration process, but it's a bit... unconventional."

She arched an eyebrow, motioning for me to step inside. "Go on."

Once inside her office, I hesitated for a moment, but there was no room for second thoughts. "I want to use Astral Convergence."

Valerie's eyes flickered with surprise. "Astral Convergence?" she repeated, clearly taken aback. "I've never heard of it."

I nodded. "That's because it's not widely known. It uses astral energy—the refined form of mana that only Ascendant-rankers and above can manipulate. Through careful infusion of astral energy into the mana core, the integration process can be accelerated."

Her expression darkened with concern. "Astral energy is no joke, Arthur. And using it at your level... it could destroy your core if not handled properly."

"I know," I replied. "But that's why I came to you. You're one of the few people who can safely manipulate astral energy as an Immortal-ranker. And I trust you."

Valerie crossed her arms, her gaze hardening as she processed what I was asking. "Explain it to me in more detail."

I swallowed, trying to recall everything I had learned about Astral Convergence from the novel's future timeline. "When an Immortal-ranker uses astral energy, they can help a White-ranker break down and absorb their mana core faster. The infusion of astral energy forces the core to compress, strengthening it and speeding up the integration. It's dangerous because it requires absolute control, both from the person performing the infusion and the one receiving it."

"And you think you can handle this?" she asked, her skepticism clear. "The pain alone would be enough to break most people."

"I have Lucent Harmony," I reminded her. "It regulates my mana flow. That'll help me control the infusion, and I'm prepared for the pain."

Valerie tapped her fingers on the desk, considering my request. "This isn't just about pain, Arthur. If your control slips for even a second, your core could shatter. If I miscalculate even slightly, the infusion could overwhelm you."

"I understand the risks," I said, my voice steady. "But I need this, Professor. Lucifer is already ahead of me, and Ren is right alongside me. I can't afford to lag behind. This process could close that gap."

For a long moment, Valerie didn't say anything. Her gaze bore into me, searching for any signs of hesitation. But I stood firm, meeting her eyes with determination.

Finally, she let out a sigh. "You're insane," she muttered. "But I suppose I wouldn't be your master if I didn't support your insanity."

I smiled weakly, relieved that she was at least considering it.

"But I'm going to need more information on this Astral Convergence process," she added. "I've used astral energy for many things, but this... this is new territory."

"Of course," I nodded, eager to explain. "The key to Astral Convergence is the precision of the astral energy infusion. You don't just flood the mana core with raw power—you need to carefully insert small amounts of astral energy at a time, letting the mana core absorb and adapt to it. If it's done too quickly, the core will collapse."

Valerie sat down, motioning for me to continue.

"You'll infuse your astral energy into my mana core slowly, little by little. I'll focus on controlling the flow with Lucent Harmony, so the core can absorb it without destabilizing. The core will compress naturally as the astral energy forces it to integrate faster."

Valerie leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples. "You realize this is essentially a high-stakes alchemical process happening inside your body, right? Any misstep could turn you into a walking mana bomb."

"I know," I said quietly. "But I trust you. And I'm prepared for the consequences."

She sighed again, but this time it was more resigned than disapproving. "Fine. We'll try it. But we'll do it my way. I want to make sure you're physically and mentally ready for this before we even start."

"Thank you, Professor," I said, bowing my head.

"This isn't a favor," she muttered, standing up. "You're my student, and if you get yourself killed, I'll have to deal with your master too."

I couldn't help but chuckle, despite the tension in the room.

Valerie turned toward her shelves, pulling out a few old books. "First, we'll need to start with preparation. You'll need to adjust your mana flow and strengthen your mental defenses before I can safely infuse astral energy."

I nodded, fully aware of the challenges ahead. This was going to be a long, painful process, but if it meant becoming stronger—if it meant catching up to Lucifer and protecting everyone I cared about—it was worth every risk.

Valerie handed me the books. "Start with these. They'll help you refine your mana control before we begin the actual process."

I took the books, feeling the weight of what lay ahead. "Got it. I'll be ready."

She watched me for a moment, then gave a small nod. "I'm sure you will be." 

And with that, I left her office, my mind focused on what was to come. The path to power was never easy, but I wasn't going to stop now. Not when I was this close to closing the gap.