Chapter 149: Ganga Equis

"What do you mean different, Ms. Ganga?"

Erikko glanced at her through the corner of his eyes and saw her research instincts kicking in. Wherever she is curious of something, she would be hell-bent to unfold the mysteries behind it..

Ganga proved herself to be a prodigy at an early age. Her father's dwarven heritage was overtaken by her mother's tall elvish physique. The long ears were an attraction for any man. The 28 years old woman is so busy with her research, that she does not care for the lack of a male companion. Her hybrid lineage from a dwarf and an elf made her sensitive to Mana. She would integrate herself with forest and nature whenever she gets a chance. She once said to one of her students that it helps to feel the Mana flowing throughout nature.

Erikko's question was unanswered, as she squinted her eyes as she stared at the dying flame. After the flame vanished, she took a moment to analyse it and then replied to the principal.

"I couldn't sense any Mana fluctuations from it."

Her statement was simple, but held great importance to the principal, who frowned in response. Nodding with an intention, he immediately walked out of the office and towards the stairs. Ganga assumed his intentions and followed him without a word. She did not forget to close the door behind her.

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Lee walked towards Drake, who was pale from witnessing the released potential from the golf ball sized blue fire sphere. The students had their voices muffled with astonishment, and their hearts beating like a drum with excitement and terror. Sweat drops were clearly visible on their faces, and they wiped it with their sleeves.

"Are you sure you are a rookie?"

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4 P.M.

116387 Essence harvested.

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'About time. Convert 278250 Essence to Mana and saturate the rest 265 body parts. Also upgrade Black, Vi-Ta and the nunchuck to Lower Force grade.'

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Upgrade 'Black', 'Vi-Ta', 'Nunchuck' to Lower Force grade. Confirm?

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'Yes, confirm.'

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The weapons will be unavailable for the next two days due to upgrading to Lower Force grade.

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'As expected of the higher grades!'

Lee had planned all these actions beforehand, and had noted the necessary Essence needed for upgrading the weapons. The calculations were all done in a second, and the Essence count shrivelled up to a mere 24638. He was waiting for D to come out of the chamber and sound a favourable report. D was necessary to condense Mana, because Lee is yet to learn that technique so as to advance to the next level of mastery.

"I am a Rookie for sure. But I have learnt a few techniques from a Veteran adventurer."

Darwin, who was missing since the day Lorin fell, was the one he referred to. Lee used his Map to scan for him, but his Mana signature was not picked up anywhere. The absence of his Mana in the fissures gave a hint that he had escaped the calamity, but Lee had no idea where he might be. But he hoped to see his friend one day.

Mentioning a Veteran adventurer made the students gasp in awe. The Piscerent city only has a few over hundred adventurers and ten or eleven among them are Official, whereas Veteran and Elite are much more scarce. When compared with cultivation, Mastery only has ten levels, but each one of them are more respected than its cultivation counterpart. The conditions needed to fulfill in order to advance, made adventurers unique and be proud of their affinity.

Drake was about to say something, when his eyes wandered off from Lee's face and focused on something that was beyond him. His mouth was sewed shut and silence enveloped the students. Janvi saw the oncoming figures and immediately hid among the group. All these reactions made Lee glance over his shoulder, to see a short old man with an almost square face and shining hairless head, followed by a tall woman with elf ears.

"Mr. Drake Godson, can you explain what had happened here a few seconds ago?"

The sound was void of pitch and had a soft bass ringing inside the ears. It was suitable for his short stature and fluffy beard face. But the seriousness in the voice was not concealable. His words carried an air of power, and Lee assumed that he must be a person higher in office than Drake.

"Principal, it was a demonstration by Lee. He is the champion of the Tri-annual Tournament. The students asked him to show his skills."

Drake immediately gave a concise report on what happened. The students were silent. Lee identified the short person as the principal of the academy, and evaluated that he is not in the seat for nothing. An envelope of silence covered them and Lee felt a penetrating stare behind his back. Glancing at the source, he saw the woman accompanying the principal staring at him.

Ganga softened her glare as she found Lee looking back at her. She scanned him from top to bottom as he picked up the folded jacket placed on the ground. As he straightened his posture, Lee picked up many pairs of eyes running all over his body. Since he did not sense any hostility, he did not mind them.

"So it was him."

Ganga scanned Lee and found no presence of Mana fluctuations from him. According to her, a wizard who used an extensive amount of Mana will emit a faint signature which could be picked up by those specialised in investigation. She too had the capability, but for the first time, she was unable to sense any Mana from someone who used a spell with the potential of a 5th grade. Her mutter was faint, but Lee heard it.

"I am Erikko Tesla, the principal of this academy."

Erikko extended his hand for a greeting and Lee accepted it without hesitation. While he did not sense any hostility, Drake and the students were pale from the principal's action. The sense of certain death reflected on their faces. A few students covered their mouths as they gasped and their eyes went wide. Drake was in a total dilemma!