Chapter 172: Solid Foundation
That very day, Dandara selected 600 soldiers and completely stunned them by giving each of them one of those potions.
Everyone knew that receiving one was the equivalent of climbing several steps toward the top of the sect. They would go from being mediocre disciples to standing close to the elite born within the sect itself.
Seeing the stunned expressions on their faces, Dandara explained that Priam had granted them all of this and that they were to remain absolutely silent about it.
If they were truly grateful, then they should work hard for the faction.
As for the others, she explained that Priam intended to reward them as well, but that it depended entirely on them.
No one asked any more questions.
At that moment, all the soldiers were between the fourth and sixth levels.
Everyone had already advanced one level, and they felt there wasn’t enough time to advance another before the end of the month.
As soon as all 600 had completely absorbed the potion’s effects and stabilized their bodies, Dandara had every soldier spar against one another.
Only through real combat would they quickly adapt to their newfound strength.
At the end of every day, Dandara would report back to Priam, telling him everything she had done and asking for his opinion.
He never gave her any suggestions, because every explanation she gave about her decisions left him completely speechless.
Instinctively, without needing much thought, Dandara knew exactly how to train and command those people.
Compared to her in that regard, Priam was like a newborn baby. He genuinely admired her talent.
Every passing day made Priam even more certain that her level of genius was simply unbelievable.
If he could one day unlock even a fraction of Dandara’s true talents, nothing would be able to stop her.
...
Those nearly two weeks were enough to leave the entire army excited about their own potential.
The change wasn’t caused by the potion alone.
The explanations, guidance, and teachings Dandara passed on to them broadened their understanding of the world in extraordinary ways.
None of that knowledge had come from her, and she made that perfectly clear to everyone. The knowledge Priam had given them was even more valuable than the potions themselves. Not even the greatest Sage in the outer sect could come close to that level of knowledge.
As a result, no one even bothered attending the lectures anymore.
If the final entrance test were repeated at that moment, even without a Super Genius to help them, they would all be able to reach the end together without much difficulty.
Their growth in such a short period was practically miraculous.
...
Training almost day and night, time flew by.
**DONG!**
The sound of a massive bell echoed throughout the faction’s residence.
It was late afternoon.
Priam slowly opened his eyes, waking from his meditation.
The faction competition would begin soon.
He sat up on the bed and clenched his fists.
After using the potion on himself, he became certain that his version had cleared about 95% of his acupoints. The difference compared to the ordinary potion seemed small—only about 5%—but any alchemist would say that improving even 1% was already nearly impossible.
On top of that, the speed at which his meridians could circulate Ether and purify his body to advance through the levels had increased several times over.
He was now a third-level Mage Disciple.
Shione, Lumiere, and Flaris had also used the potions and reached the third level alongside him.
The four of them were still the lowest-level members of the faction.
Even so, their growth couldn’t be accelerated any further. The speed at which they had advanced was already more than astonishing.
---
The plaza was once again packed with people.
The five newly formed factions had gathered there.
Every member of Priam’s faction, including Priam himself, couldn’t deny they were nervous.
This first competition was, very likely, the most important one of all.
The two factions that finished in the bottom positions would suffer an enormous disadvantage.
The Mages from the higher-ranked factions would accumulate so many resources that the gap in the next competition would become enormous, making it practically impossible to catch up.
Even though she was nervous, Dandara carefully observed everyone around her.
Then, all of a sudden, she smiled and relaxed a little.
Most of those people gave off a completely unstable impression.
Thanks to the knowledge Priam had given them, everyone in the faction had learned how to perceive a person’s battle aura.
The very existence of battle aura was something those Mages born in the Divine Plane had never even heard of. It was completely different from a person’s ordinary energy fluctuations.
It allowed them to identify, at least on a superficial level, an opponent’s most obvious weaknesses.
Technically, it was possible to sense the flow of Ether moving through the meridians and tell which acupoints were more obstructed, naturally revealing the body’s most vulnerable areas.
Practically every soldier from the other factions showed several weaknesses like that.
A look of affection appeared in Dandara’s eyes as she turned toward Priam, who was standing beside her.
It felt like that young man could accomplish anything with ease.
"Are you Dandara?"
A calm voice sounded from nearby, making her and everyone in the faction turn around.
It was a tall, well-built young man.
The Super Genius who also happened to be the son of the Elder Leader of this branch of the outer sect.
"Inigo?" Dandara murmured in confusion. "Yes, that’s my name."
He stopped a few meters away from her and spoke casually.
"My faction lacks a capable general. I devote myself entirely to my own cultivation, so I don’t have the time or the talent to deal with other people. Because of that, I admire your abilities. Would you like to join my faction?"
He spoke slowly, in a completely casual tone.
At that moment, every member of Priam’s faction narrowed their eyes.
A bloodthirsty gleam flashed across their faces.
That Super Genius was openly trying to steal their commander?
It was the same as slapping every one of them across the face.
But...
When they looked toward Priam, they found nothing but complete calm.
Priam merely smiled inwardly before glancing at Flaris.
She was also completely calm.
That confirmed his suspicions.
This Inigo was simply a complete antisocial person with no social skills whatsoever and, at the same time, completely free of any ill intentions.
Most likely, he hadn’t even considered that his proposal might offend anyone.
It was so obvious that, when he noticed everyone staring at him, he merely frowned in confusion.
"No, thank you. I only have one Boss. Without him, I wouldn’t even be here. If necessary, I’ll die by his side, but I’ll never serve anyone else for the rest of my life."
Dandara answered firmly and without hesitation.
Then she discreetly glanced at Priam, trying to figure out what he thought about all this.
Unfortunately, he didn’t show the slightest reaction.
"I understand... That position will remain open for a long time if you ever change your mind."
Inigo answered calmly before shifting his gaze elsewhere.
"I’ll admit this Priam is an impressive person. But in life, those with a solid foundation always go farther. His brilliance will fade soon enough... anyway, you’ll understand that before long."
Dandara’s expression changed immediately.
He had actually dared to insult Priam in front of so many people?
She had no idea she was completely mistaken.
Inigo had merely been trying to be kind, explaining something he genuinely believed was obvious.
Throughout the sect’s history, there had been many Mages from outside who seemed unbelievably talented and frightening when they first arrived.
However, because they hadn’t been born in the sect or built a proper foundation from an early age, they quickly lost their shine and became ordinary figures.
Dandara was about to respond when Priam interrupted her.
"Don’t worry about something so insignificant. Just focus on proving him wrong."
Dandara heard that, took a deep breath, and gave a slight nod.
She was absolutely certain, in a completely irrational way, that Inigo’s words would never come true.
"The time has come!"
A cold shout echoed across the plaza as several people approached.
Everyone fell silent and turned to look.
It was a group of...
Law Elders.
At that moment, Priam let out a dry snort.
This competition certainly wasn’t going to be fair...
For their side, of course.