The Interschool competitions took place between 10 major schools in the continent, 7 of which was in the Blackhawk dominion with 2 in the Frolane Empire and 1 in the Oseger Empire.
Each year, the schools were ranked based on how well their students performed in various different categories of tests and challenges.
Ning was chosen to take part in one of the tests which is the one where the student showed that they had the purest Essence in all of the 10 major schools.
Ning thought for a moment if he wanted to do this or not. It would definitely be something fun for sure, so he didn't find any reason to refuse the offer.
"When did you say it was being held?" Ning asked. "2 months?"
"Yes, 2 months later," the teacher quickly answered.
"And… I have to reach the Essence Manifestation realm to be able to participate in this right?" he asked.
"Yes," the teacher said excitedly. "Do you think you can do this?"
Ning gave a thoughtful look. "I don't know," he said. "I would love to take part in this competition, teacher, but I'm not sure I can reach the Essence Manifestation realm with just 2 months left. After all, I come from a not-very-rich family, so my father can't afford to send me too many pure crystals to cultivate it."
"And unfortunately, without those crystals, my improvement slows down a lot. Unless there is a way to improve my Essence without those crystals, I'm not sure I can do it, teacher," Ning said with a sad look on his face.
"How many crystals will you need?" the teacher asked.
"Sorry?" Ning looked up innocently.
"How many? I will request it on behalf of the school to get you ready for the competition," the teacher said.
"Is… is that alright?" Ning asked. "What if I end up failing? I don't want to owe the academy anything."
"You won't," the teacher said. "It's an investment, and it's an investment the school will be willing to make. Just tell me the number?"
"10," Ning said. "If I have 10 very pure crystals, I'm sure I can do it."
"Are you absolutely sure?" the teacher asked. "You need to do this."
'Shit, should I ask for more?' Ning wondered. 'This idiot might just give me more if I ask for it. Wait no, he might see through me if I get too greedy.'
"No, teacher. 10 is enough. With what my father sends me each month, it will be more than enough to reach the Essence Manifestation realm in just 2 months," Ning told the teacher.
The teacher excitedly smiled. "Good," he said. "Wait here, I'll bring you your crystal."
'Right now?' Ning looked at the teacher with surprise, while the teacher rushed out of the door.
He waited in the training room, looking around at everything.
'Should I give the turtle a visit?' he wondered. That would honestly be the best way to improve right now. However, doing so would definitely put a dent in the 'normal adventure' he wanted to have.
"But it will take me hundreds of thousands of years to reach the peak of what is possible with Essence in this world. Do I spend all those years normally?" he wondered.
He considered the idea of cheating, just using his real body to enjoy it all. However, a few moments later he paused.
"Why do I need to reach the peak?" he thought. It was not like he had put a goal in his adventure or anything.
Just because he could reach the peak, didn't mean he had to. He was here for an adventure, and there was more than just one way to have those.
"That settles it then," he thought. "There's no need to get those fruits."
"Get what fruits?" the teacher suddenly asked.
"Oh, nothing. When did you come back?" Ning asked as he turned toward the teacher.
"Just now," he said. "The crystal is kept nearby. Here, take it."
He handed over 10 pieces of crystals, all of which were about the same size as what Clara sent him each month.
With this many crystals, he was bound to reach the next rank easily. "I promise you, teacher, I will make it to the Manifestation realm before the competition starts," he said.
"I'm counting on you," the teacher said. "You can leave now. You should at least make it to your weapons training class after you have your lunch."
"Thanks, teacher Hayan," Ning said and turned around to leave.
"Actually," he stopped and turned around. "One more question before I leave. How many days will the competition last? And if I will have to be there for the entirety of it."
"The competition lasts… well, it somewhere between 10 and 15 days depending on how it all goes," the teacher explained. "As for if you will have to stay there for the entirety of it, I will say yes."
"The competition ground is always the academy. If it was taking place here, you wouldn't have to worry about staying for the entirety of the competition, but since the competition is taking place in the Lightdance academy, I'm afraid you will have to stay there the entire time," the teacher said. "I hope you are okay with missing a few weeks' worths of classes."
"I'm okay with that," Ning said. "Lightdance academy… where is that exactly? The Oseger Empire?"
"No, it's in the Blackhawk Dominion. It's south of the Blackrock mountains toward the east," the teacher said. "It will take us 3 days to reach there."
"I see," Ning said. "South… east?"
His eyes narrowed a bit as he realized something. "It takes place in the Whiteowl region?" he asked.
"Oh yes, it's a few kilometers outside of Whiteowl city," the teacher said.
"I see," Ning said. "Thank you for the information."
Ning left the area with a curious expression on his face. 'What a coincidence,' he thought. 'Clara really wants some answers, so I should be able to get some for her during this time.'
He then looked at the crystals in his hand. "Time to put you to good use."
