Elite Mages’ Academy (Web Novel)
chapter-28

Chapter 28: Gu Xiaoyue’s Meditation Level

Xiao Lin also stood up, but he did not feel the slightest bit relieved even though many did. He had a SS-level talent which was confirmed to be very powerful during the admission test. Why then, did he lose the effect that day?

Xiao Lin frowned and thought hard for a few minutes. The talent the smart computer gave at the time indicated that its passive effect was to improve learning efficiency by 100%.

He thought hard about those words and had a slightly deeper understanding of it. His Academic Genius talent could increase the XP of each learning session, rather than simply increasing the XP from 0 alone!

To put it more simply, whenever Xiao Lin practiced swordsmanship, his basic skills XP would increase by one point each time. Under the passive effect of his SS-level talent, it would become two XP. However, whether it was Basic Swordsmanship or Basic Saber Technique, the base level started at LV1. After all, anyone could wield a sword or a saber.

Basic Meditation was different. Not everyone was born to connect with the basic elements and, therefore, everyone’s basic meditation level was at LV0. Unless Xiao Lin relied on his own ability to feel the four elements and bring his Basic Meditation XP up from zero to one. Only then would his Academic Genius talent then take effect and turn that one XP into two.

That conclusion was undoubtedly very frustrating for Xiao Lin. He had much too simplistic a view of the courses.

Xiao Lin knew that he could only be considered a non-achiever at best. The reason why the talent was named Academic Genius was only because he was the first person to possess the talent, thus giving him the right to name it.

Xiao Lin’s basic attributes were very weak and he was very aware of that fact after using his class monitor’s authority to view his other classmates’ attributes. In terms of those values, his standard was more or less the same with a number of other people. For example, Wang Dalin’s intelligence was two points as well, while Gu Xiaoyue’s physique was very low as well. Nevertheless, at least one or several other attribute values of those people were still acceptable. They might even be considered prominent.

The only exception was Xiao Lin. All his basic attribute values were hopelessly low, but he was fortunate to have an SS-level talent. However, that talent could be more accurately described as to provide greater speed in terms of progressing skills he already had. It did not make up for any weak innate attributes.

He subconsciously glanced at the calm Gu Xiaoyue beside him. As expected, she was still sitting on the ground in a dignified manner.

In front, the Lolita’s eyes lit up without hesitation when she saw that Xiao Lin—who had an absolutely sour expression—was among those who stood up. She made a point to add insult to injury and say, “Even though I don’t have the authority to expel you just yet, let me give you a word of advice: give up all spell courses as soon as possible. They’re completely not suited for you! There’s still time to take another course, rather than waiting until sophomore year or third year only to regret it. They’ll only waste more of your time!”

A dissatisfied voice replied, “It’s only been three hours. I just haven’t grasped the basics yet. Give me more time. I can definitely sense the four elements!”

The Lolita nodded. “You’re right. Feeling the four elements is the prerequisite for meditation and the basis for becoming a mage. It could be said that anyone who spent enough time in this meditation room—which has an unusually high elemental concentration—is able to enter a state of meditation sooner or later. Then, they can learn spells.”

Those words put a smile on many people’s faces. Those who took the course were undoubtedly very interested in the legendary feat of magic. They did not want to give up that easily.

The Lolita snorted and her tone suddenly sharpened. “But do you really think it makes sense to take days, even months, just to increase your Basic Meditation XP by only one? In theory, anyone in this school can learn spells, but a person who takes four years to become a Black Iron Mage is in an entirely different situation than a person who only takes four months!

“I don’t care what evaluation you received in the admissions test. Learning spells requires talent. The results of today’s three-hour meditation will almost certainly determine your future in spell courses! ”

Xiao Lin touched his nose and smiled bitterly. The Lolita stared at him unceremoniously and was obviously mocking him. He clearly had no talent yet insisted on cultivating both magic and martial arts.

After making that remark, the Lolita stopped paying attention to Xiao Lin and turned to the students who were still sitting. The faces of those people were half-expectant and half-nervous. The Lolita then pointed to her right. “For those remaining, anyone who increased their Basic Meditation XP within the range of ten XP, please stand there.”

90% of those who were still sitting stood at the Lolita’s right side. The sight of that filled Xiao Lin’s mind with disappointment and he could not help his surprise.

After three hours of meditating, Xiao Lin thought that those who entered the state of meditation might have already advanced to LV1 in their Basic Meditation. After all, upgrading required only 50 XP, but it came as a shock that those who could connect with the four elements still only had less than 10 XP.

During the same period of time, skills such as Basic Dagger Mastery could at least be raised from LV1 to LV2.

According to the meditation learning rate, it would take at least a week or so to just upgrade one’s Basic Meditation to LV1. Could spells be that difficult to learn?

The Lolita glanced at them and saw another six people still seated. Unsurprised at the outcome, she called them out. “How much has your meditation XP increased? Please report it one by one!”

“Twelve XP!”

“Fourteen XP.”

“Thirteen XP.”

“Eleven XP.”

“Thirty XP.”

Upon hearing someone say 30 XP, the Lolita finally had a change of expression on her immature face. “What’s your name?”

The four people with more than ten XP were rather unhappy. It was clear that the Lolita was not asking about them. As the last few who remained, they had more than enough right to be proud of themselves, but the person with 30 XP stole their limelight by a landslide.

Xiao Lin, like everyone else, looked toward the direction of the voice. The person who gained 30 XP was a handsome, short-haired boy that looked quite young.

The boy found it rather hard to adapt to the sudden thrusting into the limelight. He touched his head and smiled awkwardly. “My name is Chen Dao.”

“Class monitor! Awesome!” Someone among those standing shouted out loud.

The Lolita raised her eyebrows. “Are you an acting monitor?”

“I’m Freshman Class Twelve’s acting class monitor.” Chen Dao answered at once. After some thought, he added, “I’m a talented student.”

Xiao Lin had to admit that talented students were on a whole different level compared to ordinary students. Considering that he was also a talented student with an SS-level talent, it was a mystery as to why it was so difficult for him to enter into meditation.

He sighed to himself and suddenly had a look of realization, as if he had forgotten something. He abruptly turned to look at Gu Xiaoyue, who was sitting quietly beside him in the corner of the meditation room. She seemed to have yet to report her meditation value.

The Lolita finally thought of the girl she nearly missed, but after the initial shock that Chen Dao gave her, her face had already calmed down significantly.

“Gu Xiaoyue, how much XP did you get?”

“One!” Gu Xiaoyue’s answer was always incredibly concise. Superfluous words seemed taboo to her.

“Only one XP!” The Lolita looked displeased. “Are you kidding me, Gu Xiaoyue! Or perhaps you didn’t hear what I just said? I ordered anyone who had ten XP to stand on by my right!”

Gu Xiaoyue frowned slightly and adjusted her black spectacle frames. She then said, “I mean, level one.”

“What?” the Lolita’s tone fell flat.

Gu Xiaoyue’s delicate expression appeared to be at a loss and she had to repeat her sentence in its entirety. “Basic Meditation level one. No more, no less. Just right!”

Damn it!

A speechless Xiao Lin looked at the ever-calm girl beside him. He had his suspicions as to whether she was similar to him–whether she actually possessed some kind of SS-level talent that no one knew about.