Chapter 73: Scenario IV

Several years passed.

Ryan gradually adapted to his life as Mika, a student of the Ancient Soul Binding Academy. What had initially seemed like a simple inheritance trial turned into a long journey of studying, practicing, and learning the various techniques of the ancient Soul Weavers.

He attended classes, completed assignments, participated in practical examinations, and spent countless hours in the academy library.

He also continued spending time with Daniel and Elara.

Daniel remained as cheerful and careless as ever, although he eventually became much better at handling spiritual creatures. Elara continued pursuing spiritual medicine and gradually became one of the better students in their year.

As for Ryan, he explored nearly every subject related to soul studies.

He learned how to identify different spiritual structures, manipulate spiritual threads, repair damaged connections, and create increasingly complicated spiritual constructs. He also studied spiritual formations, soul medicine, spirit summoning, and several other related disciplines.

Naturally, his progress wasn’t always smooth.

Some techniques required years of practice, while others involved knowledge that couldn’t be acquired simply by reading textbooks. There were times when he had to repeat the same exercise hundreds of times before achieving a satisfactory result.

However, Ryan remained patient.

He knew that this was a Legendary inheritance, and obtaining its complete knowledge wouldn’t be easy.

Eventually, the years passed.

Ryan was now in his seventh year at the Ancient Soul Binding Academy.

He had grown accustomed to his identity as Mika, and the academy had become a familiar place. He knew its buildings, its teachers, its rules, and even the small shops outside its eastern gate.

More importantly, his understanding of Soul Weaving had improved considerably.

INHERITANCE TRIAL

[Inheritance Trial Progress]

[Identity: Mika]

[Academy: Ancient Soul Binding Academy]

[Current Year: Seventh Year]

[Basic Soul Theory: Mastered]

[Advanced Soul Theory: Mastered]

[Spiritual Thread Identification: Mastered]

[Thread Manipulation: Mastered]

[Spiritual Construct Creation: Mastered]

[Soul Repair: Mastered]

[Spiritual Formation: Mastered]

[Soul Medicine: Mastered]

[Spirit Summoning: Mastered]

[Overall Inheritance Progress: 90%]

Ryan examined the notification for a moment before leaning back in his chair.

"Fortunately, time passes differetly here," he mumbled.

If the seven years he had spent in this place had also passed in the real world, he would have had a serious problem.

He closed the system interface and looked toward the window.

Today was his graduation day.

The academy had already made the necessary preparations, and students from different departments were gathering in the central building. After seven years of study, they would finally receive their graduation certificates.

Ryan had no particular attachment to the ceremony, but he was looking forward to seeing Daniel and Elara again.

They had spent the last few years studying together, and their paths had gradually become quite different.

Daniel had chosen Spirit Summoning as his specialization, while Elara had focused on Spiritual Medicine.

Ryan, on the other hand, had devoted most of his time to Soul Weaving.

He had learned almost everything the academy could teach him about the subject.

Almost everything.

Ryan opened the inheritance interface again and examined the progress.

"Ninety percent..."

He frowned slightly.

He had already completed every major course, passed all the assessments, and mastered the techniques taught by his instructors. He had even studied several restricted books with permission from the academy’s senior professors.

Yet the final ten percent remained incomplete.

He had no idea where the remaining inheritance was hidden.

’I’ve spent seven years here. What else am I supposed to do?’

He had considered several possibilities.

Perhaps there was a hidden technique that wasn’t taught in ordinary classes. Perhaps the academy had a secret library containing the original records of the ancient Soul Weavers. Or maybe the final requirement involved creating something that demonstrated his understanding of the entire profession.

Unfortunately, he had no concrete clues.

Ryan rubbed his forehead.

’The system only told me to learn the techniques of the ancient Soul Weavers and complete the assigned trials. It never explained what the final requirement was.’

He closed the interface.

For now, he would attend the graduation ceremony.

Perhaps something would happen afterward.

Just as Ryan was preparing to leave his room, a notification appeared.

[Graduation Ceremony Begins in 30 Minutes.]

[All Seventh-Year Students Are Required to Gather in the Central Hall.]

Ryan stood up, adjusted his academy uniform, and picked up his belongings.

"Well, let’s get this over with."

He walked out of his room and headed toward the central hall.

After seven years, he was finally graduating from the Ancient Soul Binding Academy.

However, he still had one final problem to solve.

The missing ten percent of the Soul Weaver inheritance.

The graduation ceremony proceeded as planned.

The central hall was filled with seventh-year students, their families, and several distinguished guests from outside the academy. Representatives of various organizations had also arrived to observe the graduating students and recruit promising talents.

Ryan sat among his classmates, listening as the academy’s headmaster delivered a speech about their years of study and the responsibilities that came with becoming professional Soul Weavers.

The speech was considerably longer than he had expected.

Fortunately, it eventually came to an end.

One by one, the students were called forward to receive their graduation certificates.

Daniel was called before Ryan. He walked onto the stage with a broad smile, accepted his certificate, and even waved toward his classmates before returning to his seat.

Elara followed shortly afterward. Unlike Daniel, she maintained a composed expression throughout the ceremony.

Eventually, Ryan’s name was announced.

"Mika!"

Ryan stood up and walked toward the stage.

He received his certificate from the headmaster, exchanged a few words with him, and returned to his seat.

With that, his seven years at the Ancient Soul Binding Academy had officially come to an end.

After the certificates were distributed, the headmaster announced the conclusion of the ceremony.

Students began gathering with their friends and instructors, while representatives from various organizations approached those they were interested in recruiting.

Daniel immediately came over to Ryan.

"Finally! We’re graduates!"

He looked rather excited.

"Seven years, Mika. Seven whole years! I can’t believe we’re finally done."

Elara approached them as well.

"You say that as if you didn’t spend half of those seven years complaining about assignments."

"That was a necessary part of my academic journey," Daniel replied.

Ryan shook his head.

"Congratulations to both of you."

"Same to you!" Daniel said. "So, what are your plans now?"

"I haven’t decided yet."

"Really? You should consider joining a good organization. There are several summoning associations looking for graduates this year."

Elara nodded.

"Some medical institutions have also sent representatives. I’ve already received a few invitations."

Ryan was about to respond when a familiar voice interrupted them.

"Mika, could you come to my office for a moment?"

Ryan turned around.

It was Professor Elric.

The professor was standing a short distance away, holding a small document in his hand.

"Professor Elric?"

"Yes. I have something to discuss with you. Please follow me."

Ryan glanced at Daniel and Elara.

"I’ll see you two later."

"Sure. Don’t take too long," Daniel said.

Ryan followed Professor Elric through the academy corridors.

They eventually arrived at the professor’s office, located on the third floor of the central academic building.

Professor Elric unlocked the door and gestured for Ryan to enter.

The office looked much the same as it had several years ago. Bookshelves covered the walls, and several documents were arranged neatly on the professor’s desk.

Ryan took a seat.

"Professor, is there something you need from me?"

Professor Elric sat opposite him.

"First, congratulations on your graduation. You have made considerable progress during your time at this academy."

"Thank you, Professor."

The professor nodded before placing the document on his desk.

"You may not be aware of this, but your performance over the last few years has attracted the attention of several senior members of the academy."

Ryan raised an eyebrow.

"Is that so?"

"Indeed. Your understanding of spiritual structures, your ability to manipulate spiritual threads, and your practical skills are all quite impressive."

Professor Elric paused.

"Because of this, you have been invited to join the Academy’s League of Guardians."

Ryan looked at him.

"The League of Guardians?"

"Yes. It is an organization established by the academy to protect important spiritual locations, investigate dangerous spiritual phenomena, and deal with threats that ordinary Soul Weavers cannot handle."

Ryan listened carefully.

Professor Elric continued explaining.

"The academy maintains several ancient facilities, spiritual sanctuaries, and research grounds. Some of them contain valuable resources, while others are connected to spiritual entities that have existed for thousands of years."

He tapped the document.

"The League of Guardians is responsible for protecting these places. Its members also assist the academy when dangerous situations arise."

Ryan considered the offer.

"Why was I selected?"

"Your abilities are particularly suitable for this organization. The League doesn’t recruit only powerful combatants. It also needs people who understand spiritual structures and can deal with damaged souls, unstable spiritual constructs, and other unusual phenomena."

Professor Elric leaned back slightly.

"Your knowledge of Soul Weaving would be useful to them."

Ryan nodded slowly.

Then he asked another question.

"Professor, you mentioned that the academy has several restricted techniques. Are those techniques related to the League of Guardians?"

Professor Elric looked at him with mild surprise.

"Some of them are, yes. The League possesses access to several techniques and records that aren’t included in the ordinary academic curriculum."

Ryan’s expression remained calm, but he became more attentive.

"What kind of techniques?"

"That depends on the responsibilities assigned to each member. Some techniques are related to spiritual combat, while others focus on advanced soul manipulation, spiritual constructs, and the protection of ancient spiritual beings."

The professor paused before adding,

"However, those techniques aren’t available to everyone. Members must demonstrate sufficient ability and earn the necessary permissions."

Ryan nodded.

’So there are still things I haven’t learned.’

He had already reached ninety percent inheritance progress, but the remaining ten percent had continued to elude him.

If the League of Guardians possessed knowledge that wasn’t taught to ordinary students, joining it might be exactly what he needed.

He looked at Professor Elric.

"How do I join?"

Professor Elric smiled faintly.

"I thought you might be interested. If you accept the invitation, I’ll help you complete the registration. You’ll then undergo an evaluation before being assigned your initial responsibilities."

Ryan nodded.

"Then I’d like to accept."

"Good. I’ll prepare the necessary documents."

Professor Elric picked up his pen.

Ryan sat quietly as the professor began filling out the paperwork.

He had originally thought that graduating from the academy might mark the end of this inheritance trial.

Apparently, there was still more to discover.

And perhaps the final ten percent of the Soul Weaver inheritance was waiting somewhere within the League of Guardians.